As part of the famous Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has long been a favourite with holidaymakers who come for its unique black lava landscape, the stunning beaches, and the turn-back-time appeal of its island life. It also retains a deeply woven cultural heritage that is displayed in a host of monuments and fascinating relics from its history.
If you’re considering a visit to Gran Canaria, chances are you’re looking for that sought after combination of features that allow you to enjoy the luxury of absolute relaxation through shopping, fine dining and long, lazy days on the beach – and the upmarket tourist town of Meloneras, which backs onto the spectacular Maspalomas Dunes, should be on the top of that list!
Have it All in Meloneras
In recent times, Meloneras (which is situated in the south-east of the island) has become known as a luxury holiday destination, with a proliferation of high-end accommodation, restaurants, and boutiques situated on the promenade that runs alongside the beach. Whether you have a weekend or a week to spend here, you’ll find plenty of ways to maximise your rest and relaxation. We have a few suggestions – choose one or choose them all!
Enjoy the Beach
The beauty of staying in Meloneras is the choice of beaches within easy reach. Depending on your mood, you can choose from quiet and calm, or lively and popular. Here are just two of them.
Playa de Meloneras: This is the town’s own beach and, with a good selection of beachfront accommodation, it can literally be your doorstep. The generous beach is about 500 metres long and 75 metres wide, giving it a feeling of spaciousness even when it’s busy. The waters are generally calm, there’s a lifeguard on duty, and you can rent sun loungers. You’re also only steps away from the promenade, with its array of cafes, bars and restaurants.
Maspalomas Beach: This well-known and very popular beach is within relaxed walking distance, defined by the famous Maspalomas Lighthouse that separates it from Playa de Meloneras. The beach comprises 3km of gorgeous, golden sands, and there’s enough room to make it appeal to all demographics, with sun loungers, water sports, family-friendly shallows, and even a nudist section.
Get Out into Nature
Meloneras is adjacent to the island’s most fascinating natural landscape, the Maspalomas Dunes. The 400-hectare section of dunes is a designated Nature Reserve, and is home to multiple ecosystems that support a huge diversity of flora and fauna – including an abundance of birdlife and giant lizards. It’s an intriguing mix of desert and oasis environment, with a lagoon, a palm grove, and the sand dunes themselves, which are constantly evolving — carved by the winds of time.
Depending on your energy level there are numerous designated trails that can take you on a short stroll or longer hike around the reserve. It’s a great idea to call into the Information Centre before you set off, so you can get a map and an understanding of the lay of the land. Exploring the Maspalomas Dunes is a wonderful way to get out into nature on your holiday, while still being very close to the comforts of your hotel or resort when you’ve had your fill of outdoor activity.
Relax With a Round of Golf
A round of golf is the perfect way to enjoy the sun and feel virtuous about getting some exercise on your holiday! Whether you’re an avid golf enthusiast or trying it out for the first time, the 18-hole Meloneras Golf offers something for everyone, along with spectacular ocean views on one side and an incredible mountain backdrop on the other. Under the shadow of the volcanic mountains, the front nine holes offer scenic views of palm trees, while the back nine run alongside the ocean.
While it is a championship course (host to the 2007 Spanish Championships), there are plenty of opportunities for newbies, so don’t be put off by its stellar reputation. And for those who fancy themselves as a bit of a golf pro, there are plenty of challenges to keep you interested. Along with a clubhouse, pro shop, driving range, and golf academy, there’s a fantastic restaurant onsite, where you can enjoy a lunch or drinks overlooking the green.
These are just three ways to enjoy the endless sunshine and wonderful ambience of Meloneras. As well as those above you can indulge in some designer shopping in the local boutiques of the promenade, or treat yourself to an indulgent spa day in one of the multiple wellness centres. Alternatively, this is also the ideal place to spend your entire time lazing in the sun around a resort pool. It’s entirely up to you …
Where to Stay
Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort & Spa: In an ideal position 800m from the beach, this luxury resort is the perfect place to immerse in an indulgent Spanish island holiday. The spacious, elegant rooms are beautifully appointed and feature private balconies, while a vast array of onsite amenities include a high-end restaurant, cocktail bar, a casino, expansive wellness facilities, tropical gardens, and heated lagoon pools. Resort-style perfection!
H10 Playa Meloneras Palace: In a picturesque location minutes from the ocean and a short walk along the promenade to the centre of the action, this wonderful hotel delivers a luxurious stay from beginning to end. Spacious, well-appointed rooms feature modern Mediterranean decor and a private balcony, while the onsite amenities include two pools, a spa, sun terrace, cafe, and a fabulous international restaurant.
Villa Feliz 128: If you’re looking for the independence and privacy of a villa for your holiday, look no further than this. Set within a well-kept complex with lovely gardens, a pool and hot tub, the beachfront villa features a fully-equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, all the comforts of home (and more), and a superb terrace with sea and garden views for relaxed al fresco dining. Alternatively you can dine and enjoy drinks, cocktails, high tea and more at the modern onsite restaurant.
How to Get There
There’s no complicated logistics involved to get you to Meloneras. You can fly directly from UK airports to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) in around 4.5 hours. It’s a popular route with over 150 flights a week, so there are plenty of options from a range of carriers including British Airways, Qatar, Tui, Jet2, Ryanair and easyJet. In the low end of the season flights start from as little as £28 one way.
If you pre-book an airport transfer with Shuttle Direct, as soon as you land you’ll meet up with a friendly, professional driver and then you’ll be taken from Gran Canaria Airport to Meloneras in style and comfort. The journey is under 30 minutes, so you won’t have to waste any precious holiday time standing in queues or trying to navigate public transport.
Overview
UK to LPA Flight Time: 4 hours, 30 mins approx.
LPA to Meloneras Distance: 37 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 27 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
At Shuttle Direct, we make getting from the airport at Gran Canaria to Meloneras as simple and straightforward as it can be. All travellers have a different budget and a particular way they like to travel, so we offer a range with a convenient airport transfer to suit everyone.
One very effective option is that of a local pre-booked taxi. Once you land at the airport your vehicle and driver will be waiting for you, rather than having to join a long taxi queue with other passengers. You’ll set off without delay and be taken right to the door of your accommodation.
A shared shuttle bus is the most economical way to get from the airport to Meloneras. Once you leave the terminal, you’ll go straight to a designated meeting point then board the shuttle with other passengers. At the destination you’ll be dropped off at a convenient central point and make your own way to your accommodation. While the service is no-frills, you certainly don’t have to compromise on comfort, safety and reliability to save money.
If you’re travelling from the airport at Gran Canaria to Meloneras with a larger group of family or friends, you can make light work of the logistics by pre-booking a minibus. The larger capacity vehicle has room for multiple passengers and all their associated luggage and you’ll be taken directly to the door of your accommodation. The perfect service for groups.
If you’re looking for the top-of-the-range service, with door-to-door convenience and a high-end luxury vehicle all to yourself, one of our private Meloneras transfers will suit your needs perfectly. Your driver will meet you in the terminal to escort you to the vehicle, then you’ll set off on the journey straight to your accommodation without delay. It couldn’t be easier and once you’ve pre-booked, all you need to do is sit back and relax.
Choosing the Right Transfer
The way you get from the airport at Gran Canaria to Meloneras is entirely up to you, when you book with Shuttle Direct. The two main factors you need to consider are cost and convenience, and which one of those is most important to you.
Convenience: If you’re all about convenience, luxury and door-to-door service, our private transfer options will suit you for the ride from Gran Canaria Airport to Meloneras. You’ll pay a little more, but booking a private transfer means you’ll have the vehicle to yourself and you’ll be taken straight to the door of your accommodation without delay.
Cost: Some people are more about saving as much money as possible to be able to spend on the more fun aspects of the holiday. If that’s you, then one of our economical shared shuttle bus services will suit you better. You’ll travel with other passengers, so the cost is shared, and you’ll be taken to a central drop-off point at your location. While it isn’t door-to-door, you’ll make considerable savings on the price, accordingly.
About Shuttle Direct
When you need a safe, convenient and reliable way to get from the airport to your final destination, Shuttle Direct is your answer. As one of the most trusted providers of airport transfers in places all over the world, we understand travellers’ needs. Our range of shared and private transfers is second to none and includes everything from economical shuttle buses to luxury private rides to the door of your accommodation. Pre-book your airport transfers with Shuttle Direct and enjoy professionalism and peace of mind.
