A week in Gran Canaria can be the difference between a frazzled family and a genuinely rested one – especially when you go all inclusive and know exactly what you’re getting. A well‑planned 7 day all inclusive Gran Canaria family holiday removes the stress of planning, budgeting every meal and arguing over what to do each day, and replaces it with sun, sand, pools and a simple, repeatable routine that actually works for families.
In this guide, you’ll get a practical, tried‑and‑tested Gran Canaria all inclusive family holiday itinerary you can copy, including where to stay, a realistic 7‑day plan, rough costs, the best time to go and how to book the whole thing as a package. By the end, you’ll know exactly what a “dream week” on the island can look like – and how to make it happen without spending hours on comparison sites.
Why Gran Canaria works so well for families
Gran Canaria hits that sweet spot of easy flights, reliable weather and loads of child‑friendly options without feeling too hectic. As a family destination, it has three big advantages:
- Consistently warm weather for most of the year, especially compared with mainland Europe winter sun options.
- A mix of beaches, dunes, waterparks and gentle day trips, so you can alternate “big days out” with low‑key pool days.
- Strong all inclusive offering, meaning you can control costs and avoid every drink and ice cream becoming a small negotiation.
If you’re used to self‑catering, going all inclusive may feel like a big step. In practice, it gives you a predictable base cost, makes fussy eaters easier to manage and removes the “where shall we eat tonight?” debate after a long day in the sun.
Where to stay: best family bases on the island
Picking the right base is half the battle. The island isn’t huge, but daily transfers and long bus rides with kids can ruin the vibe. For a 7 day all inclusive Gran Canaria family holiday, focus on the south of the island, where the weather is typically better and the infrastructure for tourists is strongest.
Maspalomas & Meloneras
- Great for: Families who want dunes, long walks, a bit more style and easy access to attractions.
- Why it works: Close to the famous Maspalomas dunes, good seafront paths for prams, lots of hotels with big pools and kids’ clubs.
- Typical feel: Slightly calmer than some of the party‑heavy areas, with a mix of families and couples.
Playa del Inglés
- Great for: Families with older kids and teens who want more going on.
- Why it works: Broad beach, plenty of shops and restaurants, loads of accommodation options.
- Typical feel: Livelier, with more nightlife – fine for many families, but not everyone’s first choice.
Puerto Rico & Amadores
- Great for: Families who like sheltered bays and easy access to boat trips.
- Why it works: Horseshoe‑shaped beaches, calm water, lots of apartment hotels and all inclusive options.
- Typical feel: Very holiday‑resort in a “you have everything you need right here” way.
For this itinerary, assume your all inclusive hotel is in or near Maspalomas/Playa del Inglés. You’ll have easy access to dunes, beaches, waterparks and public transport, with most days involving simple transfers.
Your 7‑day Gran Canaria all inclusive family holiday itinerary
Here’s a realistic, family‑friendly 7‑day plan you can follow almost step‑by‑step. Adjust the days to match your flight times and the age of your kids.
Day 1: Arrival, check‑in and pool time
Keep day one simple. After an early start, airport queues and transfers, nobody needs a packed schedule.
- Check in, explore the hotel grounds, find the main pool, kids’ pool and snack bars.
- Have a relaxed late lunch or early dinner on site. Let the kids “discover” the buffet – this alone can feel like an adventure.
- Do a short walk around the local area before sunset, just to get your bearings.
Insider tip: Pack swimwear and a change of clothes in your hand luggage. If your room isn’t ready, you can still hit the pool almost straight away.
Day 2: Maspalomas dunes and beach
Day two is perfect for your first “wow” moment: those iconic dunes. You don’t need a complicated plan.
- Morning: Late breakfast, then head towards Maspalomas beach. Walk along the promenade and let the kids run in the sand.
- Midday: Short stroll into the dunes (without overdoing it in the heat), take your photos, then retreat to the sea or back to the pool.
- Afternoon: Pool time and a quiet hour in the room – nap, screens, books, whatever keeps everyone sane.
- Evening: Early dinner and perhaps the hotel’s mini‑disco or evening entertainment.
This mix of one big highlight plus lots of downtime sets the pattern for the rest of your Gran Canaria all inclusive family holiday itinerary.
Day 3: Waterpark or full “kids’ day”
Depending on your kids’ ages, a dedicated waterpark day is often the highlight of the trip.
- Book tickets and transfers ahead of time if you’re going to a major park.
- Aim to arrive early, grab loungers and set a simple “meeting point” in case anyone gets turned around.
- Let kids pick a few must‑do rides, then take a proper break in the shade after lunch.
If your children are younger or not into big slides, turn this into a “resort fun day”: kids’ club in the morning, then pool games, mini‑golf or a short beach visit.
Day 4: Puerto de Mogán or boat trip
By day four, everyone’s settled, so this is a great time for a gentle day out.
- Option 1 – Puerto de Mogán: Picture‑perfect harbour, pretty streets, relaxed cafes and an easy day wandering and playing on the beach.
- Option 2 – Boat or dolphin trip: Many tours run from Puerto Rico or nearby harbours, with half‑day options that work well for kids.
If your hotel offers packed lunches or early breakfast, make use of it so you’re not scrambling for food before your transfer.
Day 5: Slow day – pool, kids’ club, evening stroll
Do not underestimate the power of a deliberately “nothing much” day in the middle of a family holiday.
- Morning: Late breakfast, then kids’ club or organised hotel activities while adults grab some quiet pool time.
- Afternoon: Pool and snack bar, maybe a short walk to a nearby beach if everyone feels up to it.
- Evening: Explore a different part of the promenade, pick up small souvenirs, then back for dinner and the mini‑disco.
This keeps energy levels balanced and avoids the “we need a holiday after the holiday” feeling when you get home.
Day 6: Light exploration – Las Palmas or inland village
If your family enjoys a bit of culture or variety, plan one more outing beyond the resort areas.
- Las Palmas option: Explore the old town, grab an ice cream, enjoy the city beach and a change of scene.
- Inland option: A short, family‑friendly trip into the hills for different scenery and slightly cooler air.
If your children are very young, you can swap this for a simpler half‑day trip and more hotel time. The point is to add one last “different” memory before you leave.
Day 7: Last dip and departure
Your final day is all about making the most of the resort without stress.
- Early swim or beach walk, last buffet breakfast and a relaxed suitcase‑packing session.
- Keep a small day bag ready with swimwear, snacks and a change of clothes in case you have a late flight and need to check out early.
- Avoid planning anything ambitious – this is about leaving on a calm note, not racing around.
What’s actually included in an all inclusive week?
“All inclusive” can mean different things in different places, so always check the details. For a typical 7 day all inclusive Gran Canaria family holiday, you’ll usually get:
- Accommodation for 7 nights in a family room or apartment‑style room.
- Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus snacks at certain times.
- Local drinks (soft drinks, local spirits, beer, house wine) during bar hours.
- Use of pools, loungers and basic entertainment; some hotels include kids’ clubs and simple activities.
Extras often not included:
- Airport transfers (sometimes they are, sometimes they’re not – check carefully).
- Premium drinks, à la carte restaurants, branded ice creams, waterpark tickets, boat trips and excursions.
- Room safes, certain sports activities and late check‑outs.
When you compare all inclusive with self‑catering, look at your realistic daily spend on food and drinks with kids. Once you factor in snacks, drinks, ice creams and the odd “treat dinner”, all inclusive often works out closer in price than you’d expect – with the bonus that you pay once and then can relax.
Costs and the best time to go
Exact prices change constantly, but it helps to think in simple ranges rather than exact figures.
Rough cost expectations
For a typical family of four (two adults, two children) sharing one room at a mid‑range all inclusive in the south of the island, a 7‑night stay with flights from the UK usually falls somewhere in these bands:
- Off‑peak (e.g. late November, early December, January): often the best value, with good weather and quieter resorts.
- Shoulder seasons (late spring, early autumn): prices climb, but still reasonable and the weather is very reliable.
- Peak school holidays (e.g. August, Christmas/New Year): expect to pay a premium, and book early.
If you’re flexible on dates and departure airport, you can often shave a surprising amount off the total. Mid‑week departures and travelling slightly outside peak school holiday dates can also make a big difference.
Best months for a family trip
Gran Canaria is a year‑round destination, but for a 7 day all inclusive Gran Canaria family holiday, many families find these windows ideal:
- Late October–December and February–April for winter sun without extreme heat.
- May–early July and September for warm, settled weather before/after the main rush.
If you’re travelling with toddlers or babies, the shoulder seasons can be especially comfortable – warm enough for the pool without being overwhelming in the middle of the day.
How to book this as a simple package
Planning each element separately (flights, hotel, transfers, insurance) can be satisfying if you love the process, but it’s not everyone’s idea of fun. One of the easiest routes is to take this Gran Canaria all inclusive family holiday itinerary and book it as a ready‑to‑go package.
Here’s a straightforward way to do it:
- Choose your dates and departure airport
Look at school calendars, your work commitments and how much heat you want. Shortlist a couple of options so you have flexibility on price. - Pick your base resort first, hotel second
Decide whether Maspalomas/Meloneras, Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico or Amadores fits your family best. Then focus on all inclusive hotels in that area so your days out stay simple. - Check what “all inclusive” covers
Read the small print on: drinks, kids’ clubs, Wi‑Fi, pool heating, à la carte restaurants and late check‑out policies. The cheapest option isn’t always the best value once you add extras. - Add transfers and core extras in one go
If your package lets you add private or shared transfers as a simple tick‑box, do it. Fiddling with separate transfer bookings after a long flight is rarely worth the small saving. - Match the included board and location to the itinerary above
- If your hotel is near the dunes, days 2 and 3 are effortless.
- If you’re closer to Puerto Rico, swap one of the “local” days with a beach or harbour day instead.
If you already have a Gran Canaria package booking page, this is where you send readers: “Click here to see live prices for this 7‑night all inclusive Gran Canaria family holiday,” then let them tweak dates and details without having to redesign the whole trip from scratch.
FAQs about Gran Canaria all inclusive family holidays
1. Is Gran Canaria safe for families?
Yes, Gran Canaria is widely considered safe for families, with well‑developed resort areas, good infrastructure and a strong tourism industry. As with any destination, normal common‑sense precautions apply around busy areas and beaches.
2. Is 7 days enough for a Gran Canaria family holiday?
Seven days is a very comfortable length for a family trip. It gives you time for travel days, a couple of “big” outings, several relaxed pool days and at least one memorable day trip without feeling rushed.
3. Do we need to hire a car?
You don’t have to. Many families manage perfectly with transfers, local buses and organised excursions, especially if they stay in the south. A car can be handy if you love exploring or want to visit inland villages, but it’s not essential for a first‑time 7‑day all inclusive trip.
4. Will the food suit fussy eaters?
Most all inclusive hotels in Gran Canaria cater well for children and picky eaters, with familiar options like pasta, chips, simple grilled meats, salad bars and basic desserts. There’s usually enough variety that even cautious kids find a few “safe” favourites very quickly.
5. What should we budget for extras if we’re all inclusive?
Assuming your package includes flights, hotel, meals and local drinks, most on‑the‑spot spending goes on excursions, branded ice creams, souvenirs and perhaps one or two meals out. Setting aside a modest daily “treat budget” works well, then you can decide on bigger extras (like a waterpark or boat trip) in advance.
If you like the sound of this 7‑day Gran Canaria all inclusive family holiday itinerary, the easiest next step is to take this plan and book it as a complete package. Pick your dates, choose your preferred resort and let one booking secure your family’s next week of sun, sand and stress‑free pool days.
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