Top Winter Sun Experiences in Gran Canaria & Fuerteventura

The Canary Islands are situated off the west coast of Africa and are sunny all year round so are the perfect place to escape those winter blues. Here are some great experiences to enjoy on your next trip to Gran Canaria or Fuerteventura. 

One of the Canary’s largest islands, Gran Canaria has grown increasingly popular over the years. The weather in Gran Canaria is warm all year round so is ideal for some winter sun. It is home to a wonderful range of resorts including Maspalomas which has stunning sand dunes sweeping down to the coast. You can also find upmarket Playa Meloneras with its vast choice of shops, restaurants and hotels or head to the luxurious Puerto Mogan with its modern marina.

Here are our top three things to do in Gran Canaria:

Works of art, the nativity scenes and recreations of Bethlehem in Gran Canaria are special. On Playa de las Canteras you’ll find the largest nativity scene in Europe that has been designed and built in the open air. Every year, artists come from all around the island to add their own stamp on the nativity scene adding intricate details and features.

       2. Garbo's Dinner Show

Garbo’s is a glamorous gala cabaret that has been welcoming audiences since 1997 with showstopping routines and songs. The atmosphere is on fire, and you’ll be singing and dancing along with the show before being dazzled with the finale. Garbo’s promises a wonderful night out filled with music and fun.

       3. Dunes of Maspalomas

Gran Canaria enjoys sunshine all year round and the beaches in the south of the island are particularly warm. Be sure to take a walk across the dunes of Maspalomas. These are a nature reserve and have been protected since 1987. The dunes were formed due to the wind blowing on the coast from the Atlantic Ocean. Today, the dunes move around two to five metres per year.

Home to some of the best beaches in the whole of Spain, the lovely island of Fuerteventura is the perfect place for a luxury winter sun holiday. There are over 150 beaches to choose from around the island, so relaxation is high on the cards here. The island is also home to a vast number of fantastic restaurants with menus ranging from traditional Spanish tapas to Moroccan favourites, sushi to international dishes so there will be something for everyone. Corralejo is the largest resort on the island where you can wander around the Old Town and head to the pretty harbour area.

Here are our top three things to do in Fuerteventura:

       1. El Cotillo and the lagoons

Located in the northwest of the island, the town of Cotillo is the perfect place for a relaxing break. You’ll find white sands that meet calm turquoise waters, the waves are low in the lagoon, so it is safe for children. The most popular beach is La Concha for its snorkelling and several beach bars. El Cotillo is also a great place to try surfing or stand-up paddle. As the day starts to come to an end, the sunsets here are incredible as the sky lights up in colour at golden hour.

       2. Betancuria

Of all the destinations in Fuerteventura, Betancuria is the oldest and was the first capital of the island until 1834. It is a pretty town with a small population of less than a thousand people but attracts visitors from all around the world for its history and charm. Jean de Bethencourt, the conqueror of the island, founded the town back in the 15th century. Take a stroll through the pretty cobbled streets and stop in the main square to watch the world go by or grab a bite to eat at one of the little cafes.

      3. Star Wars Hotspot

Did you know that Solo: A Star Wars Story was filmed on Fuerteventura? The island is used as the planet Savareen and was filmed at Cañada La Barca on the sand dunes. The sandy dunes and volcanic landscape make the perfect backdrop for the Star Wars films. Take a trip there and pretend that you’re an extra on set.

Struggling to decide where you want to go? You don’t have to make the choice between the two destinations because did you know you can actually combine the two destinations in one trip? That’s right, with a multi-centre holiday you can enjoy the best of both worlds. The ferry between the two islands only takes around 2.5 hours and there’s usually at least three daily ferry crossings so it is quick and easy to tick off more of that bucket list!

Add a touch of luxury with Sovereign 

At Sovereign Luxury Travel we have over 50 years’ experience in tailormade luxury holidays. We take care of all the finer details, so you don’t have to. Our Personal Travel Planners are on hand every step of the way to ensure your luxury holiday is memorable and enjoyable. The only question is, when do you want to go?

Visit sovereign.com to start planning your next luxury escape today!

Read more: Top 10 luxury winter sun destinations