After a sunny spring and surprisingly hot summer in London, I was not ready for the temperature to change when September hit. So, before I traded in my bikinis for turtleneck jumpers, I wanted to squeeze in one last beachy trip… and it’s no secret that Gran Canaria’s the perfect destination for some late-summer sun.
Here’s how I spent five sunny days on this Canary Island…
Day 1 – arriving in Gran Canaria
The flight from London to Gran Canaria was under four-and-a-half hours, but it couldn’t feel further from the UK. We hopped in a taxi from the terminal and arrived at our hotel 30-minutes later. We stayed at Lopesan Baobab Resort, a five-star, African-themed resort in Meloneras – and the dreamiest base for our trip.
We were greeted with welcome drinks before checking into our room and I was immediately obsessed with the architecture and decor. I’m a photographer, so ofc I couldn’t wait to snap all the unique details and spaces.
After dropping off our bags, we did a reccy of the rest of the hotel. The resort’s got nine outdoor pools, including family-friendly ones. The main dining area serves buffet-style breakfasts and dinners, with outdoor seating on a deck overlooking the water. Later that evening, we wandered beyond the hotel and found Boulevard El Faro, a nearby prom lined with shops, restaurants and bars. We ended the night at Bandera, sharing tapas and sangria – when in Spain, right?
Day 2 – Puerto de Mogan
When I was planning this trip, Puerto de Mogan kept popping up as a must-visit spot. It didn’t disappoint. It’s easy to see why it’s earned the nickname, ‘Little Venice of the Canaries’. The small fishing village was full of charm, with streets covered in bougainvillea, colourful buildings and a marina dotted with yachts. We stopped for lunch at Restaurante Patio Canario, where we sipped more sangria and shared the most yum black rice, clam and squid paella. After lunch, we strolled through the Insta-worthy streets and finished with a strawberry Ice-cream at Mortonela, before taking the bus back to the hotel.
Day 3 – beach club vibes
Our third day on the island was all about relaxing. After a lazy breakfast at the hotel, we spent the afternoon at El Senador Restaurant & Beach House, a beach club just 15 minutes’ away in Maspalomas. We treated ourselves to one of their Bali huts for €20 each, which were tucked in a quiet spot above the restaurant. This got us access to sun loungers, a dipping jacuzzi and showers – totally worth the price. The beds even came with a safe so we could store our stuff before heading down to the beach. Food and drinks were served directly to our hut, so we spent all afternoon lounging, swimming and soaking up the ocean view – we didn’t have to lift a finger.
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Day 4 – catamaran cruise
It was our last full day, so we booked an exclusive catamaran cruise to switch it up and explore beyond the island’s shores.
We were picked up from the hotel at 10am and were welcomed on board with prosecco and mimosas. With only 12 people in the group, there was plenty of space to spread out and chill while we sailed across the water. During the boat trip, we got to do activities like snorkelling, kayaking and paddle-boarding, and there was even the option to rent jet-skis. We sat down for a delish, fresh-cooked lunch prepared by the crew. Full and happy, we spent the rest of the time sunbathing and making the most of the island views.
The cruise lasted about four hours, then we were dropped back at the hotel to freshen up for our final evening. We returned to Boulevard El Faro to watch the sunset and grabbed dinner at El Cadero, known for its traditional Valencian dishes. We drank wine and shared a fish and seafood paella – the perfect end to the perfect trip.
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Day 5 – home time
Before we knew it, it was already time to pack our bags and catch our flight back to London. We enjoyed one last breakfast from the hotel buffet before grabbing a taxi back to the airport.
Our stay in Gran Canaria was short and sweet, but it was the perfect late-summer escape before autumn rolled in.
If @lian_ireri’s trip sounds like a bit of you, have a look at our Gran Canaria holidays and you can find all their picks on our Insiders Hub.
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Author: @lian_ireri
Last updated: 23/10/2025
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