Basking in gentle sub-tropical temperatures and year-round sunshine, Gran Canaria might have been custom-designed as a holiday paradise. One of the largest of the Canary Islands, a territory of Spain and part of the EU, the island lies just 150 miles from the coast of Morocco, but over 700 miles from Cadiz, the nearest point on the European mainland. Most visitors come for the climate, the beaches and the nightlife, but beyond the resorts there are plenty of secluded coves, colonial towns, volcanic landscapes and beautiful forests to provide contrasts with the urban hedonism.

Rough Guide DIRECTIONS Gran Canaria has all you need to get the most out of the island – the top places to stay and eat on all budgets, the best beaches, the coolest nightlife, and all the daytime activities you can think of. . . in short the best the island has to offer.

Browse the full-colour ideas section for suggestions of things to do, theme by theme, twenty-four hours a day if you want.

Flip to the places section and explore the island district by district, with every sight, restaurant, bar and shop located on the easy-to-use maps.

It’s like having a local friend help plan your trip.