Puerto de las Nieves, Gran Canaria

Friday, midday

Check into the Cordial Roca Negra (www.becordial.com, double rooms from £85), with its outdoor pool and spectacular location atop rugged sea cliffs above this picturesque fishing village and port.

1pm

Ease down to the centre of the village where a sprinkling of restaurants line the waterfront. The Angor (tel: +34 9285 54109) offers boat-fresh local seafood and is a cut above on service.

3pm

To learn more about the festival that brings this sleepy village alive, head for the Museo de la Rama (Calla Parroco Alonso Lujan 5). The striking large puppets that are paraded through the streets are modelled on some of the colourful inhabitants.

5pm

Head back up the cliffs to the Roca Negra and enjoy a sundowner in the hot tub that sits next to the pool, with a view out towards the Atlantic.

7pm

Slip down to the waterfront to savour more sophisticated fare at Italian-run Ragu (tel: +34-6054 53965). As well as local fish, they offer an array of fresh pasta dishes and delicious specialities from other Canary Islands, such as almogrote (pungent cheese terrine) from La Palma.

Saturday, 10am

The most striking building in town is the Church of the Conception (Plaza Constitucion). Also worth a look is the Ermita de la Nieves, just a stone’s throw from the ocean.

Midday

Head to the Poema del Mar (www. poema-del-mar.com), a spectacular state-of-the-art aquarium opened in January. Enjoy a light lunch in the café or something more substantial in the restaurant. Both boast views over the marine life.

2pm

Explore the Poema del Mar, from its turtles to its hulking sharks. It’s rapidly becoming Gran Canaria’s star visitor attraction.

7pm

Scoff large portions of fresh fish and shellfish among the men who landed it at the Cofradia (Calle Muelle Nieves), which is run by the local fisherman’s co-operative.

Sunday, 9am

Enjoy a splash around the Roca Negra’s thermal circuit before a treatment in their acclaimed spa, or just chill poolside admiring the ocean and mountain views. ■

Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) offer return flights from Edinburgh direct to Gran Canaria from around £77.49.