Maspalomas has its own palm tree oasis, lagoon and sand dune system. It's basically a miniature desert by the sea rather than a beach. It even has camels (which you can ride) but unlike a desert, there are convenient snack stands, comfy sun loungers and trained lifeguards.

Gran Canaria has excellent hospitals and private medical clinics. Standards are as high as anywhere in Europe and EU and EEA visitors are covered by their EHIC cards.

Bloggers and travel writers obsess about the real Gran Canaria. They write about exploring hidden beaches and finding secret villages. It's silly, to be honest.

Most people rent a car in Gran Canaria and have no problems at all. Here's our guide to hassle-free rentals and our advice on choosing a good company and avoiding sneaky tricks. 

Here's a simple breakdown taxes, fees and ongoing expenses associated with buying and owning a Gran Canaria property. 

December is often a sunny month in Gran Canaria although we do get a few days of rain almost every year.

Winter in the Canary Islands is relative. While there are an average of three rainy days in November you get six hours of sunshine every day. Day temperatures are about 24ºC on average and the minimum temperature at night is 18ºC. Days when the mercury hits 30ºC are common. 

The sea is still warm in November and is 22ºC on average. Its much warmer in shallow water and the sun is strong enough to keep the swimming pools at an ideal temperature.

Walkers flock to Gran Canaria in November as the top of the island is still warm and sunny. You do get cold, cloudy days in the Cumbres so bring a fleece or a windcheater. You still need a hat and plenty of water as the sun beats down on hot days.

You can sit o the beach in Gran Canaria in November and it still feels like midsummer anywhere else. It cools down as the sun sinks but you are guaranteed a tan if you come to Gran Canaria in November. 

October is our favourite month in Gran Canaria. After a long, hot summer the temperatures start to drop and the sky is blue and full of pretty little clouds. With average day temperatures at 26ºC and the lows at 20ºC, the weather is as close to perfect as it gets.

September in Gran Canaria is the islands real summer month. The Trade winds die down and the whole island is sunny and hot. We love September because you get lots of little fluffy clouds that are perfect for photography. 

The average daily high is 27ºC and the lows are over 24ºC. You can expect an average of eight hours of sunshine every day and just one rainy day during the whole month. 

The sea in September is at its warmest in Gran Canaria. The average water temperature is 23ºC and it’s almost too warm in the shallow water close to the beaches. You often have to swim out or dive down to find a cool layer. 

September is a great month to visit Las Palmas as the clouds that often hang over the city in July and August disappear. Canteras Beach in September is gorgeous with blue skies and calm water. The reef pops right up at low tide thanks to the large Neap Tides so you can swim out and walk along it. 

For a last minute summer escape before the start of term, or a sneaky trip just after school has started, Gran Canaria in September is perfect. It’s hot, sunny and the sky is as blue as it gets. 

August is the hottest month in Gran Canaria with average temperatures of 27ºC and minimum of 22ºC. Most days the temperature reaches 30ºC on the beaches and you can expect 9.5 hours of sunshine every day. 

With minimum temperatures well over 20ºC and the daily average at 26.5ºC July is a hot, hot, hot in Gran Canaria. The temperature reaches 30ºC most days on the sand and the evenings are perfect for sitting out with a cold beer. 

It sounds hard to believe but there are over 300 hours of sunshine in Gran Canaria in July. That’s over 10 hours per day. Sunscreen is essential as a full day of July sun in Gran Canaria burns almost everybody. Even the locals slap it on during the summer. 

As for rain in July, it just doesn’t happen!

The sea in Gran Canaria in June is over 22ºC so you can loll in the shallows for hours on end without getting goosebumps. Sometimes you have to swim out into deep water just to find a cool bit.

The mountains in Gran Canaria get hot during July and it can be dangerous to go walking unless you are well prepared. We advise starting as early as possible and being out of the sun by 10.00. Take a hat and sunscreen and plenty of water (a litre an hour). If the island is on alert for high temperatures please don’t go walking as temperatures can reach 40ºC or more and people have died of heat exhaustion.

July is one of the hottest months in Gran Canaria and the beaches are full until well after the sun has set. For an escape to the sunshine, Gran Canaria in July is a sure bet. 

May is basically summer in Gran Canaria and it’s one of our favourite months. You don’t get the really hot days of summer and the odd puffy white cloud comes along often enough to cool everyone down on the beaches. 

It is sunny for 8.5 hours per day on average and there isn’t enough rain for it to register on the statistics. The sea temperature starts to rise and gets to a minimum of 20ºC: That’s about perfect on a hot day.

The average high temperature in May  is 23ºC but you can expect days with temperatures above 30ºC almost every week. You might still need a light jumper in the evenings as temperatures drop to a minimum of 17ºC at night. 

May is the last month of the official walking season in Gran Canaria as the hills are still green and cool and the island is still green. It’s an excellent month to rent a car or go on an organized trip up into the mountains. It won’t be too hot or too cold and everything looks lush and fertile. 

Come to Gran Canaria in May and you get bright sunshine, beautiful scenery and cool evenings. Just what the relaxation doctor ordered!

Gran Canaria really heats up during April as the tiny amount of winter chill leaves the air. 

March is the last month of winter in Gran Canaria and the island is already warming up fast. The temperature on the beaches can reach 30ºC and the average day temperature is 22ºC. At night it cools down to a minimum of 15.5ºC: That’s cool enough for a jumper or a second layer. 

You can sunbathe in Gran Canaria almost every day during March. There are only 3 days rain on average and seven hours of sunshine per day. The sea temperature is 19ºC on average but is warmer in the shallow water by the beaches. We've spent whole weeks on the beach in March with just a couple of cloudy afternoons; They were almost a almost a relief. 

March is an ideal month for exploring the island. Everything is green and the wild flowers start to bloom. If you plan to go walking bring a fleece and a waterproof windcheater as it can still be cold up at the top of the island. 

March is Gran Canaria’s spring month when everything is green and beautiful and the flowers really come out. It’s an excellent time to visit the island, especially if you want to combiner beach days with some walking or driving about. 

Gran Canaria in February is the land that winter forgot. The average daily high temperature is 21ºC but it can be as warm as 27ºC on the beaches. The average minimum is 15ºC but this is always late at night. Gran Canaria gets an average of three days rain every February.  

February is a great month to visit Gran Canaria because it’s one of the only places in Europe where the sunshine is virtually guaranteed (the other places are the other Canary Islands). The weather can be variable in Gran Canaria in February but if you come for a week you'll get sunny days. 

February is prime walking season in Gran Canaria because the mountains start to turn green and the first flowers come out. You need layers and a wind cheater just in case the clouds roll in: It gets cold in the mountains, even in Gran Canaria. You may even see a dusting of snow right at the top!

For sunbathing the beaches are warm in February and the sun shines almost every day. It’s hot enough for lying on the sand between 10.00 and 16.00. The average water temperature is 19ºC: Warm enough for a dip when the sun is out. Sheltered beaches like Mogán, Amadores and Puerto Rico tend to have warmer water, even in winter. 

February in Gran Canaria tends to be like all the other months in Gran Canaria: Hot and sunny. Just bring a jumper for the odd cool day and for the evenings. Enjoy the sunshine!