If you’re planning to visit Gran Canaria with kids, here’s my list of tips on fun things to do and the best places to stay – based on our recent family trip to the island.
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Family Guide to Gran Canaria: Where to Stay and What to Do
Our Family Vacation in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is a fantastic destination for family holidays in Spain. The Canary Islands are known for their excellent year-round weather. Even though we visited in July, I loved that it wasn’t too hot, which made exploring the island really enjoyable. You can check out our detailed Gran Canaria itinerary in this post, and see my impressions from the trip on TikTok and Instagram.
Here are my thoughts on the best things to do, places to eat, and areas to stay if you’re visiting Gran Canaria with kids.
Best Things to Do in Gran Canaria with Kids
Poema del Mar Aquarium
We’ve visited quite a few aquariums in Spain, and at some point, they can start to feel similar. Still, my kids really enjoyed Poema del Mar Aquarium in Las Palmas (you can use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link). It doesn’t fall short compared to the famous aquariums in Mallorca, Valencia, or Barcelona, and it turned out to be both interesting and educational.
Elder Science Museum
One of the biggest surprises of our 5-day Gran Canaria family trip was the Elder Science Museum in Las Palmas. While Spain has many great museums for kids, this one definitely ranks in our personal top 10. The museum was packed with interactive exhibits and fun visual effects that my kids absolutely adored. There was even a replica of an airplane where they could play pilots and push all the buttons. In the afternoons, there were educational shows almost every 30 minutes – we even got to see a 4D movie and a planetarium show.
Overall, since my kids are very curious, the Elder Science Museum ended up being one of their absolute favorites in Gran Canaria. The only museum I recall from our travels that impressed them more was W5 Belfast, during our trip to Ireland.
Other interesting museums in Las Palmas were Casa de Colón and Museo Canario, but I’d say these two are optional and better suited for kids interested in history and Christopher Columbus.
Mundo del Plátano
Another fun experience in Gran Canaria with kids was visiting Mundo del Plátano and exploring the local banana plantations. The guide made the tour especially enjoyable, and the kids loved it – they even got to see rare banana varieties, like blue bananas!
Beaches & Lava Pools
Since we live in Spain close to the pretty coastal town of Benicàssim, which has a stunning beach, we weren’t coming to Gran Canaria specifically for beach time. Still, we briefly stopped by a few beaches in Las Palmas, Puerto de Mogán, and Maspalomas, as the kids wanted to touch the water and see how cold it was.
Unexpectedly, my kids adored the lava pools of Agaete in the north of the island. We honestly thought they would find them boring, but instead, they were fascinated – the pools were full of crabs, and the waves crashing against the shore made it all the more exciting. To our surprise, the girls couldn’t wait to swim in the lava pools! Another popular lava pool area on the island is Los Charcones De Bañaderos (near Arucas).
Puerto de Mogán
Puerto de Mogán is one of the most beautiful areas in Gran Canaria. It’s a picture-perfect spot to stroll around and try seafood tapas (unless your kids are picky eaters!). We’re relatively lucky – only one of ours is picky, while the other eats absolutely everything. For the picky one, most restaurants in Gran Canaria offered a menú infantil, which usually included kid-friendly options like fries, chicken nuggets, or pasta.
In Puerto de Mogán, we also walked up with the kids to a local viewpoint. There were some stairs, so the kids complained a bit, but it was worth it for the beautiful views. This area is also a popular base for boat & snorkeling tours and even the famous yellow submarine tour.
Maspalomas
Maspalomas is famous for its breathtaking sand dunes and long, wide beach Playa de Maspalomas. This is also where you can book a camel safari – something we had to skip since we were traveling with two seniors who weren’t up for that kind of adventure. Here you’ll also find the popular Palmitos Park, a great place to visit with kids in Gran Canaria.
Botanical Gardens in Gran Canaria
Thanks to its exotic setting and subtropical oceanic climate, Gran Canaria is a fantastic place to see rare plants and visit botanical gardens. Although we couldn’t visit the famous Jardín Botánico Viera y Clavijo (it was too windy that day and they closed it for safety reasons), we did enjoy Jardínes de la Marquesa in Arucas.
Aside from the plants, there were peacocks everywhere, and the kids loved it. It was fun to see them climbing trees and making lots of noise (you can catch a glimpse of it on my IG Stories!).
Playgrounds in Las Palmas
One highlight for the kids was the playground at Santa Catalina Park in Las Palmas. It was honestly one of the coolest playgrounds I’ve seen in a long while, so much so that we went back several times during our stay.
Where to Stay in Gran Canaria with Kids
You can check out my detailed guide on where to stay in Gran Canaria in this post. In short, if you don’t plan to rent a car and want to explore the island by bus (as we did), Las Palmas is the easiest choice for families with kids. It’s well connected and also home to attractions like the Elder Science Museum and Poema del Mar Aquarium.
For our family holiday in Gran Canaria, we stayed at Livvo Fataga in Las Palmas. It was okay – especially since we booked last minute – but I probably wouldn’t return. Next time, visiting Gran Canaria with kids, I’d love to stay near Puerto de Mogán or Puerto Rico, in one of the hotels I mention below (like Servatur Puerto Azul).
Livvo Fataga didn’t have any rooms suitable for a family of four, and the gym wasn’t great (though I didn’t have time to use it – if it had been better, maybe I would have). Since we were also traveling with my senior in-laws, we booked two rooms with extra beds: one kid stayed with us and the other with them. This arrangement worked well, as my in-laws were happy not to be bored just with the two of them.
On our next family trip to Gran Canaria, I’d love to do more hiking and a road trip (this time we visited without a car). We’ll most likely travel without the seniors and book a different type of accommodation in another area to better suit our plans.
If you’re more interested in beaches, Maspalomas or Puerto de Mogán/Puerto Rico in the south of the island are excellent areas to stay with children. Here are a few great options with family-friendly rooms near Maspalomas: Abora Buenaventura, Abora Interclub Atlantic, Bungalows Cordial Green Golf, and Grupotel Tres Vidas; near Puerto de Mogan / Puerto Rico – Servatur Puerto Azul and Apartamentos Cordial Mogán Valle; in Las Palmas – Lemon & Soul Las Palmas, Hotel Matilde, and Gran Marina Suites.
Use the map below to find the best accommodation deals in Gran Canaria.
What to Eat in Gran Canaria with Kids
The main touristy areas in Gran Canaria, like Las Palmas, Maspalomas, and Puerto de Mogán, are great for family travelers. Beyond local specialties, you’ll also find plenty of international foods that kids usually enjoy, like Italian pizzas and pastas. Many cafés and bars also offer cocktail menus, and my kids love trying non-alcoholic cocktails – something they’ve been excited about since our first Mediterranean cruise.
Don’t miss Pena la Vieja ice cream in Las Palmas or the Mercado de Vegueta if your kids are up for tasting exotic fruits. Ours were thrilled after visiting Mundo del Plátano, where they got to see strawberry bananas and blue bananas. We also sampled eggfruit and local mangoes (you can check it out on my IG or TikTok).
For a complete guide to eating in Gran Canaria, head to this post.
Is Gran Canaria good for visiting with kids?
Overall, I really liked Gran Canaria as a family-friendly destination and would love to return with my kids. The island has everything you might need for a holiday – landmarks, beaches, diverse and delicious food, and friendly locals.
If I were to compare Gran Canaria to other Canary Islands, I’d say that while I enjoyed Tenerife for its unique landmarks, Gran Canaria offered a more comfortable travel experience overall. It receives fewer visitors than Tenerife: locals were friendlier to tourists here.
Compared to Lanzarote, Gran Canaria is livelier. Lanzarote felt much quieter and more suitable for couples. My kids might enjoy Lanzarote if we were just staying on the beach – they love Spanish beaches – but for a sightseeing-focused trip, they would likely find it boring.
Another great advantage of Gran Canaria over other Canary Islands is its local bus network. As I’ve mentioned, we visited the island without renting a car. Initially, I was skeptical, but the bus services were excellent. This is a great option for family travelers who don’t want to rent a car. From the airport, we booked a transfer with Welcome Pickups to ensure the kids had proper seats, and then we explored the island by bus. You can read all the details in this post.
Interestingly, my kids seemed to enjoy traveling by bus even more than by car. Maybe it’s just a general thing for small children – they seem to love buses – but they behaved better on the bus than in the car, even when we brought plenty of things to keep them entertained.
Read more about the Canary Islands:
- Epic Tenerife Family Holidays: All You Need to Know (read it)
- 10 Best Spanish Islands to Visit (read it)
- Top Beautiful Places in The Canary Islands (read it)
- 5 Days in Lanzarote: Cool things to do in Lanzarote (read it)
- A Visual Guide To The Cactus Garden in Lanzarote (read it)
- Ultimate 4-Day South Tenerife Itinerary (read it)
- An Ultimate One Week in Tenerife Itinerary (read it)
- Gran Canaria or Lanzarote: The Canary Island I Liked More and Why (read it)
- How to Explore Gran Canaria Without a Car: Top Tips for Easy Travel (read it)
- What to Eat in Gran Canaria: Best Foods + Restaurants (read it)
- Where to Stay in Gran Canaria: Best Areas for First-Timers (read it)
- Tenerife or Gran Canaria: Where Would I Return? (read it)
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For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.
- Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda and Booking
- Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
- Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
- Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
- For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
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- Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner and Kiwi
- Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
- Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Omio (10% off with code ATC10 for first-time customers)
- Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Discover Cars
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- Shop My Level8 Suitcase: get 15% off with the code ATC15 here
- Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
- Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
- Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
- Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
- Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
- Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
- Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
- For Bloggers: To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22
- Website Owners: For hosting services, I work with and recommend Lyrical Host (get 10% off with my code ATC10)
Oh this is such an extensive list it will make planning for Gran Canaria so much easier! Thank you for sharing.
I’ve been looking to visit the Canary Islands for sometime, as I’ve heard great things about Tenerife. Your local insights on Gran Canaria has added to my desire to visit another of the island in the Spanish archipelago.
This is a great list – the Botanical Gardens and beaches look like great fun for both kids and parents!
Hello! I’m glad there are so many options available for kids. I especially like the idea of visiting aquarium and science museum. I guess, it is a truly memorable experience.
This looks like such a fun family trip. I would be distracted by the black sand beaches, I’ve always wanted to see one but the museums and aquarium look great too.