Gran Canaria Holidays

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Gran Canaria has earned its nickname 'a continent in miniature' due to its range of terrains and climates, from the fertile north to the rugged interior and desert south. The island is the third largest, and most populous, of the Canary Islands, situated off the African coast in the Atlantic Ocean between Tenerife and Fuerteventura. Gran Canaria is a well established as a favourite holiday destination with well-developed holiday resorts and the bustling, modern capital of Las Palmas. There are beautiful beaches, particularly around the south coast with endless opportunities for swimming sunbathing and watersports, along with a famously thriving nightlife. The island enjoys a constantly pleasant climate giving it all-year-round appeal, and On the Beach has the best deals on flights and accommodation to give you a perfect Canary Island holiday!

Weather

Gran Canaria holidays enjoy a mild climate with pleasant temperatures all year round; the weather conditions on the beach feel like spring or summer whatever time you visit. Prevailing trade winds and the mountainous terrain give island a range of microclimates, earning Gran Canaria its nickname a 'continent in miniature'. The mountain peaks are sometimes capped with snow, while other parts see continental or tropical climates.

The average temperatures you can expect on holiday in Gran Canaria range from about 26° Celsius to 30° Celsius in the summer, while in the winter months they are around 22° Celsius and 24° Celsius. You can expect warm sun at any time, but in the winter you may want to wrap up warm if you are heading to the mountains.

Attractions

There are plenty of attractions to tempt you on holiday in Gran Canaria, from museums and architecture to markets and water parks. In Las Palmas the best sights are to be found in the historical quarter of Vegueta, including Casa de Colon, a house that Christopher Columbus was believed to have stayed at during his travels to the Americas, where you can see a display of relics from early transatlantic voyages. The main museum in Las Palmas is the Museo Canario that boasts the world's largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls and describes the lives of the Guanche people, Gran Canaria's first inhabitants.

To the southwest of the capital is the Jardin Botanico Canario Viera y Clavijo, a vast botanical garden, the largest in Spain, with an extraordinary range of plant species. There are three big water parks in the south of the island, all excellent for a family day out: Aquasur and Ocean Park both near Maspalomas, and Aqua park near Puerto Rico. Gran Canaria's towns and villages host interesting markets that sell a mixture of tourist goods and local produce, the best of these are to be found at Puerto de Mogan, San Fernando, Arguineguin, Teror and Vega de San Mateo.