Gran Canaria is known for the white sandy beaches stretching along the southern coast of the island. It is an ideal holiday destination for parents with babies, toddlers and younger kids given the amount of family friendly hotels, restaurants and activities on the island. There is a wide range of family friendly hotels and apartments on the island and you could also opt to rent a house or villa during your stay (See ‘Where to Stay’ for more information on family friendly hotels in Gran Canaria)
The weather is warm all year round and it makes for a fantastic winter sun destination. The months of July and August can be very hot.
The only drawback to visiting the island is that flight time is between 4 and 4.5 hours from the UK and Ireland which can be difficult with an active toddler. There are ways to manage this however, see Air Travel with a Baby or Toddler for ideas on how to keep toddlers entertained while flying.
Playa del Ingles is one of Gran Canaria’s most famous and busiest resorts; this area is filled with sky rises and known for its busy nightlife and there are some quieter alternatives which are ideal for families.
The resorts on the Playa de Maspalomas and Playa de Melanores are ideal for families and there are loads of baby and toddler friendly beaches and restaurants in this area.
Puerto Rico is another favorite for families with loads of hotels suited to younger kids. Bear in mind that the town is built into the hillside and if your hotel is located on higher ground it might be difficult to get to and from the beach with a stroller.
There are also many quieter, family-oriented resorts on the island such as Puerto de Mogán and San Agustín. Puerto de Mogan is one of Kinder Travel Guide’s favourite towns for travel with babies and toddlers. This picturesque port town has a safe beach which is protected from the strong waves and currents around the island. San Agustin is close to Playa del Inlges and is the first of the resorts on the southern end of the island and offers a quieter location with a crowd free beach. There are also some great walking trails around the resort. Both resorts have relaxed nightlife and some great, family friendly restaurants.
Bahia Feliz is another family friendly option. This modern, stylish town on Gran Canaria’s southern coast is small enough that everything’s within easy strolling distance. There’s a pretty, pedestrianised village square lined with pavement cafés and restaurants, safe for kids to run around while the parks and Moroccan-style buildings create a charming ambience.
The northern capital, Las Palmas, is a popular stop for cruise ships and duty-free shopping, while the island’s interior is rural and mountainous. Las Palmas has both an old town and a new town which has modern shops, restaurants and galleries. The beach in the city has been voted one of the most beautiful in the world.
There are also loads of activities on the island which toddlers will love on the island such as Palmitos Park, a trip on a glass bottomed boat, Sioux City and more (See ‘Top Attractions for Kids’ in Gran Canaria). Toddlers will also love the beaches which are generally well served with shops, restaurants and other useful amenities.
See below for all the information you will need for travel to Gran Canaria with a baby or toddler.
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