MummyTravels’ guide to Gran Canaria with kids
Everyone knows the Canary Islands as great winter sun (and summer) destinations, perfect for a beach break and often good on a budget. And as they’re part of Spain, they’re as child-friendly as the rest of the country, as I discovered when we visited Gran Canaria with kids to research this family guide to Gran Canaria.
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But what most people don’t know is how much there is to discover beyond the beach in the Canary Islands – and Gran Canaria is no exception to that rule. The photos from my trip give you an idea or check out the video below.
So here are my top tips for travelling to Gran Canaria with children – or if you just want the best things to do in Gran Canaria with kids, you can find my top picks here.
Contents - click to jump to a section
Gran Canaria family holidays: Getting there/around
A string of airlines fly from the UK to Gran Canaria including British Airways/Iberia, as well as low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair, plus tour operators like Jet2 running package holidays and flights.
Basically wherever you are in the country, you’ll probably have a flight heading out to Las Palmas.
Once you arrive, there are plenty of transfer and taxi services which can whisk you from Las Palmas airport to your accommodation. I often use Welcome Pickups, especially if we’re arriving late.
The majority of visitors stay on the south coast, but as the airport is on the GC-1 motorway in the middle of the east coast, it doesn’t take too long to get anywhere.
If you want to explore the island, you’ll need your own car or sign up to tours with around half a dozen rental companies in the terminal and others dotted around the island. Sites like Discover Cars can compare prices, while Zest car hire is one of my go-to options.
UK and EU citizens do not currently need a visa to visit Spain, including the Canary Island. Click here for information on vaccinations, although for the vast majority of European and US travellers, you won’t need anything beyond the vaccinations recommended for life at home.
Gran Canaria with children: Where to stay
With small children, I love the flexibility of having our own villa – sadly Tots To Travel, whose Villa Amaranthus was our home on the island, is no longer operating but you can also find plenty of options with other companies, including Plum Guide
Our own villa had a pool behind a locked gate, set on a hotel complex so you could also access those facilities (although really, we had everything we needed in our private villa), which is a great compromise of privacy and facilities.
If you prefer hotels, the majority are on the south coast, with options for all the major tour operators, such as TUI and Jet2Holidays. It’s worth looking at how far each hotel is from the beach, if that’s important to you – some seemed relatively close but needed a steep walk down the hill to get there.
Gran Canaria with children: What to see
Kids will love the endless beaches of the south and the clear water, as well as the pool at your villa or hotel. But there are plenty of other things to entertain, including if you’re visiting Gran Canaria with toddler or a baby.
Here are my top things to do in Gran Canaria with kids to start you off, including water parks and theme parks, plus other less well-known attractions.
Don’t miss the huge dunes at Maspalomas where you can take a camel ride as well as roaming over them on foot.
The dunes themselves are protected, and the huge expanse of sand seems as if it could be in the heart of a desert… but Maspalomas with its own beach, shops and cafes is very close at hand.
Or take a boat ride along the coast, with little ferry/water taxis stopping at various points including the gorgeous Puerto de Mogan.
It’s a perfect mini boat trip for smaller kids too, although there are more adventurous options for older children too including whale watching trips to spot them and dolphins year-round.
There are several water parks on the island but Aqualand is easily one of the biggest and best with gentle baby-friendly areas so it’s ideal for anyone visiting Gran Canaria with toddlers, as well as having more thrills for teens and adults.
Keep an eye out for the new Siam Park opening on the island – there’s no opening date yet as the project has been repeatedly delayed and is unlikely to start before 2027 but the sister site in Tenerife has been voted the world’s best.
Or for more animals, head to the zoo at Palmitos Park where it’s easy to while away several hours. The zoo has a focus on conservation, but there are also some animal shows and a dolphinarium, which some families may want to avoid.
And there’s an aquarium called Poema del Mar, set on the waterfront in the capital Las Palmas with three different zones – deep ocean, reef and jungle – for visitors to explore.
It’s definitely worth venturing beyond from the resorts in the south as well. The astonishing twisting mountain roads are stunning, and you can stop at the unusual cave restaurants and homes along the way.
Keep going all the way to the north and the picturesque town of Arucas, with the Arehucas rum distillery on the outskirts – the tours should fascinate older kids too, the free tasting is definitely just for grown-ups…
Gran Canaria with children: What to eat
You’ll find an international mix including Asian and Italian but also German restaurants, for example, so there’s plenty to choose from and something to keep everyone happy – even smaller fussy eaters.
In between there’s plenty of fresh fish and seafood at little restaurants by the sea, plus the typical Canarian potatoes, tiny and salty and accompanied by mojo sauce.
Kids are welcome everywhere and babies and toddlers will be the centre of attention, so it’s easy to find options if you’re eating out.
Gran Canaria family holidays: Plan your visit
Check out the Gran Canaria Tourist board’s website as well as more information about all the islands on hellocanaryislands.com
Lonely Planet also has a guide to the Canary Islands with more tips on things to do in Gran Canaria.
For more ideas, check out my guide to the Canary Islands with kids
*First published 2015, last updated 2026*
PIN FOR LATER: GUIDE TO GRAN CANARIA WITH CHILDREN
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission
All images copyright MummyTravels
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I visited Gran Canaria with my parents some years ago! I didn’t enjoy it that much because I got a serious sunburn (even with sun protector) and I had to stay inside the hotel room the entire time! It was painful…
Now I want to visit that again, there’s so much to see!
Oh no! That sounds no fun at all, I hope you do manage to get back when it’s not so hot to explore.
I’ve never been but have wanted to go to one of the Canaries for years. In fact, my brother came back from Tenerife just last night and hasn’t stopped talking about how lovely it is there. I must look into Gran Canaria too x
They are all so lovely – Lanzarote is maybe my favourite, as I love the otherworldly lava landscape (and lots of other things) but Tenerife is great too, and I really enjoyed discovering Gran Canaria. Maybe La Gomera or Fuerteventura for me next?!
I went to Gran Canaria many many years ago and I remember this amazing water park we went to, though it name escapes me x
I wonder if it might have been the same one I went to? There are a few others on the island but Aqualand was pretty impressive.
Ive been thinking about going away and catching some sun in Feb before I get too pregnant to fly and enjoy our last holiday as a three. I think this would be an ideal location, thank you for the inspiration I can seem me booking a holiday over the Christmas period xx
I think that’s a great idea – any of the bigger islands would be good I think. Happy hunting and my pleasure
I have never been to Gran Canaria but a friend of mine goes on holI day there every year! It’s definitely somewhere I would consider x
I can definitely see why people would return again and again.
Definitely now on my list of places to visit, sounds like such a lovely place and if I can book a winter break that would be even more awesome.
I’m definitely craving a return trip and some sun myself. Hope you get there.
I have my first ever trip to Spain planned for the Spring but I’d love to take the kids as well soon. Gran Canaria looks like a great place to start with them. The photos are gorgeous and a little bit mean on an overcast day like this 😉
I’ve mostly been to the islands but Spain is definitely somewhere I’d like to explore a lot more – glad you like the photos, I think memories of blue skies are sustaining me through the cloud here! 😉
I’ve never been to the Canaries, but it’s on the list. I’d definitely consider it as a winter sun break from the UK, there is just something about being somewhere warm (like Dubai!!) when you know the UK is freezing!
Not sure I’d go in the summer though, I always prefer these places when they are low season!
I’m sure sunshine isn’t something you’re short of – although I’m sure the boys would love the beaches on Gran Canaria too. I agree, I prefer going in the autumn, although I suppose school dates will start to limit me soon.
I’ve never been to Gran Canaria myself but everyone I speak to who has been tells me it is wonderful for kids and definitely a good choice for a winter break I think x
Definitely – loads to do and great weather when it’s gloomy here.
Gran Canaria looks so beautiful, I didn’t know there were more things to do than the beach, your photos are great! Would you recommend Gran Canaria over Mallorca though?
Thanks Vlad! They really do seem to keep some of it quiet… I haven’t been to Mallorca for years, although it’s on my wishlist to revisit as I keep coming across posts about the island. For a winter trip, Gran Canaria would definitely have the edge in terms of the weather – but they’ve both got the mountains, the beach, a distillery, lots to do…
I’m currently in Stockholm trying to warm up, so I’m appreciating these sunny beach photos! I love the video you made – it certainly looks like there is a lot to do, and a lot of kid-friendly activities!
I am spending a lot of time looking at old photos of hot countries at the moment – it is SO cold. And thank you, it is a lovely place.
Gran Canaria sounds wonderful and just the place for some winter sun. I had no idea there was so much to do a part from the beaches! #MondayEscapes
It is such a gorgeous island – I had no idea either until I booked my trip, but there’s masses to pack in.
After a couple of really wet days I’m craving a bit of this sunshine! Visiting again from #citytripping
Oh definitely – I feel like the sky has been grey for ever…
I’ve never but to Gran Canaria but clearly there’s lots to do. Aqualand looks amazing and would go down very well with my daughter. I’ve always fancied going on a camel. What was it like? #citytripping
I do love a camel ride – my daughter changed her mind after about one minute but a nice amble through the dunes. So much to do too.
I’d love to visit the Canary Islands one day. They look like a great place to visit with kids – and that pool looks awesome!
They really are lovely – and a wonderful villa too.
Never been to Canary Islands, but your amazing touchdown photo is putting this stunning island on my family travel bucket list. This place reminds me a lot of what Dubai is, though 🙂
FarZain
@http://colorsofourrainbow.blogspot.ae/
Thanks – I haven’t been to Dubai but I’m guess camels aren’t quite so unusual as for us! 🙂
Great guide! I’m totally with you on having your own villa when travelling with little ones, makes life so much easier. I haven’t been to the Canaries yet, but it’s definitely on our to-do list 🙂 I hope you have a great Christmas x
Thanks! It really does make all the difference I think. And you too!
Have been to Gran Canaria twice, but don’t feel like I’ve seen the place though – been visiting friends so that might have something to do with it.
It’s always a bit different when you’re hanging out with friends and catching up rather than exploring – maybe next visit?
I am definitely drawn to Gran Canaria mainly for the good weather! I went years ago as a teenager so haven’t been back since. Time to change that methinks. The camel ride looks fun! Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes
Year-round sun is always good! And I do love a camel ride…
I’ve never been to Gran Canaria but you’re certainly tempting me with camels, dolphins, cave restaurants and rum! #citytripping
There’s a lot more there to discover than you might think (certainly than I realised before I went)!