Fun, fabulous, and with a reputation that’s upheld by thousands of eager visitors every year, Playa del Inglés, on the island of Gran Canaria, is a fan-favourite with people looking to hit the beach all day and party all night. Being situated at the southern end of the island means it’s blessed with mild year-round weather – a fact that only adds to its popularity.
Beaches, Bars and Buenos Tiempos!
Renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and lively nightlife, this isn’t really the place to come if you’re looking for early nights and the opportunity to relax and get away from it all. But if your holiday style has more of a “here for a good time, not a long time” ethos, then some suggestions of how to fill a couple of days in Playa del Inglés means you’ll be able to spend less time planning what to do, and more time doing it!
You don’t have to be good at maths to know that beautiful beaches plus pumping bars and clubs equals good times all round (that’s the ‘buenos tiempos’ part!). Instead of dividing our 48 hours into Day One and Day Two, let’s cut straight to the chase with how to spend your days and how to spend your nights!
Relaxing Days on the Beach…
The beach here is probably the best known on Gran Canaria, stretching for almost three kilometres of glorious golden sands – leading all the way up to the famous Maspaloma lighthouse. The best thing is that you can laze around on a sunbed all day without feeling a skerrick of guilt, but if you’ve got the inclination, there’s plenty to do if you feel like getting active.
Explore the dunes: The beach’s proximity to Maspalomas means you’re within easy reach of the incredible Maspalomas Dune Nature Reserve. You can explore the dunes on foot, or join a camel tour and let them do the work for you. It’s also a great place for some very Instagrammable photo opportunities!
Surfing or windsurfing: This is one of the most favoured places on Gran Canaria to go windsurfing, with pretty perfect conditions even for those just learning. Its popularity means that it can get quite busy out on the water, but there’s room for everyone. Operators on the beach offer both windsurfing and surfing lessons for beginners.
Beach walk: While you might not be up for a full-on hike after a late night in the clubs, a gentle walk can help blow away the cobwebs. You can stroll along the beachfront promenade on the path known as the Paseo de Costa Canaria, all the way to San Augustin, taking in the ocean views and lovely villas along the coastline.
… and Fun Filled Nights in the Clubs
The resort is buzzing all year, with party-lovers of all ages flocking here (from mainland Spain as well as international tourists) to take advantage of the proliferation of bars and clubs. Pubs are open until about 2am, while the clubs kick on to 6am. Rather than being along a “strip” as in other beach resorts, the nightlife is concentrated in various areas of the town.
Paseo Maritimo: Down on the beach on the Paseo Maritimo is the perfect place to start with an afternoon cocktail or cold beer. As evening falls, this area comes alive in the many pubs and internationally themed bars.
Kasbah: This is the “coolest” area, where you’ll find the iconic superclubs Pacha and Ministry of Sound, along with several others, including Aqua and Ozono, featuring a line-up of high-profile international DJs.
Plaza: The Plaza is a massive and very lively entertainment precinct packed with bars and late night clubs. You’ll be enthusiastically “invited” into venues with the temptation of free drink vouchers, so deciding where to party can be quite a fun challenge.
Yumbo: Yumbo is the buzzy, gay-friendly “village” which is home to an array of fabulous drag clubs, cabarets, discos and clubs.
As you can see, you’ll be spoiled for choice by day and by night, but it’s up to you how you balance how much time you spend on each…
Where to Stay
Home las Elefantes: Just 400m from the beach, and featuring all the comforts of home, this spacious apartment puts you on the doorstep of the action. With a fully-equipped kitchen, TV, linen, towels, free WiFi, and a fabulous terrace with views over the complex pool, the apartment has everything you need to make the perfect holiday base.
Atlantic Beach Club: Set in the perfect location to enjoy the clubs, bars and beach, this superb accommodation is just 100 metres from the ocean. You’ll stay in spacious, air-conditioned comfort, complete with kitchenette, satellite TV, private bathroom and a terrace with sea views. There’s a restaurant onsite, as well as a bar, swimming pool and even a fabulous hot tub. Get ready to party!
Neri Apartment: Spacious, comfortable and modern, this affordable apartment is brilliantly located right on the beachfront – what more could you ask for? The one-bedroom apartment has its own balcony to relax and recover from a night out, and there’s a pool onsite, free WiFi and a lovely sun terrace.
How to Get There
Planning the logistics for your party break in Playa del Inglés isn’t going to cause you any stress. With a range of affordable airlines servicing Gran Canaria Airport, including EasyJet, Jet2, Ryanair and British Airways, flights start from around £31. The cheapest time to fly is usually November, but you can find bargains all year-round.
When your flight lands, the most convenient and affordable way of getting the rest of the way to your accommodation is on a pre-booked Playa del Inglés transfer with Shuttle Direct. A shared shuttle is the most budget-friendly option, but if you’re travelling with a group of friends you can also book a private luxury service or minibus and split the cost between you.
Overview
UK to LPA Flight Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
LPA to Playa del Inglés Distance: 34 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 22 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
Shuttle Direct makes getting from Gran Canaria Airport to Playa del Inglés easy and convenient. We offer a range of options, depending on how much you want to spend, so whatever your budget, we’ll get you where you need to go so you can start your holiday as soon as possible!
When it comes to airport transfers, a shared shuttle bus is a fantastic and affordable way to get from Gran Canaria Airport to Playa del Inglés. As well as saving yourself money so you can spend more on fun, you might even meet some new friends on the trip. A relaxed, friendly and reliable way to travel.
If you’re holidaying with a group of friends, you might want to consider pre-booking a minibus for your Playa del Inglés transfer. With the extra space, everyone will be able to travel in the same vehicle, and there’ll be plenty of room for all the luggage.
Who wants to spend the first part of their holiday in a queue? Not you, and you won’t have to if you pre-book a taxi to get you from the airport at Gran Canaria to Playa del Inglés. When your flight lands, a friendly local driver will be waiting to deliver you to the door of your accommodation, without any delays or waiting in line.
If you’ve got a little extra cash to splash on a luxury private door-to-door service, our private Gran Canaria transfers could be just what you’re looking for. Your driver will be waiting in the terminal to meet your flight, then you’ll be whisked straight to your accommodation in a comfortable luxury vehicle.
Choosing the Right Transfer
The kind of Playa del Inglés transfer you book is entirely up to you. Everyone’s needs, wants and budget are different, but basically it will come down to prioritising cost or convenience.
Convenience: If a door-to-door luxury service is high on your agenda, our private transfers from the airport at Gran Canaria to Playa del Inglés will appeal to you. You can also choose to pre-book a local taxi through us, which is another very convenient option.
Cost: If keeping within a budget is the most important thing to you, a cost-friendly shared shuttle or minibus is a great choice. Even though you travel with other passengers to save money, it’s a reliable, safe and comfortable airport transfer option that costs a lot less than a private service.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is your first stop for the most reliable and affordable airport transfers on the market. You can select from multiple options, from a budget-beating shared shuttle right up to a luxury, door-to-door private service. Get in touch now and let us take care of your onward ground transfers to and from a huge range of destinations all over Europe and the world.
