9 of the best resorts in Gran Canaria

1. Taurito

Best resort in Gran Canaria 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 has three 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 resort in Gran Canaria 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 has 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 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 well-located Ílios de Mogán apartments are all about their ample roof terraces withs views across towards the marina, the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

3. Puerto Rico

Best resort in Gran Canaria for budget travellers

Gran Canaria’s biggest and best-known resort, Puerto Rico is a great choice for budget travellers.

With everything 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 often here.

The resort’s two beaches, Puerto Rico Beach and 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 resort in Gran Canaria for 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.

5. Tejeda

Best resort in Gran Canaria for hikers

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 (considered the symbol of Gran Canaria); 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 or terraces. 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.

6. San Agustin

Best quiet resort in Gran Canaria

If it’s simple rest and relaxation in a peaceful setting that you want from your Gran Canaria holiday, laidback San Agustin 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 centred around a gold, sandy beach and you're not far from a series of 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 San Agustin

Gloria Palace San Agustín Thalasso & Hotel, known for its impressive spa, rooftop pool and stunning sea views, is a great choice in the area. If you’re looking for a beachfront stay, Bull Costa Canaria & Spa is an adults-only option offering direct access to the golden sands of San Agustín Beach.

7. Meloneras

Best luxury resort in Gran Canaria

Looking for stylish and sophisticated? Meloneras is the perfect choice.

This upmarket resort is essentially an extension of Maspalomas, but it's known for its elegant hotels, designer boutiques and scenic promenade lined with palm trees and ocean views.

Meloneras Beach is a mix of golden sand and pebbles, with plenty of sunbeds and a relaxed vibe. The long seafront walkway is ideal for evening strolls, connecting you to a selection of high-end restaurants, cocktail bars and luxury shopping.

Despite its exclusive feel, Meloneras remains welcoming and laidback, making it a great destination for a touch of elegance.

Where to stay in Meloneras

H10 Playa Meloneras Horizons Collection 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.

8. Arguineguín

Best resort for a taste of traditional Gran Canaria

While the town of Arguineguín is well set up for holidaymakers – with beaches, bars and restaurants – it’s a quieter base in the south of the island where you can get a taste of how locals live. And, if you’d like to explore other resorts on the island, it’s around a 12-minute drive from Maspalomas in one direction and Puerto Rico in the other.

A stay in Arguineguín is about the four Ss – seafood, sunsets, shopping and sand. Its fishing port with colourful boats means you’ll go home talking about the straight-off-the-boat fish you ate every evening – and its spectacular sunsets will be a highlight, too.

Make sure you visit its traditional market on a Tuesday to stock up on food if you’re self-catering or souvenirs if not. And, no trip to the Canary Islands is complete without some beach time so head to the popular black-sand Las Maranuelas Beach to dip in its calm waters and sip a glass of something cold in one of the nearby bars, or tuck yourself away next to the La Lajilla golden-sand cove with its natural pool.

Where to stay in Arguineguín

Relax in style at the Radisson Blu Resort, Gran Canaria. Set on the seafront with access to a sandy beach, there’s two pools and a spa to help you to unwind. Alternatively, embrace local life and keep your costs down by staying in the self-catering Arguineguín Park by Servatur complex which is located in a quiet residential area and has three pools, plus a handy on-site supermarket.

9. 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 sunset and epic views, the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse makes a great spot to start your evening. And you can continue it with dinner in town where you’ll find several buzzy restaurants and lively bars.

Where to stay in Maspalomas

There’s something for all types of traveller in Maspalomas. LGBTQ+ favourite, Axel Beach Maspalomas has modern apartments and a lush rooftop pool, while Seaside Palm Beach, is a five-star pick with retro-chic design, lush gardens and direct access to the dunes. For an adults-only escape, try Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas, which has elegant rooms and spectacular dune views.