Playa del Ingles (Spain)

Playa del Ingles is the largest resort in Gran Canaria and offers a wealth of facilities for families, couples and the young looking for a lively holiday base. The resort's name actually means Englishman's beach and it truly is a home from home for Brits. And there's over 8km of beach here – plenty of room to soak up the year round sunshine.

The golden sands of Playa de Ingles stretch for 8km from San Augustin to the beautiful dunes of Maspalomas. A lush green promenade with pretty gardens borders the beach and is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll.

Playa del Ingles main restaurants can be found in the many commercial centres dotted throughout the resort. Although for some the surroundings lack charm, the commercial centres offer a huge choice of great value eateries with everything from McDonalds to traditional Spanish tapas.

As with all the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria has a tax free status which means electrical goods, clothes and perfume are cheaper than the UK. The commercial centre of Plaza Maspalomas offers designer clothes and goods at reasonable prices.

Playa del Ingles is a very lively resort which caters well for the young with its famous nightclubs such as Pascha and Cream – located in the Kasbah Centre. Much of the nightlife can be found in the commercial centres with an abundance of karaoke bars and discos, filled to the brim with party goers all night long. Families and couples are catered for too in a couple of the quieter commercial centres. Those wishing to chance their luck can head to the resort's casino located on the edge of town.

With so much to do your biggest problem will be fitting it all in! Gran Canaria offers a myriad of activities with everything from mini golf to diving, waterskiing to windsurfing – all located directly in Playa del Ingles. Families are particularly well catered for with three water parks on the island and Sioux City wild west theme park – complete with cowboys, Indians and wild west shoot outs! Those looking for off the beaten track adventure can enjoy a jeep safari across the untamed dunes and inland plains of Gran Canaria.