The Canaries in recent years are becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination, especially due to the mild climate during most of the year.
Today let's see how to organize a holiday in Gran Canaria, one of the main islands of the archipelago, which together with its “rival” Tenerife offers the greatest services and numerous tourist attractions.
So let's go to the discovery of Gran Canaria and all the information you need to better organize your holiday and enjoy the island with its enchanting beaches and the many things to do.
GRAN CANARIA TRAVEL TIPS
How to get to Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria can be reached by plane via various direct flights (about 4 hours) or via connections with the other islands of the Canary archipelago. For transfers from the islands, there are both ferries and very cheap and faster internal flights, with the 2 local companies: Binter e Canary Fly.
Gran Canaria airport is located between the cities of Telde and Ingenio, 20 km from the capital Las Palmas and 30 km from Playa del Inglés.
How to get around
Gran Canaria has a good bus service, called guaguas, which covers the main tourist areas, especially convenient if you are staying in the capital Las Palmas.
The best choice, however, to explore the island independently is to rent a car, the prices are very affordable and gasoline is very cheap.
Among the best known agencies there are Payless e Cicar, offer very advantageous rates, without deductible and with the possibility of inserting the double driver included in the price.
In reality Payless relies on Cicar, but usually has better rates, so even if you book with Payless, you will have to collect the car at the Cicar branches, where you can pay in cash or by credit card. You must leave a deposit which will be returned to you if you return the car with the same level of petrol it had when you picked up the vehicle.
We relied directly on Cicar and we were fine, the car was new and very comfortable, the staff of the Las Palmas agency were kind and helpful.
When to go
The beauty of Gran Canaria is its mild and sunny climate which makes it a popular holiday destination at any time of the year.
However, we must consider the climatic differences between the various locations on the island, in particular between the south, the north and the hinterland.
Anfi del Mar beach - February 2018
The south coast is generally warmer and sunnier, has the most summery climate with average temperatures of around 24 ° C and little rainfall.
In the north, temperatures are often lower and the area is more prone to rainy and windy days, especially in winter.
The coldest period (so to speak, the lows can reach around 12 ° C) and with the most unstable climate is the end of January / February. However, there are hot and sunny days with temperatures that can exceed 26 ° C during the day. Obviously the weather is always unpredictable and you also have to rely a little on luck.
In addition to the climate, which as we have seen is good during most of the year, we must also consider the costs; keep in mind that the high season is from November to March, prices are higher in particular at December and February coinciding with Christmas and Carnival.
A good time to visit Gran Canaria can be October, good climate, low costs and a quiet atmosphere ideal for a relaxing holiday.
How much to stay in Gran Canaria
The island of Gran Canaria, despite its name, is not large and, as we have seen, it is easy to get around by public transport or by rental car. Obviously the more time you have, the more things you will be able to see, also carving out moments to relax on the best beaches on the island.
Let's say that with a week you can visit the main attractions. And if you have more days at your disposal, a good idea is to divide your stay into 2 stages, spending a few days in the north and the others in the south.
If you want you can also think of visiting the other islands, for example Tenerife can be reached in about 30 minutes by flight.
Where to sleep in Gran Canaria
Choosing the right area to stay in Gran Canaria is essential to make your holiday perfect. Obviously it all depends on your needs and preferences, if you want a purely seaside and relaxing holiday, if you want to discover the island or if you are looking above all for an area where you can have fun in the evening.
The most popular places are usually: Las Palmas, Playa del Ingles, Puerto de Mogan or Puerto Rico; for more information and to better understand which area is right for you, I suggest you read the specific article on best areas to stay in Gran Canaria.
What to do in Gran Canaria
There are those who come to Gran Canaria thinking of basking in the sun throughout their holiday. In reality, the island is not just sea and relaxation, but on the contrary offers many things to do both from a historical, cultural and naturalistic point of view.
Like beaches, in addition to the renowned ones Anfi del Mar and Amateurs, do not miss the beautiful city beach of Las Palmas, Las Canteras Beach.
For lovers of cultural attractions, a visit to Calle Triana and Vegeta, the center, is a must historic city of Las Palmas, while nature lovers will be amazed as they admire the famous dunes of Maspalomas.
Read also: What to do in Gran Canaria
How much does a holiday in Gran Canaria cost
A holiday in Gran Canaria is quite cheap, obviously it also depends on the period chosen but in general it is not excessively expensive.
Accommodation is usually affordable as is car rental and petrol (around € 1 / liter).
The lifestyle is certainly advantageous, eating out is cheap and above all drinking, think that a small draft beer costs about € 1.
What can cost a little more is the flight but thanks to low cost airlines and booking well in advance you can find good deals. I recommend that you use the search engine Skyscanner which usually offers excellent rates.
Tips and practical information for organizing a trip to the Canary Islands
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