Top Five Things for Families to Do in Gran Canaria
By Laura Burke
Gran Canaria has been the preferred holiday choice for generations of Irish families and it’s easy to see why! With 60 kilometres of golden beaches, theme parks and other attractions and year-round sun, Gran Canaria is a fantastic family destination in both Summer and Winter.
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Gran Canaria has the largest population of the islands that make up the Canaries archipelago and it's capital city, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is well worth a visit, not just for its beautiful beach, Playa de las Canteras. Other popular coastal towns for Family Holidays include Puerto Rico, Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, Mogan and Meloneras. Wherever you stay in Gran Canaria, there's plenty of things to keep the kids entertained. See our Top 5 below:
1: The Beautiful Beaches of Gran Canaria
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Famed for the beaches as diverse the landscapes with a climate of year round sunshine, you and your family have an astonishing 128 beaches to choose from! The crystal clear water and fine golden sand of Gran Canaria is where the excitement begins!
Gran Canaria’s soft sand dunes and safe beaches make splashing and building castles an experience which the entire family can enjoy.
In the South of Gran Canaria is Maspalomas beach. Long loved by children, this is a beach and a desert in one. Buckets and spades are the tools of choice as children create magical castles and bury treasure before sliding down powdery sand dunes. Maspalomas has safe waters with lifeguards on patrol every day, there’s plenty of snack kiosks to keep the whole family happy, and lounger hire. Parents, you can leave your worries at home!
For something a bit different, try a relaxed camel ride through the famous sand dunes of Maspalomas. You’ll certainly get the feeling of wandering in the desert on this 30-35 minute camel ride.
On the other end of the long stretch of Maspalomas beach is fabulous Playa del Inglés. The Playa del Inglés end is more developed with a strip of restaurants and bars looking across the horizon. This beach is lovely for a family stroll and in the evenings, perfect for dinner. Families with older children might prefer to enjoy a more relaxed day sunning on the beach or exploring the range of restaurants along the promenade in the evening.
2: AQUALAND – MASPALOMAS
Aqualand Maspalomas is a fun filled waterpark which families visiting Gran Canaria have kept close to their heart for years. Aqualand has a massive selection of water slides and attractions that will thrill and entertain family for a delightful day for all, from toddlers to grandparents!
Open all year round, this fantastic waterpark boasts 33 slides for the adrenaline junkies in the family! There’s an attraction for every family member with the waterparks highlights including Surf Beach, Congo River, Crazy Race, Rapids, Aquamania, Twister, the exotic mini-park Polynesia and mini-golf to name a few!
With food and drink available onsite, this is the most fun you’ll ever have getting a tan! Compete against the rest of your family down the Crazy Race relax in the Lazy River with the younger children, or feel the excitement of the Mamut, where you whizz down a slide on a four-person raft as a group! Make your Gran Canaria holiday even more memorable with a day spent at Aqualand!
3: SIOUX CITY
Keep the magic alive and travel back in time to the Wild West in Sioux City, Gran Canaria. Let the children’s imagination run free as they take a break from the pool for a day to transform into feared cowboys of the Wild Wild West!
Families will be thrilled by the entertainers of Sioux City, who will wow you with their humorous recreations of the Wild West as they duel, dance and fight their way through the streets of Sioux City. Put on your hat, your cowboy boots, and wave your handkerchief as the cattle are guided through town by cowboys.
A great day out, there are family friendly shows that run throughout your visit. Enjoy watching Mexican Horse exhibitions, Cowboy Lasso techniques and Western Music and Line Dancing in the Gran Canaria sunshine.
Smaller children will love visiting horses, donkeys and dwarf goats as well as watching the cattle shows, so grab your cowboy hat, shake out that snake in your boot and visit Sioux City!
4: PALMITOS PARK, MASPALOMAS
One of Gran Canaria’s most popular family attractions is Palmitos Park. The best zoological and botanical park on the Canary Islands! The park obtained the 2014 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence as well as the Travellers Choice Award, well worth a visit during your Gran Canaria Family Holiday.
Families will love watching exotic animals such as monkeys, birds of prey, parrots and even butterflies in their natural environment. Leave the kids awestruck by Primates Island, where they can watch the gibbons and orangutans as they swing through the trees.
The whole family will be fascinated watching the curious Meerkats play, and of course there’s the Dolphinarium. Containing 3 swimming pools and more than 4million litres of water, it is currently home to 5 Bottlenose dolphins. Your family will love watching these animals entertain and educate you during your Palmitos Park Maspalomas visit.
5: Gran Karting Club Gran Canaria, Tarajalillo
Fancy something a little bit more exciting during your Gran Canaria vacation? Then make sure Gran Karting Club Gran Canaria is a part of your family holiday!
The thrilling Go Karting track is located just east of Tarajalillo town and is only 10 minutes by car from the popular resort town of Playa del Inglés. Measuring a total circuit length of 1.65 km and with three different go-kart circuits, families of all kinds can enjoy burning rubber and racing against one and other in the sun!
A National and European favourite for karting tracks, it has one of the largest fleets of karts and widest tracks on the island. No member of the family has to miss out with a day at the Gran Karting Club, there’s a small circuit for children under 5, a junior circuit for children from 10-16 years old, and the main circuit for those over 16 of age!
Strap in your seatbelt, put your pedal to the metal and make a family memory to last a lifetime!
See for yourself with a sunny family holiday to Gran Canaria. See our Gran Canaria Page for the latest offers!
Book your next Family Holiday today with Budget Travel
This year and beyond has unlimited opportunities for family holidays, from city breaks to sun and sand, or a cruise, Budget Travel has the perfect break just for you! Check out our latest Family Holiday Deals or call us now to book on 01 435 0022.
