Gran Canaria Hotels & Apartments in the Canaries

Gran Canaria (translated loosely as 'Great Island of Dogs'), is the second most populous of the Canary Islands, with around 850,000 residents, this being some 40% of the population of the archipelago. It is located about 93 miles off the coast of Africa and its capital city is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The island is of volcanic origin and is noted for its rich variety of micro climates; on average daytime temperatures reach around 20°C in winter and 26°C in summer. The predominant inland climate is mild, though more mountainous areas see the occasional frost or snow. The months of July, August and September are normally dry months. Summers are generally quite warm and bright however, with the south of the island being favoured, most tourists preferring to stay in this region, which is sunnier and has less rain than the north.

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Playa del Ingles

Playa del Inglés (Spanish for "Beach of the English") is a town in the south coast of Gran Canaria. It has a long beach comprised of tall sand dunes and is adjacent to the other tourist-based seaside towns of San Agustín and Maspalomas. The population is around 18,000 and growing. Hotels, restaurants, taverns and villas are aligned with its beach. Playa del Ingles is easily and conveniently reached by the GC1 Motorway. Until the arrival of tourism, agriculture was the main occupation in the area but typically tourism is now the major revenue stream and the town has been turned over largely to related tourist service industries. Much favoured by package tour operators, busy during holiday season and not for those seeking a quiet tranquil break from crowds.

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Arucas

Arucas is located in the mountains and the valleys, north of Gran Canaria and is actually a suburb of Las Palmas city. It is the second most populated municipality in the island. Agricultural farmlands cover parts of Arucas, the Atlantic Ocean is to its north and it is reached via the GC2 highway from the main airport on the east coast. Since the 15th century, the main crop of the Arucas area was sugar cane, so inevitably Rum was produced here long before the West Indies cornered the trade, and the rum factory is still, with tourism, a major occupation in the area.

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San Agustin

San Agustin (simply Spanish for "Saint Augustine") is located south of Las Palmas, and is linked with the GC1 Motorway and the old highway GC-500 in the southern coast of Gran Canaria. Like neighbouring Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, San Agustín is a major tourist resort. The local beach, Playa de San Agustín, is much quieter than the nearby and busier Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Its his dark-coloured sandy beach is pleasant and tranquil and more popular with tourists wanting to avoid the crowds. The beach is about 700 yards in length with a gentle gradient and is well protected against the waves, creating ideal conditions for snorkelling and scuba diving. Seafood restaurants are found on the promenade, as are cafés, bars and shops, with shower facilities located just off the beach. Buses run to this resort and there is a car park.

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Maspalomas

Maspalomas is the oldest tourist centre on the south coast of Gran Canaria and is a popular holiday resort. It is quieter and more upmarket than the nearby Playa del Ingles (see above), with its four mile stretch of golden sandy beach, arguably the best on the island. Maspalomas is separated from Playa del Ingles by a spectacular undulating sea of sand dunes, a protected area that provides a habitat for some rare species of flora and fauna, and a favourite haunt for nudists. Along the waterfront the promenade has an abundance of bars, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as luxury hotels and villas. It has a water park and nearby amusement parks, nature parks, a golf course, an aquarium and theme parks. The resort has become a favourite holiday destination for the gay community with a designated gay zone on the beach and in the sand dunes. The resort's week-long Gay Pride festivities each May have become world-renowned.

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Sardina

Sardina del Mar beach is located next to the picturesque fishing village of Sardina del Norte, (or simply known as Sardina). It has nice rocky beaches with fine golden sand, a place popular with scuba divers. Sardina's beach has several seafood restaurants offering authentic Canarian cuisine. The fish, squid and octopus is fresh, caught on site and prepared by the local chefs. Beaches are sandy, safe and clean. A popular, though little known family resort, Sardina also offers scuba diving, boggie board, swimming, fishing, dining and dancing.

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Las Palmas & Puerto de la Luz

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, (commonly known as Las Palmas), is the capital and the most populous city in Canary Islands Located in the north-east of the island about 93 miles off the north-west coast of Africa. The historic district of Vegueta has become very popular in recent years, especially with young people on weekends who frequent its bars and discos. In the port area are also numerous bars and nightclubs, particularly in the vicinity of Santa Catalina. Las Palmas enjoy a subtropical climate, with mild to warm temperatures dominating throughout the year. The city is the residence of over half of government ministries (the other half being located in Tenerife), the Provincial Courts and two courts of the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands. The city has four main beaches - Las Canteras, Las Alcaravaneras, La Laja, and Confital. Its port (known as Puerto de la Luz) is occupied by major fishing concerns.

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