Lucy Miller swaps seasonal chills for year-round sunshine with a winter sun fitness holiday family adventure
You know when you just can’t motivate yourself for a workout, especially during the chilly winter months? That’s me, looking out the window, curling up under a blanket and pretending the gym doesn’t exist. So, I decided to chase the sun; I wanted beach runs, open-water swims in crystal-clear sea, Olympic-sized swimming pools and mountain hikes, all with stunning views and a warm 23°C temperature. Is that too much to ask? I didn’t think so. Enter Gran Canaria. Just a 4.5-hour flight from London Gatwick, the beautiful island off the coast of Northwest Africa ticked every box: winter sun, stunning landscapes and the perfect place for some fitness-focused family time.
Settling in
A smooth 30-minute transfer from Las Palmas Airport had us settling into our resort with ease. Our six-day stay had started with an early morning flight and zero time difference, meaning we wasted no time enjoying the heated infinity pool with a sea view at Hotel Marina Suites in Puerto Rico, on the south-west coast.
The hotel had a relaxed sailor theme, and I was blown away by the marina views. The spacious rooms, complete with a kitchenette and living room, felt like home. The kid-friendly pool was perfect for my two little ones to dive into and splash around while I recovered from my morning beach run.
Over the next three days, I kicked off each morning with a run along the beach, followed by beach yoga and a nap on the Balinese beds in the adults-only area. Meanwhile, my kids had a blast playing mini-golf and ping-pong, or at the playground. There’s also a games room and plenty of events, such as face painting and boules, to keep them entertained. After three days of bliss, it was time to move on – and that’s when the real fitness fun started.
Fitness fun
Just a short hop to Mogán, the Anfi Emerald Club offered a quieter, more secluded vibe, and impressively, was carved into the volcanic rock. It screamed ‘fitness camp’ for cyclists, runners and golfers. As soon as I saw the outdoor Olympic swimming pool next to a training rig, I knew this was going to be an active three days.
Both hotels had gyms, but the Anfi Emerald was a Technogym hub with top-of-the-line cardio equipment, pull-up machines, dumbbells, and SkiErgs. But honestly, who needs the gym when you’ve got stunning trails and mountains to explore? Each morning, I stepped out of my room to some of the best views Gran Canaria has to offer. Passing the 18-hole golf course, I’d head down a 6K dirt track leading straight to the beach. After a run, I’d hike up the local mountain for 10 minutes of pure serenity, before diving into the outdoor Olympic pool for a quick 10 laps.
It wasn’t just any swim, though. I worked on my form using the mirrors on the pool floor, with a little help from Isaac Suárez Peña, the manager of the Anfi Sports Academy. He even gave my kids a private 45-minute swim lesson, which had me impressed as they were soon diving with a half-decent form and doing front crawl with noodles in their hands.
Along with the gym and pool, we enjoyed table tennis and yoga classes, while the kids got creative in the kids’ club. If we had more time, I’d have loved to have tried the ‘Energy Training Experience’, a 45-minute functional fitness session.
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Beach life
While you’ll definitely want to pack your fitness kit (and swim cap for those Olympic-pool laps), don’t forget your bikini. Both resorts are perfectly located for soaking up the sun after other activity. Hotel Marina Suites has direct access to the beach, while Anfi Emerald is a short 1.8k stroll, or a 15-minute shuttle ride, away from their beach at Anfi Beach Club. Here, we relaxed on the Balinese beds on Anfi del Mar beach, soaking in the white sand and crystal-clear sea. The kids loved splashing around near the shore, but watch out for the waves if you’re heading into deeper waters, especially if you’re going out on a boat for dolphin and whale watching.
When boarding the Spirit of The Sea boat trip (dolphin-whale.com), I honestly thought I would be fine. We couldn’t wait to go searching for dolphins, turtles and whales. But just 30 minutes into the boat ride, my stomach was doing some pretty crazy somersaults. Despite seeing a pod of performing dolphins as promised, two-and-a-half hours was a bit too much for my stomach to handle and, unfortunately, the waves made me and my son feel pretty green. Although the boat trip was an exciting concept, we both agreed to stick to the safer option of a pedalo, which we enjoyed at Anfi del Mar beach.
Hiring a pedalo from Water Sport Luis Molina, and climbing up and zooming down the slide, was a fun-filled activity for us all – restoring our faith in the sea. It was the perfect way to spend an afternoon, and you get to have a sneaky leg workout too! Who needs a squat rack?
Fine food
With breakfast served in both hotels (Hotel Marina Suites and the Anfi Emerald), the food was delicious and a great way to refuel after morning exercise. Hot made-to-measure eggs at the Marina Suites were protein heaven, and the buffet-style dining at Anfi Emerald was made up of delicious fruits, cereals, and some hot foods like fried eggs and pancakes. A great way to start the day.
Lunch outside overlooking the pools at both hotels came via an extensive menu of salads, burgers and fresh fish, whilst dinner at Marina Suites was a short walk to the town where there were plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. Marina Suites also has a restaurant on-site, but be sure to book early (we didn’t get in there, despite trying to book on the first night).
From my first experience of Gran Canaria, it’s clear that this island isn’t just about sunbathing and sightseeing (although, don’t worry, there’s plenty of that too). For the active mum who wants to train while keeping the kids entertained, this destination really does tick every box.
Whether you’re running along the beach, hiking up volcanic mountains or diving into an outdoor pool workout, Gran Canaria provides the perfect backdrop for staying fit and healthy. With so much to do for all ages, it’s the ideal spot to create lifelong memories for the whole family, while keeping your fitness goals on track.
Lucy travelled to Las Palmas airport from Gatwick London with EasyJet (easyjet.com), which costs from £85.99 one way and takes around four hours. Transfer from Las Palmas airport to both the Hotel Marina Suites and Anfi Emerald is 30-40 minutes. To find out more, visit marinagrancanaria.com and anfi.com
Also try…
For triathletes: Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria
(April 2026, challenge-grancanaria.com)
Situated at Anfi del Mar, the Challenge Mogán race begins at the stunning beach resort of Amadores, which boasts an 800m stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear waters. The 113k course takes racers through wide valleys and deep ravines, descending dramatically from 1,600m above sea level to a coastline lined with cliffs and inviting golden beaches. It’s the perfect blend of athletic challenge and breathtaking scenery. Visit grancanariatribikerun.com for more details.
For walkers: Gran Canaria Walking Festival
(23-26 October, grancanariawalkingfestival.com)
Join hiking enthusiasts from all over the world as you take part in the Gran Canaria Walking Festival. The aim of the festival is to not only to showcase Gran Canaria’s most natural and emblematic sites, but also its culture, historic accommodation and the flavours of the island. A great weekend full of nature, steps, good company and plenty of hills.
For cyclists: EPIC Gran Canaria
(7-9 February, epicgrancanaria.com)
If you love to cycle, the annual EPIC Gran Canaria road cycling event is part of the 2026 Gran Fondo World Tour circuit. Stage one will see participants cycling 115k, including a challenging 12.3k climb to Ayagaures and a 45k stretch to Ayacata, before taking on stage two, a 75k circuit through Tirajana, Arteara and Santa Lucía. Showcasing some of the Canary Islands’ best cycling roads, the event has been a major highlight in Spain since 2018 and is now in its 7th year.
