Where to Stay in Gran Canaria: Best Areas and Hotels for Your Trip

Gran Canaria welcomes millions of visitors every year, and it’s easy to see why. The island offers golden sandy beaches, dunes unlike anywhere else in Europe, a mountainous interior recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and a fantastic climate all year round. But choosing where to stay in Gran Canaria isn’t always straightforward: the south, the north and the south-west each have a very different character, and picking the right area can be the difference between a perfect holiday and one that just doesn’t quite click. This guide will help you decide based on what you’re looking for.

Is it better to stay in the north or the south of Gran Canaria?

It’s the first question most travellers ask themselves, and the answer comes down to one key factor: what kind of holiday you want.

The advantages of southern Gran Canaria

The south is home to the island’s biggest tourist offering and is, by far, the most popular area to stay in. This is where you’ll find the majority of resorts, the sunniest beaches and a very complete leisure infrastructure. Destinations such as Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Puerto de Mogán, along with the municipalities of San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Mogán, are major landmarks for sun-and-beach tourism.

The south enjoys more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, with temperatures that rarely drop below 18°C in winter. That makes it a high-season destination practically all year round, particularly popular with European travellers looking to escape the cold in autumn and winter.

If your priority is the beach, relaxation, all-inclusive hotels or a lively nightlife, the south is your area.

The advantages of northern Gran Canaria

The north offers a completely different side of Gran Canaria. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital, is a vibrant city with its own urban beach (the famous Playa de Las Canteras), the historic Vegueta quarter, museums, markets and a genuine local food scene.
If you’re interested in cultural tourism, getting around by public transport, or experiencing the island from a more local perspective, the north makes an interesting base. It’s also greener, more humid and has a much more local, less touristy feel.

Best areas to stay in Gran Canaria

If you’ve decided to stay in the south, the most popular choice among travellers, the next step is choosing which area suits you best.

Maspalomas: ideal for couples and relaxation by the dunes

Maspalomas is perhaps the most iconic image of southern Gran Canaria. Its dunes create an almost desert-like landscape that runs straight into the sea, with the Maspalomas Lighthouse as an unmistakable landmark. The setting is peaceful, the beach is long, and the pace of life here is unhurried.

It’s the perfect area if you’re looking for accommodation near the Maspalomas Dunes and want to prioritise tranquillity over bustle. The Maspalomas Princess and the Tabaiba Princess are located close to the dunes’ nature park and share facilities: all-inclusive service, five restaurants, a wellness area and a water park. Two family-friendly hotels in the same setting, just metres from one of Gran Canaria’s most iconic beaches.

Playa del Inglés: atmosphere, leisure and adults-only hotels

Playa del Inglés is the beating heart of tourism in Gran Canaria. A lively area with a long beach and easy access to a wide range of shops, restaurants and nightlife. The Yumbo Centre is the epicentre of the nightlife scene and one of the key venues for Maspalomas Pride, one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in Europe.
For travellers seeking adults-only hotels in Gran Canaria, the Gran Canaria Princess sits right in the heart of Playa del Inglés. It’s a 4-star hotel exclusively for guests aged 16 and over, with a wellness area, bars, swimming pools and all-inclusive service. Its location close to the Yumbo also makes it the best option for those who want easy access to events and nightlife.

Taurito: all-inclusive by the sea, for every type of traveller

Taurito is a small coastal enclave on the south-west of the island, between Puerto de Mogán and Puerto Rico. Quieter than Playa del Inglés, it has a sheltered bay and Atlantic views that rank among the most photogenic in the south.

Three distinct Princess properties are found here, each suited to a different type of traveller. The Princess Taurito is a family-friendly, all-inclusive resort, renovated in 2024, with a Splash Park and children’s entertainment. The Mogán Princess & Beach Club combines a privileged setting with access to a Beach Club. And the TUI Blue Suite Princess, exclusively for guests aged 16 and over, is perfect for couples and groups of friends looking for a quiet stay by the sea.

Where to stay in Gran Canaria depending on the type of traveller

Beyond the area itself, the ideal type of accommodation also depends on who you’re travelling with and what you’re looking for.

For couples

If you’re travelling as a couple, the south offers two great options depending on the atmosphere you prefer. For those after a peaceful, natural setting, the TUI Blue Suite Princess in Taurito is a solid choice: rooms with Atlantic views, an adults-only atmosphere and a pace built for switching off. If you’d rather combine relaxation with access to urban leisure, the Gran Canaria Princess in Playa del Inglés has everything you need: a wellness area, swimming pools and a location that puts you right at the centre of the resort town.

For families with children

Gran Canaria is one of the favourite destinations for European families, and for good reason. The climate is stable, the beaches are safe and the island has a wide choice of family-friendly hotels.

The best family hotels from Princess in Gran Canaria are:

• Maspalomas Princess and Tabaiba Princess: next to the dunes, with a water park, kids’ club and themed pools.
• Princess Taurito: right on the beachfront, with a Splash Park, children’s entertainment and sea-view rooms throughout.
• Mogán Princess & Beach Club: in a quieter setting close to Puerto de Mogán, with access to a Beach Club.

All of them offer an all-inclusive service, which makes budgeting much easier when travelling with children.

For adults-only travellers

Gran Canaria has an excellent choice of options for those looking for a getaway without children, whether as a couple, with friends or in a group. The Gran Canaria Princess in Playa del Inglés is the most urban and well-connected option: adults-only (16+), very close to the events at the Yumbo and with easy motorway access to get around the south of the island. The TUI Blue Suite Princess in Taurito is the quieter alternative, with an exclusive resort feel right on the seafront.

Which is the best area of Gran Canaria for your holiday?

Choosing the right area also depends on what you want to do outside the hotel.

• If you want dunes and long beaches: stay in Maspalomas. You’ll be able to walk to the dunes and the lighthouse, or cycle along the seafront promenade. The Maspalomas & Tabaiba Princess offers a bike rental service on site, making it ideal for exploring the nature park at your own pace.
• If you’re after shopping and nightlife: Playa del Inglés puts you right on the doorstep of the Yumbo Centre and the south’s main bars and clubs.
• If you want Atlantic sunsets: the south-west (Taurito, Mogán, Puerto Rico) is the area with the best westward views. The TUI Blue Suite Princess, the Mogán Princess and the Princess Taurito all enjoy privileged positions.
• If you’re interested in Puerto de Mogán: known as the “Little Venice” of Gran Canaria for its canals and white houses, it has a Friday market and a very local atmosphere. It’s just a few minutes by car from the Taurito hotels.
• If you want to get around the whole island: staying close to the GC-1 motorway lets you reach the north or the interior in under an hour. The Gran Canaria Princess in Playa del Inglés has easy access to this road.

Where to stay in Gran Canaria for events and getaways with friends

Gran Canaria has become one of the favourite destinations for group getaways. The south of the island hosts several major events throughout the year that shape its tourist calendar.

Las Palmas Carnival and Maspalomas Carnival

Gran Canaria celebrates two of the most important carnivals in Spain. The Las Palmas Carnival, in the capital, is the first to take place (February) and is known for its drag queen galas and street parades. A few weeks later, the Maspalomas Carnival turns the south of the island into another festive stage, with parades, costumed groups and a lively street atmosphere. If your trip coincides with these dates, staying in Playa del Inglés puts you right at the centre of it all.

Maspalomas Pride

Maspalomas Pride is one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in Europe, held every year in May. It draws tens of thousands of visitors to the south of Gran Canaria for several days of performances, parties and celebrations.

Winter Pride Gran Canaria

El Winter Pride Gran Canaria es la edición invernal del orgullo en la isla, celebrada cada año en noviembre en el sur de Gran Canaria. Aunque más íntima que el Maspalomas Pride de mayo, reúne miles de visitantes que buscan celebrar en un entorno con buen clima incluso en invierno. 

Concerts and festivals in Gran Canaria

The south of Gran Canaria is hosting an increasing number of music events, positioning it as an experience-led tourist destination. Among the highlights:

• Granca Live Fest: a music festival in the south of the island.
• Bresh: the trendiest event among younger crowds, with dates in Playa del Inglés.
• Music Meets Tourism (MMT) Festival: focused on the fusion of music and tourism.
• Soul Festival de San Agustín: for lovers of soul and R&B.

For these getaways, the Gran Canaria Princess in Playa del Inglés is the most practical base: bars, clubs and leisure venues right on your doorstep, with easy car access to the rest of the south of the island.

Where to stay in Gran Canaria: find your area and book with Princess

Gran Canaria has something for almost every type of traveller. If you’re after relaxation by the dunes, Maspalomas is your area. If you’d rather have atmosphere and easy access to the south’s leisure scene, Playa del Inglés is the better fit. And if a quieter setting right by the sea appeals to you, the south-west (Taurito) is an excellent choice.

At Princess Hotels & Resorts, there’s an option for every type of guest: family hotels, adults-only hotels, all-inclusive service and beachfront locations. Discover the hotels available in Gran Canaria and choose the one that best suits what you’re looking for.

View Princess hotels in Gran Canaria

Categories: Canaries, Travel Tips, Gran Canaria