Gran Canaria
International Dialling Code: 0034
(Currency mentioned on this page is Euros — €, with approx UK Pounds)
XE.com Personal Currency Assistant for current FOREX conversions

There are no restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS. No HIV testing on entry.  See HIV Travellers Website for current Spanish regulations.

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)


 May 6 - 15, 2012
(Parade May 12)

Festival del Sol: International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival - Annual Event in January

Local Gay Magazines/Websites

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.

  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.  Prices star at €52 per person per night. Closed June 1 to July 10, 2011. Transfers to/from airport can be arranged at extra cost.  Minimum booking: three nights.  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 £430 a week (as at March 2011).  Full details on website.  Highly reccomended.  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.

  Chaps,  Cita Centre (opposite Los Almendros), Playa del Inglés.  Website
Open 7 nights a week, Chaps is a nice alternative from the usual mens bar. Newest dvd's playing, fully air conditioned and drinks are reasonably priced. Well worth a visit.

  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.

  Adonis,  Yumbo Centre (first floor). 
Very popular bar for the youngish

  Cruisebar, Yumbo Centre (second floor)  (  928-76-34-53 
  Opens from 11pm to 6am daily.

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. 

* Restaurante Bali, Avenida de Tirajana, Plays del Inglés.  (  928-76-32-61  Website
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

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

  Heroes, Yumbo Centre (4th floor) Playa del Inglés.  (  928 77 47 70 
This new sauna (opened May 2007) is the largest on Gran 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).

  Sauna Nilo, Centro Commercial Nilo, Playa del Inglés.  (  928 76 54 64  Website
Open daily between 19:00 and 02:00.  Features include a sauna, steam room, 14 private rooms, cinema room, massage, bar.

  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 Boat Party.  Website
Hello sailor!  Fancy a camp day out at sea?  Exclusively gay and all-day boat trips every Friday.  Cost is €48 which includes a hot buffet lunch and as much beer, sangria or soft drinks as you can handle.  Book at Bar Fiction in Yumbo Centre.

  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!