15 Unmissable Family Experiences in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is a dream for every traveler, especially those traveling with their families. It is a sunny playground with perfect beaches, colorful villages, and amazing landscapes. I still remember our awe when we first discovered the dunes of Maspalomas, a spectacle of desert-like sand surrounded by the ocean.

Gran Canaria offers plenty of adventures that cater to every traveler. From snorkeling in crystal-clear water to hiking to Roque Nublo to visiting the markets in Las Palmas, the island has something for everyone. In this article, we’ll cover 15 family experiences to help you decide what to do while spending your holiday in Gran Canaria.

Beach Adventures in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria beaches are filled with golden sands and turquoise waters, making them a haven for families and adventurers.

Playa de Maspalomas

Our personal favorite is Playa de Maspalomas. Here, the iconic Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve (a protected reservation) meets the ocean, offering a spectacle that is hard to describe in words. You must see it! We spent hours building sandcastles, exploring the dunes, and writing our love in the sand. Many beach attractions and family-friendly services include lounger and parasol rentals, showers, and snack stands. As you head west to the center of the beach, towards Maspalomas lighthouse, the beach gets wilder with water sports zones and nudist areas.

For a romantic experience, go to the dunes in the evening. Here, you can watch as the sun sets behind Maspalomas lighthouse. After sunbathing during the day, why not head to Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles for a taste of the nightlife? You can enjoy plenty of cocktail bars, restaurants, and clubs. Overall, it’s a perfect place for adventure seekers and those who want to relax under the sun.

Playa de Amadores

For a more tranquil setting, head to Playa de Amadores. This calm and crescent-shaped beach is ideal for families with younger children. The shallow waters ensure a safe swimming experience, and the nearby beachfront restaurants offer delicious local fare for a midday break. Two dikes shelter the beach, so its waters are always calm, and its white sand is full of sun loungers perfect for sunbathing.

Amadores Beach is connected to the Puerto Rico resort by a kilometer-long seafront promenade. Amadores is in a bay surrounded by hotels and apartments and, thanks to its quality services, has had a Blue Flag status since 2004. It offers lounger and parasol rentals, paid parking, and restaurants and shops right next to the sand. Amadores has everything needed for its disabled visitors to enjoy a safe swim. There are no ball sports or watersports on the beach so that you can float for hours in the calm waters. Watching the sun setting behind Teide volcano over in Tenerife is the perfect way to complete a day on Amadores beach.

Playa de las Canteras

On the other hand, Playa de las Canteras in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the best place to blend beach fun with a lively urban vibe. You can snorkel along the natural reef, lounge on the sand, or walk on the promenade. There are plenty of shops and cafés. We always enjoy a sunset walk along this vibrant place, enjoying the local culture as street performers entertain the crowds.

Las Canteras Beach is in northeast Gran Canaria, in the capital city of Las Palmas. It is amongst Europe’s most famous city beaches, and one of the best family beaches in Spain. Its natural offshore lava reef acts as a wave break and protects the sand and exuberant marine life, making Las Canteras a top snorkeling spot. Children especially love Las Canteras for its clear, calm waters, playgrounds, and sports zones. The beach is also accessible to all and has parking, showers, and changing rooms. At sunset, the beachfront terraces fill up, and the promenade’s cafés, bars, and restaurants are full of life into the night.

These beaches offer the perfect entry point to Gran Canaria’s rich choice of adventures. Each one promises a unique experience for every family member.

Natural Wonders of Gran Canaria

Beyond its inviting beaches, Gran Canaria captivates visitors with natural landscapes that reveal the island’s wild spirit.

Roque Nublo

A family highlight is the hike to Roque Nublo, one of the island’s most iconic natural landmarks. Roque Nublo is one of the most significant natural stones in the world. This stone of volcanic origin is 80 meters tall and stands 1,813 meters above sea level. It was declared a protected natural area in 1987 and then a rural park seven years later. The Roque Nublo route starts from the main road. From here, you walk 1.5 kilometers to the area of the natural monument and its brother, Roque de la Rana. I remember us starting the hike early in the morning, with the cool mountain breeze carrying the scent of pine trees. When we finally reached the summit, the panoramic view of the surrounding valleys and volcanic peaks felt like something out of a fairy tale.

Barranco de Guayadeque

Head to the lush Barranco de Guayadeque for a journey back in time. It is a fifteen-kilometer valley in southeast Gran Canaria. It has awed its visitors thanks to its wild landscapes, many unique plants, winding paths, and steep slopes. This spectacular valley is a perfect day trip from resorts like Maspalomas, as it is just a 30-minute drive. First, you come to a visitor center that explains the customs of the original pre-Hispanic inhabitants. The path then approaches a chapel and several restaurants carved into the rock.

Further up where the road ends, there’s a seven-kilometer track up to the Los Marteles volcanic caldera. The valley’s famous cave homes made from natural caverns in the lava rock reinforce the dreamland sensation. We were fascinated by the scenery and loved dining at a cave restaurant where traditional Canarian dishes were served with heartwarming hospitality.

Palmitos Park

To experience the island’s biodiversity firsthand, visit Palmitos Park. It is a captivating blend of zoo and botanical garden; we loved it every second. In this oasis of nature, the subtropical Canarian flora unfolds in all its splendor, transforming every step into a unique experience. The interactive dolphin show and the exotic bird demonstrations enchanted us. There are multiple shows throughout the day with birds of prey that fly above us (or land on your head).

The botanical garden is equally stunning, filled with thousands of cactuses, orchids, and butterflies. It’s a place where nature and education combine seamlessly, offering countless opportunities for curious young minds to explore. And then there is Rocco, a bright-colored parrot that can ride a bike 😊. Through the educational program “Dolphin Encounter,” you can make your dream come true and share fun and tender moments with the ocean ambassadors. Palmitos Park truly is one of the best experiences in life and one that stays with you forever.

These natural wonders underscore Gran Canaria’s diverse ecosystem, where volcanic landscapes and lush greenery coexist in remarkable harmony. Each site allows families to connect with nature and share experiences that will inspire curiosity and adventure for years to come.

Cultural Experiences In Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria’s vibrant culture is infused into every corner of the island, allowing families to explore rich traditions, history, and creativity.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

A must-visit is the island’s capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Vegueta’s old town, with its colonial feel and narrow cobbled streets, is home to many of Las Palmas’s most iconic buildings. Wandering through the old town’s cobbled streets, our family marveled at the stunning colonial architecture of Santa Ana Cathedral.

The nearby Columbus House (Casa de Colón) offered a glimpse into the life of the famous navigator. It’s the best place to learn about both the pre-Hispanic culture of the Canaries and the Americas before the arrival of the Europeans and about Columbus and other explorers’ journeys of discovery across the ocean. The building and its interior courtyards are icons of Vegueta’s old town, making it a must-see on any Las Palmas de Gran Canaria trip. The mansion belonged to the first governors of Gran Canaria and was where Columbus stayed during his stops in the Canary Islands on his way to the Americas.

We loved immersing ourselves in the eclectic local markets and trying different regional flavors.

Museo Elder

For hands-on learning and fun, make a stop at Museo Elder. It is an interactive science museum where children (and adults) can explore cutting-edge exhibits on everything from robotics to space exploration. Inside the museum, you can take a photo in the cockpit of a genuine fighter jet or look at a 19th-century train. A 3D cinema and a modern greenhouse complete the experience, along with the jointed Robocoaster. The staff members were exceptionally patient, guiding us through scientific experiments that sparked endless questions.

Pueblo Canario

Meanwhile, Pueblo Canario provides a charming window into traditional Canarian life. The gardens and palm trees of Doramas Park surround it. Its central square hosts several displays of folkloric music and dance every week. We were drawn to the vibrant folk dances and rhythmic music that filled the plaza. Of course, we couldn’t resist sampling the local pastries and handicrafts. The Museo Néstor is amongst the Pueblo Canario’s attractions. It hosts a permanent exhibition of the works of internationally recognized Canarian artist Néstor de la Torre.

Exploring Gran Canaria’s cultural side allows families to bond over shared discoveries and create stories that blend historical intrigue with modern-day wonders. It’s a journey that showcases how the past and present shape the island’s captivating identity.

Active Excursions in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria offers exhilarating activities that keep your family on their toes and cater to adventure-seekers of all ages.

Aqualand Maspalomas

It is the island’s largest waterpark. It has multiple areas with plenty to offer for every age group. Many thrilling slides and wave pools make even the bravest ones think twice. We spent an entire day racing each other down slides like Anaconda and playing in the Lazy River. The smiles on our faces showed that Aqualand knows how to entertain the whole family. The Aqualand and Palmitos Park are close to each other, and you can buy a ticket that will cover both attractions. That is perfect as you can combine both on the same day if you’d like.

Angry Birds Activity Park

You can head to the Angry Birds Activity Park in Puerto Rico for some high-flying action. Inspired by the famous video game, this amusement park is perfect for younger kids, offering obstacle courses, trampolines, and even zip lines. The Angry Birds Activity Park is the only theme park in southern Europe that has a license from the famous video game. Each section is designed to stimulate kids of different age groups. There are multiple zones for playing, exploring, and jumping. For drivers, a karting and biking circuit. There are football pitches and basketball and volleyball courts for the sporty ones. For the acrobats, skating ramps, a padded Parkour circuit, and plenty of trampolines. They even have air cannons where you can fire rubber balls at the thieving piglets. It’s just like the original game, but it is in the open air and with cooling jets of water vapor.

Holiday World Maspalomas

If roller coasters and a carnival atmosphere are what your family craves, Holiday World Maspalomas will deliver. This amusement park features thrilling rides, arcade games, and even a Ferris wheel that provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding dunes and coastline. Holiday World has attractions for all ages. Small children love the bumper cars and the carousels. Bigger kids prefer the adrenalin-inducing 20-meter free-fall drop of Sky Drop and the roller coaster rush.

The energy and excitement of the park offered a taste of pure fun that every family can enjoy. Being in a shopping center means that there are plenty of places to eat. At Holiday World, children and adults can enjoy themselves for hours.

These active excursions add extra excitement to your Gran Canaria adventure. They will leave your family with stories to share long after the trip. Whether it’s the adrenaline rush of a water slide or the gentle breeze on a Ferris wheel ride, the island has something thrilling for everyone.

Island Exploration in Gran Canaria

To truly grasp Gran Canaria’s wonders, embark on unforgettable adventures that reveal the island’s hidden gems and natural beauty.

Submarine Adventure

One of our favorite discoveries was the Submarine Adventure, an underwater journey that showed us the vibrant marine life below the surface. The submarine takes you to Atlantis Underwater Park, the first artificial reef in Gran Canaria. It is fascinating for kids as they can peer through the portholes to see colorful fish swimming around shipwrecks. You feel transported to Jules Verne’s novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas. The excitement grows with every new species spotted, and it feels like exploring a new world. The kids will get a diving certificate at the end of the tours.

Camel Safari

For a unique way to explore the rolling dunes of Maspalomas, take the family on a Camel Safari. Watching as the sun sets over the dunes atop these gentle giants is magical. The guides were knowledgeable and shared stories about the area, history, and fascinating flora and fauna. Since 2004, the San Bartolome de Tirajana community has officially obtained the camel ride through the dunes of Maspalomas recognized as a cultural heritage. It would be best if you did not miss the opportunity of an exotic and enjoyable adventure.

Sailing Tour

A Sailing Tour is the perfect way to experience the island’s coastline while savoring a bit of relaxation. We jumped aboard a family-friendly catamaran, setting sail to discover secluded coves and hidden beaches. If you are lucky, you can spot some dolphins and maybe whales gliding through the water. We were not at that time, so we shall try again. Onboard, we enjoyed a delicious meal and drinks. For an extra fee, you can enjoy watersports like jet skiing, parasailing, and donut rides.

These island exploration activities let you witness the natural and cultural diversity that makes Gran Canaria unique. These adventures promise breathtaking sights and shared family moments that will stay with you for years.

Final Thoughts

Gran Canaria welcomes families with a promise of adventure, discovery, and the kind of shared experiences that create lifelong memories. From sunny beaches to amazing natural parks and adrenaline experiences, the island offers an incredible variety of activities that capture the imagination of every member of the family.

After our journeys through theme parks, cultural landmarks, and natural wonders, it’s clear that Gran Canaria has something special for everyone. The smiles and laughter shared over a day of entertainment create bonds and memories that make a family vacation unforgettable. Whether you’re chasing adventure at the Angry Birds Activity Park or savoring the simple joy of a ferry ride along the coast, this island welcomes you to make it your playground.

So, gather your loved ones, pack your bags, and set sail for Gran Canaria. Make sure to explore at least a few of these 15 incredible adventures. Unleash your family’s sense of wonder and dive into the island’s rich tapestry of fun, adventure, and cultural charm. It is going to be one family trip you won’t soon forget!