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Gran Canaria: Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Puerto Rico

Gran Canaria guide for Irish holidaymakers: direct flights, year-round weather, the main southern resorts and a late deal tip.

Updated Saturday 17 October 2026

Why go

Gran Canaria’s south coast is a strong winter sun choice from Ireland. Average highs in Maspalomas stay above 21°C all year. The main resorts sit along a sunny stretch from San Agustín to Meloneras, with more resorts further west.

The landmark is the Maspalomas Dunes, a protected nature reserve of sand dunes beside the sea. Inland, the island rises to green, rocky mountains, which makes a good change from the beach.

Getting there from Ireland

Fly to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA). Based on current airport route tables:

  • Dublin: Aer Lingus and Ryanair, plus seasonal TUI charters
  • Cork: Ryanair
  • Shannon: Ryanair
  • Belfast International: Jet2, plus easyJet seasonally

There are no direct flights from Knock or Kerry. The flight from Dublin takes about four and a quarter hours.

When to go

Average highs in Maspalomas, on the south coast:

  • Winter (December to February): about 21.5°C to 22.5°C. Warm, reliable winter sun.
  • Spring (March to May): about 23°C to 25°C.
  • Summer (June to September): about 27°C to 30°C, peaking in August.
  • Autumn (October and November): about 25°C to 27°C.

For comparison, Gran Canaria Airport averages about 21°C in January and 27.5°C in August. The airport also records around 180 hours of sunshine in winter months and about 300 in July and August.

Pack a light layer for winter evenings. If you head inland to the mountains, it will be cooler than the coast.

Where to stay

  • Maspalomas and Meloneras: the western end of the resort area, near the dunes.
  • Playa del Inglés: part of the Maspalomas resort zone, with big shopping centres such as the Yumbo and the Kasbah, and plenty of nightlife.
  • San Agustín: one of the resort towns at the eastern end of the Maspalomas area.
  • Puerto Rico: on the south-west coast, where winter temperatures stay around 20°C to 25°C and it rains on fewer than three days a month. It has a sandy beach, two small harbours and the Amadores beach about a kilometre away.

Good for

  • Families: the sandy beaches at Puerto Rico, Amadores and Maspalomas.
  • Nightlife: Playa del Inglés is a clubbing town and has been popular with gay travellers for over 25 years, centred on the Yumbo.
  • Couples: Puerto de Mogán, a fishing town and resort further west, makes a good base or evening out.
  • Nature: the Maspalomas Dunes, protected since 1987. They formed from sand blown ashore when the sea level was lower during the last ice age.

Late deal tip

Gran Canaria’s resorts each have a different feel, so choose the area first, then the hotel. In Puerto Rico, apartments and hotels crowd the cliff sides above the beach. Check the hotel’s position on a map before booking, especially with buggies or older travellers.

Sources

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