1. South Gran Canaria shopping: The Varadero and Meloneras Boulevard

The seafront walkway at Meloneras is one of Gran Canaria's most popular spots thanks to its restaurants and bars, beautiful sea views and its wide variety of upmarket shops. The shops are located along the boulevard itself and in the Varadero Mall.

Shops to look out for include the superb Fundgrube shops (on the boulevard and in the Varadero). Fundgrube sells a wide range of fashion accessories, cosmetics and perfume at excellent prices.

2. South Gran Canaria shopping: El Tablero Shopping Centre

El Tablero is just inland from Playa del Ingles and Campo Internacional. It's a small but beautifully designed mall with a bright and airy feel. Shops include Timberland, Zara and Pull & Bear. There's also a large Hiperdino supermarket. 

The sunny roof terrace has several places to eat including a Burger King with a handy interactive game room for the kids. 

3. South Gran Canaria shopping: Puerto de Mogán

People flock to Puerto de Mogán for beautiful bougainvillaea fringed lanes and the big Friday market but there is enough to keep shoppers happy any day of the week. Head to the beachfront and you'll find a series of fashion and accessory shops including a big Fundgrube. 

4. North Gran Canaria shopping: Triana shopping district

Recently voted Spain's top outdoor shopping destination, Triana district next to Las Palmas' Vegueta Old Town is a wonderful, local shopping experience. The Calle mayor or High Street has plenty of big name fashion stores such as H&M, Zara and Mango while the little lanes running up the hill have plenty of smaller independent boutiques and shops. Triana is also full of local restaurants and has several quality vegetarian spots like Mr Kale and Dara Feeling Food. 

Parking at Triana can be tricky so just hop on a bus that stops at the San Telmo bus station at the north end of Calle Triana, or park under San Telmo Square between the bus station and the shopping area. 

5. North Gran Canaria shopping: Las Arenas Mall

Las Arenas has the widest range of shops of any of Las Palmas' city malls. It also has free parking, plenty of restaurants upstairs and is right by the glorious Las Canteras beachfront. Don't miss the El Corte Inglés outlet shop on the top floor as it has some excellent bargains. For cameras and electronics at fair, fixed prices, head to the Media Markt. 

6. North Gran Canaria shopping: Los Alisios megamall

The newest and biggest shopping space in Gran Canaria, Los Alisios is a vast outdoor mall that feels more like a High Street than a shopping centre. It has plenty of big name fashion brand flagship stores that stock the widest range of their lines anywhere in Gran Canaria. Upstairs you'll find a good selection of cafes and restaurants and there are interactive games and activities dotted around the mall to keep the kids entertained (don't miss the giant bubble-blowing fish). 

There is plenty of free parking at Los Alisios which is just ten minutes drive west of Las Palmas city. 

7. North Gran Canaria shopping: Mesa y Lopez

Home to the vast El Corte Inglés department store (which sells almost anything you can imagine from jewellery to kayaks), Mesa y Lopez also has a good selection of fashion stores and even a Marks & Spencer (complete with food hall).  The whole street will soon be pedestrian and we expect it to claim back its rightful place as a top Gran Canaria shopping area within a couple of years. 

8. East Gran Canaria shopping: Las Terrazas & El Mirador

 As you drive into Las Palmas from the resorts you'll see not one but two big shopping malls. Las Terrazas, on the seaward side of the motorway, is an outdoor outlet centre with excellent prices for athleisure and surfing brands and shoes. It also has an El Corte Inglés outlet store, a Fundgrube outlet, a Media Markt for cameras and electronics at low prices, and the island's only KFC. 

Bonus: Gran Canaria shopping tips

Hit the sales in Gran Canaria for some sensational discounts. There are two main sale periods and they both last for two months; The winter sales which start right after Three Kings Day on January 6th, and the summer sales which start at the beginning of July.

If you live outside the EU, you can claim back your local VAT (IGIC) at the airport. This is 7% of the purchase price. Ask for a DIVA Form at point-of-purchase, keep your receipts, and head to the customs desk before baggage check-in at the airport. See this PDF for full info.