We did not know what to expect when we booked a flight to Gran Canaria. The Canary Islands are only a 1.5-hour flight from Marrakech, Morocco (where we were previously adventuring). So, when Ryan Air had an $85 round-trip deal, we knew we had to book it!
We ended up staying at the H10 Playa Meloneras Hotel. The hotel was south of the island. Right off Playa Las Meloneras beach. Adjacent to a golf course and overlooking the sandy and rocky coastline. This mini trip was the perfect change-up from Marrakech and a great beach-town getaway.
This area was full of stunning Spanish architecture on every building, and we had perfect weather the whole time we were there, in late May. I should also mention that the Canary Islands are budget-friendly, making it a great place for a 23-year-old to visit.
So, what are the best things to do in this area of Gran Canaria?
1. Visit the Maspalomas Dunes
These dunes will make you feel like you are in the desert (until you see the beach). The dunes are a nature reserve and extend for many acres. So, at times, you forget you are at the beach!
Be careful with the time of year you go because the sand dunes can be blistering in the peak of summer.
2. Go on a Catamaran Excursion
Catamaran trips are popular in Gran Canaria, and we had so much fun doing it. We booked our four-hour excursion through This is Gran Canaria.
Once on the boat, they took us through massive cliffs, which were volcanic rock, and even gave us a little history about it. The views were stunning, and the water looked like it was glittering. I probably took about 100 pictures just of the cliffs themselves.
Catamaran Trip in the Canary Islands pic.twitter.com/TvFu2shRbl
— Mason & Josh Travel (@masonjoshtravel) September 20, 2023
The driver parked the catamaran in Mogan. This location is south of the island. They provided everyone with snorkels, jet ski rides, banana boat rides, and lunch! Even though I am an awful swimmer, I still had so much fun jumping off the boat into the water.
3. Nightlife!
Along the beach were many beach clubs that were poppin’! While we thought it was odd not to see these beach clubs lively in the daytime, this was definitely the place to be at night.
Aqua Ocean Club seemed to be the main place to go, but there were other clubs and bars that were all connected. This area also consisted of many restaurants too, so after a long day at the beach be sure to check one of them out!
4. Catch a Soccer Game at a Sports Bar
So, this top thing to do may seem silly, but coming from the U.S., seeing a European soccer (football) Championship League Final game was incredibly fun. We didn’t plan for the game to be on while we happened to be visiting at the end of May, but we were so glad we got to experience it.
We took about a 25-minute walk from where we were staying east along the seawall to get to The 19th Hole Bar and Grill to watch Liverpool vs. Madrid and drink beer. This ended up being a blast and after the game the bar had live music.
While we were not sure how our adventure to the Canary Islands would go after the little research we did, we are so glad we went! The people, food, and scenery met our expectations, and it was so easy to get to, from Marrakesh!
Till next time – Mason 🙂
We visited Morocco, before visiting the Canary Islands. Check out our blogs detailing our time in the this amazing city!
Marrakech Market – Everything You Need To Know – Food Tour
Our Stay at a Morocco Desert Luxury Camp: Review
11 Amazing Cuisines to Try in Marrakech (2022)