Gran Canaria - family holiday paradise

My personal recommendations for this wonderful island

Easygoing Gran Canaria

We recently launched our Easygoing branch on Gran Canaria, and I was therefore back on the island where my children’s first holiday memories were made.

This trip turned out to be a completely different experience from the all-inclusive and mini-disco days I remembered, and it was wonderful to see a different side of the island. But as I drove around revisiting Amadores Beach, Taurito, Maspalomas, and all the other familiar spots, I was reminded why Gran Canaria is a family holiday paradise and why it was our go-to vacation spot when my kids were small and in their early school years.

Here are my personal recommendations and reflections on traveling to Gran Canaria.

All-Inclusive holidays with mini-disco

All-inclusive vacations divide opinions. Some love them; others can’t imagine anything worse.

Personally, I think all-inclusive is EASY! I don’t have to worry about where or what we’ll eat. My kids can get what they like and eat whenever they’re hungry.

Our very first all-inclusive trip was to Taurito - a small valley in southern Gran Canaria where all-inclusive hotels climb the mountainsides, with a water park nestled in the center. What’s not to like? Taurito is lively, colorful, and incredibly family-friendly. There’s mini-disco in the evenings, trampolines, mini-golf, a beach, and everything else you’d expect from a classic package holiday.

However, our holidays in Taurito were also the kind where we barely left the hotel. After all, everything you need is right there! Beach, water park, entertainment, and all the food and drinks you could want.But we did pop the kids into the stroller and took the bus to Mogán, a charming little harbor town with boat trips and cozy restaurants by the waterfront. I should add that, with great effort, we had hauled our stroller all the way from home because back then, there wasn’t a service like Easygoing where you could rent a stroller on Gran Canaria.

We spent some lovely, relaxing weeks here when the kids were small, and I think my teenagers still dream about going back to Taurito.

As mentioned, this type of vacation isn’t for everyone, and I understand that. But honestly? As a mom of two energetic water-loving kids, it was an absolute relief to know that for a week, I didn’t have to think about a thing.

Wildlife and fun shows

If you’re looking for a fun day out and love animals, Palmitos Park is a must-visit. We’ve been to Gran Canaria with the kids five times - and every time, we’ve been to Palmitos Park. There’s even a direct bus to the park.

Located inland in a stunning setting, the park features large bird shows (I especially remember the show with birds of prey we saw last time), reptiles, and dolphin shows.

The park itself is beautiful, offering plenty of experiences to keep both kids and adults entertained for hours.

White sand, fun parks, and beautiful fish

I LOVE snorkeling! Give me 30 minutes, a beach, and a snorkel mask, and I’m good to go.

On my latest trip to Gran Canaria, I was introduced to Amadores Beach, a man-made beach created in 2002 with soft, white sand and artificial reefs. Most beaches near Amadores have black volcanic sand, so stepping into the soft, white sand here is quite a surprise. Amadores is calm and peaceful, with no big waves thanks to the breakwaters. However, I’d recommend it for older kids, as the water gets deep quickly. For the bigger kids, there’s also a fun park that looks amazing (but you’ll have to wait for a proper review until I’ve tried it myself).

The artificial reefs have encouraged marine life to flourish, making it a great snorkeling spot. I loved floating in the calm waters and watching the underwater world unfold a few meters below. I saw schools of small fish, colorful fish, and even some pretty big ones during my time in the water.

“Off the beaten track”

My most recent trip to Gran Canaria was without kids, but some of the experiences I had would also be great with children.

I ventured inland along winding mountain roads to small villages offering a completely different experience from the touristy areas. I visited Agüimes and San Bartolomé de Tirajana - both charming with cozy squares and narrow streets perfect for exploring. Both towns also had cafés (though they closed quite early) and playgrounds for younger children.

Pick a town that sounds appealing and go on an adventure! Buses connect to the small towns, but if you’re not staying overnight, be mindful of the last return bus.

For those up for a more unconventional overnight stay, there are plenty of small fincas and cozy accommodations around the island - just search for them. Staying there can give you a glimpse of the less touristy side of the island.

Have fun!

As you can probably tell, I love Gran Canaria and could write so much more about it: the quaint harbor in Mogán, the dunes of Maspalomas (don’t go when it’s windy!), and the bustling tourist areas in Puerto Rico, where there’s always something happening!

I hope you find the perfect spot for you and your family. Have a great holiday!