Español
English
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Nederlands
Português
日本語
中文
Gran Canaria is almost round, but there’s a lot packed into it: dunes and beaches in the south, a capital with a historic centre in the north and, in the middle, the summit of Roque Nublo. The cultural landscape of Risco Caído and the Sacred Mountains has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019.
Deciding where to stay in Gran Canaria means deciding what kind of trip you want. We look at the five areas where we select the most places to stay, with nine recommendations that we choose one by one for their services, location and the kind of traveller they suit. You can find the full range on our page for places to stay in Gran Canaria.
How to choose an area in Gran Canaria
The airport is on the east coast, between the capital and the tourist resorts in the south. These are the bases that work best:
- Maspalomas: the dunes, lighthouse and Meloneras, with a relaxed pace that suits couples and families.
- Playa del Inglés: the heart of the south, with plenty of entertainment and the best-known LGBTI scene in the Canary Islands.
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Vegueta, museums, year-round local life and a large urban beach.
- Inland San Bartolomé de Tirajana: villas among ravines, for those travelling by car and looking for peace and quiet.
- San Agustín: the quietest end of the south coast, with small beaches.
The three coastal areas in the south form one continuous stretch and are easy to get around by bus or on foot. The capital, which is cloudier in summer, isn’t an alternative to the south so much as a different kind of trip.
Where to stay in Maspalomas
The Maspalomas Dunes are a Special Nature Reserve: a small desert of sand between Playa del Inglés and the Maspalomas Lighthouse, next to La Charca, a lagoon visited by migratory birds. Meloneras, with its seafront promenade and restaurants, begins west of the lighthouse.
If you walk through the dunes, stick to the marked paths: in 2026, the island council increased patrols, including at sunset, to protect the vegetation. Villas and single-storey houses with pools are common here; find them among our places to stay in Maspalomas. Two we like:
Villa Palmera
A villa for four with an outdoor pool, garden and hot tub, just over two kilometres from Playa del Inglés. With a fully equipped kitchen and children’s play area, it works very well for families. Bear in mind that a deposit is required on arrival, check-in ends at 21:00 and quiet is expected at night.
El Caramelito 1
A ground-floor house for two adults, with an outdoor pool, patio, terrace and garden, and adapted for wheelchair users. Pets are welcome at no extra charge, and there’s a fully equipped kitchen. It’s not suitable for children or late nights: it’s adults-only and quiet is expected from 22:00.
Where to stay in Playa del Inglés
Playa del Inglés grew out of the tourism boom of the 1960s and remains the heart of the south: a long beach that meets the dunes, shopping avenues and open-air centres like Yumbo, a hub for the LGBTI scene. It’s the most convenient base if you don’t have a car.
The Maspalomas Winter Pride takes place each year in early November, with Yumbo at its heart: accommodation fills up early for those dates. See our full selection of places to stay in Playa del Inglés; here are two adults-only options:
Villa RG Boutique Hotel - Adults Only
A small adults-only resort with an outdoor pool and rooms with terraces overlooking the garden or pool, about 500 m from the beach. Yumbo is a six-minute walk away, making it ideal for couples who want nightlife close by. Free parking is public, on the surrounding streets.
Atlantic Sun Beach - Gay Men Only
A three-star hotel exclusively for gay men, with apartments featuring a bedroom, fully equipped kitchen and living area, set around an outdoor pool and shared gardens. The beach is about 200 m away. Each apartment sleeps a maximum of two, and parking is public, nearby.
Where to stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The capital’s Vegueta district is home to Santa Ana Cathedral and the Casa de Colón, while Triana is its traditional shopping street. On the other side of the city, Las Canteras Beach has a natural reef, La Barra, which calms the waves and makes it possible to swim and snorkel right in the city centre.
It’s the best base outside peak season. The 2027 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival, dedicated to music, runs from 22 January to 28 February: it’s worth booking well ahead for those weeks. Find more options among places to stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; here are two very different suggestions:
Canteras Aqua Essence - Private Pool & Beach
A 110 m² house for six with a private pool, an unusual find just 250 m from Las Canteras. The kitchen has a dishwasher and the terrace overlooks the pool: a good combination for families or groups who want beach and city without a car. There’s no parking, parties aren’t allowed and quiet is expected from 22:00.
Villa Enora
A 135 m² villa for five, with a garden, patio, terrace, barbecue and mountain views. The Pico y Caldera de Bandama viewpoint is just over a kilometre away, and there’s free private parking. Check-in starts at 16:00, and guests are asked to let the property know their arrival time.
Where to stay inland in San Bartolomé de Tirajana
The municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana isn’t just coastline: it climbs towards the summit along the Fataga ravine, past the village of white houses among palm trees, the aboriginal necropolis of Arteara and Tunte, the municipal seat. Nights are cool here, and the beaches are a half-hour drive away.
This is an area for travelling by car and combining beach time with hiking; from 24 to 28 February 2027, the Transgrancanaria returns to the island’s mountain trails. Find the full selection among places to stay in San Bartolomé; here are two homes with views:
Villa Inés
A four-bedroom villa for groups of up to twelve, with a private pool, garden, barbecue and mountain views. It’s a good base for exploring Fataga and the interior. Pets are welcome, though a surcharge may apply. It’s about 42 km from the airport, check-in ends at 18:00 and quiet is expected from 22:00 to 10:00.
ROMANTICA
A place designed for couples, with an outdoor pool and sea views, about 6 km from Meloneras beach. Its 45 m² suite has a separate bedroom, living room and terrace, and all units have a kitchen. A minimum stay of four nights is required, and there’s no parking, so it’s best suited to longer stays.
Where to stay in San Agustín
San Agustín was one of the south’s first tourist resorts and is now its most peaceful corner: low-rise developments with gardens, San Agustín beach and neighbouring Playa de las Burras, linked by a seafront promenade. Families choose it for the southern sunshine without the crowds.
There’s a small selection, all of which you can find among our places to stay in San Agustín. Our pick is just steps from the water:
El Yate
One- and two-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens and an outdoor pool open all year, 200 m from San Agustín beach and 300 m from Las Burras beach. The two-bedroom apartment sleeps five, making it a good option for families. There’s no parking, and quiet is expected from 21:00, an early curfew if you’re going out at night.
What to see in Gran Canaria
The essential excursion is to the summit: Roque Nublo, reached by a short walk, the village of Tejeda and Pico de las Nieves, the island’s highest point. In the north, Teror, with its wooden balconies, Arucas and Agaete, home to Puerto de las Nieves, are all worth a visit.
In the southwest, Puerto de Mogán combines white houses, canals and a fishing harbour, while the Cueva Pintada de Gáldar tells the story of the island’s aboriginal past.
When to visit Gran Canaria
The south has good weather almost all year, and its mild winters make it a great destination for a getaway between November and March. In February 2027, the final stretch of the capital’s Carnival coincides with the Transgrancanaria: if you’re travelling then, book ahead.
How to get to and around Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria Airport, at Gando, is served by Global buses: line 60 goes to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and line 66 runs via Playa del Inglés to the Maspalomas Lighthouse. A hire car is almost essential for exploring the interior and the summit. Find more details in our guide to getting to Gran Canaria.
Gran Canaria is part of our guide to where to stay in the Canary Islands and our guide to getting to the Canary Islands. If you’ve decided on an area, read on to find out where to stay in Maspalomas, where to stay in Playa del Inglés or where to stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask us most about Gran Canaria.
What’s the best area to stay in Gran Canaria?
For a beach trip, head south: Maspalomas if you’re looking for peace and dunes, Playa del Inglés for entertainment and good bus connections, or San Agustín if you’re travelling as a family and prefer a relaxed atmosphere. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the best choice for a city break or an off-season visit, with Las Canteras beach. The interior is a good fit if you have a car and want peace and quiet.
Is it better to stay in Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés?
They’re next to each other and share a beach, so the difference comes down to atmosphere. Playa del Inglés is livelier, with shopping centres, bars and nightlife, and is the most convenient area if you don’t have a car. Maspalomas, with its lighthouse, La Charca and Meloneras, is quieter and has plenty of villas and houses with pools. You can walk to the dunes from either, sticking to the marked paths.
Is it worth staying in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?
Yes, especially if you’re interested in culture and local life. Vegueta has preserved its historic centre, with Santa Ana Cathedral and the Casa de Colón, while Las Canteras is an urban beach protected by a reef. In summer, the sky is usually cloudier than in the south. For Carnival, from 22 January to 28 February 2027, it’s the obvious base.
How do you get from the airport to the south of Gran Canaria?
The airport is at Gando, on the east coast. The easiest option is the bus: Global’s line 66 connects the airport with Playa del Inglés and the Maspalomas Lighthouse, while line 60 goes to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Taxis and car-hire companies are also available, which can be useful if you’re staying inland or far from a bus stop.
When is the best time to visit Gran Canaria?
The south has good weather almost all year, and winter is its peak season thanks to the mild temperatures; spring and autumn are ideal for combining beach time with hiking. Book ahead for major events: Maspalomas Winter Pride in early November, the capital’s Carnival from January to February 2027, and the Transgrancanaria from 24 to 28 February 2027.
