Gran canaria spain

Gran canaria spain

The Gran Canaria island lies lies between Fuerteventura and Tenerife at a distance of 83 kilometres to the west of Fuerteventura and 62 kilometres to the east of Tenerife. The closest point on the African coast lies approximately 210 kilometres away, while Cadiz, the closest port on the European continent, lies 1,250 kilometres away. Gran Canaria is cosmopolitan, lively and spirited, and, after forty years, more than accustomed to giving holidaymakers a great time, but scratch a little beneath the surface and you'll find a fiercely proud land of fiestas and faith, hospitality and history – where tradition and tourism coexist more or less happily together. By night, the entertainment complexes of Playa del Ingles offer uncomplicated nights of fun which might start with a delicious meal, followed by a stroll along the promenade and a drink with friends at one of the resort's legendary nightspots

There are almost 40 miles of beaches, concentrated in the south of Gran Canaria. Fifty of the total of 150 have full amenities. Expect clear waters and clean sands from Las Canteras in the capital to the sand dunes of Maspalomas and the isolated beach of Giii-Gui. As with the Lanzarote weather, winter temperatures average 22C (sea temperature 18C) in the south, 18C in the north. Cool trade winds keep summers a pleasant 24C despite the nearness of the Sahara. The lack of rainfall is compensated by the use of desalinated sea water.

The variety of scenery makes Gran Canaria a mini-continent – with warm coasts, temperate uplands, subtropical forests, mountain peaks and volcanoes, cliffs and dunes. Almost half the island is protected against development and has been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Oranges, bananas, lemons, dates, figs and other fruits grow everywhere, along with almost 500 plants peculiar to the Canary Islands. There are plenty of rooms and a range of accommodation, from self-catering apartments and villas to four and five-star resorts.

There really aren’t any other option of getting to the Canaries by any way other than air. Gran Canarias airport (Aeropuerto de Gando) is located in the southwest of the island. Taxis and bus transfers then transport tourists to their resort locations. It is also possible to travel to and from the other islands in the Canaries by ferry. Direct flights to Gran Canaria from the UK takes four hours, with charters from many UK airports and scheduled services from Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Glasgow and Doncaster-Sheffield, as well as flights via Madrid and Barcelona (taking about seven hours). The airport is ten miles south of Las Palmas. Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles are 25 minutes from the airport and Puerto de Mogan 40 minutes.

Nightlife in Gran Canaria is much more energetic and full of fun. Gran Canaria nights and parties are full of fun and freedom with lots of gay cafés and lesbian cafés. Playa del Inglés is Europe's winter party capital popular by the gay travelers. Kasbah Centre is nice for family nights. Cafe Avenida, Gran Café Latino, Mundo Restaurant and Peppermint are the best known and famous cafes. Disco and bars at Puerto Rico, Maspalomas, and Las Palmas worth visiting.
Holidaymakers in Gran Canaria prefer to shop in the area of Las Canteras beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Calle Triana is the most popular shopping street located in Las Palmas. Baskets made of banana leaves, pottery and lace embroidery; miniature replica of Canary Island wooden balconies are the popular things to buy during your holidays.