I have just returned from a fantastic trip to Gran Canaria, where I explored many different areas of the island. Whilst most people prefer to fly to the island and go directly to the beautiful beaches in the South, I am going to give you some different suggestions on the best places to stay in Gran Canaria.
Gran Canaria is such a fascinating place to visit, offering something for every type of tourist: beach, mountains, culture, adventure, spa, and active sports. Each part of the island is different, and because Gran Canaria is small, it is very easy to explore different areas each day. The north of Gran Canaria is green, with a rough coast that offers spectacular landscapes of cliffs dropping sharply in the ocean, with the most beautiful crystal-clear waters. The middle of the island has high mountains with pine forests, where from the top you can spot the highest mountain in Spain, on the nearby island of Tenerife. The South of Gran Canaria spoils visitors with golden sand beaches, dunes, and cloud-free skies.
Because of its varied landscape, each area in Gran Canaria has its own climate. I found out that the clouds that usually cover the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, are often referred by the locals as the “belly of the donkey”, which I thought was quite funny. Once you reach the top of the mountains, you will notice that you are above the “belly of the donkey”.
So, if you are looking for an active holiday in Gran Canaria, or want to do something other than spend the entire day on the beach, continue to read on, because this is the article for you. This article is based on my own experience in Gran Canaria. I will also be recommending some of the most unique hotels I stayed at in Gran Canaria.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Many people who choose to spend their holiday in Gran Canaria skip its pretty capital, Las Palma de Gran Canaria, and head straight to the beaches from the south of the island. Located in the north of the island, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a must-see. I highly suggest spending at least one or two days in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, to see the colonial architecture, learn about the history of the island, as well as indulge in the local cuisine in one of the numerous tapas bars in Triana.
The old town of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which is as old as the 15th century, is split between Vegueta and Triana.
In Vegueta you can explore the colonial houses, visit Casa de Colon (where Christopher Columbus spent some time when he stayed on the island on his way to the Americas), learn about the pre-hispanic history of Gran Canaria, as well as visit the beautiful black volcanic stone Santa Ana Cathedral.
Compared to Vegueta, Triana is lively, with many boutique shops, bars and restaurants, as well as gorgeous palaces dating from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a great place to stay in Gran Canaria if you are searching for culture, good food, and golden sand beaches. In the North of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria you will find the beautiful Playa de las Canteras, a great urban beach over 3 kilometres long.
Where to Stay in Las Palma de Gran Canaria
Hotel Veintiuno
Veintiuno is a boutique hotel with only 21 rooms, and only a stone’s throw away from Santa Ana de Canarias Metropolitan Cathedral. This adults-only hotel is homed in an 18th century colonial house The rooms are beautifully decorated with neutral tones, in a rustic-modern Nordic minimalistic style which make them spacious and breezy. I loved the massive comfortable bed which gave me such a good night’s sleep after a long day of travel to Gran Canaria. Many of the décor elements in the hotel are original, restored to fit in with the décor. In my room there was a gorgeous large storage chest that gave the space personality.
The hotel has a rooftop pool, as well as a bar with views towards the Cathedral. The bar works on the honesty method, by serving yourself with what you want and writing in down on a notebook – to pay at the end of your stay.
The breakfast was not just delicious, but also very Instagrammable. They offer an a la carte breakfast menu from which you can choose a savoury as well as a sweet course, cooked to order. Being such a small hotel, they pay so much attention to detail, making sure that every guest is happy. I chose the toasted bread with tomatoes and jamon, a typical Spanish breakfast, and a freshly baked croissant with mango jam. After I finished my breakfast I took my cup of coffee to the outdoor terrace to enjoy while admiring the view.
You can see the reviews of Hotel Veintiuno on Tripadvisor, or click here to see the latest rates on Booking.com
Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
Another great hotel in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel. Whilst I didn’t stay here overnight, I did explore the grounds and had dinner at their on-site restaurant, 1890 La Bodeguita.
Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel was opened in 1890 and soon became the social place of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Many celebrities chose to stay here, from Agatha Christie to Winston Churchill. The hotel is very opulent, designed in a grand colonial style, with high ceilings, wall frescoes, period furniture and majestic chandeliers. It has lush gardens with water features and intricate works of art where you can take relaxing strolls, as well as a dreamy rooftop pool and bar. The rooftop is a fantastic place to watch the sunset from, especially when the pink sky starts reflecting on the water. The architecture of the rooftop reminded me of the Mughal palaces in Rajasthan.
The food at 1890 La Bodeguita restaurant was exceptional. We had a table on the terrace, overlooking the gardens. We started with a selection of warm bread served alongside a trio of butters: classic, seaweed infused, and bacon. The appetiser was a selection of local tapas such as papas arrugadas with mojo – one of the most traditional dishes in the Canary Islands, tomates alinados, and grilled vegetables dressed with balsamic vinegar. As a main, we had the grilled seabass accompanied by a vegetable gratin, which was delicious. All this was washed down with a lovely local wine from Cran Canaria, Agala Altitud 1175.
You can read the reviews of Hotel Santa Catalina on Tripadvisor, or click here to see the latest rates on Booking.com
Agaete
Agaete and Puerto de las Nieves were one of my favourite places to stay in Gran Canaria. I loved everything about this place, which is a perfect destination for a quiet but cultural seaside destination in Gran Canaria.
There are so many things to do in Agaete, starting with the gorgeous natural pools where you can swim safely in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Access to the pools is free of charge.
Puerto de las Nieves is a lovely harbour dotted with fish restaurants and the most gorgeous backdrop of the highest cliffs I have ever seen. The sea is so clear here that it’s almost a sin not to jump in and swim for a while. All the houses here are white and have blue doors and shutters, making it such a romantic place to stroll around.
Inland in Agaete, you can go for a coffee and wine tasting at Casa Romantica, a wonderful restaurant with a view over the valley in between the cliffs. The owners run a coffee finca as well, where they grow their own beans. From the restaurant, you can see their beautiful garden with banana and papaya trees, herbs, vegetables, and pretty frangipani shrubs.
Agaete is home to one of the largest aboriginal burial grounds in Gran Canaria, the Maipes Archaeological Park. Here you can explore the pre-hispanic history of the island, and the way the aboriginal inhabitants used to bury their loved ones inside tumuli, making use of the roughest terrain in Gran Canaria.
Where to stay in Agaete
Occidental Roca Negra
Occidental Roca Negra is a short stroll from Puerto de la Nieves, uphill from the volcanic natural pools. The hotel is built in the volcanic rock, which makes it blend in very well with the rest of the architecture of the village. You wouldn’t know how big the hotel is if you would pass by it from the main road. This is an eco-friendly hotel, with sustainable practices.
All the rooms in the hotel overlook the sea. They are very spacious and modern decorated. There was even an egg chair in the room in which I spent a relaxing hour, taking a nap before dinner. I liked the attention to detail at this hotel: when I returned back from dinner, in the evening, I found a platter of fresh fruit on the desk in the room.
The outdoor pool was big and inviting, so I made sure to take a dip. In the evening I went to the rooftop terrace to watch the sunset whilst sipping a delicious Pina Colada. And what a beautiful show the sun put on for us that evening! The light kept changing so many times, illuminating the mountains at the rear of the hotel with different colours: yellow, orange, pink and purple.
For breakfast the hotel offered a selection of continental meats and cheeses, as well as eggs cooked to order. I couldn’t resist a sweet treat as well, so I finished with a chocolate donut and a glass of cava.
You can read the reviews of Occidental Roca Negra on Tripadvisor, or click here to see the latest rates on Booking.com
Arucas
Arucas is the perfect place to stay in Gran Canaria if you are looking for a rural holiday. The small traditional town is famous for the black volcanic stone architecture and the church, which looks more like a cathedral rather than just a simple praying sanctuary. Arucas is a charming town with a lovely pedestrianised area populated with outdoor terraces, cafes and restaurants.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Arucas is the Arehucas rum distillery, which you can visit. Arehucas makes rum with sugar cane grown on the island. One of their famous products is the honey rum, which you should buy as a souvenir from the duty-free, on your way back home. After you learn how the rum is made, see their 40 years old collection, and check out their giant stainless still distillation tanks, you will go to the tasting room and try out any of the products Arehucas produces. One of the most popular drinks among my group was the banana cream liquor.
In Areucas you have the most chances of spotting the most common inhabitant of the island, the Gran Canaria Giant Lizard. They like to chill out in the sun on the rocks, and as the name suggests, they are quite big. But totally harmless.
Where to stay in Arucas
Hacienda la Rekompensa
This is one of the most unique places to stay in Gran Canaria. Hacienda la Rekompensa is a banana plantation that has a beautiful house with stunning views over the sea, which you can rent. The house has three bedrooms, each decorated in a rustic Canarian way, two bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen, and can sleep up to six people.
The house is 100 years old and has been renovated and transformed into touristic accommodation. The patio leads to a beautiful lawn where you can spend the evenings in total quietness, enjoying the view. The owner greeted us with delicious banana milkshakes and cakes, as well as a special banana sparkling wine.
You can read the reviews of Hacienda la Rekompensa or see the latest rates by clicking here
Cruz de Tejeda
If you are looking for an active holiday in Gran Canaria, then you must leave the coast and explore the mountains. There are plenty of trails that follow the old royal route up to Cruz de Tejeda, passing through lush pine forests that open up in the most beautiful viewpoints. Tejeda is also the geographical centre of the island.
Gran Canaria has some amazing mountain bike trails as well. The road that goes up to Pico de las Nieves, the highest peak in Gran Canaria, is one of the steepest in the world, with a gradient of 23%.
Some of the most popular hiking routes in Gran Canaria include Transgrancanaria, where a mountain race is organised each year in February, The Tejeda Circular, or the Artenara Trail. Because of the mild climate of the island, hiking in the mountains of Gran Canaria is possible all year-round.
Where to stay in Cruz de Tejeda
Parador Cruz de Tejeda
Paradores are a chain of state-run hotels in unique locations and buildings, ranging from castles to former monasteries, fortresses and even palaces. They are some of the most unique hotels in Spain that usually have an outstanding restaurant serving local dishes cooked with seasonal produce. Parador Cruz de Tejeda is one of these unique hotels, famous for its incredible pool that extends over the cliff, overlooking the ocean through the stunning ravines and cliffs of the mountains of Gran Canaria. On a clear day, when the clouds aren’t rolling over the highest cliffs on the island, you can spot the peak of Teide, the highest mountain in Spain, on the nearby island of Tenerife.
All the rooms at Parador Cruz de Tejeda are facing the scenic ravine, with most of them having balconies. They are rustically decorated, and the walls are adorned with modern art paintings. The superior rooms have very large terraces with sunbeds and even swings.
Even if you are not a guest of the hotel, you can still come here and enjoy a spa circuit if you book it ahead of time. This includes swimming in the famous pool – the highest in Gran Canaria at 1500 meters.
I had lunch at the restaurant here and the food was exceptional. As a starter, we had a selection of local cheeses with pear chutney, ham croquettes, papas arrugadas with three types of mojo and gazpacho – cold tomato soup. As a main, we had the grilled seabass with vegetables. For dessert, we had bienmesabe, a traditional Canarian dessert made from almonds, honey and egg yolks, served with ice cream to balance its sweetness. We had it on the terrace, enjoying the view in the sunshine.
You can read the reviews of Parador Cruz de Tejeda on Tripadvisor, or click here to see the latest rates on Booking.com
Playa del Ingles
Playa del Ingles is one of the most popular areas to stay in Gran Canaria. It is famous for its nightlife and the many nightclubs offering fun until the early hours of the morning. If beach and parties are what you are looking for from a holiday abroad, then Playa del Ingles is the perfect place to stay in Gran Canaria for you.
Playa del Ingles is a proper seaside resort, with many hotels and resorts situated up a hill, offering great views over the sea. There are many restaurants, bars, fast food joints, shopping malls, as well as bazaars. Playa del Ingles is an affordable area, so it is well sought after by a younger clientele.
Where to stay in Playa del Ingles
Bohemia Suites and Spa
Bohemia Suites and Spa is another fantastic adults-only hotel full of personality. The service here is impeccable and the staff are the friendliest I have met during my entire trip to Gran Canaria. The hotel has a cutting-edge design, with quirky rooms and a panoramic bar and restaurant on the rooftop.
Located just five minutes from the beach, this five-star boutique hotel is so well designed that everything inside the rooms has its role and it is fully functional – including the separating walls, which can be repositioned, depending on how you want to customise the space inside. I had a red room with a balcony overlooking the sea, from where I watched the sunrise a couple of times.
All the lights in the room are electronically controlled from a panel near the bed, for convenience. I loved the little side table attached to the bed that moved. I also loved the funky lights on the balcony, at night.
The outdoor pools are like an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Playa del Ingles. I loved waking up to a swim in the big pool and then relaxing in the jacuzzi, before heading upstairs for breakfast.
The breakfast is pretty epic. Served in the panoramic restaurants from the rooftop, there is both a buffet and an a la carte breakfast menu. You can even order items that are not on the menu, as the vegans in our group did. Among the foods that stood out from the breakfast menu were the high-quality dripping olive oil, the honeycomb, as well as the cava. Our table had a unique decoration placed in the middle, the shapes of all seven of the Canary Islands.
You can read the reviews of Bohemia Suites and Spa on Tripadvisor, or click here to see the latest rates on Booking.com
Playa de Maspalomas
Playa de Maspalomas is a great place to stay in Gran Canaria for all types of travellers who are looking for a nice beach holiday, including families with children and older travellers. The most famous touristic attractions in Maspalomas are the sand dunes, which stretch over an area of 400 hectares.
Many tourists choose Maspalomas as their base in Gran Canaria because of the Special Natural Reserve of Maspalomas Dunes. Families with children will enjoy amusement water and themed parks in Maspalomas.
Where to stay in Playa de Maspalomas
Seaside Palm Beach
This beautiful five-star hotel is just across the street from the famous sand dunes of Gran Canaria. It features a spa, as well as two inviting outdoor swimming pools – one for general swimming, the other being for relaxation, with integrated jacuzzis and power showers.
The hotel has been designed by Alberto Pinto, a famous Parisian architect, in a Seventies-style, with geometric patterns and a curved Miami-style façade.
The rooms at Seaside Palm Beach have balconies with views either toward the pool or the sand dunes and the ocean. They are spacious and have all the amenities you need.
The rooms are decorated with a seaside retro theme in mind to match the vibrancy of Grand Canaria, have 70’s style furniture and lamps and feature graphic art on the walls. Stepping into the bathroom was like entering a different room – the design is so different, with sand-coloured tiles. I must also mention the pressure of the water in the shower, which was fantastic.
I enjoyed a yoga session as well as a spa treatment at the Seaside Palm Beach Hotel. The yoga session was held outside on the grass, under the palm trees, in a quiet area between the two outdoor pools. It was a great way to stretch and do a little bit of exercise after a holiday loaded with great food. The relaxing massage that followed was just what I needed to fully relax and enjoy the rest of the day by the pool.
You can read the reviews of Seaside Palm Beach on Tripadvisor, or click here to see the latest rates on Booking.com
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Please note that I was a guest of the Gran Canaria Tourism Board for this trip. We explored different parts of the island to discover what Gran Canaria offers to tourists, beyond the beaches. All of the opinions in this article are my own and have not been influenced at all, I went on the trip to observe and write about my own experience on the island.
These hotels look absolutely amazing!!!
Gran Canaria is quite a fascinating place in Spain with diverse landscapes to explore from beaches, forests, rugged cliffs to colonial architecture transformed into boutique hotels. It’s funny how the skies in Las Palmas de Canaria is known as “belly of the donkeys”. It’s also great to know that Santa Catalina hotel is one of those grand iconic hotels where biggies like Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill stayed. And Agaete is recorded as one of the oldest aboriginal burial grounds in Gran Canaria.It would be such a treat to visit such a place!
Wish I had this blog post before my recent trip there. You picked some incredible places to stay.
I have not been to Gran Canaria but really want to visit, I’m thinking next year during summer, you think it’s quite affordable? Also loving Arucas, is giving some Mexico vibes!
I find it so interesting that different places on the island have their own kind of climate. If I were to choose one place to stay from this list it would be Playa del Ingles, as I love the beach!
I haven’t been to Gran Canaria, this is definitely a must visit place! I have to bring my bike with me to experience the amazing mountain bike trails. Thanks for bringing us with you on this travel!
Great options for best places to stay for those that are planning a trip to Gran Canaria. I’ve stayed at a Royal Hideaway before, and so I would likely choose Santa Catalina. I love a luxury stay and Royal Hideaway hotels usually offer exceptional properties and service.