As a mother myself, I know what it is like organising a family holiday that suits everyone – especially the tiny ones in the family. Luckily, there are some great resorts, such as Playa del Inglés on the sunny island of Gran Canaria, which have a whole host of activities geared towards fun for all the family, regardless of your kids’ ages. Here is our pick of what is on offer in Playa del Inglés, along with some tips on how to stay budget conscious, yet still enjoy everything to the max.
For Little Water Rats
Aqualand in Maspalomas is a favourite with all kids I know – and it is bound to be with yours too! There are waterslides to suit those of every age, and even some for the adults too. For the tiny tots there is the Children’s Paradise, which is a mini waterpark perfect for building their confidence, as well as the Pirate’s River, on which they can float around in a rubber ring. For bigger kids there is the CrazyRace, Aquamania and Mamut, while mums and dads might like to relax in the wave pool on Discovery Beach.
Cafes and snack bars make grabbing food on the go easy, but if you want to save some cash, make a picnic and take it along!
Open all year from 10am-5pm from September to June and until 6pm from June to September. Ticket prices can be found here – book in advance for a discount!
Take a Ride
Holiday World, a short stroll from Faro 2 Shopping Centre, is full of all sorts of rides and attractions that kids of all ages will love. Your really small ones will enjoy a ride on the toy train, while those a little older can drive their own boat at the Aquatic Familiar Track. From children’s playgrounds to bumper cars and from pirate ships to roller coasters, there is something for kids (and adults) of all ages here.
The entrance to the park is free, but each ride costs a certain number of points that you buy and store on a card. The points are valid for one month, so you don’t have to feel pressured to do everything in one day.
In summer the park is open from 6-11pm but on Friday, Saturday and days before public holidays it is open from 6pm to midnight. In winter the only difference is that the park opens at 5pm.
For Animal Lovers
My daughter loves animals, as do most youngsters, and Palmitos Park does not disappoint when it comes to thrilling children with wildlife. The birds of prey and parrots are always a highlight, as are the Gibbons on Primates Island, but there are many more reptiles, birds and mammals for the kids to marvel at too. This is the ideal place to take your own packed lunch – you couldn’t pick a better setting to enjoy a family picnic.
It really is best to buy tickets online so you can get the discounts. Bookings can be made here.
The park is open from 10am-6pm all year round, so even if you are on a winter sun seeking holiday, a visit here should be on the cards.
How to Get to Playa del Inglés from the UK
When travelling with kids we understand that your chosen destination often depends on travel distance. Gran Canaria is a short 4-hour flight from London, making it a relatively convenient and accessible holiday destination. Fly with easyJet from London Gatwick for less than £250 per person in summer, or from London Stansted for slightly less. Other major cities in the UK offer direct flights with airlines such as Jet2 and Thomson.
On arrival, your transfer to Playa del Inglés is only half an hour, and if you are looking for low-cost Gran Canaria airport transfers, let our team at Shuttle Direct help you out. Offering a family friendly, fixed price, and door-to-door service, we take great pride in giving families an easy and stress-free start to their holiday. For just under £14 per person, you’ll have a vehicle exclusively for your family and a driver who will meet you on arrival and take you straight to your hotel.
Child-Friendly Accommodation in Playa del Inglés
Alsol Las Orquídeas – Getting the right family friendly accommodation is so important when taking the kids away on holiday. The Alsol Las Orquídeas are a safe bet in Playa del Inglés. The kids will appreciate the 50-yard hop to the beach, while the outdoor pool is ideal for days when you want a break from the sand. Private apartments are perfect for families who need more space and facilities to self cater occasionally, and for younger children who just need to crash out in the cool sometimes. Staff are very helpful here, and with a huge number of very good restaurants close by, what more do you need?
Apartamentos Australia – Great for families with small children, these apartments all have their own balcony, perfect for keeping the kids enclosed. Satellite TV and Wi-Fi are useful too, especially for tiny tots who sometimes need a little switch off time with an iPad or their favourite show. Kids will love the spacious gardens, and mums and dads will be thankful for the sunbeds and parasols! Close to all the major attractions, Apartamentos Australia is a hit.
Apartamentos Roque Nublo – Apartamentos Roque Nublo is one of our top picks for a family friendly place to stay in Playa del Inglés. A short, enjoyable walk to the restaurants, beach and the Maspalomas Dunes, these apartments have a twin room and a sofa bed in the living area. With its own bar and restaurant, you don’t need to venture out every night, which is really useful when you have little kids that need to get to bed early.
About Shuttle Direct:
When you’re juggling international travel with a few kids and multiple suitcases, you’re going to be looking for any way to make life a little easier. The first step to doing just that is booking your airport transfer online with Shuttle Direct. Shuttle Direct is the number one provider of airport transfers across Europe and North Africa. Wherever you’re headed, let us take you there.
