Gran Canaria is one of the easiest European islands for a family holiday. The weather is mild for most of the year, the south coast is built around beaches and resorts, and several attractions are designed with children in mind. The key is to pace the days, because the sun is strong, the distances add up and small children tire quickly. This guide groups the best family ideas by what kind of day you want, from a full day at a park to a gentle morning on a sheltered beach.
Big park days
Two parks suit nearly every age. Palmitos Park, in a green ravine inland from Maspalomas, combines birds, a butterfly house, dolphins and gardens, and the shaded paths make it a good choice when the weather is hot. Aqualand Maspalomas is the island’s water park, with slides for thrill seekers and gentler areas for small children. Choose a warm, calm day, because the water and the breeze can feel cool in winter, and arrive when the gates open to enjoy the quiet start. Neither park needs a full-day plan from the first minute: for toddlers, a long lunch and a rest in the shade is a better rhythm than trying to see everything.
Animals and wild west
Younger children love Sioux City Park, a film-set Wild West town in a ravine near Maspalomas with staged shows and a small farm with goats, ponies and donkeys. It is dusty and has limited shade at midday, so bring hats and water, and note that the park keeps shorter hours and a weekly closing day than the bigger parks. Cocodrilo Park, near Agüimes, is a zoo with crocodiles and other reptiles and is a good wet-weather or cooler-day alternative, and the Poema del Mar aquarium in Las Palmas has big tanks and feedings in a building that is open every day. Children enter the Arehucas rum distillery free, though the tasting itself is for adults, so it only suits families with a spare half hour.
Evening fun
Holidayworld Maspalomas, a fun fair that keeps evening hours and is closed at the start of the week, is the answer when everyone is too hot for rides at midday. It has rides for different age groups, and going early in the evening keeps small children from becoming overtired. Check the days and hours for your date, because they follow a partial-week pattern.
On the water
A dolphin and whale cruise from Puerto Rico is the classic family boat trip, and the captains and crew usually explain what you are seeing. Sightings cannot be promised, and the sea can be lively, so avoid it for children who are prone to seasickness or choose a calm day. The camel safari in the Maspalomas Dunes is short, at about half an hour, which makes it ideal for small children, and the dunes themselves are a giant free sandpit for the rest of the afternoon. Teenagers who want more can look at the buggy safari, where the operator sets age and height limits, or the Virgin Beaches catamaran, which adds swimming and snorkelling stops.
Calm beaches
Puerto de Mogan has a small sheltered beach in a pretty harbour village, which suits families with young children, and it is easy to combine with lunch by the water. In Las Palmas, Las Canteras is protected by an offshore reef and its long promenade is full of cafes. Lifeguard flags matter on the Atlantic side of the island, so follow them and avoid swimming where the sea looks rough.
Where to stay
For a base with everything on site, Lopesan Costa Meloneras offers six pools, a children’s pool and family rooms for up to four adults, though the resort is large, so ask for a room near the facilities you will use. Grupotel Orquidea in Playa del Ingles is family oriented, with a children’s pool, a waterslide and an arcade, and Sol Barbacan Aparthotel gives families more space for self-catering. If you want a city break with beach access, the hotels along Las Canteras work well. Remember that some hotels have age rules: one of the island’s most refined five-stars does not accept younger children in December and January, so always check the policy.
Practical tips
Plan one big activity a day and leave the rest of the day free. Carry water, snacks, sun hats and a spare set of dry clothes, because beaches and boats can be wet. If you hire a car, ask for child seats in advance, and check the local rules for each age group. Mountain roads are winding, so a long drive to Roque Nublo is better saved for older children who are comfortable on a half-day outing, and hiking in the interior should be short and well shaded. Prices are in euros and children often get reduced tickets, although the age bands vary by attraction, so read the ticket page carefully before you buy.
