WHERE TO STAY: Gran Canaria Holiday

Showing posts with label Gran Canaria Holiday. Show all posts

24/08/2017

- BEST AREA TO STAY IN LANZAROTE

Moira Tips Gran Canaria Holiday , lanzarote

Where is the best area to stay in Lanzarote? Best area to sleep, what to see, where to go, what are the most beautiful beaches, best resort in lanzarote for couples, for families, for nightlife...

Best Lanzarote area

Stop here, you're in the right place. I will help you to choose the best area in Lanzarote according to your personal needs.

I often visit the Spanish islands (especially Gran Canaria where I have my holiday apartment) so I can help to planning a nice holiday in Canary islands.

Lanzarote is an island to discover and explore by car, bike or walking. The contact with nature is strong and is the ideal destination for those who want to disconnect from the city and live in the open-air. Good for recharge your batteries, see beautiful landscapes, sunbathing...

We talk about:

Which part of Lanzarote is the best for... ?
Where to stay in Lanzarote: recommended hotels, apartments, resort.
Lanzarote Best beaches.

Lanzarote for young people/nightlife: Puerto del Carmen or Arrecife.
Best area to visit Lanzarote up and down: Puerto del Carmen.
Or Costa Teguise (to visit the norther area) and Playa Blanca (to visit the southern area)

⇨ Best choice to stay in Puerto del Carmen: Apartments facing Playa Grande .
⇨ The best choice to stay in Costa Teguise: Apartments near the beach.

Lanzarote for families with children. Playa Blanca.
Lanzarote for those looking for the sea and the sun. Playa Blanca.

⇨ Best choice for sunbathing and beach life: Apartments in the center of Playa Blanca.

Which part of Lanzarote is the best?

Que es la mejor zona de Lanzarote?

The island's most famous tourist cities:

Puerto del Carmen in mid-island facing eastward.
The capital Arrecife.
Costa Teguise in the north of the airport.
Playa Blanca: South.

These locations are the primary choice of tourists coming to Lanzarote.
Now let's see in detail what is the best area to stay in Lanzarote for you tastes.

BEST AREA TO STAY IN LANZAROTE for you...

Is it Puerto del Carmen?

Puerto del Carmen liken it to Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria, because it is the "old tourist" and known area.
I went in February to Lanzarote and I stayed 3 nights in Puerto del Carmen.

PRO

Prices of apartments for rental holidays are competitive,
A long walk along the coast.
Wide beach.
A pretty old harbor area with many typical restaurants.

Choose to stay in Puerto del Carmen if you try:

Cheap Accommodation (South Island is more expensive)
You need a starting point to visit the island (the position halfway between the North and South is ideal for getting around without changing accommodation.)
Looking for nightlife: it is full of restaurants, pubs and shops. For "nightlife" I do not think to Ibiza style but something more soft . Although Lanzarote is not just the icon island of fun and nightlife, if you're young you should stay here.

BEST AREA TO STAY IN LANZAROTE for you...

Is it Costa Teguise?

If I went back to Lanza, I would stay here a couple of nights rather than in Puerto del Carmen as I did. The reasons are:

Much more comfortable for some sightseeing in the norther part of Lanzarote.
He gave me the feeling of being more chic than Puerto del Carmen.

Here I found many northern European retirees.

"Pueblo Marinero" is considered the center of social life in Costa Teguise full of Bars and restaurants. It is characteristic, however, as mentioned, if you're young people is best to stay in Puerto del Carmen.

Stay in Costa Teguise why:

It is a convenient location for visiting the North Island attractions.
It is a tourist center that, although less of Puerto del Carmen, it has shops and restaurants.

There is also a beautiful beach in case you want to sunbathe but is a windy beach. In winter the water is freeze.

Apartments in Lanzarote Costa Teguise.

Playa de las cucharas, Lanzarote, costa teguise

BEST AREA TO STAY IN LANZAROTE for you...

Is it Playa Blanca?

I stayed in Playa Blanca during my last days in Lanzarote holiday after visiting, up and down, the many attractions of the Norther area. I went to the south in search of relax, sunbathing and have a swim.
Unfortunately the weather was not good.

Usually, the Souther area is slightly warmer and less windy than the rest of the island but, in my opinion, not enough to make sealife, at least in winter. For the winter season is better to go in Gran Canaria South West countries.

In Playa Blanca there are many families with children.

Choose the town of Playa Blanca if:

Are you looking for a relaxing holiday.
Want to visit Fuerteventura.
Looking for a place with tourist shops and restaurants.
Beach where you can swim.
Traveling with your family and children.

Where to stay in Playa Blanca?

Apartments in Lanzarote with parking and wifi included near the center and the beach.

BEST AREA TO STAY IN LANZAROTE for you...

Is it Arrecife?

Like any capital, Arrecife town is NOT only for tourists but also to those who live and work there.
Arrecife is pretty connected to the bus station with a comfortable walk along the ocean and a park. The Reducto beach is wide, perfect for sunbathing.

I visited Arrecife on several occasions always the weather was sunny but the last time I went, I was shocked: there was so much wind to create a tidal wave and the local police had to close the paseo (route overlooking the ocean) as the waves were high. A wind so strong to make it hard to breathe: I've never seen such a thing in my life.

Fortunately it was a sporadic episode. Arrecife is suitable for those on a budget: the prices here are lower than in the South. It is a good starting point to visit the north of the island and visit the museums of the city. The bus station connects all the major cities of Lanzarote.

Summing

Best place to stay in Lanzarote:

1. Lanzarote for teenagers

Puerto del Carmen, Arrecife.

2. Lanzarote for families

Playa Blanca.

3. Lanzarote Children

Playa Blanca.

Lanzarote is NOT the hottest Canary island in the winter season. If you looking for a warmer area stay to Los Cristianos (Tenerife) or Puerto Rico / Mogan (Gran Canaria) the hottest areas of the Canaries in winter.

If you think the article will be useful to someone ... share it on your favorite social clicking one of the buttons below. Thank you. ^ _ ^

October 2017

Moira R.J

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22/04/2017

A WEEK IN GRAN CANARIA (what to see, EXCURSIONS and TOURS)

Moira Tips Canary Islands Holidays , Gran Canaria Holiday

What to see in Gran Canaria: 7 days itinerary. Best attractions and the better days for visit them: parks, typical villages, street markets, beaches...

7 days in Gran Canaria

MONDAY

After flying to Gran Canaria, the best way to start a trip is to relax to recharge body and mind batteries.

Southern beaches in Gran Canaria

MASPALOMAS DUNES
ANFI DEL MAR

Maspalomas dunes is one of the best attraction in Gran Canaria, so prepare your camera and enjoy yourself jumping on them!

SEVEN DAYS IN GRAN CANARIA

Which is the better place to admire the dunes?

If you arrive by car, I suggest you to park in Calle Finlandia (free parking spaces) in Playa del Ingles.
Near Riu Palace hotel starts the path to the dunes. This is one of the most beautiful coastal pats in Gran Canaria and the best point to admire the landscape.

If you want to make a walk you can follow this coastal path long several Kilometers until San Agustin.

When you finish to admire the dunes, you can take a relaxing break on the beach in Anfi del Mar (next to Arguineguin village).

There is a parking available for a fee (3-4 euro a day) and few free places.
Follow the indication "to the beach" and you will arrive to the most beautiful beach in Gran Canaria with white sand and palms.

You can rent a sunbed or enjoy the free beach.

TUESDAY

Gran Canaria tour

Puerto de las Nieves and Galdar

On Thursday there is the street market in Plaza de Santiago in Galdar from 9 am to 14 pm.

You can also make a brief visit of the city and the famous painted rock museum called "Cueva pintada" situated in the centre.

There are also several cheap bars and restaurants around the square.

Puerto de las Nieves, a quaint fishing village very frequented during the week-end by Canaries people. On the sea-front there are several typical see-food restaurants and bars.

A beautiful path connects to the natural swimming pool of Agaete. Unfortunately the area is very windy and the water is cold.

The most confortable way for to reach this cities is the motorway that make a tour of the east part of Gran Canaria.

THE TOP 7 OF GRAN CANARIA FOR SEASIDE HOLIDAYS

⇨ HOTEL PLAYA DEL INGLES (BEVERLY PARK). Excellent value for money. Possibility of half board or all inclusive. One of the most booked hotel in Playa del Ingles. Very close to the equipped beach.

⇨ APARTHOTEL PLAYA DEL INGLES (VERIL PLAYA). Choose this location if you want to stay close to the Dune and the wide beach. If you are looking for a tourist place with some centers dedicated to nightlife.

⇨ PLAYA INGLES ECONOMIC APARTMENTS : Apartamentos Amazonas. For those seeking an independent and economical solution near the beach.

⇨ APARTHOTEL IN PUERTO RICO : Rio Piedras. Good value for money. Ideal for winter stays, for family with children, for sea life in every season of the year.

⇨ AMADORES HOLIDAYS : spectacular views of the ocean and Tenerife. Close to the famous beach Amadores, great for autumn-winter stays. Ideal for couples. Various facilities: sauna, gym...

⇨ ADULTS ONLY APARTMENTS: Only for adults guests (no children) in Puerto Rico. another area designated for classic sea life. Between Amadores and Anfi mar.

⇨ HOLIDAY VILLAGE At Mogán Playa - Beautiful resort located in the hottest and no windy part of the island: Puerto de Mogan. Small but pretty beach surrounded by shops. A village made up of white houses with colorful flowers on the balconies. Intimate, full of restaurants, ideal for couples or for families with children.

WEDNESDAY

Trekking in Gran Canaria

Fataga e Roque Nublo (programme for mountain lovers).

To get to Roque Nublo from the south of Gran Canaria you can follow the indication "Tunte" or "Fataga". There is only one road with many curves and beautiful landscapes.

Fataga is a typical rural village with canary style houses (white with grey stones), narrow streets, lots of flowers, a church, a small square a restaurant serving local specialties. I tasted it during a trip to Roque Nublo, it is cheap and the portions are large. In Fataga there is only one parking that costs 1 euro for all day long (close to the only restaurant).

When you arrive to Roque Nublo you are in the center of the island. There is a small free parking when the path starts. After 5 km. you will arrive to this particular rock of 70 meter.

THURSDAY

The best zoo dolphinarium on Gran Canaria

Palmitos Park

This is a big subtropical park. There are several range of animals: dolphins, snakes, birds, butterflies... that you can admire walking down a path surrounded by palm trees. You can reach it by car (free parking) or with the bus n. 45 or 70.

Average price: 28 euros. Discount for families.

Tip: at the exit of the airport you will received a coupon discount of 8 euros. You can also find it in the tourism offices.

Gran Canaria itinerary

FRIDAY

Puerto de Mogan and Amadores beach

Every Friday the streets of the small fishing village of Puerto de Mogan are filled of stalls: the famous street market from 9.00 am to 14.00 pm.
I suggest you to leave the car at the entrance of the village where there is a big free parking or, if you prefer to travel by bus, take n. 01 or 32.

Puerto the Mogan is very beautiful with lots of colored flowers, white houses, little bridges and a port.

The local restaurants offer fresh fish. One of the better restaurant is run by the fishermen's brotherhood called "Cofradia de pescadores" situated at the end of the port.

After lunch you can take a break in the very nice and equipped beach of Amadores with white sand, clear water, lots of shops and bars. In front of the beach there is a big free parking.

If you like walking, a very beautiful coastal path of 1 km connects the Amadores beach to Puerto Rico beach.

A WEEK IN GRAN CANARIA

SATURDAY

Arucas, Firgas and Teror

These three typical villages are situated in the north close to each other, so you can visit they in the same day.

The first you will find at the exit of the motorway is ARUCAS with his street market on Saturday from 9.00 am to 14.00 pm.

The centre is develops around the big church of "San Juan Bautista".

FIRGAS is famous for his staircase of 30 mt, decorated with a fountain and colorful tiles. The square and the church of "San Roque" are the centre of the village with a beautiful view point.

TEROR is a typical Canaries village with his houses decorated with grey stones and wood terraces and the cathedral of "Virgin del Pino" the patron of the island.

The street market selling typical Canaries products is on Sunday morning.

What to see in Gran Canaria

SUNDAY

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The capital city of Gran Canaria is a lively city situated in the north, connected to the south with the motorway GC1 or by bus n. 01-30-90-91.

As well as all big cities there is lot of traffic and it is difficult to find parking.

The historical centre is the district of "Vegueta" with the cathedral, characteristic small squares and the "house-museum of Columbus".

If you want to taste a local atmosphere, On Sunday morning (except in the summer) you can admire the typical street market of Vegueta with 400 stalls and every kind of products, while if you prefer the famous brand shops I suggest you to make a walk along the main street of "Calle Mayor"

Las Palmas has also a very long and beautiful sandy beach "Las Canteras" connected to the city centre by local buses.

These are only a small part of the principal attraction in Gran Canaria... other articles are coming soon...

Gran Canaria shopping

Things to in Gran Canaria

If during your holidays, you encounter one day with the bad weather, you can go to shopping.

Aguimes and shopping (program for shopping lovers).

Aguimes is a small typical village with several bronze statues (I have counted 37 statues), a beautiful cathedral and some bars where you can taste local food. Aguimes is famous for oil, wine, spirit and cheese products.

I suggest you to park around the village, because inside there are narrow streets without parking.

After the visit you can reach the south beaches or to make shopping in the zone of Telde (north of the airport) where there are several stores and an outlet.

LAS TERRAZZAS OUTLET: (motorway exit 6B). Here you can find famous brand of clothes, shoes, electronic, household, bar, restaurants... with a beautiful ocean view. The zone is windy.
EL MIRADOR STORE: (motorway exit 5). There is the big supermarket EROSKI and the low cost shop PRIMARK.

I hope the information is helpful to you, if so share the news clicking the social buttons. Thank you!

Aggiornato Ottobre 2017

Moira R.

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24/03/2017

SHOPPING IN GRAN CANARIA

Moira Tips Canary Islands Holidays , Gran Canaria Holiday

Shopping in Gran Canaria: tax free zones, street markets, shopping center.

Canary islands is very popular for being tax free zones. This very beneficial situation gave a boost to the economical activity in the islands for all sorts of commercial activities especially perfumes, electronic devices, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.

You shall find this type of stores in all the shopping malls of the south and in the area of Parque Santa Catalina in Las Palmas. The price offers are vast and very competitive helping you to get away with a good purchase.

SHOPPING IN GRAN CANARIA

STREET MARKETS: handcraft is the best souvenir you can take from the island. You can find a good variety of creations in different artisan fields: pottery, table covers, handkerchiefs, fancy rags and other articles made of cloth.

You can find this articles in the street market of craftsmanship and culture of Vegueta in Las Palmas (open monday-thursday 6.40-14.00 friday-saturday 6.30-15.00) and in other traditional street markets of the island:

- Las Palmas: sunday 8.00-14.00

- San Fernando: wednesday and saturday 8.00-14.00

- Arguineguin: tuesday 8.00-14.00 in Plaza Negra, thursday 8.00-14.00 Ancora shopping center

- Puerto de Mogan: friday 8.00-14.00

- Vecindario: wednesday 8.00-14.00

- San Mateo: saturday 8.00-20.00 and sunday 8.00-15.00 farmer's market

- Aguimes: thursday 8.00-13.00 in front of the swimming pool

- Teror: sunday 8.00-14.00 near the Basilica

- Telde: saturday 8.00-14.00 near the bus station

- Galdar: thursday 8.00-14.00 church square

- Maspalomas and Puerto Rico: every 2 weeks on sunday 8.00-14.00

GRAN CANARIA SHOPPING CENTER

SHOPPING AREA: there are 7 in the entire island. They are big enough to find anything you need. They provide you with cinema halls, ample parking space, hypermarket chains ad restaurant area.

In Las Palmas:

- C.C. Las Arenas: (carretera del rincon), located at the end of Las Canteras beach, it has beautiful views from the roof top.

- C.C. El Muelle: (muelle de Santa Catalina), with wonderful views to the sea avenue and the Port of Las Palmas from any of the roof tops of the mall. It does not have any supermarket.

- C.C. La Ballena: (av. Gral del Norte, 112)

- C.C. Siete Palmas: (av. Pintor Felo Monzon, 44)

In Telde:

- C.C. El Mirador and C.C. Las Terrazas: (motorway GC1 exit 5 El Mirador and 6 Las Terrazas), located next to each other at a 2 minutes distance by car. The main characteristics of Las Terrazas is that it is the only OUTLET in the island, it also has numerous outdoor spaces and it offers ample entertainment options.

In Vecindario:

- C.C. Atlantico (motorway GC1 exit 28)

In Maspalomas:

- C.C. El Tablero (motorway GC1 exit 48)

Gran Canaria shopping

Sales period: summer from 1st July to 31st August. Winter from 7th January to 6th March.

Usually many stores and shopping malls are have continuous opening hours from 10.00 to 22.00.

On sunday and public holidays th shops close. In the tourist area some very specific stores remain open.

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAN CANARIA?
If you like the warm south of the island, cast a glance in my holiday apartment:

I hope the information is helpful to you, if so share the news clicking the "social buttons" under the article. Thank you! 😚

December 2016

Laura

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31/12/2016

BEST GRAN CANARIA BEACHES

Moira Tips beaches , Canary Islands Holidays

Opinions and advice on the most beautiful beaches of Gran Canaria: the biggest, the best beach to go in winter, best beaches for kids and family, white sand beaches and less windy.

Best gran canaria beaches

In this article I'll talk about the most beautiful beaches of Gran Canaria. Some of my readers are planning a trip to this island so I thought to write a useful guide-article to direct them to the fullest. Carve out a break in a warm place all year round, it's always a good solution. Taking advantage of the favorable climate of the Canary Islands you can go back to work sporting a nice tan. To avoid making mistakes, here is a list of the best beaches of the island where you can swim and sunbathe.

In this article we'll see in detail:

Opinions and tips about the best beaches of Gran Canaria
The most beautiful beaches of Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria white beaches
Gran Canaria less windy beaches.
Most beautiful beach in the north of Gran Canaria (biggest beach).

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25/03/2016

CAR HIRE CANARY ISLANDS: Think to know before hiring a car

Moira Tips Gran Canaria Holiday , rent a car

CAR HIRE CANARY ISLANDS

BEST RENTAL CARS IN GRAN CANARIA (AND OTHER CANARY ISLANDS).

Recommended rentals car in the Canary Islands are Europcar and its sub-brands cheaper: Interrent and Keddy.

Hertz and its economic sottomarcha: Thrifty.

Not recommended rentals car in the Canary Islands are(in my opinion) Gold Car and its sub-brand car Rhodium (same site).

Aggressive marketing: trying to sell any extra product from the browser to the various insurance not included in the basic price. Focusing on linguistic difficulties they send you into confusion.
Warning! They catch customers with their competitive prices but selling cars with the formula "full vacuum" will accredit the fuel at an exorbitant price in fact losing the initial cost.

Avis Budget and its sub-brand (I had a bad experience with the employees of the desk. Suspecting moves with my credit card).

Don't fall for the shady maneuvers of marketing! Don't be tempted by a price that, at the beginning could seem inviting for renting a car; often it could be a bait and switch that hides traps that you need to know about to better protect yourself.

canary islands car rentals

MAKE A QUOTE IN A FEW MINUTES.

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01/01/2016

GRAN CANARIA BUSES, public transport e other useful info

Moira Tips Canary Islands Holidays , Gran Canaria Holiday

Things to Know Before arriving in Gran Canaria: What to do when you land at the airport LPA, bus, car, taxi, Free maps to download, video, The Canary climate. Accommodation.

Today I want to share with you the travel guide that I provide to my guests who stay in my apartment in Gran Canaria.

gran canaria travel guide

Instead of spending the whole afternoon looking for information here and there on the web, I did it for you hoping to make your life easier.
With the time saved you can calmly prepare the suitcase.

Se preferisci: Leggi la guida di Gran Canaria in Italiano.

In this guide to the Things to Know Before arriving in Gran Canaria, I'll explain:

What to do when you land at the airport LPA
Transport available on the island: buses, taxi, transfer, cheap rental cars
Find Wi-fi, hotspot areas
Cheapest Grocery store in Gran Canaria
Climate
Gran Canaria Free maps to download
Application for mobile / tablet
Gran Canaria main beaches to see
Main Street markets and Places to visit in Gran Canaria.
Gran Canaria Health care: Useful phone numbers: police, hospitals…
Shopping in the Canary Islands (Transport Rules customs)

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29/12/2015

- LOW COST HOLIDAYS TO GRAN CANARIA

Moira Tips Canary Islands Holidays , Gran Canaria Holiday

Gran Canaria: 4 steps to plan your CHEAP HOLIDAY spending about 350 Euros per flight, car and accommodation.

Low cost holidays to Gran Canaria

Today I'd like to help you to organize a cheap holiday to Gran Canaria without sacrificing service and comfort. Let's see how save money planning a holiday in Gran Canaria, all year round.

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