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Last updated: Friday October 10,
2008
IMPORTANT NOTE: A number of travel companies in the UK
targeting the gay and lesbian traveller have gone out of business or have
lost their "bonding" schemes in recent weeks. For your protection,
make sure that the company you book with is part of the "ATOL Protected"
scheme, which guarantees repatriation at no extra cost should an airline or
other company go out of business while you are abroad. Additionally,
the ATOL scheme guarantess you money back if you have paid and have yet to
travel. Additionally, it is best to make payment using a major credit
card - debit cards provide no protection.
Gran Canaria is one of the "gayest" places on earth and
certainly rivals Key West and other resorts in the USA. It is Europe's
hedonistic haven of homos, famous for the Yumbo Centre and infamous for the
sand dunes at Maspalomas which has been described as "a
Saharan cruising ground which you just can’t avoid if you decide to attempt
the twenty minute stroll to the gay beach by bar number seven."
The island itself is roughly the size of Greater London,
with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the north the principle town. The
island has excellent beaches and in the centre the mountains reach 6,000
feet. The main "gay" area is in Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés
Climate: Sub-tropical.
Described by USA Today as "one of the (places) with the best climate
in the world". In summer, the 'trade winds' keeps the temperature down to a
comfortable level. Sun factor is high. Average maximum
temperatures range from 28ºC in August to 22ºC
in December and January. Sea temperature is around 22ºC
in summer and 18ºC in winter. Click
here for current in Las Palmas weather from The Weather Channel.
Shopping:
While not strictly a "duty free" area,
prices are often up to 30 per cent cheaper than on mainland Europe,
especially on perfumes, cosmetics, tobacco, alcohol and, to a lesser
extent, electronic apparatus and motor vehicles.
Beware of "fake" designer clothes. Also note that Customs
"rules" are the same as for a foreign (non-European Union) country when
returning home - so 200 cigarettes etc. maximum!
There are shopping areas in all the towns and
cities on the island, although one finds the biggest number in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, one of the most notable being the traditional and bustling
shopping area of Triana, where you can admire all the historic buildings
that house an enormous variety of shops on their ground floors.
El Corte Inglés is the main department store in Las
Palmas de Gran Canaria - the "Selfridges" of Gran Canaria
Yumbo Centre: Forget any
architectural values of this concrete pink monster in Playa del Inglés! It's what is inside
that really matters. By day it is just a normal sort of shopping area, with
everything from cafés to banks and loads of "touristy" stuff. But at night, it transforms into a
huge gay entertainment centre with the 30 or so gay bars and clubs all
competing for your attention (your Euros really!) by turning up their sound
systems. You will find so-called leather bars (a leather wallet seems
to qualify), places for the "pretty things" and those who think they are
pretty, and everything in between. Note that in the listings below,
the floor level is given in international numbering (ground floor in UK is
1st floor in Gran Canaria)
 indicates
a gay establishment
* indicates an establishment listed below is not gay
Have you anything to say about Gran Canaria?
Perhaps you have knowledge of one of the listing below and would like to
give your view. Or you may think we should list somewhere Send us
an email and we will include your thoughts
Gay Information
( Pride : May each year)
Festival del Sol: 2nd International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
- Annual Event in January
Local Gay Magazines
Gay
Granca. Now ceased publication
Weddings and Blessings
Celebrations.
website
A Celebrations event is the perfect choice for any
couple that wants to make their big day a memorable experience and there is
no where other than Gran Canaria.
Churches
St. Sebastian's Church, Gran Canaria. Contact
details on
website
St Sebastian's Inclusive Church in the Canaries is a vibrant, open and
welcoming Christian fellowship that offers a warm welcome to all people.
Hotels and Villas
* Club Hotel Riu, Maspalomas. (
928-56-30-00
website
An "all inclusive" resort hotel with more than 600 en-suite rooms. All
meals and local alcoholic drinks are included in the price, along with the
free use of many of the hotel's sports and recreational facilities which
include three swimming pools. Situated on the beach very close to the
dunes. Gay-friendly.
Club Mancha, 18 C/Irlanda, Playa del Inglés. (
(UK +44) (0)134 231 9152
website
A new (opened in March 2007) exclusively gay "resort" a stone's throw from
the Yumbo Centre. Self-contained bungalows contain satellite
television with DVD player, microwave oven and at a small extra charge room
safe. Bungalow costs from around €60 (£41) a night
Club Tucanes, 2 locations in Playa del Inglés (both adjacent to
Yumbo Centre) and one in Maspalomas.
( 928-76-05-58
website
A bungalow for one or two costs from €52 (£35) to €100 (£67) a room a day,
depending on season. Self catering. All units have bedroom, separate living
area, kitchenette and private bathroom as well as a private terrace with
patio furniture. Club Tucanes Playa is currently closed for a
"makeover" and will reopen in early September 2007 - Club Tucanes Beach Boys
is unaffected (added July 2007).
Exclusively gay
Club Vista Bonita, Maspalomas. Book through London office ( (
0208-421- 9382)
website
20
well-furnished duplex apartments with a living room, a kitchen with breakfast
bar and a downstairs toilet. The lounge area opens out onto your own
private, fully furnished patio. Upstairs, you’ll find the bedroom with
fitted wardrobes and either twin beds or a double bed, and a fully fitted
bathroom. Price is around £285 for two weeks (per person, based on two
sharing). Self catering. You have to provide your own flights to Gran
Canaria. Exclusively gay.
Eugenia Victoria, Avda. de Gran Canaria,
26, Playa del Inglés. (
928-76-25-00.
website
Sample price, based on 2 adults sharing for two weeks in July €1,120
(£755). Majority of hotel guests are gay
Pasion Tropical. Calle Las Adelfas 6, Playa del Inglés. (
928-77-01-31 website
A resort with "personality"
where you can get away from mass tourism. The nightlife of Play del
Inglés is just 5 minutes away by taxi. Studios from €76 to €85
(£51 - $57) per day per studio, depending on season. Apartments
from €85 to €99(£57 - £66) per day per
apartment. Prices include continental breakfast and use of all facilities.
Not included are transfers to/from airport or use of safe boxes.
Exclusively gay
* Paraiso Golf 7. Maspalomas
website
A luxury bungalow in Maspalomas that sleeps up to six. Recently
extended and refurbished by private English owners. Set in a private
complex of 15 bungalows (with private complex pool), Paraiso Golf 7 is in a
quiet residential area, but close to Playa del Inglés, the Yumbo and the
Dunes. For those who want the "quieter" holiday, with perhaps some golf at
the nearby club. From £350 a week (as at January 2008). Full details on website.
Gay-friendly.
Clubs/Bars
Bar Rendezvous, Yumbo Centre (1st floor - ground), Playa del Inglés.
website
Formally Bar Ibiza, the Rendezvous is now owned by British ex-pats Adam and
Dave. As for the name Bar Rendezvous, simple really, it is
a meeting point where you can relax with your friends and make new ones
while listening to background music and watching videos, both on the new
large projector screen on the inside back wall or on the small plasma screen
on the terrace. Open every day from 19.30 until late. Free Wi-Fi
internet.
Detox Retox, Avenida de Tirajana 9,
Playa del Inglés.
( 928 767 459
website
Stylish gay bar just five minutes from the Yumbo Centre.
Open daily from 6.30pm to 2am (closed Mondays) for spirits, cocktails,
wines, beers and coffee etc.
Heaven, Yumbo Centre (3rd floor), Playa del Inglés.
( 928-77-17-30
website
One of the most famous gay nightclubs in the world! Things don't get
going until after midnight, but the party continues until breakfast time.
Drinks promotions and stage acts. Closed on Sunday and Mondays in
winter.
Jackie's Bar, Yumbo Centre (first floor), Playa del Inglés.
website
The only lesbian bar in the Yumbo. Gay men are always welcome!
The
perfect place to relax, chill out, watch the world go by, dance, party, meet
friends old and new, watch music DVDs, or taste one of their "infamous
cocktails".
Pub Nestor, Yumbo Centre (first floor), Playa del Inglés.
( 928-76-62-66
website
Landlords Barry and Stuart owned Nestor for 14 years, but in the summer of
2004 they retired, with Holger taking over. No fears about this
becoming a "German" bar as the new owner intends to keep it "English". Every
Wednesday Sunday Miss Beverley Hills is the host for the quirkiest gay game
show on the island - "Open The Box" - that raises money for local AIDS
charities. and Open daily from 7pm to 2.30 am.
Adonis, Yumbo Centre (first floor).
Very popular bar for the youngish
Cruise, Yumbo Centre (second floor)
( 928-76-34-53
website
Gran Canaria's best leather bar opened in June 1994. Opens from 11pm
to 6am daily.
La Belle Showbar, Yumbo
Centre (ground floor) website
Drag cabaret. Open nightly from 9pm.
Paul has pointed out that the link to the La Belle Showbar website no
longer works so this has been removed. It could be that the
establishment has now closed down, or has a new name.
Rick emailed on June 9, 2005 to say that La Belle Showbar is still in
business. "It is running as strong as ever," he wrote. By that
we assume he had a great time there in Graham's establishment!
Restaurants and Cafés
Gran Café Latino, Yumbo Centre (first floor)
( 928-76-12-66
A café with a Latin touch that is popular with the younger crowd.
La Candela, Yumbo Centre (second floor).
( 928-77-23-80
Spanish and Italian cuisine. Open from 6.30pm to 12 midnight
* Mambo Nº 5, Avenida de Trajana 3.
Plaza, Yumbo Centre (first
floor)
( 928-76-72-57
English café. Open 10am to 7pm
* Restaurante Bali, Avenida de
Tirajana, Plays del Inglés.
( 928-76-32-61
webpage
A touch of Bali on Gran Canaria. Authentic Indonesian cuisine and
decor. Comprehensive wine list. Menus and prices are on website. Open from 12.30pm to 4pm and from 6pm to 12 midnight.
Valentine's, Yumbo Centre
(second floor)
( 928-77-06-48
Open daily, except Mondays) from 7.00pm to 1am
Bookshops/Video
DG's Pride Shop, Yumbo Centre (first floor)
( 928-14-80-04
Sex shop with toys, videos and DVDs
Man's Garage, Yumbo Centre (4th floor).
( 928-77-30-86
Sex shop with videos, DVDs. Open 12 noon to 7pm and 8pm to 3am
Underground, Yumbo Centre (first floor)
( 928-76-74-19
Sex shop. Open 6pm to 2am
Fitness/Massage
MuscleRob, Playa del Inglés. (
636 90 30 09 website
Certified Personal Trainer and Sports Masseur in Playa del Inglés.
The following services are offered:
Sports
Massage, Swedish and therapeutic massage, Indian face and head massage, deep
tissue massage, relaxing anti-stress massage and back/shoulders/back
treatment. Studio or home/hotel visits. Massage from
€30; personal training from €150 for five session of one hour each..
Saunas/Bathhouses
Construction, CITA Centre (basement), Playa del Inglés.
( 928 76 84 76
website
Open daily from 6pm to 4am. Admission
€15, which includes one free drink.
Heroes, Yumbo Centre (4th floor) Playa del Inglés.
( 928 77 47 70
website
This new sauna (opened May 2007) is the largest on Garn Canaria, boasting
over 350 square metres full of features
dedicated entirely to your
pleasure and enjoyment. All the usual
features and free private cabins. Open 4pm to 4.30am (Sundays to
Thursdays) and 6am (Fridays and Saturdays). Admission
€12.
Click
HERE for a free entry coupon courtesy GranCanariaGay.com.
Sauna Nilo, Centro Commercial Nilo, Playa del Inglés.
( 928 76 54 64
website
Open daily between 20:00 and 02:00. Features include a sauna, steam
room, 14 private rooms, cinema room, massage, bar. Entrance €12, with
room €17, VIP room €22 (note price increases 2007)
Sauna Portugal, C/ Portugal 27, Las
Palmas
( 928 227 284
website
Open daily 4pm to midnight. Entrance €12
(Wednesdays €8). Under 24, €8 with passport or drivers licence.
Free buffet on last Saturday of the month.
Things To Do
* Dive Academy (for postal address
see website)
( 928-73-61-96 (or 696-76-03-96
mobile) website
Dive Academy is
a 'Padi' 5 Star IDC Center and Gold Palm Resort. Its also Europe's most
southerly dive centre. Learn to dive here - beginners welcome and the
Academy has its own large and private training pool. For the experienced,
scuba diving from a boat or from the shore are available. Gay
friendly.
Gay Catamaran Boat Trips.
( 928-76-62-66
website
Hello sailor! Fancy a camp day out at sea? Exclusively gay and
all-day boat trips every Friday. Cost is €45 (£30) which includes a
hot buffet lunch and as much beer, sangria or soft drinks as you can handle.
Book at Pub Nestor.
Gay Beach. Maspalamos (about halfway along the dunes towards Playa
del Inglés). Look out for "Hut 7". You
will know when you are there - and there is a "rainbow" flag flying, if you
take your eyes off all the "all-over" suntans!
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