Las Canteras beach, with its 3.5km of golden sand sweeping down one side of the city, is the jewel of Las Palmas. However, it is just one of five beaches in the capital city. Here's everything you need to know about them all.

Gran Canaria is not part of the EU Customs Union so allowances are stingy by European standards. On the plus side, prices are low in the Canary Islands thank to low VAT and taxes. 

For serious Gran Canaria shopping, a trip to the capital Las Palmas is always a good day trip. As one of Spain's ten biggest cities it's got the island's biggest malls, one of the country's top outdoor shopping areas and so many authentic cafes and restaurants that you'll struggle to stay focused on the task at hand.

The development of Tauro beach by local firm Santana Cazorla took a step forward this week after Spain's Costas department gave it permission to create a 180 metres artificial beach.