We all know that travelling with kids can be stressful, so when you do finally get to take that long-awaited family summer holiday, finding a place that offers something for everyone, no matter their age, is essential. Gran Canaria is one such fantastic destination, with year-round sunshine, loads of family-friendly resorts, and plenty of activities and attractions to choose from.
Playa del Inglés: A Family Hotspot
If you are heading to this beautiful island, I strongly recommend booking at least part of your stay at Playa del Inglés, in the south of the island. It’s the main central tourist hotspot, which is great for families as you’ll find everything you need to ensure everyone has an unforgettable summer holiday. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few of my favourite family activities that are available in and around beautiful Playa del Inglés.
Beach Day Fun in the Sun
Of course, without a doubt, your summer holiday would not be complete if you don’t spend at least one or two days at the beach. Depending on their age, no matter whether your children love digging holes, building sandcastles, splashing in the sea, or trying out all the watersports, there’s big fun to be had! Whatever kind of beach day your family enjoys, this wonderful part of Gran Canaria has got it all covered, with 3km of sandy shores to discover at Playa del Inglés. Its calm waters and great amenities make it a particularly popular beach for families with little ones, and there are lifeguards on watch to ensure everyone’s safety.
Visit the Lighthouse
Not only do kids love to visit this striking lighthouse, but even just getting there is a fantastic way to burn off pent up energy left over from too much ice cream and excitement. It’s a fun family activity for everyone as it’s not a hard walk, and you’ll be rewarded with a great view of the ocean. It’s also an excellent place to take some family holiday snaps with the lighthouse in the background.
Explore Maspalomas Dunes
This is probably my favourite part of the area around Playa del Inglés resort. This unique nature reserve is made up of a complex system of dunes, which support an extremely diverse range of ecosystems where local flora and fauna thrive. It also has a stunning beach for the human visitors to enjoy. Not only are the Maspalomas Dunes breathtaking to look at but they provide a great site for hiking and wildlife spotting around the lagoon. Children of all ages will enjoy strolling around this fascinating place, getting up close and personal with some local wildlife.
Holiday World
If you need a break from being out in the sun, this indoor centre is full of fun activities. An absolute saviour for parents dealing with tetchy, sunburned children, every floor offers a different kind of fun for the whole family to participate in: from bowling and karaoke, to escape rooms and even a mini amusement park.
Where to Stay
Tara Apartment – This beachfront apartment is equipped with every amenity you need to feel at home on holiday. As well as the space and extensive features of the accommodation, its location right next to the beach, an excellent onsite restaurant, and all kinds of activities right on the doorstep make it a firm favourite for families.
Apartamentos Olympia – This bright and airy accommodation overlooks the beautiful beach, which not only offers great views but also puts you right in the heart of the action. Complete with its own well-appointed kitchen and access to a shop onsite, it’s an outstanding choice for guests travelling with children.
Hotel Riu Papayas – This all-inclusive hotel is ideal for families with its child-friendly restaurant, a children’s pool and even its own playground on the premises. The services and features at this modern hotel ensure that every member of the family has the best holiday possible.
How to Get There
Getting to Gran Canaria is easy from the UK as it’s a popular holiday destination throughout the year. The cheapest flights tend to be in the off-season months of November and December, but if you book in advance, you can find some great deals during the summer holidays. Flights start from £100 in July and increase quite a bit in August, so keep your eyes peeled.
Playa del Inglés is conveniently located to the airport, however, I would highly recommend pre-booking a Gran Canaria airport transfer with Shuttle Direct. Instead of navigating public transport with children, a transfer from Gran Canaria airport to Playa del Inglés will get you to your accommodation in under 30 minutes safely and smoothly.
Overview
UK to LPA Flight Time: 4 hours 31 minutes
LPA to Playa del Inglés: 34 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer Time: 22 minutes
Types of Transfer
Pre-booking an airport transfer from Gran Canaria airport to Playa del Inglés is a great way to start your holiday off on the right foot. However, every family is different and has its own needs and preferences, which is why Shuttle Direct is great. They offer a variety of airport transfer types to suit every traveller.
The journey from Gran Canaria airport to Playa del Inglés is only a short trip, which makes treating the family to a taxi all the more worth it. Pre-booking a local taxi airport transfer with Shuttle Direct means that you’ll have someone waiting for you when you arrive. No queuing for the taxi rank!
A shuttle bus option is perfect for travellers who want to save a little bit of money on their Playa del Inglés transfer. The larger capacity vehicles also tend to be more suitable for larger groups, such as families travelling with little ones. You’ll meet at a designated point at the airport, then be taken to a central drop off near your accommodation.
Shuttle Direct understands that some parents (or children for that matter) would prefer not to travel with other passengers, which is when you might want to consider a private transfer. Gran Canaria airport to Playa del Inglés is a short trip, but having a private luxury vehicle to yourself makes all the difference when travelling with kids.
A Playa del Inglés transfer by minibus is a cost-effective door-to-door option for larger families or those travelling with a group of friends. You’ll travel in a spacious comfortable vehicle, with enough capacity for everyone and their luggage in one trip.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Booking an airport transfer is the easy part but choosing which option is best for your family needs some consideration. Before making your selection, here are a couple of things to think about.
Cost: Everyone will have their own budget in mind when pre-booking a Playa del Inglés transfer. I recommend you choose your airport transfer type based on what you feel comfortable paying. Shuttle Direct is great as it offers services for all budgets.
Convenience: The other thing to consider is what your specific needs require. If you know you’ll be travelling with a pram you might prefer to book a larger vehicle for your airport transfer, for instance. And if convenience is high on your list and you don’t mind paying for the luxury of a door-to-door service, one of the private transfer options will suit.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct has been providing families with friendly and affordable services for decades. You can rest assured you’ll always be in safe hands when travelling with our professional drivers and our vehicles are safe, comfortable and well maintained. No matter what kind of traveller you are, and what your budget, one of our shared or private services will give you what you need. Get in touch and make a booking today, then sit back and enjoy the ride!
