“With soft sands in the south, lush forests in the north and huge mountains in the middle, Gran Canaria has all bases covered. No wonder it’s such a big hit with holidaymakers.”
It might only be the Canaries’ third biggest isle, but for somewhere the size of Greater London, Gran Canaria packs a lot in. Playa del Ingles is the island’s most popular holiday spot. Along with a monster-sized golden beach – all 2.7 kilometres of it – the resort has the lion’s share of shopping malls and neon-lit bars. Plus, as well as traditional places to eat, you’ll find loads of restaurants that cater for the British crowd.
Maspalomas, just next door, moves at a slower pace. Its beach is a bit of a legend thanks to the miles of Saharan-style sand dunes. And it’s backed by a strip of chic hotels and open-air restaurants. There’s a handful of bars, too, although it’s more about cocktails at dusk than rip-roaring nights on the tiles.
If you’re keen to get away from it all, though, Puerto Rico makes a great base. With its horseshoe bay, sleek marina, and waterpark, it’s a bit of a family magnet. Plus, it lays claim to the best sunshine record in the whole of Spain.
