Bahia Feliz Holidays

Life in Bahia Feliz is slow and relaxed. You might amble down to the beach and enjoy a day in the gorgeous sunshine, or take a stroll around the little town, popping into shops and cafés. The beach in Bahia Feliz is secluded and delightfully intimate, but you’ll find huge stretches of sand in nearby Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. If you’ve got the kids with you, take them for a fun-filled day at the water park in Maspalomas, or head inland to Palmitos Park, which has dolphin shows and butterfly houses. The spectacular golden dunes in Maspalomas are a protected nature reserve – catch a sunset, if you can. For some action, take a flying lesson or a helicopter tour from the nearby aerodrome. If you’re in the mood to sightsee, head to Las Palmas, which is stuffed with shops, bars, museums and cultural attractions and is just 40 minutes away by car.

The Canaries are one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations and have years of experience catering to international visitors. Bahia Feliz is a small resort, but it offers a wide range of options to suit everyone. This means that you’ll find cuisines from all around the world, whether you’re looking for a taste of home, something more exotic, or want to try local specialities. Tasty Canarian dishes include delicious fresh seafood, from sea bass and sea bream, to more unusual varieties, such as wreckfish and parrot fish. You could also try the succulent meat stews, made with chicken, beef or rabbit, and the papas arrugadas, ‘wrinkled potatoes’, served with spicy mojo sauce. Finish up with the almond-and-honey dessert, bienmesabe.

The beach in Bahia Feliz is quiet and shallow - ideal if you’re travelling with younger kids. Older kids will really enjoy the facilities for water sports: the town is well known for windsurfing and there’s a school right on the beach that offers equipment rental and courses. For long, sandy beaches, hop on a bus to neighbouring Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés: the beaches are marvellous, but you might be glad to leave the bright lights and bustle behind at the end of the day, when you return to quiet, family-friendly Bahia Feliz. There are plenty of fun day trips within a short drive, including a water park in Maspalomas (10 minutes by car). They could also play at cowboys in Sioux City (5 kilometres away), spend the day with the dolphins, parrots, and birds of prey at Palmitos Park (25 minutes’ drive) or feed crocodiles at the Crocodilo Park and Zoo (20 minutes away).

Despite being an appealingly sleepy resort, Bahia Feliz still offers plenty for the adrenaline junkie. You could go windsurfing or kite-surfing (there is a school offering equipment rental and courses right on the beach), or even take to the skies and treat yourself to a flying lesson at the local aerodrome. At nearby San Agustin, the water is great for bodysurfing, and Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés offer facilities for every conceivable water sport. Inland, you’ll find some spectacular trekking in the mountains – there’s an easy hike up to Roque Nublo, which is rewarded by stunning views that encompass the mighty volcanic peak of Teide on Tenerife, or you could enjoy some stiffer walking in the Pilancones nature reserve.

The beach in Bahia Feliz is a typical Canarian volcanic beach with a mixture of sand, shingle and pebbles. You’ll appreciate a decent beach mattress if you’re planning on doing some serious sun-bathing. The beach shelves gently, making it ideal for families with younger children, and you’ll find a smattering of bars and restaurants within a short stagger from your beach towel. This is a popular spot for windsurfing and kite-surfing, and you can rent equipment or take courses from the surf centre on the beach. There are lots of other beaches within easy reach, including the huge sandy expanses at Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés (which both offer a host of water sports facilities). Closer to hand, the smaller beach at San Agustin has been awarded a Blue Flag, has lots of amenities, and is also a great option for bodyboarding and surfing.

Nightlife in Bahia Feliz is laid-back and relaxed. You can enjoy a local beer or a glass of wine on the seafront, then take a stroll through the little town to find a traditional tapas bar. There is one major nightlife attraction: Garbo’s dinner show, where the waiters will entertain you in spectacular style. If you’re looking for some serious nightlife (safe in the knowledge you can return to your quiet hotel to recuperate the next day), hop in a taxi to nearby Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés. These are major resorts with a whole slew of bars, clubs and attractions, including (particularly in Maspalomas) plenty for the LGBTQ community.

Peace and quiet, oodles of charm, and a pretty little bay make Bahia Feliz an ideal destination for spending a relaxing and romantic holiday with your partner. It’s called ‘Happy Bay’ after all! You can take a stroll over the rippling dunes at nearby Maspalomas, a protected nature reserve, and watch them turn to gold as the sun sets. Enjoy an evening cocktail, feet in the sand, on the seafront, followed by a romantic dinner in one of the delightful restaurants or tapas bars. Or, if you’re in the mood for some grown up fun, head into Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés for a fantastic choice of bars, cluns and nightlife – they’re both only a 10-minute taxi-ride away.

If you want to learn more about the ancient culture that once inhabited this island, don’t miss the fascinating Cueva Pintada (Painted Cave) in Gáldar, about an hour’s drive from Bahia Feliz. This is one of the most important archaeological sites on the island, with rock paintings dating back millennia. In Las Palmas, the lively island capital, you’ll find a host of fascinating cultural attractions, from the former home of Christopher Columbus, where you can learn all about his history-changing expeditions, to the 21st-century bells and whistles at the entertaining Elder Museum of Science and Technology. Also in Las Palmas is the Pueblo Canario, which is a recreation of a traditional Canarian village and has displays of folk-dancing and local music. You can also visit Vegueta, almost swallowed up by the capital, which preserves many of its 15th-century streets and houses, and is full of atmosphere and charm.