The Canary Islands, located 150 kilometers off the coast of Africa, have long drawn many visitors. Of the islands, Gran Canaria is the third largest island and the second most populous.
Maspalomas: Home of Gran Canaria's Tourist Industry
The major tourist area in Gran Canaria is the Maspalomas region, located in the southern part of the island. Filled with high-class resorts, Maspalomas includes the towns of San Agustin, Playa del Ingles, Sonnenland, Maspalomas, and Meloneras. In these towns, where you're hemmed in by magnificent sand dunes, the semi-arid climate ensures rain will rarely fall on a day you spend at the beach, and the temperature never drops lower than 21 degrees Celsius during the summer time, even at night. July is the hottest month, with daytime temperatures ranging from 28 – 33 degrees. It's not unusual to see a spat of ugly weather from mid-October to March, when temperatures can drop as low as 11 degrees, with the strong winds making the air feel even cooler.
Of the Maspalomas towns, Playa del Ingles is probably the most crowded, bustling, and exciting. The Yumbo Centre in the town centre has many bars and nightclubs, including many that cater to gay tourists. After a night of partying and dancing, you might consider relaxing in Cafe Florin, located very close to the Yumbo, where you'll be able to find authentic English teas.
Maspalomas Beaches
Playa del Ingles is also the name of the longest beach in Maspalomas. The beaches in Gran Canaria are renowned throughout the world as some of the most beautiful – and most exciting. In fact, Gran Canaria is sometimes called “Hawaii of the Atlantic” for its awesome surf. The best places to surf in Gran Canaria are conveniently located within the tourist zone: Maspalomas beach, Arguineguin beach, and Playa del Ingles are the three most popular beaches with surfers. For novice surfers, it's also worth noting that Maspalomas has plenty of surf schools to help you get started.
If you prefer the treats under the water instead of those on top of it, you can find plenty of scuba diving locations off the southern coast. Again, start in the Maspalomas area and you'll find plenty of dive centres that can arrange a trip to one of the nearby natural or artificial reefs.
Who Will Enjoy Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria is a great destination for lovers of the outdoors. Besides the fantastic beaches, surfing, and scuba diving, Gran Canaria's large and varied terrain also makes it a great destination for mountain biking and hiking. Las Dunas de Maspalomas are also a site any outdoors lover will enjoy visiting. Meanwhile, for those who prefer fun and exciting nightlife, there's more than enough drinks to go around in Playa del Ingles. In Las Meloneras, a newer, attractive holiday resort, those looking for an elegant, exclusive, and quieter getaway will also find what they're looking for.
In other words, whether you crave outdoor adventure, lounging on a warm beach, or partying at a chic nightclub, Gran Canaria will definitely satisfy your holiday wishes
