Gran Canaria hotels

Gran Canaria is an undulating outcrop of many distinct characters, all sharing the same eternally sunny persona, from the rolling green hills and historical buildings of Las Palmas in the north to the sweeping sand dunes and party town atmosphere of the south.

The coastline varies from the plunging cliffs of Andén Verde in the north-west to the gradually sloping sands of Maspalomas beach in the south, two kilometres wide in parts. There's a choice of 128 beaches along the 236-kilometre shore, with sands of gold, grey and black. The capital, Las Palmas, is a popular port-of-call for large cruise liners, and provides two urban beaches for its dense population.

Get away from the coast and the scenery changes to lush, fruit-filled valleys such as Agaete, or to vast swathes of pine forest like Tamadaba. Climb the highest peak, Pozo de las Nieves, at 1,949 metres above sea level or sample rural life at the inappropriately named showpiece village of Teror.

To flee the crowds forgo the south. Head instead to the northern shoreline and its fishing villages like Puerto de Las Nieves, or take a stroll along the network of caminos reales walking trails of the interior. Alternatively, combine sun, sand and sea with a touch of solitude and lose yourself in the mountains of sand at Maspalomas beach.

Choose two wheels or four on mountain bike trails or quad bike safaris. Swap machinery for beast and take a camel safari through the dunes of Maspalomas. Abandon land altogether and take to the surf at Arguineguín, or windsurf at Pozo Izquierdo.

In the hills, try local favourites like goat's cheese, watercress stew and rabbit in spicy sauce. Along the coast, fine seafood restaurants are abundant. Parrot fish is one of the favourite choices on the menu. Everywhere, tropical fruits like papaya, mango and prickly pear make a colourful dessert.

Playa del Inglés is the winter party capital of Europe, especially popular with gay travellers. The Yumbo Centre is at the heart of the gay clubland action offering a heady mixture of hardcore dance venues, drag shows and same sex bars. Check out the nearby Kasbah Centre for family fun pubs. The capital, Las Palmas, also boasts a moonlit buzz.

Grab a basket made out of banana leaves, pottery and lace embroidery, or a miniature replica of the famous Canary Island wooden balconies.