Gay vacations in Gran Canaria

So, what about your next Gay vacation in Gran Canaria? This article will reveal why you should choose it, which places are the most gay-friendly, how to get there, where to stay, and many more insider tips. So stay with us.

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The island is one of the most prominent gay destinations in Europe. It’s one of the ‘Big 4’ – along with Ibiza, Sitges, and Mykonos. Particularly loved by Germans and British holidaymakers, gay Gran Canaria attracts gays from all over Europe and the world. Once there, you will soon comprehend why gay travelers worship the island so much. First, it is inexpensive, extremely gay-friendly, has a diverse gay scene, good gay hotels, a tropical climate year-round, deserted beaches, and one of the most convenient deserts you will ever find, just steps from your hotel room and full of action! It is a combination that doesn’t disappoint.

Gay visitors to Gran Canaria have two main options. The first is to head to the vibrant capital, Las Palmas. It can be your first choice during the winter.

However, the south of gay Gran Canaria is warmer and sunnier than the north. The two favorite hotspots are Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles – where most gay hotels are. And that’s one of the many reasons why so many people return again and again to the island.

Las Palmas

Las Palmas is one of Spain’s most significant cities, with around 380,000 inhabitants. There are two main areas of interest to visitors: the commercial center, close to where the cruise ships dock, and the Old Town, located around 5km to the south. On a pleasant day, the walk between the two takes around an hour. Alternatively, bus number 17 connects the two localities and comes at regular intervals.

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Most tourist attractions are in the Old Town, known as Vegueta. Here, you’ll find the cathedral, Columbus House, the Modern Art Centre, and cute shops and eateries lining the Colonial-style streets. Away from the Old Town, attractions worth exploring are the Botanical Gardens, the Central Market, and the main commercial street, Triana.

There are also some gay bars, though many are closed during the week and are relatively tranquil, even on weekends. Peach is a popular standard bar, and Black Door has a cruisy vibe and has themed events on certain nights – check their website for details.

Maspalomas

Famed for its resort town, Playa de Ingles, and its extensive stretch of dunes, Maspalomas has mainly developed around the tourism industry. The place offers tourists bungalow accommodation, preserving the aesthetic beauty of the site as much as possible in a tourist hot spot.

In addition, there are several gay-only hotels and resorts here. They are often fully booked in high season, so you should book them beforehand.

The gay bars in Maspalomas are reasonably busy all year round, though summer sees a dramatic boost in visitors. Most of the action happens around Estados Unidos, where you’ll find numerous bars and clubs. Some firm favorites include Diamonds Bar, Buddies Bar, and Fiction.

Gay Beaches in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is a small island with diverse landscapes and endless beaches. Namely, on its 236km of shore, you can find 60km of sandy beaches for every taste. The two most popular gay beaches are Maspalomas Beach and the Playa del Inglés, in the Maspalomas region.

The Canarian shore is organized in various sections easily distinguished with numbered beach kiosks. At the Playa del Inglés, the gay area is at kiosk nº7 (commonly known as “el siete”), where nudism is widespread although not obligatory. The official nudist site is in kiosk nº4, although LGBT+ travelers tend to establish themselves around kiosk nº7.

Both Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles were famous for low-budget holidays. Lately, however, with the opening of top five-star hotels, it has started to attract more rich holidaymakers.

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Nightlife in Gran Canaria

Over there, you will find diverse, top-quality, and safe nightlife. It is one of the must-visit hotspots on the European LGBTQ nightlife circuit, with many places to enjoy theme nights, shows, and parties.

We will only go into a few details here because there are too many good pubs and clubs. So, it is always best to ask the locals. They will for sure know how to direct you to the right one.

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Gay Bars & Clubs in Gran Canaria

In the surroundings of Playa del Inglés, you can find the epicenter of the island’s gay life. At the Yumbo outdoor shopping mall, you can find most LGBT+ bars, restaurants, and clubs of Gran Canaria. Here are a few recommended bars and clubs to check out (and they are all open seven days a week!)

Tubos Bar: Located on Yumbo’s fourth floor, northeast corner, the Tubos Bar is a quasi-mandatory stop for the youngest party-goers. It is also a great spot to begin the night. On its interior, you will find a long corridor through which you can access the Mykonos Bar, another great option to start the night off.

Fiction Bar: The fiction bar is the epitome of its name. Everything here feels unreal. The staff is hot and near-naked. They handpicked their drinks to ensure you have the best as the music swipes you away to the dance floor.

Mykonos Bar: Located between Tubos Bar and Mantrix Club, Mykonos Bar is one of Yumbo’s eldest bars. It has dancing and cruising areas with private cabins and a dark room. With awesome pop music and the friendliest (and cutest!) bartenders around, Mykonos has become one of the area’s most popular bars.

Parrots Pub Gran Canaria: Located on Yumbo’s ground floor, Parrots is a modern terrace bar with nearly 50 cocktails to enjoy when the night begins. With a very diverse client base, at Parrots, you can enjoy a cocktail or special beer on the terrace while you check out the local offer for men!

Mantrix Disco Club: After enjoying a few drinks, you start to feel the dancing fever; look at Mantrix Disco Club, located on Yumbo’s fourth floor. Its resident and international DJs have managed to make this club one of the most popular among the LGBT+ population of the island. And if you not only want to dance but also have some adult fun, check out their cruising area with private cabins and a dark room. The night is young, dear!

Bunkers Sex Bar: For adventurers and fetish lovers, we recommend Bunkers Sex Bar, an exclusively gay club on Yumbo’s ground floor. On its astonishing three floors, you can find dark rooms, play areas, private cabins, swings, fisting beds, and much more. They celebrate different specific parties throughout the year, such as Fetish Week, the Bear Carnival, and the Winter and Summer Prides. Inside the club, you can find lockers to store your clothes and belongings while having fun safely. There is no specific dress code, although fetish, casual, or naked are always welcome.

Exclusive LGTBQ Accommodation

Are you looking for gay hotels in Gran Canaria? Suppose you’re looking for a gay hotel in Playa del Inglés. You might want to find somewhere close to the Yumbo Centre – where most gay bars are. It’s marked on the Gay Welcome accommodation map. You can easily see which gay hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and bungalows are nearby.

There are a few good 4-star hotels in Play del Inglés – and you will also find quite a few apartments and other holiday homes for rent. In the Maspalomas and Meloneras areas, which have seen the most development in recent years, there are now many good five- and 4-star hotels. There’s no central gay center here, so any of these would be OK to stay in. Most of these are very gay-friendly. If you’re staying in Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, book into one of the larger hotels that look out over the Playa de Las Canteras. Las Palmas is an excellent place for a holiday, with all the restaurants, shopping, and nightlife you could want. Don’t forget, however, that most gay bars are in Playa del Inglés, 45 minutes away by taxi.

AxelBeach Maspalomas: Axel Hotels is the captain of gay accommodation in Spain. As such, it is no surprise that they have representation in the gayest island of the Canarian archipelago. AxelBeach Maspalomas’ 92 modern. Apartments are fully equipped and located a few feet from Playa del Inglés.

Rainbow Golf Bungalows, Gay Men-only Resort, is in a quiet part of Maspalomas, a 20-minute walk from the famous dunes. Additionally, it offers an outdoor pool and a free Wi-Fi zone. Each modern bungalow features a furnished terrace at the front and the back.

Birdcage Gay Men Resort and Lifestyle Hotel; Aimed at gay men, the 4-star Birdcage G ay Resort men-only Lifestyle Hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Yumbo Centre in Playa del Inglés. It is set in tropical gardens and features a nudist-friendly outdoor pool, hot tub, hammock, and spa area. You can choose between deluxe rooms and suites, some with a private garden and sun loungers.

The best time to travel to Gran Canaria?

Gran Canaria is a sunny and entertaining destination. The weather here is sunny and warm all year long. That’s why it is a natural paradise for those who enjoy beaches and water sports. The best time to go to Gran Canaria is from May to October (May to October).

Getting to Gran Canaria

Due to being such a popular destination, the island is served by many inexpensive charter flights, low-cost airlines, and national flag carriers. The airport is well-connected to almost every European country year-round.

If you have time to spare, try the Spanish ferry company Naviera Armas, which offers several routes to Gran Canaria from mainland Spain and the autonomous city of Melilla on the north coast of Morocco.

Getting Around Gay Gran Canaria

Renting a car is the best way to get to know the island. However, Gran Canaria has good public transport. The bus company Global offers routes around the island, with inexpensive hourly departures to and from Maspalomas to the airport.

Official taxi services equipped with a taxi meter using official prices approved by the local government are also at your disposal at the airport, and they all accept credit cards.

With water temperatures that vary from 18C in the winter to 22C the rest of the year, sailing around the island can be an enjoyable way to see Gran Canaria from the sea. Several companies offer sea trips, including dolphin and whale watching and deep-sea fishing.

Suppose you are in a hurry or get seasick quickly. In that case, air services between the islands are offered by Binter and Islas Airways. To move between islands, use Gran Canaria’s affordable ferry services – Fred Olsen, Trans Mediterranea, and Naveira Armas.

Gay Tours in Gran Canaria

If you’d like to explore Gran Canaria island, you should check out one of these tours, including walking, quad, and sailboat tours throughout the island and its stunning shore. With expert LGBT+ local tour guides, you can discover the landscape at your own pace, find an answer to your burning questions, and learn about the island and its LGBT+ community.

Gay vacations in Gran Canaria – final words

We recommend visiting this island once in our lifetime. If not for the natural beauties, then at least for the lavish gay lifestyle this island offers. If we still need to include something, please write it in the comments below. We’d namely love to hear your thoughts about this spectacular island.

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