7 of the best resorts in Gran Canaria

1. Taurito

Best for families

For families seeking sun, sand and plenty to keep the kids occupied, Taurito is a top choice. Despite its small size, the resort packs a mighty punch, with a lovely palm-fringed beach and a good selection of bars and restaurants. But the biggest family-friendly selling point here has to be the Lago Taurito Water Park in the centre of town.

With more watersports on offer at the beach, and calm waters perfect for the kids, you don’t even need to leave the resort if you don’t want to. That said, if you do fancy a change of scenery, the lively resort of Puerto Rico is just a ten-minute drive down the coast.

Where to stay in Taurito

Families love Hotel LIVVO Valle Taurito & Aquapark as it caters to all ages with its splashtastic water park, all-day kids’ clubs and a lush spa for the adults. For an all-inclusive getaway with all the trimmings, four-star Mogan Princess & Beach Club comes highly rated and has three sparkling pools, a buffet restaurant and plenty of activities. Club Cala Blanca is another great choice if you’re seeking a great-value family apartment within walking distance of Taurito Beach.

2. Puerto de Mogán

Best for couples

Dubbed Gran Canaria’s ‘Little Venice’, Puerto de Mogán is the most romantic resort on the island. The small canals and bridges that flow into the town’s working fishing harbour may have earned the comparison, but it’s the resort’s all-round beauty that draws couples year after year.

The resort’s main beach is small but with golden sand and clear water, and Puerto de Mogán’s location on the southwest coast means it is also close to many of the island's best beaches – such as those in Puerto Rico and Maspalomas, both under half an hour's drive away. If you’re an active couple, there are several fantastic coastal walking trails that begin near to town, too.

Where to stay in Puerto de Mogán

Romantic Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa is a maximalist dream, with gorgeous botanical gardens, a one-star Michelin restaurant on site and a glass-domed foyer that wows. Rooms are simpler, but plump for a honeymoon room and you’ll get a private jacuzzi on your balcony. The marina is Puerto de Mogán’s postcard spot and the ocean-themed rooms at Hotel LIVVO Puerto de Mogan overlook all the action. Prefer a self-catering stay? The colourful apartments at Apartamentos Cordial Mogan Valle come with well-equipped kitchens and are just minutes from the town centre. There’s also two outdoor jacuzzis.

3. Puerto Rico

Best for travellers on a budget

Gran Canaria’s biggest and best-known resort, Puerto Rico is a great choice for budget travellers. With everything you may need easily accessible, you won’t need to spend a penny on taxis or transport once you arrive. For cheap accommodation, you’ll also find that the best package holiday deals on the island are usually here.

The resort’s two beaches, Puerto Rico Beach and Playa Amadores, both offer calm waters and pristine golden sand. Scattered with umbrellas and watched over by lifeguards, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to sunbathing spots.

Where to stay in Puerto Rico

Three-star Cala Nova is a great budget option that doesn’t compromise on style. All 59 apartments are decorated with traditional Canarian flair and have balconies boasting ocean views. Locking in the price of your holiday before you go can be great for sticking to a budget, and you’ll find great-value all-inclusive deals at Servatur Puerto Azul. Away from the waterfront, look for low-cost rates on self-catering flats or look for Airbnbs and guesthouses in the resort’s centre.

4. Playa del Inglés

Best for good nightlife

For partygoers, Playa del Inglés is the liveliest and most popular late-night resort in Gran Canaria. Though this isn’t a Magaluf or Ayia Napa, there’s still plenty of action, especially in and around the Yumbo Centre. The resort is also popular with the LGBTQ+ community, and during the Maspalomas Pride weeks the nightlife gets particularly jubilant and raucous.

When you’re not out drinking and dancing in Playa del Inglés, you’ll most likely find yourself on Playa del Inglés beach, recovering from a hangover with some sun and a swim. If you’re feeling livelier, get into the party mood by unleashing your inner big kid at the Aqualand Water Park, or trying some of the watersports available at the beach.

Where to stay in Playa del Inglés

Reviewers rave about the adults-only Gold By Marina. Bang in the middle of all the action, with restaurants, bars and the Yumbo Centre on its doorstep, this swish spot is the perfect place to recharge after late nights out. For in-resort fun, HD Parque Cristobal Gran Canaria has a packed entertainment calendar with everything from musical performances to karaoke, while Bohemia Suites & Spa does brilliant artisan night caps at its rooftop Atelier Cocktail Bar. The far-reaching views over the Maspalomas dunes are hard to beat too.

5. Tejeda

Best for hikers and walkers

Smack bang in the centre of Gran Canaria’s mountainous interior, you’ll find the tiny village of Tejeda, a picturesque spot popular with hikers, walkers and rock climbers. Up and away from any beaches, the beauty of Tejeda is in its lush mountains and steep-sided valleys, which you can explore using the many miles of hiking trails that cross Gran Canaria.

Popular hikes include the Roque Nublo, a towering column of basalt rock; the route from Cruz de Tejeda to La Culata; and Barranco de Tejeda (for more detailed information about walking routes in Tejeda, visit the village’s tourist office). The best time to go hiking in Gran Canaria is between October and May, when the weather isn’t too hot. Just be sure to book your accommodation in Tejeda well in advance – it’s a small village and rooms tend to go fast during the peak walking periods.

Where to stay in Tejeda

If you’re banking on a hotel stay in Tejeda, Hotel Rural Fonda De La Tea is your best bet. You can rest easy after long rambles in the mountains in charmingly rustic rooms, each with private balconies. Nearby, in Cruz de Tejeda, the four-star Parador de Cruz de Tejeda has panoramic mountain views and guided walking routes between the town and Tejeda. Other accommodation options include a handful of hostels, guesthouses and holiday cottages. Casa Santana Segura and Las Cáscaras Rural House are basic but good places to start.

6. Bahia Feliz

Best for a quieter place to stay

If it’s simple R&R in a peaceful setting that you want from your Gran Canaria holiday, laidback Bahia Feliz is the place for you. This small resort sits on the southeast coast of the island, away from the busier towns to the west, but still within a 15-minute drive of the rolling sand dunes in Maspalomas.

The accommodation here is spread out and surrounded by greenery so you can really appreciate the sea air and coastal views. Though there isn’t a central beach, the resort has a long promenade from where you can drop down into several smaller coves, where you’ll get more privacy and less hustle and bustle.

In town, there is a good choice of restaurants and if you want the occasional night out, Playa del Inglés is just a ten-minute taxi ride away.

Where to stay in Bahia Feliz

Grupotel is one of the main accommodation chains in Bahia Feliz and you’ll find several of their hotels and apartment complexes to choose from. Grupotel Monte Feliz and Grupotel Orquidea are the two highest rated, each with gorgeous palm-lined pools to relax by. Prefer to keep things simple? Check out the options at Bahía Feliz - Gran Canaria for fuss-free stays in apartments and villas close to the beachfront. It’s an ideal choice for families of groups looking for more than a hotel room.

7. Maspalomas

Best all-rounder

Offering a slightly more upmarket vibe than some of the other big resorts in Gran Canaria, and with probably the island’s most famous beach, Maspalomas has it all. First things first, you’ll want to hit the rolling desert-like dunes along the coast, which stretch for several kilometres until they meet the equally beautiful Playa del Inglés beach.

For sundowners and epic views, the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse makes a great spot to start your evening. And you can continue it with dinner along the Meloneras boulevard, where you’ll find several upmarket restaurants as well as fancy bars and chic shops.

Where to stay in Maspalomas

There’s something for all travellers in Maspalomas. LGBTQ+ favourite, Axel Beach Maspalomas has modern apartments and a lush rooftop pool, while H10 Playa Meloneras Palace is a popular choice for family-friendly all-inclusive holidays. Closer to the coast, Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort & Spa is a haven for beach bums and the hotel’s proximity to the El Faro Boulevard makes it a hit with shopaholics, too. For five-star luxury at its finest, the Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia is set within stunning tropical gardens and has a food and wine menu worth raving about.