Maspalomas, located in the south of Gran Canaria, is one of the most developed tourist destinations on the island. It has 17 kilometres of coastline characterised by beautiful soft beach dunes and shallow waters, and its excellent climate makes it an ideal year-round destination.
The fine white sand and wind-sculpted dunes against the blue sea are truly an extraordinary sight. It is the oldest of all the resorts on Gran Canaria and an ideal place to stay regardless of budget. In fact, its location makes it an ideal base for exploring other parts of the island as well.
The desert dunes of Maspalomas, the area’s main attraction, can be reached via a large arched entrance along a short alleyway on Avenida de Tirajana.
Remember to bring a towel and slippers, as the sand can get very hot during the day. Before entering the area, there are kiosks on the beach every 100 metres where you can buy cool drinks.
Maspalomas beach is divided into four areas: the first is ideal for families and children, the second and fourth are nudist areas and the third is very popular with the gay community.
It is a true paradise for all beach lovers, for families with children and for sun worshippers, especially if you want to escape the cold northern European winter!
The beach offers everything you want during a fabulous day on the beach and in the sun. It is indeed huge and wild, but there are all kinds of sports and recreational facilities such as pedalo, jet-ski and diving equipment hire, as well as showers, bars, restaurants and shops.
Bus stops are located near the dunes and camel rides are available in the western part of this magnificent natural attraction. A large free car park is also available.
Just a few metres from the promenade, bathers and hikers plunge into the sand that marks the beginning of the Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve, composed of three ecosystems that run parallel just a few metres from the sea, in a huge natural space of exceptional value.
Tip: At the Maspalomas dunes there are not many shady areas, so it is a good idea to get a parasol so that you can take shelter especially during the hottest hours.
The Maspalomas Lighthouse is located in the extreme south of Gran Canaria. The decision to build it was made in 1861 and it took 28 long years to finish it. At that time, the area was an uninhabited desert cut off from the rest of the island. To build the lighthouse, which is about 55 metres high, a pier with a small ramp was used to unload materials, which could only be brought in by sea.
The lighthouse was lit for the first time on 1 February 1890, and at that time it was the only construction along the coastal strip starting at Playa del Inglés and continuing to the oasis of Maspalomas.
The lighthouse helped guide the steamboats that covered the routes between Europe, Africa and America.
Nowadays, everything around the lighthouse has changed: it is located at the beginning of a pedestrian area that is part of the Meloneras resort, occupied by a series of restaurants and souvenir shops. It is the ideal place to shop and stop after a day at the beach, to go out for dinner or simply to have a drink on the promenade.
As the area of Maspalomas is highly tourist-oriented, numerous amusement and theme parks have sprung up over the years to cater for the needs of the whole family.
Palmitos Park is a beautiful park featuring wildlife such as birds, fish and many other animal species. It is located north of Maspalomas and is suitable for children and families with children of all ages.
It is possible to see orangutans swinging in the branches, toucans on fruit shells and komodo dragons resting on boulders. To find them, you will have to walk along paths full of palm trees, rocks and cacti.
The animals are found within their natural habitats, faithfully reproduced within the park. Some of the most interesting spots are the eagle and parrot shows, but there is also a reptile house and a tropical river with more than 4,000 fish.
You can also stroll through the beautiful orchid and cactus gardens, in an exciting and educational tour.
The Aqualand water park is one of the largest of its kind in the Canary Islands archipelago. There are more than 30 attractions for the whole family, and sunbathing is possible on the large sun terraces.
Kids can try out the numerous water slides, pool games and rapids. There is also a pool simulating sea waves (Anaconda) and the breathtaking Aquamania slides, each with its own frightening twists and turns. There are also fast food outlets, bars and ice cream parlours for refreshments.
The Holiday World amusement park is ideal for families. It is suitable for young children, but there are also bowling alleys, arcades and bars for older children. You can spend a fun day and spend the evening dining in one of the delicious restaurants inside.
Taurito is a water park with water slides and it has the largest saltwater pool in Gran Canaria.
It is also possible to enjoy many activities such as minigolf or play a game of tennis. There is an on-site restaurant where you can rest or have a snack. The mascot of the park is a big orange tiger called Brucks.
Besides spending days at the beach, climbing up and down the dunes and going on shopping sprees, there is plenty of fun for the whole family in Maspalomas.
If you want to explore the dunes but don’t like long walks, you can try a camel safari, a very popular activity among tourists. Camels provide the perfect transport across the dunes to a Bedouin tent where you can take a relaxing break.
This open-air cinema is an irresistible experience: you can watch your favourite films under the stars, relaxing on comfortable seats. Pizzas and drinks are served throughout the film, and children can wander around without any problems. You can therefore enjoy a nice family evening at an affordable price.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Maspalomas is the queen of Gran Canaria’s resorts, which is why finding accommodation will certainly not be a problem. There are plenty of solutions: from luxury hotels to holiday villages, passing through residences, bungalows, small flats and hotels of all kinds. The centre of Maspalomas is located right at the beginning of the dune desert: here you will find an almost endless array of accommodation of every category.
Then there is the area of Meloneras, which is located near the Maspalomas lighthouse. This is a quieter area, overlooking two beaches, Meloneras and Maspalomas, and is ideal for a very discerning clientele as there are several resorts and five-star hotels here, often with swimming pools and spas.
We offer a selection of hotels at Maspalomas to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Maspalomas, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Maspalomas. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Maspalomas are in high demand.
Maspalomas is located on the southern tip of Gran Canaria, somewhat out of the way but nevertheless easy to reach, thanks mainly to the fact that the resort is crossed by the GC-1 road, the main artery of the island, which passes through the entire east coast, including the airport, and reaches as far as Las Palmas in the north. From Las Palmas it takes about 40-45 minutes, while from theairport it takes about 20 minutes. It is also possible to cover the route with public service buses, but it is definitely better to take a rental car to enjoy Gran Canaria at your own pace and save waiting time between runs.
What's the weather at Maspalomas? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Maspalomas for the next few days.
Maspalomas, the main tourist resort of Gran Canaria, is located on the southern tip of the island. Immediately to the south, down to the sea, stretches the enormous ecosystem of the Maspalomas dunes.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts