Gran Canaria holidays

You’ll find around 60 kilometres of beaches in Gran Canaria, and they don’t come with a one-size-fits-all theme – they vary from golden dunes to volcanic sand, with plenty of family-friendly coves in the mix. Some of them have Blue Flag status, and some are buzzing with watersports.

In terms of size, nowhere comes close to Maspalomas Beach. This sweep of golden sand is six kilometres long, and it has landmark scenery that’s the perfect backdrop to your holiday snaps. Its impressive proportions continue with its height – the beach is topped with rolling sand dunes, some of which are 10 metres tall. You’ll be able to spot the El Faro lighthouse from the top.

If white sand, turquoise water and top-tier sunset views sound like your cup of tea, make a beeline for the man-made beach at Playa de Amadores. It’s a sheltered bay that has the lively resort of Puerto Rico nearby – it takes about five minutes to drive there.

As far as street markets go, the Teror Sunday market takes some beating. Stalls are weighed down by baton-shaped chorizo sausages, Canary Island specialities like aloe vera products and a whole bundle of souvenirs. The Puerto Mogan market takes place on Fridays near the marina, and it’s also worth a visit. The stalls here sell everything from fresh produce to local handicrafts.

As well as being home to plenty of high street brands, Gran Canaria is known for duty-free shopping – many shoppers stockpile alcohol, perfume and electronics when they come here. The Mogan Mall and the Centro Civico in Puerto Rico have more than their fair share of perfumeries and camera stores, as does the Yumbo Centre in Playa del Ingles. You could check out the Las Arenas in Las Palmas while you’re at it, too. Just remember your duty-free allowances while you’re going wild in the aisles.

Close to the waterfront in Las Palmas, the Triana district of the city is shop central. You’ll find designer boutiques full of Versace sunglasses and watches alongside stores selling bespoke jewellery and haute couture by up-and-coming designers. Meloneras pulls its weight as far as luxury brands are concerned, too. Head to the Boulevard El Faro for upmarket shopping with names like Roberto Cavalli and D&G.

If you’re looking for a low-key evening, head to the Puerto Morgan harbour or the Meloneras promenade for sunset drinks. Both of these spots are dotted with cafes and restaurants, where the menus tip the scales towards fresh fish and Gran Canarian cuisine, and relaxed cocktails are on the cards. If theatre is your cup of tea, try Garbos in Bahia Feliz, where you can enjoy a decade-themed three-course meal while watching cabaret from the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies. Or, you could opt to stay closer to your bed and soak up some hotel entertainment instead.

Gran Canaria knows a thing or two about lively nights, with everything from karaoke bars to drag shows in the famous Yumbo Centre. Playa del Ingles nightlife has you dancing your way to dawn in late-night clubs, too – people gather at the Kasbah Centre where everything from rock music to hard house is played. In Maspalomas, Plaza Maspalomas is a good bet for live music. Over in Puerto Rico, meanwhile, you’ll find enough bars for several nights’ worth of crawls in the Puerto Rico Shopping Centre and Calle Juan Diaz Rodriguez by the harbour.

Sancocho is Gran Canaria’s soul food, ladled out to big bounds on feast days and made with garlicky mojo sauce. It’s a chunky broth made from salted fish and vegetables, and it’s usually served with a side of Canarian sweet potatoes rather than bread. This hearty meal is quite time consuming to make, so you’re more likely to find it on specials boards than main menus.

Flor de Guia is a thick, creamy cheese that’s under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), meaning it must be made in northern Gran Canaria, and it has a specific recipe that needs to be stuck to. It’s made from a mixture of goat, sheep and cow milk, and has a creamy texture. It stars on most local tapas menus – Gran Canarian people find any excuse to eat it, topping pizza with it, shaving it over salads, or eating it on its own with a glass of red wine.

This rich, gooey dish is a bit like syllabub, and it’s made from almond cream, sugar syrup, cinnamon and eggs. You’ll sometimes find it made with honey and lemon, too, and it’ll either be served with ice-cream or used as a dessert topping.

The world has been put to rights many times over a glass of this sweet liqueur on the rocks. Every cocktail bar worth its salt in Gran Canaria will have a bottle of honey rum in its back bar – this whiskey-coloured liquid is a local specialty. For something special, order a swizzle as your after-dinner digestif – this mixes the rum with lime juice and sugar. And if you like what you taste, you can pick up a souvenir bottle to take home with you.

There are plenty of wines produced in the volcanic soil vineyards around Las Palmas, and they tend to be red and fruity, made from Listán Negro grape. The taste isn’t heady or smoky, but a light and easy drink with a distinctive mineral taste, making it a great wine to serve with dinner. If you want to learn more about it, you can visit a handful of bodegas for wine-tasting sessions.