This island is both a nature lover and sports lovers’ paradise

Gran Canaria really does have so much on offer that it really would be impossible to list it all.
We have already mentioned what you can do in the area of Arucas and Las Palmas and the other resorts we feature on our Gran Canaria destination page so we won’t repeat it here. Instead we list more of the activities than the sightseeing things you can do. But as always we are happy to advise.

Scroll down or click on your interest below to go straight there.
Golf   Spas  Beaches  Other activities

Golf in Gran Canaria

With such a good climate you can play golf in Gran Canaria 365 day a year! The island has a long history of golf, the first course, later moved, was opened in Las Palmas in 1891.

There are now nine courses, 5 in the south of the island and 4 in the north.
In the North - Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas, El Cortijo Club de Campo, Oasis Golf and Anfi Tauro Golf.
In the South - Maspalomas Golf, Salobre Golf and Resort, Meloneras golf, Las Plameras Golf and the Anfi Tauro 9 hole Pitch and Putt.

We mention some of them here but if you would like detail on the others do let us know.

Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas

This is the oldest golf club  on the island though it has only been in its current location on the plains of Bandama since 1956.  Located near an extinct volcano a few kilometres outside Las Palmas, it offers lovely views of the deep ravines of the area.
Designed by Mackenzie Ross, it is a par 71, 18 hole course with the expected practice and other golf club facilities, plus tennis and a horse riding area, even a swimming pool!

El Cortijo Club de Campo

Host to several international championships this course is only 6kms from the capital. 
It has a mix of difficulty with six quick greens and up to six tees per hole, the six lakes and very old palms add visual appeal as well as challenge.
Designed by Blake Stirling and Marco Martin its 18 holes play to par 72. The usual facilities apply.

Maspalomas Golf

Surrounded by the Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve in the popular and sunny south of the island, these dunes were an influence on the design of this course.  It is  very long and flat, with wide fairways and the sea breezes are welcome on hot summer days.
Designed by Mackenzie Ross and host to several international events this is an 18 hole, par 73, course again with the expected golf club facilities.

Salobre Golf and Resort

The most recent addition to the Gran Canaria golf scene and located near the main resorts, with its views of the mountains and sea it is in a typical landscape for the south of the island.  The lush greens are in stark contrast to the desert-like dunes of the area and it is an interesting and demanding course.
Designed by Roland Fauré this is an 18 hole par 71 in a 6km area a full range of practice facilities are available.

Spas in Gran Canaria

Five of our excellent hotels have their own spas and offer very comprehensive facilities and treatments – just right for a bit of personal pampering.

For full details on the treatments and facilities do please contact us.

Beaches in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria has many wonderful sandy beaches.  Here are some of the best and most accessible:-

Las Canteras Beach 

Las Canteras beach located in the heart of Las Palmas city is a golden sand beach which stretches for about 3 km and the natural reef off shore means that the water remains calm with a pleasant temperature.   This beach is great for everyone, couples, families with facilities available on the promenade including water sports.   

San Agustín Beach 

Part of this beach is located in front of the Melia Tamarindo in San Agustín and is, fortunately, less popular than Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas beaches and so is quieter.  At the weekend, this is a favourite spot for many locals who are less precious about the fact that the sand here is darker (more grey) that other beaches.  It is ideal for diving and snorkelling too.

Maspalomas Beach

With the dunes as a backdrop many consider this beach to be the best on the island, it sand is fine and pale , almost white. Fortunately it stretches for several kilometres as in the peak months it does get very busy and you should be able to find a quiet spot even then.  There are quite distinct areas of the beach catering to families with children at one end and nudists at the other. Naturally with such a popular beach sport facilities and cafes are all nearby.

Amadores Beach

Further along the south coast between Puerto Rico, busy resort and pretty Mogán, a fishing village,  you will find the Amadores beach.  Manmade and smaller at 800 metres this is a good location for families with restaurants and cafes close by, though as with most good beaches in the height of summer it will be well occupied.

Puerto de Mogán Beach

Puerto de Mogán is further along the coast and is a mix of fishing village and tourism on a smaller scale.  The beach here is quite small but it is very well maintained and a visit here to the town and beach make a lovely day out.  A submarine dive leaves from here and there are also fishing trips.

Activities in Gran Canaria

There is a huge sporting list of activities literally ranging from Air sports, Hang gliding, Parachuting, Microlight aircrafts, Flying and Gliding to Windsurfing.  With practically everything you can think of in between.

For the hiker or trekker this is an ideal island with its contrasting terrain, the island has an intricate network of trails and footpaths for all levels of walking, with books and guides available locally to help you make the most this walkers paradise.

Climbing is another popular pastime here, and some areas in the mountains to consider are: Roque Nublo a rock needle with 12 routes and variable difficulty, El Palmes in El Toscan de Tejeda or Betancuria in Ayacata.
Tamadaba in the north west of the island has vertical cliffs up to 1000m and there are several other sites that would be suitable too. Sport climbing in Gran Canaria does require the relevant paper work.

Cycling and Mountain biking are well suited to this island with its variety of terrain.

Messing about on the water!

All types of water based activity are available in Gran Canaria…

Sailing best done from Las Palmas or Maspalomas.

Windsurfing and surfing on Gran Canaria is a popular sport too with many locations in the north around Las Palmas and in the south around Maspalomas and Arguineguin (on the way to Peurto Rico and Mogan) and Pozo Izquierdo on the east coast between Las Palmas and Maspalomas.

Deep sea fishing – mostly for marlin, tuna and shark.

Scuba Diving is again popular and there are plenty of locations and diving schools and the waters are clean and clear.

Take a boat trip to look for dolphins – around this coastline there are up to 27 different species – these trip go from Puerto Rico in the south.

There are plenty of other water based activities, too numerous to mention individually here, if you have a favourite we can check the availability of it on island for you.

For the younger guest

There are many family attractions in the south of the island a few examples: AquaSur, the largest waterpark in the Canary Islands;  Palmitos Park, this park has performing parrots and many caged birds (!) but the gardens are beautiful; Sioux City, a recreation of the Wild West with gun-fights, saloon girls and lynchings (!) these and other theme parks are mostly located in the south of the island.

Other places to visit

There are plenty of cultural places of interest including museums and archaeological site, nature reserve areas and botanical gardens.