looking for advice on holidays to canaries

oldfella

looking for advice on best island to visit in sept for 1 week in the canaries....have been to lanzarote which was fantastic.....middle aged couple but like the pubs restaurants etc....what are folks recommendations
thanks

gaillimh

Interested to hear responses to this as considering a week for chill out winter sun beak in early january - covid restrictions permitting.
Anyone able to compare Playa Blanca in Lanzarote with Puerto de Mogan in Gran Canaria?
Looking for somewhere child friendly with good restaurants and both of these seem to fit the bill.

Indestructable

I was in Playa Blanca a few times and have Mogan booked for September. Playa Blanca is much bigger than Mogan. It's a wonderful town, very laid back. No mad nightlife but plenty of late bars. No massive high rise buildings, some very big hotels that fit in nicely along the seafront. Plenty of restaurants, from cheap to expensive. It's flat and walkable. The marina is very stylish.

It's the ideal place for some r and r in the sun. Not sure there is much for kids though.

gaillimh

Indestructable wrote: »

I was in Playa Blanca a few times and have Mogan booked for September. Playa Blanca is much bigger than Mogan. It's a wonderful town, very laid back. No mad nightlife but plenty of late bars. No massive high rise buildings, some very big hotels that fit in nicely along the seafront. Plenty of restaurants, from cheap to expensive. It's flat and walkable. The marina is very stylish.

It's the ideal place for some r and r in the sun. Not sure there is much for kids though.

Thanks for that. Between the beach and pool that'll keep them entertained nicely I think.

Deagol

oldfella wrote: »

looking for advice on best island to visit in sept for 1 week in the canaries....have been to lanzarote which was fantastic.....middle aged couple but like the pubs restaurants etc....what are folks recommendations
thanks

Been to all the large islands and can say without a shadow that Tenerife is the nicest for me. Fuertaventura is just too empty, Gran Canaria is nice but dry and not a huge amount to see if clubbing etc isn't your thing. Lanzarote is very nice, the volcano is very cool - but Teide totally amazes me. The cable car to the top etc is wonderful. Plenty to see during the day and then no shortage of nice places to eat and drink the night away if you're so inclined.

Lmkrnr

Tenerife for the mountains and Grand canaria for the Beach.

Deagol

gaillimh wrote: »

Interested to hear responses to this as considering a week for chill out winter sun beak in early january - covid restrictions permitting.
Anyone able to compare Playa Blanca in Lanzarote with Puerto de Mogan in Gran Canaria?
Looking for somewhere child friendly with good restaurants and both of these seem to fit the bill.

Chalk and cheese. Stayed in Puerto Mogan a few years ago and it was great but pricey. It was mainly a 5* hotel with 4* self catering. Hardly any English / Irish there, was all Finns, Swedes, Russians. I loved it, peaceful and friendly... the old village is very charming. Best dinner I ever had in the little Portuguese restaurant in the sea front... can't go back in case it's gone

Did a day trip to Playa Blanca.. couldn't get out of there fast enough. Burgers, Chips and premiership football in 'Irish' / 'English' pubs... not my scene.

SupaCat95

Pack bird seed... plenty of seed! Take the coal mine tour.

Stratvs

oldfella wrote: »

looking for advice on best island to visit in sept for 1 week in the canaries.

gaillimh wrote: »

considering a week for chill out winter sun beak in early january

For September weather you're good in any of the islands.
For January, your best bet on weather is likely Gran Canaria.

For the more mature traveller, Lanzarote is a good fit. Good choice of pubs/restaurants, PdC in particular is v. popular with the Irish. Everything is close to hand and is not rowdy. Weather & seawater in Sept v good. Lanzarote is what I'd call my "if all else fails you won't go wrong there" island.
Playa Blanca is a nice resort, with the Marina Rubicon hosting market twice weekly but never stayed there even though usually drive for a daytrip any time in Lanz. Some large all-incl hotels with great facilities though all near the beach front. Timanfaya national park is close to PB also for a worthwhile half-day trip.

Tenerife is also very good but I'd stay away from Playa de las Americas and head more up the west cost to Costa Adeje. ( approx 30 mins by car from TFS airport) Tenerife is a lot bigger and busier than Lanzarote. But good walks, cycles if you want. Safe and plentiful beaches and good value in restaurants.
Several water & theme parks easily reached, some with free shuttle buses. You can also easily get to La Gomera from Los Cristianos by fast ferry. Handy for a day trip. The weather in north/east Tenerife seems more cloudy changeable than the south west. Views from Mt Teide (3,700m) are stunning.

Gran Canaria has excellent weather most of the year and Pto de Mogán in particular seems to get the best of it especially in the winter. Beautiful safe horseshoe beach and plenty of restaurants. Mogán is small and the end of the road, so you don't pass through it to anywhere else. Although the tunnels now mean it's only about 45 mins from the airport. Some restaurants can be pricey but Gran Can in general is dearer than the other islands I've found. You will get something for every budget though. It does shut down early. It's not a rockin' at midnight resort. If you want that nearby Puerto Rico has more nightlife and is only a short cab ride away. Mogán does get a lot of daytrippers by boat from the other resorts but on an evening it's lovely and more like Ballycotton in the sun. Steer clear of Playa del Ingles. Maspalomas is ok but beaches v windy and sea can be rough. The dunes are spectacular though and worth a visit just to pretend you're Lawrence of Arabia.

For families, Lanzarote has a few theme parks/water park. Tenerife has a lot of those and sea excursions for dolphin/whale watching off Adeje are great but maybe not in January. The Cordial Mogán Valle apartments in PdM has it's own small water park and evening entertainment and for families the apartments are very spacious and well equipped. There are lots of stairs and lifts though as it's built back into the hillside. Supermarket across the road and 15 min stroll to the seafront. It's been our base in Mogán for many years now (should have been heading there end of next week ). Nearby Taurito has a large water park also.

Fuerteventura what can I say....windy !! Caleta De Fuste would be the most Irish visited part I think. Nice shallow beach and plenty of shops. The south of the island, Jandia is lovely but a lot of accom is all-incl. For those who are into water sports, hiking, cycling it's a great place. But I just want my book and a calm beach nowadays so it's been a while since was there.

Whichever island you go to the welcome is friendly the food good the sea warm and the drink cold. Enjoy.

gaillimh

Stratvs wrote: »

For September weather you're good in any of the islands.
For January, your best bet on weather is likely Gran Canaria.

For the more mature traveller, Lanzarote is a good fit. Good choice of pubs/restaurants, PdC in particular is v. popular with the Irish. Everything is close to hand and is not rowdy. Weather & seawater in Sept v good. Lanzarote is what I'd call my "if all else fails you won't go wrong there" island.
Playa Blanca is a nice resort, with the Marina Rubicon hosting market twice weekly but never stayed there even though usually drive for a daytrip any time in Lanz. Some large all-incl hotels with great facilities though all near the beach front. Timanfaya national park is close to PB also for a worthwhile half-day trip.

Tenerife is also very good but I'd stay away from Playa de las Americas and head more up the west cost to Costa Adeje. ( approx 30 mins by car from TFS airport) Tenerife is a lot bigger and busier than Lanzarote. But good walks, cycles if you want. Safe and plentiful beaches and good value in restaurants.
Several water & theme parks easily reached, some with free shuttle buses. You can also easily get to La Gomera from Los Cristianos by fast ferry. Handy for a day trip. The weather in north/east Tenerife seems more cloudy changeable than the south west. Views from Mt Teide (3,700m) are stunning.

Gran Canaria has excellent weather most of the year and Pto de Mogán in particular seems to get the best of it especially in the winter. Beautiful safe horseshoe beach and plenty of restaurants. Mogán is small and the end of the road, so you don't pass through it to anywhere else. Although the tunnels now mean it's only about 45 mins from the airport. Some restaurants can be pricey but Gran Can in general is dearer than the other islands I've found. You will get something for every budget though. It does shut down early. It's not a rockin' at midnight resort. If you want that nearby Puerto Rico has more nightlife and is only a short cab ride away. Mogán does get a lot of daytrippers by boat from the other resorts but on an evening it's lovely and more like Ballycotton in the sun. Steer clear of Playa del Ingles. Maspalomas is ok but beaches v windy and sea can be rough. The dunes are spectacular though and worth a visit just to pretend you're Lawrence of Arabia.

For families, Lanzarote has a few theme parks/water park. Tenerife has a lot of those and sea excursions for dolphin/whale watching off Adeje are great but maybe not in January. The Cordial Mogán Valle apartments in PdM has it's own small water park and evening entertainment and for families the apartments are very spacious and well equipped. There are lots of stairs and lifts though as it's built back into the hillside. Supermarket across the road and 15 min stroll to the seafront. It's been our base in Mogán for many years now (should have been heading there end of next week ). Nearby Taurito has a large water park also.

Fuerteventura what can I say....windy !! Caleta De Fuste would be the most Irish visited part I think. Nice shallow beach and plenty of shops. The south of the island, Jandia is lovely but a lot of accom is all-incl. For those who are into water sports, hiking, cycling it's a great place. But I just want my book and a calm beach nowadays so it's been a while since was there.

Whichever island you go to the welcome is friendly the food good the sea warm and the drink cold. Enjoy.

Brilliant info thanks very much.
Sounds like Playa Blanca and Puerto de Mogan would both be nice.
You would have a preference for Mogan?
Those Cordial Mogán Valle apartments look nice and very suitable with small kids (ours are 2 and 4).
Thanks again for your reply.

zerosugarbuzz

Over all I think I like Gran Canaria best of the islands. Used to do a winter week there most years and always enjoyed it. You could do worse than check out the Gloria Palace hotels, I’d say amadores or San Agustin areas would work for you. Can’t wait to get back myself.

Stratvs

gaillimh wrote: »

You would have a preference for Mogan?
Those Cordial Mogán Valle apartments look nice and very suitable with small kids (ours are 2 and 4).
Thanks again for your reply.

If the choice was Playa Blanca -v- Pto de Mogán, then for me it would be Mogán.

The Cordial Mogán Valle apartments are very large, as you see on photos and most upper floor balconies seem to have space enough for table & 4 chairs, 2 x loungers sun blinds ( the apartments all face west ) and an outdoor shower in the corner. Bedroom and living areas have ceiling fans which are quite adequate but I think you can upgrade to air con. TV in both bedroom and living area. Kitchen modern, plenty big enough, with another table & chairs, no oven but hob, microwave, etc. Beds are super comfy. Bathroom w large walk in shower. You can do a meal option for a set number of days booked on site if you find heading out awkward with the kids. There is soft play activity area and the mini water park as well as dedicated kids area pool ( and a quiet adult only infinity pool ), terrace snack bar etc. I know there is a kids clubhouse but not sure how extensive that program is. The Superdino is outside the door (google streetview it ) and has everything. The only hassle you may have with buggies is if the apartment is on higher floors you could end up taking 3 lifts but it's a small thing. Never had a problem with noise at night.

The beach in Mogán has separate smoking and non-smoking areas with the usual loungers etc. for hire, showers at the back and toilets. The whole town is super clean. The weekly Friday market ( when operating fully again ) is huge and stretches from the Cordial right to the end of the pier in the marina.

There are YouTubers called "we love canarias" and they do regular walkabouts of the different resort areas in Gran Canaria, they're worth a watch.

gaillimh

Stratvs wrote: »

If the choice was Playa Blanca -v- Pto de Mogán, then for me it would be Mogán.

The Cordial Mogán Valle apartments are very large, as you see on photos and most upper floor balconies seem to have space enough for table & 4 chairs, 2 x loungers sun blinds ( the apartments all face west ) and an outdoor shower in the corner. Bedroom and living areas have ceiling fans which are quite adequate but I think you can upgrade to air con. TV in both bedroom and living area. Kitchen modern, plenty big enough, with another table & chairs, no oven but hob, microwave, etc. Beds are super comfy. Bathroom w large walk in shower. You can do a meal option for a set number of days booked on site if you find heading out awkward with the kids. There is soft play activity area and the mini water park as well as dedicated kids area pool ( and a quiet adult only infinity pool ), terrace snack bar etc. I know there is a kids clubhouse but not sure how extensive that program is. The Superdino is outside the door (google streetview it ) and has everything. The only hassle you may have with buggies is if the apartment is on higher floors you could end up taking 3 lifts but it's a small thing. Never had a problem with noise at night.

The beach in Mogán has separate smoking and non-smoking areas with the usual loungers etc. for hire, showers at the back and toilets. The whole town is super clean. The weekly Friday market ( when operating fully again ) is huge and stretches from the Cordial right to the end of the pier in the marina.

There are YouTubers called "we love canarias" and they do regular walkabouts of the different resort areas in Gran Canaria, they're worth a watch.

Sounds great. I saw on the apartment website that it mentions the pools are heated in winter - would that be your experience?
Not bothered at all for myself, but would be great for my daughters if the pool was somewhat heated.
Cheers

Stratvs

gaillimh wrote: »

Sounds great. I saw on the apartment website that it mentions the pools are heated in winter - would that be your experience?
Not bothered at all for myself, but would be great for my daughters if the pool was somewhat heated.
Cheers

Cant be sure about the lower kids ones as the only one we used is the "quiet pool" that's on level 5/6 We were last there first week of Mar 20 (just before everything hit the fan ! ) and that pool had been refurbed and was definitely heated. Then again we were in the sea in March every day too and that was grand as well.

Mogán is somewhat of a suntrap as you'll see from Google maps, its tucked in it's little valley with the sea at one end and the road out at the other and we've always found it pleasantly warm any time of the year but neither oppressively hot nor too cool.

gaillimh

Deagol wrote: »

Chalk and cheese. Stayed in Puerto Mogan a few years ago and it was great but pricey. It was mainly a 5* hotel with 4* self catering. Hardly any English / Irish there, was all Finns, Swedes, Russians. I loved it, peaceful and friendly... the old village is very charming. Best dinner I ever had in the little Portuguese restaurant in the sea front... can't go back in case it's gone

Did a day trip to Playa Blanca.. couldn't get out of there fast enough. Burgers, Chips and premiership football in 'Irish' / 'English' pubs... not my scene.

Remember the name of that Portuguese restaurant by any chance?
Cheers