Could Someone Tell Me About Gran Canaria?

mcfisco

We're looking to book a trip away for the first week in March and have been considering Gran Canaria

We like Lanzarote [especially PDC & PB] quite a lot but we're there twice this year so thought we'd try another island to see if we're missing anything.
We enjoy bars and restaurants were we can sit and people watch, don't mind if it's moderately busy but don't want to have to use our elbows to move around.
Not interested in beaches or swimming pools etc. and prefer short transfer times from the airport.
It needs to be on reasonably level terrain too, or I'll get my ears bent

any ideas?

TIA

budgetflyer

mcfisco wrote: »

It needs to be on reasonably level terrain too, or I'll get my ears bent

Playa Melorneras, is flat as is Maspalomas.
The main resorts of Playa Del Ingles and Peurto Rico are very hilly

Elasticmoney

Have visited all the Canary Islands but Gran Canaria is definitely our favourite.Agree with Budgetflyer on the resorts.We normally stay in Meloneras as not too keen on Maspalomas.It's completely flat with a lovely promenade with a selection of upmarket shops and bars.

jhe

we go to the canaries every year feb/march. last two years lanzarote pdc.
gran canaria we stay playa del ingles a bit of a hike downhill to the beach( i know you are not interested in beach but a shopping/stall area there) but hotel puts a courtesy bus on other than that it is mainly shopping centres and bars.
as budget flyer says maspalomas is flat.
its never been over busy when we have been to gran canaria in feb/march we usually jump on a bus and go to maspalomas and puerto rico for day trips and it has always been hotter and less windy than lanzarote.
depending on your interests palmitos park is a great day out, there is also wild west town where some of the famous cowboy films are made.
camel rides through the sand dunes in maspalomas

mcfisco

Thanks all, plenty to think about

headpin

Would echo the above. ingeneral terms if you are comparing to say Lanzarote I would say that:

Melenoras is akin to Playa Blanca
Maspolomas is similar to Puerta del Carmen
Whilst Playa des Ingles is, IMO, a more "down market" version PDL.

Just my opinion, but if you want something that's not all the Full English, Cafes, Pubs, Sky TV and tacky souvenir type shops stay awy from Playa des Ingles. From what you say I would suggest Melonoras where there are good shops/boutiques, restuarants and reasonable hotels. But then that may not be what you are after.

If you want somewhere that is still a bit touristy but also offers something quiet and good restaurants, harbour, beach, shops, etc think about Playa de Mogan. It's further from the airport but a reasonable drive maninly along the GC1 Motorway (Autopista) and still in the south of the island.

I have been at the end of Feb/early March and it will be busy but not too busy that it's uncomfortable. As with all the Canaries weather will generally be good but expect some possible periods of overcast/grey, (especially if you venture up to Palmas in the north) and possible spits and spots.