Have yourself a Gran old time this summer

By Adele Merson

May 16 2016, 4:00 pm

Did you know that Gran Canaria is one of the sunniest places on earth? Yes, it sure is.

With over 3000 hours of sunshine per year*, this sounds like just the spot to be sure you will soak up the sun this summer.

The third largest of the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, has stood the test of time and is still attracting sun-seeking holidaymakers in their droves, year after year.

With such a great choice of activities for all the family, it’s easy to see why the island is still so popular.

A holiday to Gran Canaria can be as busy or as relaxing as you want.

We won’t force you to get off the sun lounger to go snorkelling or riding camels but if you fancy some fun, away from the hotel’s poolside then it’s all there for you.

Here are some of the island’s top attractions where you could be enjoying some fun-filled days in the sun this summer.

Holiday World

Don’t miss this exhilarating theme park for some thrills and spills and all the fun of the fair.

Sioux City Park

Take a trip back in time and recreate the drama of America’s Wild West. A fabulous day out for all the family

Spirit of the Sea Boat Tour

Enjoy a day out in the crystal blue waters for some dolphin spotting. Be amazed at some of the colourful sea creatures you will encounter from the boat’s glass bottom.

Camel Rides in the Sand Dunes

A trip to Gran Canaria just would not be complete without a visit to the dramatic sand dunes of Maspalomas. Enjoy a real desert-like experience by taking a camel ride across the dunes. Truly unforgettable!

Palmitos Park

Enjoy a fun, yet educational trip to Palmitos Park, one of Spain’s biggest tropical bird collections in this stunning wildlife garden experience.

Aqualand Water Park

Time to get wet and wild with a day at this exciting waterpark. Splash around in the flumes, wave pool or chill out in the lazy river.

Garbo’s

Don’t miss this glitzy cabaret/dinner venue packed with dazzling routines and impressive lighting effects. A show-stopping night out.

There are a few resorts to choose from on the sun-kissed island of Gran Canaria but some are more peaceful than others. Puerto Rico and Puerto del Ingles will be more suitable for those who want to party the night away. Whereas, for families and couples looking for a more low-key, relaxing experience, the resorts of Meloneras, Playa Taurito and Maspalomas will be more appealing.

Here’s a quick run down of our top resorts in Gran Canaria:

Maspalomas

A relatively new resort with a luxury, upmarket feel to it, offering stylish hotels and high end shops and restaurants.

Playa Taurito

An elegant resort, set against rugged, volcanic cliffs, this quiet spot enjoys a more relaxed vibe than it’s bustling neighbour, Puerto Rico.

Bahia Feliz

A stylish little town on the island’s south coast with a quaint village square that has charming pavement cafes and pretty architecture.

Las Palmas

A bustling cosmopolitan city in the north-east of the island. Here you can enjoy wandering through the pedestrianised, cobbled streets, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere.

Play del Ingles

Arguably the most popular resort with lots of bars and restaurants catering for the British market.

If you fancy heading to Gran Canaria this summer, we’ve got some great deals from our friends at talkholiday. You can save on holiday package deals as well as attraction tickets. *Gran Canaria weather

Travel themed social media network talkholiday is a site where you can plan, prepare and purchase every aspect of your travel, even down to your holiday wardrobe! In addition, the site boasts a free crisis support feature for holidaymakers in the event of a natural disaster, or if they lost their passport, mobile phone or bags on holiday. Translator and consular services are also available. Best of all it’s FREE to join.