Here are the ten main reasons why anyone will fall hopelessly in love with this marvellous island.

1. The Weather As One’s Ally

Gran Canaria is blessed with a privileged climate, on account of its geographical location and the generous contribution of the trade winds. These are some of the contributing factors to the mean annual temperature of 24°C. The island’s landscape ensures a mild atmosphere, which tempers the four seasons of the year.

2. A Spectacular Natural Setting

Concerted endeavours to preserve its natural heritage have made Gran Canaria a place where time seems to stand still. Virtually half of its surface area is protected, an ongoing legacy which ensures the exceptional purity of the environment here. And, best of all is that its whole area is accessible to visitors. The most striking feature of this magnificent natural setting is its volcanic origins.

3. The Beaches are the Island’s DNA

Gran Canaria boasts 60 kilometres of beaches on a coastline stretching for 236 kilometres. Its seaboard has been the leisure resort of choice for generations of islanders who are only too happy to share it with visitors. The variety is endless and there is something for all tastes, from the vast carpets of golden sand in the south to the secluded coves in the north. One of the advantages of Gran Canaria is that its beaches can be enjoyed most of the year around.

4. A Sporting Paradise

One of the pluses of having such a mild climate all year around, and a privileged natural setting, is that Gran Canaria is an ideal enclave for doing open-air sports. Hiking enthusiasts are pampered by a network of trails that cover the whole island, and it is also a paradise for lovers of cycling, which is undoubtedly one of the best ways to enjoy the island’s scenery. Those who prefer the sea can choose from a broad selection of activities. Surfing, windsurfing and kite-surfing, if what you’re after is an adrenalin rush, and sports fishing or diving if you’re eager to explore the sea floor.

5. A Place for All the Family

Gran Canaria is the ideal destination for family tourism. Either for couples or families with children, the island offers all types of attractions which will make your stay an unforgettable experience.

6. A Land of History, Culture and Leisure

The pre-Hispanic history of Gran Canaria still pervades the island, six centuries after the Castilian conquest. Its aboriginal past is jealously guarded in archaeological parks and museums, which also mirror the cultural fusion that characterises the local population. Christopher Columbus stopped over at Gran Canaria on his way to the New World, bequeathing a legacy of which vestiges still survive. As for leisure and culture, the island’s Carnival is one of its landmark festivals, which brings out the affable, playful side of the islanders.

7. An Exquisite Sea of Flavours

Every corner of Gran Canaria offers delicious flavours, many of them part of a rich, heterogeneous culinary tradition. The island boasts the only coffee plantations in Europe, and it is also proud of its orchards and market gardens, its juicy confectionery and its iconic rum, distilled in the oldest cellar on the continent.

8. Take a Well Earned Break

Gran Canaria is the perfect destination for relaxing and breaking with your daily routine and the stress of work. Taking care of ourselves is one of our priorities and you will come across many a spa resort and wellness centre on Gran Canaria.

9. An Open, Modern Capital

The historic centre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, based in the districts of Vegueta and Triana, is well worth touring leisurely to see its colonial-style buildings. Puerto de la Luz is one of its major hubs of trade activity and, a short distance away, on the far side of La Isleta isthmus, a prominent meeting point is Las Canteras, one of the finest urban beaches in the world. There is a lot of entertainment on offer in the capital, the product of its modern, cosmopolitan essence.

10. Villages with Charm

Agaete, Mogán, Teror and Tejeda are but a few of the enclaves worth exploring to discover the spirit of the island. Its friendly people and rich traditions make visitors feel at home. Whether on the heights, the midlands or the coast, each locality makes its harmonious contribution in the projection of our identity traits.

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Images by Patronato Turismo Gran Canaria

What makes Gran Canaria unique is its very diverse ecosystem. The coastline features 60 kilometres of greatly varied beaches. The infinite options offered everywhere on this island are ideal to explore alone or with all the family. Its different types of landscape will seriously make you believe you are on the continent. This Atlantic enclave has a 236-kilometre coastline, kissed by a gentle sun that makes it pleasant even in summer. In today's issue of My Vueling City, we will focus on Gran Canaria's beaches and all you can do there. What are you waiting for to grab your swimsuit?

Our Top Beaches

Here is a list of our beaches of choice. The island boasts more than 120 of them, all quite different from one another – from long, golden, sandy beaches to hidden coves. If you don't find your favourite beach here, you surely haven't searched properly. We also confess that, to a great extent, our preferences coincide with those of the canariones – the locals of Gran Canaria:

1.- Maspalomas

Some beaches are very popular, such as the long sandy tongue of Maspalomas. A massive line of white sand that runs from Playa del Inglés to the foot of the great Maspalomas lighthouse, after skirting a desert of sand dunes that covers the southern coast of the island.

2.- San Agustín

In the south, a calm and relaxing beach with a family environment.

3.-Amadores

Ideal to come with all the family. Also located in the south, the great weather can be enjoyed almost all year around.

4.- Puerto de Mogán

Small and ideal to switch off from your daily routine. This beach is very suitable for children.

5.- Las Canteras

It is well known as one of the best urban beaches of Spain.

6.- Puerto Rico

If you prefer, you can just go with the flow and join the bustle of this traditional touristy spot, which boasts one of the best climates in the whole country.

I'll Be Waiting for You in the Water

Gran Canaria boasts the ideal sea and wind conditions for doing water sports such assailing,windsurfing,surfing, and deep-sea fishing. This has also attracted enthusiasts to the increasingly popular practice of bodyboarding – with a sail or without  – in addition to kitesurfing – an enjoyable water sport that uses a kite to pull the surfer over the waves. Gran Canaria's unique location makes it ideal to pursue these activities: thanks to the trade winds, most waves are either medium-sized – and suitable for beginners – or considerably large – ideal for more experienced surfers.

If you're more into exploring the seabed, we suggest you dive down into these crystalline waters. Several diving spots can be found along the island's coastline, such as Pecios de Mogán, the artificial Reef of Arguineguín, Taliarte and Las Merinas. Prefer to do your own thing? You can always go snorkelling. We suggest you rent a car and explore the coast. We can still tell you a secret though – Risco Verde, Caleta Baja and Sardina are ideal places to start off with. Here you'll find all the information you need on diving schools and clubs.

With Children

Gran Canaria indeed offers a myriad of options for those planning to spend their holiday with all the family, in addition to a great choice of kid-friendly activities. This of course includes spending time on the beach. We definitely recommend the vast extension of dunes in Maspalomas and the coves in the coastal area of Mogán. The latter is fail-proof: is there anything better than the sea to bathe and frolic in the waves, or the endless beach to make sand castles and play with toy cars? Well, surprisingly, there is. You can enjoy a ride on camelback, or spend the day at Sioux City, a theme park devoted to the Wild West. Who hasn't played Red Indians against cowboys as a kid? Alternatively, for the more adventurous, you can go on a submarine or watch the dolphins in the south of the island, or even travel to the amazing world of Palmitos Park, where the sight of astonishing animal species can be enjoyed in a tropical environment. Marabou storks, silver-cheeked hornbills, emus, wallabies and Komodo dragons are waiting eagerly to welcome you.

Another sure win is a tour of the whole island to experience its scenic variety first-hand. The tourist bus in the capital travels to some of the island's most emblematic locations, like Vegueta, the historic centre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. You can visit this more than 500-year-old district to recharge your batteries in one of its many tapas bars. Oh, and don't forget to visit Cristopher Columbus' house, where he stayed for a last stop before embarking on his legendary voyage to The Americas.

An Appointment Not to be Missed

With all this beach talk, you shouldn't forget your swimming costumes. Do not miss out on Gran Canaria Swimwear Fashion Week 2015, an event where more than 40 brands show off their designs in three intense fashion days. This catwalk has become a showcase of swimwear fashion for firms from all over the archipelago, also sharing their stage with national and international first-class brands. This event takes place in Meloneras (Plaza de las Convenciones), in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana from 18 to 20 June.

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Text and images by Turismo de Gran Canaria

If you're looking for a destination in December for that last getaway of the year, here is a bit of inspiration!

Good beaches abound throughout the Canary Islands, but Gran Canaria boasts some of the best. The steady winds and the contours of the sea bottom give rise to every sort of wave –tubes, long, giant, deep, and beach breakers.

The geography of the islands ensures land breezes, also known as offshore winds, which make the perfect waves for surfers and windsurfers, partly because the raise wave walls persist longer and often form tubes. Surfers from the worlds around come to the Canaries to experience them and to take part in competitions. For experts the best windsurfing beaches on Gran Canaria are Pozo Izquierdo and Vargas, but others are good, too, such as Ojos de Garza, Tarajalillo, Bahía Feliz, Playa del Águila, San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, Anfi del Mar, and Puerto Rico.

The Magnificent Five

El Confital (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)

This marvellous beach, a natural extension of that of Las Canteras, is on the south-western shore of the peninsula of La Isleta on the north side of the island. Bathing takes place along a two-kilometre stretch, which is also the chief surfing zone, famed for the wave known as "Las Monjas" (“the nuns”), and reaches Gáldar and its legendary wave called "El Frontón" (“the wall”). The shore is rocky but it offers a brisk frequency of waves, including the biggest breakers, which can reach a height of five metres.

http://youtu.be/dyk2HMBkCCw

El Frontón in Gáldar

It is here on the northern coast that we find the mightiest waves for the best conventional surfboarding and also body boarding (with a smaller foam board. In fact the world’s body boarding championships are held in Gáldar. The surfing is simply spectacular on these waves. The powerful “El Frontón” is definitely not for beginners, since it breaks in two different directions, creating two new waves which eventually collide in an explosion of waters which facilitates fancy jumps and acrobatics by surfers. Cosmopolitan surfers compare Gáldar to Indonesian beaches.

Pozo Izquierdo

On the eastern side of the island, this beach is perfect for surfers when the waves are coming from the east and the winds are calm. The best spots are "Mosca Point" (“fly point”) and to the right of "El Muellito" (“the little pier”). When conditions are propitious, windsurfers flock to these waters, which are famous the world over. Constant and strong winds fill the largest sails and send the boards skipping across the waves, which are always at least a metre high and can rise to three metres.

Playa del Inglés in San Bartolomé de Tirajana

On Gran Canaria’s south-western shore the most celebrated beach is the playa del Inglés, some three kilometres long, with fine white sands and usually calm waters. These conditions, plus a water temperature in the range of 18^o - 22^o C, makes it ideal for all water sports, including surfing, body boarding, and kite surfing.

Maspalomas

Adjacent to the Playa del Inglés is Maspalomas, in the town of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. This is where beachgoers concentrate, and surfers tend to gather on the curve linking Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. The two beaches are used indiscriminately by surfers, swimmers, and tanners, some in costumes and others au naturel. The Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse provides some punctuation to the view of sea, sky, and sand dunes. This extraordinary lighthouse, built in 1871, is 55 metres tall. A 24/7 webcam allows surfers to check out wind and water conditions from anywhere in the world.

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Text: Isabel y Luis Comunicación

Photos: Promotur Turismo Canarias, Patronato de Turismo de Gran Canaria