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12 months-round sunshine, a family-friendly welcome and an opportunity of camels? With so many issues to do in Gran Canaria with youngsters, the Canary Islands are at all times considered one of my favorite household journey locations – my daughter’s very first journey was to Lanzarote, which I’ve visited repeatedly together with Tenerife.
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Neglect the old style popularity of high-rise motels and towels on the loungers at daybreak – there are at all times much more issues to do within the Canary Islands than sunbathe (although loads of that too). Staying close to Maspalomas, we explored as far west as Puerto Mogan, past Puerto Rico, north to Arucas and heaqded into the mountains.
So in case you’re questioning what to do in Gran Canaria, listed here are my high 19 options, together with concepts in case you’re visiting Gran Canaria with a toddler.
The seashores
With 60km of shoreline, there are much more seashores to find than you would attempt in a single vacation (though it’s a enjoyable problem to tackle).
From the golden sand dunes of Maspalomas to the black sand of Arguineguin, surfer and windsurfer favorite Pozo Izquierdo and Las Canteras metropolis seashore, recognized for its sandcastle sculptors, spots like San Agustin, which has been referred to as Playa del Ingles in miniature and quieter coves corresponding to Pasito Bea…
Mainly, you’ll be spoiled for selection, so don’t overlook to pack a bucket and spade.
It’s value figuring out that nudist sunbathing for adults is frequent however often restricted to sure areas, significantly one stretch close to Maspalomas – one other stretch right here is geared toward households.
Dolphin/whale-watching boat journeys
Round a 3rd of the world’s whales and dolphins might be seen swimming off the coast right here and several other corporations run journeys to identify them, like this whale-watching boat tour. Lasting two to a few hours, this is without doubt one of the actions in Gran Canaria that’s greatest for older youngsters although.
In the event you’d like a ship journey different, water taxis/ferries run alongside the south coast, from fairly Puerto Mogan to Arguineguín, together with half-hours hops like our journey. Below fives experience free.
Take a look at our expertise and extra concepts of issues to do in Puerto Mogan.
Take a submarine tour
In addition to boat excursions above the waves, you possibly can head down below the ocean on a submarine tour from Puerto Mogan, appropriate for teenagers aged 2+.
In addition to the prospect to see fish and marine vegetation, you can too spot shipwrecks from the home windows of the Golden Shark submarine.
Heading right down to 25 metres, it’s a novel likelihood to find life below the Atlantic Ocean, spending round 40 minutes below water.
Poema del Mar aquarium
In the event you’d like to find a number of the world’s undersea wonders with out getting moist, then the Poema del Mar aquarium, set on the waterfront within the capital Las Palmas is ideal.
Divided into a number of completely different zones – together with deep ocean, reef and jungle – you possibly can uncover 35 separate ecosystems, together with native Canary Islands species.
However there’s additionally the prospect to get a style of the Amazon jungle and dive right down to the darkish waters of the deepest ocean throughout your go to.
Purchase skip-the-line tickets with free cancellation right here
Aqualand water park
There are a number of water parks in Gran Canaria however Aqualand in Maspalomas is a good possibility because it has completely different areas for various ages.
There are a number of separate areas geared toward youngsters, together with one for the youngest, sealions to identify and big waterslides for extra adventurous youngsters.
Below threes, or these below 90cm, get free entry and in addition to particular person tickets with free cancellation, you will get joint entry with Palmitos Park in case you e-book direct.
Take a look at my evaluate of our day at Aqualand
Palmitos Park
Residence to the largest butterfly venue in Europe, Palmitos Park can be well-known for its birds in addition to animals from orang-utans to komodo dragons,
The Palmitos Park web site additionally has a dolphinarium, with three swimming pools of round 3,000m squared containing over 4 million litres of water – and 5 dolphins.
Particular person tickets with free cancellation can be found, or you will get a joint ticket to this zoo and dolphinarium with Aqualand.
Learn extra about our go to to Palmitos Park with a toddler
Camel safari
Within the protected dunes of Maspalomas, you possibly can solely journey by foot or by camel, and 65 dromedaries give rides and excursions throughout the sand.
Kids below three can share camels with their dad and mom (though I’m undecided I’d advocate a camel experience with toddlers), whereas the journeys final round half an hour. Ebook tickets with free cancellation right here
Longer choices, corresponding to this camel experience by means of the Oasis of the 1000 Palms and separate donkey treks are additionally an possibility on the island.
Simply probably the most uncommon issues to do in Maspalomas, click on right here to see what I believed.
Offended Birds Exercise Park
This enormous playground in Puerto Rico has the whole lot from climbing frames to zip wires, go karts and scooters – greater than 20 points of interest in all.
There’s lots for various ages (or adrenaline thrills) so you would bounce on trampolines or fly on the enormous swing, play mini golf or apply parkour, plus there’s even an LED wall to assist hone your soccer expertise.
Greatest for pre-teens. Keep in mind that whereas there’s lots to entertain pre-schoolers, it could possibly get very popular in the midst of the day.
Get a small low cost in case you e-book by means of my hyperlink utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Parque de los cocodrilo
The Cocodrilo Park is dwelling to rescued wild animals, together with round 300 crocodiles making it the largest assortment in Europe.
However you can too spot the whole lot from monkeys to meerkats, plus turtles, lizards, llamas, birds and extra, with 500 completely different animals on the zoo.
Entrance charges going to assist the inhabitants, which additionally at the moment features a household of Bengal tigers.
Purchase tickets together with a switch with free cancellation right here.
Sioux Metropolis Park
A recreation of the Wild West close to Maspalomas, Sioux Metropolis is a barely surprising slice of America within the Canary Islands.
Created within the 70s as a filming location for westerns, this typical Outdated West city features a ranch, financial institution and saloon, so you possibly can work together with the sheriff and townspeople – plus quite a lot of outlaws.
You’ll be able to even saddle up within the land of horses, or simply be careful for the gunfights because the sheriff takes on financial institution robbers.
It’s not your conventional theme park, however nonetheless a enjoyable day for teenagers – anticipate gunfights, sheriffs and barbecue.
Get a small low cost in case you e-book by means of my hyperlink utilizing the code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Metropolis sightseeing bus tour of Las Palmas
The standard metropolis hop-on, hop-off bus tour takes you round Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the islands’ largest metropolis. It’s an open high double decker bus, with a single route lasting round 90 minutes.
In the event you’re staying in or close to town, it’s a great way to get your bearings, in addition to taking you between a number of the principal points of interest together with Vegueta, the capital’s previous city and Parque Santa Catalina the place you’ll discover the Elder Science Museum.
Botanic Gardens, Las Palmas
Quiet and peaceable, with loads of shade, I really like a wander round botanic gardens after I’m travelling with a toddler.
This one is dwelling to round 500 completely different plans from the islands in addition to the Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde.
It’s round a 20-minute drive from Las Palmas and Arucas, or round 20 minutes from the airport really easy to mix with one other cease on a day trip in Gran Canaria with youngsters.
Mini Tren, Playa del Ingles
One other important for household journey in Spain with youthful youngsters, I adored pootling round on these mini trains on household holidays after I was little myself.
The brief journey round Playa del Ingles received’t take lengthy – round 45 minutes – so it’s most likely greatest for pre-schoolers, however a enjoyable different to strolling within the solar. Choose it up on the Avenida de Italia.
Vacation World Amusement Park
Vacation World Maspalomas, near Gran Canaria’s greatest vacationer resorts, is an amusement park with ferris wheel, bumper automobiles and a rollercoaster in addition to bowling, pony driving and Components 1 simulator.
You should buy tickets with fast-track admission right here – the earlier system which allowed you to purchase factors for the assorted points of interest shouldn’t be now accessible.
Tejeda Nationwide Park
Within the mountainous centre of the island, Tejeda is 1km above sea degree, with its highest peak virtually one other 1,000m increased.
Greatest for older youngsters as you’ll must drive to get there, however the surroundings is gorgeous and also you’ll move mountain villages to discover – and probably some very hardcore cyclists on the way in which up.
Mundo Aborigen
A reconstructed village displaying how the unique Canarian islanders, the Guanche, would have lived, with figures dotted round to explain scenes of on a regular basis life – some relatively gory, together with a convict being executed. There’s additionally a small archaeological museum.
On the street to Fataga, Mundo Aborigen additionally overlooks the Barranco de Fataga gorge if you would like concepts of issues to see in Gran Canaria as you drive round.
Guayadeque Nationwide Park
One of many strongholds of the island’s authentic inhabitants, Guayadeque is one other fascinating a part of the island to find some historical past and implausible surroundings.
Often called the village of the caves, the pure caverns have been transformed into homes, in addition to a church and in a single case a restaurant, Restaurante Tagoror, the place tables and chairs are carved from oak timber.
The customer centre offers some extra info on the realm, in addition to recommendations on the place to stroll if you wish to uncover extra of the island’s mountain surroundings.
Get a style of life and lunch with our day trip within the mountains
Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología
The Elder Museum of Science and Know-how is a good possibility if you end up searching for issues to do in Gran Canaria within the rain – or have youngsters who love science.
Set in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, within the north, the interactive shows characteristic the whole lot from a nineteenth century prepare to a fighter jet, and children are inspired to the touch all of the displays – in actual fact you’ll spot notices warning everybody that it’s forbidden not to the touch!
In addition to a planetarium, the completely different collections are themed round all of the sciences, together with physics, geology, biology, expertise, maths and medication.
Casa De Colon, Las Palmas
Columbus Home in Las Palmas was dwelling to one of many first governors of Gran Canaria, and Christopher Columbus stayed right here on his approach to the New World – therefore its title.
With exhibitions on the explorer’s visits to the islands, it’s nice for teenagers who love (or are finding out) this era of historical past.
It’s a simple one to suit right into a day trip in Las Palmas, together with the Elder Museum and the open-top bus tour.
For extra inspiration on issues to do in Gran Canaria with youngsters, try my information to Gran Canaria with youngsters and my information to the Canary Islands with youngsters
*First revealed 2016, up to date 2023*
PIN FOR LATER: GRAN CANARIA WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions on the very best issues to do in Gran Canaria with youngsters are my very own
Photographs: Palmitos Park picture copyright MummyTravels, all others courtesy Depositphotos.
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