Gran Canaria Amusement Parks

Gran Canaria is a great place for family days out offering Aqua Parks, Theme Parks, Zoos, a Crocodile Park, camel, quad and jeep safaris, sailing trips ... the list goes on and on. Listed below are some of the most popular places to take the family.

Aqualand is located near Maspalomas and is the largest water park in Gran Canaria. Its pools alone cover an area of 5,300 square metres, with 33 slides and 13 rides including Surf Beach, Congo River, Crazy Race, Kamikaze, Rapids, Winder, Aquamania, Mamut, Adrenalina and Twister. Aqualand has an exotic mini-park Polinesia, mini-golf, self-service restaurants, a pizzeria, coffee bars, shops, changing rooms and extensive garden areas. Opening hours: daily from 10.00 to 18.00 www.aqualand.es

Ocean Park is the smallest water park on the south coast located about 300 metres from the Holiday World funfair in Maspalomas. It covers an area of 25,000 square metres with 13 different slides, several swimming pools (including a large wave pool) restaurants, snack bars and shops. Opening hours: daily from 10.00 to 18.00

Aqua Park at Puerto Rico is behind the commercial shopping centre. It has several slides and pools and boasts the longest and fastest slide of all the water parks on the island, as well as kamikazes, a kindergarten and a restaurant which is very good value for money. Opening hours: daily from 10.00 to 17.30 during the winter and until 18.30 in the summer

Palmitos Park in Maspalomas is one of Gran Canaria’s most popular family attractions standing in a subtropical oasis in a valley of palm trees. Palmitos Park has more than 200 species of birds, including tiny hummingbirds, toucans, peacocks, hornbills, cranes, flamingos and macaws as well as an aquarium, butterfly house, a cacti garden and an orchid house. www.palmitopark.es

It puts on breathtaking bird of prey shows where eagles, owls and peregrine falcons swoop down over the audience in free flight as well as parrot shows, where you can see these intelligent birds perform an amazing variety of tricks from riding bicycles to painting pictures and counting to ten. Opening hours: daily from 9.30 to 18.00

Holiday World at Campo Internacional in Maspalomas has a traditional fun fair with a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, laser drome, shooting stalls and seal and parrot shows. Holiday World has a leisure centre with a bowling alley, amusement arcades, a high-tech gym and various cafés and restaurants as well as two night clubs. www.holidayworld-maspalomas.com

Sioux City in Cañón del Aguila, San Agustín is a replica of a Wild West town with typical houses, a church, a ranch, a bank and a saloon. There are plenty of attractions to watch recreating the American Wild West including 'duel until death', 'bank robbery', 'saloon fight', 'town square hanging', 'Indian rain dance' and Mexican acrobats performing stunts involving lassos, whips and knives. Sioux City has an Indian reservation and a small zoo with some cute animals for younger children. Opening hours: from 10.00 to 17.00 except on Mondays. www.siouxcity-grancanaria.com

Cocodrilo Park on Carretera del Hoyo, Tocodomán, San Nicolás de Tolentino has the largest collection of crocodiles in Europe. You will see about 300 crocodiles, species of tropical fishes, the ‘Parrot Show on Treasure Island’ and a cacti garden in this unusual animal park. Opening hours: Sunday to Friday from 10.00 to 18.00

Pueblo Canario is located within the Parque Doramasin Las Palmas. It is a Canary Village with a complex of several traditionally built island houses with the famous wooden carved balconies, gates, turrets and an atrium. The village has a large central square where twice weekly folklore shows take place. It is surrounded by shops selling local handicrafts and the Bodegón (wine bar) Canario, where you can taste typical Canary cuisine. Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 to 20.00 – Sunday 10.30 to 14.30

If you are planning to explore the area outside of the city centre and play some golf or go to some of the more out of the way beaches then you might consider hiring a car. There are a number of car hire firms based at Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Airport who will be pleased to have a vehicle awaiting your arrival. This also cuts down on transfer costs for you and your family.

We also provide information on sporting and leisure amenities in Gran Canaria which includes a Gran Canaria Area Guide with the best Gran Canaria Shops, Gran Canaria Markets, Gran Canaria Golf Courses, where to find Gran Canaria Beaches, recommended Gran Canaria Restaurants, Gran Canaria Amusement Parks for great family days out and Gran Canaria Local Attractions.