I Visited the Beautiful Canary Island but Found a Grimy Spot

The island is very beautiful and not spoiled.

Spain has many great holiday places. Many people go to Greece or Turkey, but I like Spanish places for their culture, food, and friendly people.

We went to Gran Canaria for our big family holiday. I like Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, and I was excited to take the kids to a new place. Many Brits visit Gran Canaria, but more Germans and Scandinavians go there, especially in winter.

I did a lot of research and we stayed near Playa del Inglés. It has a long sandy beach, many restaurants, and a lively atmosphere, so I thought it would be perfect for our family holiday.

Playa del Inglés was dirty and full of concrete.

Unfortunately, it was not a nice place to stay, even though we were on the outskirts. I don't mind staying in a busy place like Benidorm, but I didn't enjoy this area.

The area was dirty and had a lot of vomit and urine. Benidorm is cleaner and doesn't have as much bad behavior.

The long sandy beach is spoiled by many shops and restaurants. You can't walk there without people trying to sell you things. If you say no, they might insult you, and if you're polite, they'll keep trying to sell you things.

The salespeople don't just stop on the promenade. If you put your towel on the beach, people will come to sell you things. We were offered many things, like a beach blanket, fake sunglasses, and a fake watch.

Nearby Mogán was touristy but felt more welcoming.

Gran Canaria is easy to explore by bus or car. The main road is easy to drive, but the mountain roads are not. We only drove in the mountains with a guided tour.

About 30 minutes from Playa del Inglés is Puerto de Mogán, which is very different from where we stayed. It's called the Venice of the Canaries because of its beautiful canals and colorful houses.

The beach was busy, but it was family-friendly and safe for kids. The water was calm, and even though there were many people, it felt peaceful.

Most of the island's resorts are in the south, but most people live in the north, near the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It's worth visiting for its colonial architecture, museums, and shopping centers.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria felt more authentic.

Gran Canaria's tourism plan makes sense. By keeping tourists in one area, locals can enjoy their lives without too many tourists. Tourists can easily visit other parts of the island by bus or car.

Gran Canaria has a good balance between pleasing tourists and keeping its own identity. It's a new favorite, and I'm already looking for holidays for 2027, but we'll avoid one resort.

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