Family holidays
Gran Canaria with kids: dunes, calm bays and a water park
Gran Canaria is one of the most popular family islands in the Canaries, and with reason. Winter sun is reliable, beaches are plentiful and flights are manageable. Here are the places that suit children best, and the hotels we would choose.
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Two siblings run up a dune at Maspalomas and roll back down, again and again. The sand is fine as flour, and from the top they see the sea on one side and the lighthouse on the other. It is January, and neither of them is wearing a jacket.
Gran Canaria suits families because it is small enough to drive around in a day yet varied enough for a week: dunes, calm bays, mountain villages and water parks. We have collected what works for children, and the hotels that make the holiday easy.
Short answer: where to stay in Gran Canaria with kids
Maspalomas and Meloneras in the south have the most reliable sun, big family hotels and a short trip to the dunes and the water park. For city and beach together, Las Palmas in the north is a good choice, with calm Las Canteras beach and the Poema del Mar aquarium.
Best beach for toddlers: Las Canteras
Best nature: the Maspalomas dunes
Best rainy day: Poema del Mar
Best day trip: Puerto de Mogán
Best family hotel: Lopesan Costa Meloneras
Lopesan Costa Meloneras
The pool area at Lopesan Costa Meloneras.
Maspalomas and Meloneras: dunes and big resorts
The Maspalomas dunes are a nature reserve, and children can spend hours running and rolling in the sand. Bring water and sun hats, as there is no shade. The promenade towards Meloneras is flat and good for pushchairs.
Nearby are the Aqualand water park and Palmitos Park, set in a ravine inland with birds and a botanical garden.
The catch: it is often windy at the dunes. Pick a calm day for younger children.
Lopesan Costa Meloneras: everything in one place
Lopesan Costa Meloneras is one of the big resort hotels in Meloneras, with several pools and the promenade right outside. For families it is safe and practical, with food and swimming close at hand. It is large, so ask for a room near the pools if you have small children.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Lopesan Costa Meloneras
Seaside Palm Beach
The garden and pool at Seaside Palm Beach.
Seaside Palm Beach: greener and calmer
Palm Beach sits in a palm garden near the Maspalomas lighthouse, with two outdoor pools and a short walk to the beach and dunes. It is calmer than the biggest resorts, and guests praise the staff. It suits families with older children who like peace.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Seaside Palm Beach
Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina with palms in front of the facade.
Las Palmas: a beach with a natural breakwater
Las Canteras in Las Palmas has a natural reef offshore, La Barra, which softens the waves and makes the water calmer than in many other places on the island. That makes it good for children snorkelling for the first time.
The Poema del Mar aquarium is by the port, and its huge glass wall onto deep water is what children remember. The old quarter of Vegueta has small squares and cafés for lunch.
Santa Catalina: a grand hotel in the park
The old grand hotel stands in Doramas Park in Las Palmas, surrounded by palms and a short trip from both Vegueta and Las Canteras. It suits families who want a few nights in the city and to see more than the beach. It is quieter than the hotels in the south.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Santa Catalina
The mountains: Roque Nublo and Tejeda
The mountains rise in the middle of the island, and a day trip there shows a very different Gran Canaria from the beaches. The path to the Roque Nublo rock is short enough for school-age children used to walking, and the view is huge. The village of Tejeda is known for almond sweets and small bakeries, and makes a good lunch stop.
The catch: the roads up are winding, and it can be cold and misty even when the coast is sunny. Bring an extra layer for everyone.
Puerto de Mogán: canals and boats
Puerto de Mogán on the south-west coast has canals and white houses covered in flowers, and is often called the little Venice of Gran Canaria. The beach is calm, and boats leave the harbour to cruise the coast.
Friday is market day in town and it gets busy. Arrive early if you want to park near the harbour. See our guide to car hire in Gran Canaria.
Good to know before you go
Winter is high season: Christmas, February half-term and Easter are busy and expensive. Book early.
A hire car helps: buses exist, but a car makes the mountains and small bays easy to reach.
Sun cream all year: the sun is strong even when the wind feels cool.
South or north: the south has the most sun, the north more city and nature.
Gran Canaria with kids: frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Gran Canaria with kids?
Maspalomas and Meloneras in the south have the most sun and the most family hotels. Las Palmas suits families who want city and beach.
Which Gran Canaria beach is best for toddlers?
Las Canteras in Las Palmas has calm water thanks to a natural reef, and Puerto de Mogán has a sheltered beach.
What can kids do in Gran Canaria?
The Maspalomas dunes, the Aqualand water park, Palmitos Park and the Poema del Mar aquarium are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Gran Canaria with kids?
The island has mild weather all year. Winter is most popular, while autumn is often quiet and warm.