Things to Do in Gran Canaria: Resorts, Weather and Flights

Gran Canaria is one of the Canary Islands, Spain's Atlantic archipelago, and it packs a surprising amount into a small space. The south is where most British holidaymakers stay, around Maspalomas and the resorts strung along the coast towards Mogán. The north-east holds Las Palmas, the capital, and the larger towns of Telde and Arucas, while the centre rises into protected land such as Pilancones Natural Park, the Riscos de Tirajana and, further west, Tamadaba Natural Park.

If you are drawing up a list of Gran Canaria things to see, it naturally splits in two. On the coast there is the Maspalomas Lighthouse, the Meloneras seafront and Punta Sardina Lighthouse near Gáldar in the north. Inland there is the crater of Bandama Caldera, the botanical garden at Tafira Alta, the Barranco de Guayadeque ravine near Agüimes, the Painted Cave at Gáldar, the Cuatro Puertas archaeological site at Telde and the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pino in the hill town of Teror. That mix is what makes the island feel bigger than its size.

Puerto Rico draws more interest from British travellers than any other resort on the island, with Maspalomas next. Maspalomas is the one to choose if you want sights on your doorstep: the lighthouse, the Meloneras beach area and Palmitos Park, a zoo and garden that works well for families, are all close by. Playa del Inglés is the other big name in the south, and Puerto de Mogán, further west, takes its name from the municipality of Mogán, whose hinterland includes Montaña de Tauro and the protected area of Inagua.

Las Palmas is different: a proper city in the north-east, with a ferry port and easy access to Santa Brígida, Bandama Caldera and the botanical garden. It suits travellers who prefer streets and cafés to a resort strip, and it is a good base for anyone asking which part of Gran Canaria to visit beyond the beach. For a quieter, wilder coast, the protected beach of Güigüi lies in the far west near San Nicolás.

The temp in Gran Canaria barely dips: at Maspalomas, the island's climate reference, daytime highs run from 23°C in January and December to 26°C by June. July and August are the hot months, at 31°C and 33°C, with no rain at all, and night-time lows stay at 23°C to 24°C. Autumn is warm too, with 28°C in October and 27°C in November, though November brings the most rainy days of the year, five on average.

Gran Canaria in March is pleasant at around 25°C, but it is the month with the most rainfall, about 33mm spread over four days, so pack a light layer. Christmas is one of the island's great draws for British families: December averages 23°C by day and 17°C at night, with only two rainy days, which is why Christmas in Gran Canaria stays so popular. Every month except August is listed as a good time to go; August is simply the hottest.

Gran Canaria airport (LPA) is the island's only airport and has direct flights from the United Kingdom. It sits close to the east-coast towns: Agüimes is about 6 minutes' drive away, Telde 7 minutes, and Santa Lucía and Santa Brígida around 14 minutes each, so getting to the inland sights near Bandama is quick.

On a package holiday the transfer from the airport to your resort is usually included, so you step off the plane and onto a coach or private car. If you want to explore the ravines and natural parks on your own, car hire gives you the freedom to reach places like Teror, Gáldar or Tamadaba at your own pace. Las Palmas also has a ferry port, about 7 miles from the island's centre, and the nearest ports across the water are Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Los Cristianos, handy if you fancy seeing more of the Canary Islands.

Most British travellers book this island as a package: flight, hotel and airport transfer in one, often with a choice of board basis from self-catering or half board up to all inclusive. You can compare package deals from Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach directly on this page. Prices tend to rise during UK school holidays, Christmas included, so it pays to compare dates if you have any flexibility.

If you would rather arrange things separately, you can also check hotel prices and compare car hire here. For stuff to do in Gran Canaria once you have landed, the tours and tickets section covers activities across a dozen towns on the island, from the south-coast resorts to inland places such as Teror and Santa Brígida.