Gran Canaria - South to West Route

Maspalomas has been welcoming tourists longer than anywhere else on Gran Canaria. And with its famously breathtaking dunes, that’s a particularly warm welcome. Unspoilt natural beauty alongside sensitively designed modern architecture; it’s a winning combination all right.

Flasher, and altogether brasher, is its close neighbour, Playa del Inglés. Deservedly one of the most popular beaches on the island, the fun doesn’t stop here when the sun goes down. That’s because Playa del Inglés houses the liveliest bars and restaurants Gran Canaria has to offer.

Further west you’ll find Pasito Blanco. Celebrated for its marina built at the end of the last millennium, yachting enthusiasts will cherish this maritime heaven. Pasito Blanco proves equally popular with anglers as you’re able to charter big-game fishing boats here.

Heading towards Puerto Rico, the next place worth stopping off at is the port-cum-fishing-village-cum-resort of Arguineguín. Enjoy fresh fish dishes at seaside restaurants, keep the kids entertained at the natural swimming pool or take a leisurely stroll to nearby Patalavaca. Arguineguín has long been popular with locals, and it’s not difficult to see why.

Puerto Rico has established itself as the most family-friendly resort on the whole of Gran Canaria. Offering a true surf and turf experience, in the unlikely event you tire of the beach there are plenty of golf courses nearby. And if you want to pick up a souvenir or holiday gift, there’s an excellent local shopping centre.

Puerto de Mogán and Mogán share something in common. Both the port and the inland town offer peace and quiet. Sensitively designed, Puerto de Mogán is the perfect destination for the mature traveller or those with young children. Mogán, meanwhile, is just a great spot for getting away from it all – whether it be in the acclaimed local restaurants or sitting quietly in the shade of the main square.

San Nicolás de Tolentino offers a great setting but little wow factor in terms of its buildings. More impressive are its beaches. One of which can be found in the nearby Puerto de la Aldea whose fish restaurants draw pilgrimages from Las Palmas and beyond.