WHERE TO STAY IN GRAN CANARIA? 5 BEST AREAS

Are you going to Gran Canaria soon? You are wondering where are the best places to stay?

Gran Canaria in Canary Islands is mainly known for its dream beaches, and its attractive and wild coastline, but also for the Las Palmas Carnival, one of the largest in the world.

To the south, beautiful sand dunes await you in Maspalomas. While in the center of Gran Canaria, there are mountains and canyons of exceptional beauty that will surprise you.

With that in mind, there are many great areas to stay. This guide is here to help you with our top 5 recommended areas and our curated lists of the best hotels in each area.

5 Best Areas to Stay in Gran Canaria

1- Puerto de Mogán often dubbed “Little Venice,” is the epitome of charm and relaxation. Ideal for couples and travelers seeking a peaceful retreat.
2- Maspalomas is known for its stunning sand dunes, which form a mini desert right next to the sea. This area appeals to nature lovers, families, and luxury travelers.
3- Las Palmas, the island’s capital, is rich in culture and history. Staying here means you’re never far from the action, with easy access to urban beaches, museums, historic neighborhoods, and a vibrant culinary scene.
4- Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria: For those who thrive in a lively resort atmosphere, this is the place to be. This sun-soaked valley is renowned for its family-friendly resorts.
5- Agaete offers a distinctly different experience, off the beaten path and different from the rest of Gran Canaria. If you want somewhere quiet, Agaete is perfect!

Best Areas to Stay in Gran Canaria – Full Guide

1. PUERTO DE MOGÁN

A street in Puerto de Mogán, Gran Canaria

When visiting Gran Canaria for over a month, we completely fell in love with Puerto de Mogán. For us it is the best place to visit on the island but also one of the best places to stay during your trip.

Puerto de Mogán, with its soothing atmosphere and its small white houses wedged between the sea and the cliffs behind, is just stunning. The beach at Puerto de Mogán is also very pleasant. As it is located in the south, it gets more sunny days than the rest of the island. From there, you can easily reach Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Fataga and even Pico de las Nieves.

READ: FULL GUIDE ABOUT VISITING PUERTO DE MOGÁN IN GRAN CANARIA

BEST HOTELS IN PUERTO DE MOGÁN

Cordial Muelle Viejo

At Puerto de Mogán, our favorite hotel is Cordial Muelle Viejo. This brand new hotel is directly facing the sea and is located next to the beach right beside a cliff. We highly recommend this place for a perfect holiday. Check it out here.

Hotel Puerto de Mogán The Senses Collection

Our 2nd favorite place in Puerto de Mogán is Hotel Puerto de Mogán The Senses Collection. This marvelous hotel is located right by the harbour where you will find most restaurants and just a few steps from the beach. In other words, THE perfect location! Check the availability here.

2. MASPALOMAS

Maspalomas is a very famous seaside resort in Gran Canaria. It is located along the south coast. If you want to enjoy the sea above all and want to spend your holidays in a lively place with a very festive atmosphere, then Maspalomas is probably the right place to stay.

Well, it’s not every day that you can stay by a desert in Europe. Indeed, the magnificent sand dunes and the sea in the background are something very unique. We absolutely loved our stay in Maspalomas.

There you have many options when it comes to accommodation.

READ: FULL GUIDE FOR VISITING MASPALOMAS

BEST HOTELS IN MASPALOMAS

Hotel Riu Palace Meloneras

In Maspalomas we highly recommend Hotel Riu Palace Meloneras. In fact, many hotels are located behind the dunes. So accessing the beach requires a long walk in the hot desert until you can finally reach the sea. However, Hotel Riu Palace Meloneras, is located on the side of the dunes, directly facing the sea.

And right behind the hotel, you will find many restaurants and a shopping center. Without a doubt, Hotel Riu Palace Meloneras is one of the best places to stay in Maspalomas. Book here.

Kumara Serenoa

Kumara Serenoa By Lopesan Hotels is a 4-star hotel complex that has 3 swimming pools, a large garden, a restaurant, and a bar. It is located less than 1.5 km from Playa del Ingles, right next to Maspalomas Golf and the shopping center, and offers beautiful rooms. The pool is just beautiful and it’s a quiet place. A very good choice if you don’t know yet where to sleep in Gran Canaria!

Check out more information here.

Caybeach Princess

Caybeach Princess has a large outdoor swimming pool, a children’s play area, a garden, and a restaurant. You can rent an entire bungalow for yourself. If you are more on a budget but still want something nice in Maspalomas, then Caybeach Princess is a great choice.

You can book here directly.

3. LA PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA

Las Palmas is a place that is central to the historical and contemporary culture of the Canary Islands. In the city, you can discover a surprisingly rich historical heritage, especially in the district of Vegueta, a colonial district that houses the Cathedral of Saint Anne and the House of Christopher Columbus.

During the first half of our trip to Gran Canaria we decided to stay in Las Palmas. As you may already know, we always look for places where we can surf nearby.

We rented a car in Las Palmas, and it was perfect to drive around the island and explore many places. So if you want something convenient during your stay in Gran Canaria, Las Palmas can be a great place to stay.

READ: FULL GUIDE FOR VISITING LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA

WHERE TO STAY IN LAS PALMAS?

ART LAS PALMAS MUR HOTEL

In Las Palmas, we stayed in a brand new hotel called ART LAS PALMAS MUR HOTEL. We totally loved it. It has such great value for money and is located close to the main beach of Las Palmas. You can book here.

SANTA CATALINA, A ROYAL HIDEAWAY HOTEL

Another beautiful hotel in Las Palmas, probably the most charming one, is Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel. This luxury hotel is located near the harbor of Las Palmas in the historical center of the city.

The rooftop pool is breathtaking. If your budget allows it, then don’t hesitate, this is one of the best places in Las Palmas. Book here.

4. PUERTO RICO DE GRAN CANARIA

Puerto Rico is one of the favorite tourist destinations in the south of Gran Canaria. This town was built directly on the side of the mountain right by the water. Today, many modern hotels are located here.

Puerto Rico is a family destination, which is perfect for lovers of sea activities. You can practice diving, surfing, or even jet skiing. It is also the best place from which you can explore the sea by boat and watch dolphins. For more information on a dolphin-watching boat trip from Puerto Rico, click here.

In the city center of Puerto Rico, you will find bars and restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines, and you will also have the opportunity to go shopping.

WHERE TO STAY IN PUERTO RICO DE GRAN CANARIA?

MARINA SUITES GRAN CANARIA

For your ultimate luxury holiday, the Marina Suites Gran Canaria will delight you. The view from this hotel is phenomenal. From the infinity pool, you will be directly facing the ocean.

This hotel is located only 5min walk to the beach and near the Marina in Puerto Rico. This place is very modern and has plenty of amenities.

For more information, click here.

RIU VISTAMAR GRAN CANARIA

Riu Vistamar Gran Canaria is located only 200 meters from the beach. At this hotel you will find a bar, restaurants, pool, kids club, fitness center and much more. For a pleasant stay, we highly recommend Riu Vistamar Gran Canaria. Check the availability here.

5. AGAETE ON THE WEST COAST

Agaete and the northwest coast of Gran Canaria offer spectacular panoramas and landscapes, between ocean, cliff and beach. This part of the island is ideal for travelers looking for a destination off the beaten track in a charming and authentic setting. Most accommodation is concentrated around Agaete and Puerto de de las Nieves.

READ: WHAT TO SEE IN AGAETE?

WHERE TO STAY IN AGAETE?

There aren’t too many choices in Agaete, but one place caught our attention because of its location and the great ocean view.

VILLA SICILLA

The main draw at Villas Sicilla is by far the view. You will rarely have a better view in Gran Canaria. The view of the village, the sea, the cliff and sometimes Tenerife on a clear day is absolutely stunning! More information here.

READ: 25 BEST THINGS TO DO IN TENERIFE

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAN CANARIA? – CONCLUSION

In the south of the island, you will get almost guaranteed sunshine. This is indeed the sunniest place in Gran Canaria. So if you are aiming at mostly staying at the beach, Maspalomas, Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria or Puerto de Mogán are excellent choices.

If you are visiting Gran Canaria to explore the island or go hiking in the mountains or the canyon, then Agaete would be a nice choice.

Lastly, if you want to mix it all then Las Palmas is the perfect place to stay in Gran Canaria.

To find out more about Gran Canaria, we listed the 20 best things to see here. If you want to explore the best beaches in Gran Canaria, here is our full guide.

If you have any questions about Gran Canaria, feel free to drop a comment below. We respond relatively quickly.

All our posts about the Canary Islands can be found here.

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAN CANARIA? 5 BEST AREAS