June 15, 2012 – Purple Travel Official Blog

Top Canaries Beaches: Best beaches Gran Canaria

Jun 15 2012

The third part in our guide to the beaches of the Canary Islands. You won’t go wrong with a trip to the best beaches in Gran Canaria.

Finding your perfect beach can be like finding your soulmate; some trawl the Internet, running the risk of only finding the creepy ones, some end up lying down on the first one they see and others try out a few before settling on one that’s not already had every other tourist in sight.

Luckily, the best beaches Gran Canaria has something for everyone: there are the lively and alternative sorts, the quiet and peaceful types and even some nudists, romantics and wild partiers. In fact, finding your sandy soulmate has never been easier. So don’t get caught up in the rat race, just follow this simple guide for a beach life that’s nothing but bliss:

Playa de Maspalomas
Don’t be put off by the fact that Playa de Maspalomas is one of Gran Canaria’s most popular beaches. With 4 miles of desert-like white sands, it can be enjoyed by almost anyone, from families to homosexuals, nudists to quiet types.
This beach is for you if… you’re a bit of a playa yourself.

Playa del Ingles
A continuation of Playa de Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles provides plenty of opportunity to get stuck into some watersports. Enjoy water skiing, jet skiing and windsurfing or take a walk down Paseo Maritimo, a street filled with heaps of restaurants, bars and shops, specially tailored to all your tourist needs.
This beach is for you if… you like an athletic beach, with a good stamina.

Playa de Puerto Rico
A crescent of sand, brought over from the Sahara desert, situated in Gran Canaria’s sunniest spot. This beach is a real paradise for sun worshippers and thrill-seekers alike, doubling up as a subtropical garden of outstanding watersport offerings, such as the eminent dolphin safari.
This beach is for you if… you like exotic types.

Playa de los Amadores: Just 20 minutes from Playa de Puerto Rico is the Playa de los Amadores, a.k.a. the Lovers’ Beach. This well-protected cove boasts half a mile of golden sand and a sea od crystal clear water.
This beach is for you if… you’re a hopeless romantic.

If you fear that you might miss your beach too much during the winter months, remember that Gran Canaria boasts a subtropical climate, with water temperatures lying between 18 and 22 degrees Celcius all year round, so there’s more than enough reason to revisit your holiday fling.

Purple Pick: Post Exam Holidays

Jun 15 2012

Hours of study? Check. No social life for months? Check. Itching to get out and party? Double check. We’ve been thinking the exact same thing ourselves. There are plenty of places to go for a last minute get away for a bit of sun, sea and sand. But, of course there are things that make that post exam holiday extra special, how about foam parties, bangin’ tunes and great cocktails? From what we’ve heard that’s what makes your cheap holiday in the sun extra special. So grab your mates and head off to the sun for a few weeks of completely getting away from it all.

Here are some of our top picks for Post Exam Holidays…

Beach shoes (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

Beaches, babes and tunes: Greece has long been a favourite with revellers looking to unwind and Zante AKA Zakynthos is probable one of the most well known. You’ll find a belter of a deal on the Greek Islands as now more than ever there is a big drive to get tourists in. The weather is a big part of it; think the mid 30s from June onwards. Laganas has its own mile long strip of bars, clubs and restaurants so you can try a different one (or more!) every night. Lounging on the beach with a cocktail is the perfect way to recover after the night before.

Superclub superfans: Well, it’s said Ibiza is the home of the superclub, so if you want awesome nights that last ‘til dawn, then this Balearic Island is well worth a go. Amnesia is home to the legendary Cream parties, with residents like Paul Van Dyk and Deadmau5. While, Space in Playa d’en Bossa attracts crowds from all over the world and it’s won a pile of gongs. There are tonnes of accommodation options on the island so you’ll find something to suit any budget, which leaves more money for spending out on the tiles.

Splash and party: Albufeira in Portugal’s Algarve has everything you want for an awesome holiday. Think gorgeous pools and a beach just minutes away. The New Town is home to a strip that will give you some unforgettable nights out, while the nearby water parks are just as good for kids or grownups. If you’re into your cuisine, there are plenty of tip top restaurants to keep you going, as well as simple takeaway places for eating on the go. A week’s fun in the sun in Portugal and you’ll be ready for anything.

The original party city: Head for Barcelona. Not only will you find great bars and clubs there is a quality city beach to die for. A visit to the Nou Camp (home turf of Barcelona football club) is well worth it, it’s the biggest stadium in Europe! At night the vibrant main street, the Ramblas is perfect for people watching, seeing the sites and maybe making friends.

So, If you’re heading away this year somewhere for a post exam bash, we’d love to hear about it, or if you’ve been away the last while, let us know where!

Ps. A few things to remember, if you go a little further afield, be sure to check with the country you’re visiting, as unaccompanied under 18 year olds can get a grilling, or even end up deported!

Archive - June 15, 2012