Maspalomas guide: Maspalomas travel – Lonely Planet
Maspalomas Beach travel guide
Sunny southern Maspalomas is famous for its photogenic giant sand dunes, which provide the backdrop for a magnificent beach. The resort was created by package-tour operators and in recognition of this its streets are named after them. Although it is not large, it lacks a focus and comprises a number of discrete small low-rise developments. The latest of these, Meloneras, to the west, is a quiet away-from-it-all upmarket enclave that contrasts with the more hedonistic eastern side, which merges with Playa del Inglés.
Beach:
Stretching for around 2km (1.2 miles) and backed by Sahara-like dunes, the fine white-sand Playa de Maspalomas is regarded as the most beautiful beach on the island. It is informally divided into distinct areas for families and children, nudists and gays. The areas where the sun loungers are located can get very busy. The south-facing Playa de Maspalomas adjoins the east-facing Playa del Inglés at the Punta de Maspalomas. At the western end of Playa de Maspalomas is La Charca lagoon and Faro de Maspalomas. Farther west beyond this is the rocky Playa de las Mujeres, good for surfing and windsurfing. Next is Playa Las Meloneras, a long coarse sand-and-pebble beach. Watersports in Maspalomas include parasailing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, plus rides on speedboats and inflatables.
Beyond the beach:
There are three golf courses at Maspalomas. The long-established Campo de Golf de Maspalomas (http://maspalomasgolf.net) is actually surrounded by the dunes, which makes a round here a unique experience. It has hosted several international events. Just outside the resort, Salobre Golf (www.salobregolfresort.com) also enjoys a splendid, typical Gran Canaria setting among ravines and volcanic landscapes. Likewise, Meloneras Golf (www.lopesan.com) is a new kid on the golfing block, providing an ever-increasing challenge along its sea-view fairways.
A camel trek, particularly at sunset, is a great way to see the magnificent dunes. The camel drivers pitch their tent next to the landmark Faro (at 56m/183ft the tallest lighthouse in the Canary Islands). Also here is La Charca, a sea-water lagoon bordered with palm trees. Providing a literal oasis amid the dunes, it hosts many species of nesting and migratory birds. Family attractions include two water parks and an amusement park.
Family fun:
Aqualand (www.aqualand.es/maspalomas) is the biggest water park in the Canary Islands, boasting around 50 slides, flumes, rides and attractions including children’s and adults’ swimming pools and mini-golf. It is located 3km (2 miles) north of Maspalomas on the Carretera Palmitos Parque. Holiday World (Avenida Touroperador Tui, http://holidayworldmaspalomas.com) is a large amusement park with fairground rides, 10-pin bowling, bars, restaurants, a nightclub and a gym.
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The south’s most popular family attraction, Palmitos Park (www.palmitospark.es) lies 10km (6 miles) northwest of Maspalomas. Set in a verdant valley, this beautifully landscaped oasis features 150 species of birds, a gibbon island, an aquarium, a butterfly house, a cacti garden, an orchid house, crocodiles and more.
Maspalomas Guide – A calm and delightful town on Gran Canaria
Maspalomas is a well-known holiday resort on Gran Canaria, which lies just south of Playa del Ingles. Here you’ll find resorts, bungalows, and apartments to rent for 1-2 weeks of vacation or longer. I myself have lived here for about 10 months in total and it’s a nice place to stay.
The resort of Maspalomas, however, is perhaps most famous for its giant sand dunes that originated from the Sahara Desert.
Maspalomas is namely in the middle of everything that is of interest to tourists.
It is close to the beaches of Puerto Rico and Amadores, but also close to the nightlife of Playa del Ingles and San Agustin, while it is much closer to shopping centers and Las Palmas than Puerto Rico and Mogan.
Best things to do in Maspalomas
Maspalomas desert
To wander in the desert is one of the must things do in Maspalomas. If you ever wonder what it’s like to walk in the Sahara desert, you can actually experience it here. The dunes extend several meters above the ground and there is the possibility to try sandboarding or just sitting on the top of a sandy peak and enjoy the sunset.
Holiday World
A small amusement park with rides, video games, air hockey, gym, restaurants, and other fun stuff. Holiday World is located in Maspalomas along the road that goes towards Puerto Rico and Arguineguin. There is also bowling, karaoke and swimming pools.
In other words, the Holiday World has everything for the children, even if you might not want to compare Holiday World in Gran Canaria with the big Tivoli’s around Europe, since it is much smaller.
If you live in Maspalomas you will find the best gym here upstairs.
Aqualand
Are you traveling to Gran Canaria with children? Then Aqualand in Maspalomas is a place that your kids will love. In fact, Aqualand is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Gran Canaria.
Water parks are fun for both big and small, but I would strongly advise against letting your children be photographed with various animals exploited by tourism, including sea lions. Animals do not deserve to be in captivity, and it is something that I hope you have in mind when you visit the waterpark.
Palmitos Park
Palmitos Park is a popular tourist attraction in Gran Canaria. Seeing animals is both exciting and fun. I love animals and because that I love them, I want to urge you to not visit Palmitos Park.
Zoos are doing some good job to breed endangered animals, but mostly it’s about exploiting animals and monetize on them.
Think twice before you decide. Ask yourself, would it be okay to locking people behind bars when they have done nothing wrong or have no choice to be free? Your answer is probably no, and then I want you also to think that animals are living beings with feelings just like humans.
Animals are not on earth to entertain people and they deserve to live out in the wild.
Faro 2
An old shopping center, which now only has a few bars, restaurants and a supermarket Hiperdino. If you live in the area, you can always go here on the weekend to watch English football, or shop at Hiperdino when other stores are closed on Sundays.
Besides that, there are also a bicycle rental company, a bank and a souvenir shop at Faro second
Meloneras
About 20 minutes walking, at the end of the Maspalomas desert, lies Meloneras, which is a luxury tourist resort in southern Gran Canaria.
Here you will find the lighthouse of Maspalomas as well as a shopping center with restaurants and shops.
Meloneras also has a nice beach walk and to sit down at one of the bars here and enjoy the sunset is something that I highly recommend.
Read also: My best tips on things to do in Gran Canaria tourist
Recommended hotels in Maspalomas
Maspalomas Princess
A luxurious option that is perfect for those who want peace and quiet. Here you can enjoy the full 6 outdoor pools, spa treatments. There is also a children’s club for those traveling to Gran Canaria with children.
Here you can see photos, reviews, and current price
Riu Palace Maspalomas
A 4-star hotel right at the beginning of Maspalomas Desert. The hotel is nestled among palm trees and desert and the sea front. Riu Palace is one of my favorite hotels and it is a safe bet for those who want to have a successful holiday in Gran Canaria!
Here you can see photos, reviews, and current price
Tips on good restaurants
- Samsara
- La Palmera Sur
- Abrasa
- Nicola Trattoria Pizzeria
- El Salsete
Shopping
For those of you who want to shop, I recommend you to go to San Fernando or Meloneras.
There you will find traditional shops such as Mango, Stradivarius and other international/Spanish shops. The best shopping can be found in the mall El Tablero, located in the outskirts of Maspalomas.
El Tablero shopping
The largest stores of El Tablero is Zara, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Timberland. There is also a larger Hiperdino and Vodafone Store.
Address: Av. Francisco Vega Monroy; 21.
Website: cceltablero.com
Weather & Climate
Maspalomas has a pleasant climate all year round with an average temperature around 20-25 degrees. On the day it is rare that the temperature drops below 25 degrees and it’s mostly sunny. The line goes namely in Playa del Ingles, which often gets cloudy in the afternoon.
Maspalomas on the other hand is almost as sun-safe as Puerto Rico and Amadores. The weather is nothing wrong either. It rarely rains and the sun shines almost always. Because it is located in a valley, so it’s almost never too hot either, except when Calima winds are passing by from Sahara, just a few times a year.
Maspalomas map
Here you can have a look at the whole area, and as you can see it’s quite big. Maspalomas includes San Agustin, Playa del Ingles, Meloneras, Sonneland and of course the sand dunes located in the south.
Other interesting facts about Maspalomas
The large area of Maspalomas also includes the tourist resorts of Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas, San Agustin, Bahia Feliz, Sonneland, Meloneras and San Fernando, even if they tend to refer to these as their own tourist destinations. The name of the place believed to have come from Rodrigo Mas de Palomar, who came to Gran Canaria from Majorca as a settler.
- Here is Gran Canaria’s only English-language newspaper
- Foreign schools available (English and Swedish)
- San Fernando and El Tablero built to the locals who worked in tourism would have somewhere to stay.
- There are about 40,000 in Maspalomas, many of which are wintering northern Europeans.
- Belongs to the municipality of San Bartolome de Tirajana
Flight tickets to Gran Canaria
- You can find the cheapest flight tickets here
Find hotels in Maspalomas and Gran Canaria
- You can find good hotels and guesthouses here
Have more Maspalomas tips? or wondering about something else? Leave a comment or send me an email with your questions.
Tour of Maspalomas – cultural heritage | What to visit in Maspalomas
Hotel search in Maspalomas
Guests of the resort can successfully combine holidays on the picturesque beaches of Maspalomas with exploring interesting sights. History buffs never cease to be attracted by the Plaza de las Mujeres area, located close to the popular Meloneras beach. A few years ago, scientists began to explore these places and discovered many unique archaeological artifacts. Today, Plaza de las Mujeres is one of the most important archaeological areas of the archipelago. Tourists will have the opportunity to see the ruins of the houses of the first settlers of these places, as well as stroll through the nearby nature reserve, the main value of which is salt mines of bizarre shapes.
I must say that in local restaurants the culture of “tapas” is still less popular than in continental Spain.
Although, in general, snacks are served here in large quantities, and they are ordered not only … Open
The Campo area is a landmark that nature lovers will love. Here is the Maspalomas Botanical Garden (El Parque Botanico de Maspalomas), which is famous for its extensive collection of exotic plants and flowers. The garden contains almost all types of tropical flowers that can be found in the Canary Islands. A huge number of butterflies gives the garden a special charm. It is not for nothing that it is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the resort.
Travelers who want to get to know the culture and traditions of the indigenous population should take a walk through the picturesque area of San Bartolome de Tirajana. The atmosphere here has not changed for many years. While walking along the miniature streets, you can see a lot of beautiful buildings in the national style, charming squares and fragrant gardens.
One of the main attractive features of these places is the abundance of interesting craft shops, the study of which will replace a trip to the museum. In each workshop and each store, visitors are offered unique handmade goods; items of national art presented on the shelves can not only be seen, but also bought. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Throughout the year, interesting events take place in Maspalomas, in which any tourist can participate. For example, on January 6, Magi Kings Day is celebrated here. At this time, the streets of the city … Open
Walking through the historic district, you should definitely look at the Degolyada de las Yeguas observation deck. It is ideal for admiring the landscapes of Maspalomas, from the observation deck you can perfectly see the Fataga Ravine and other outstanding sights of the region. On the territory of the picturesque historical area is the ancient water mill Enchidero (Enchidero).
The mill has been perfectly preserved after centuries, however, it has not been used for its intended purpose for a long time. Previously, it housed a shoe workshop, and after the last large-scale restoration, it was decided to convert the mill into an ethnographic museum. Today, the building of the old mill houses an interesting collection of art and everyday life of the indigenous population, as well as many unique historical exhibits. Maspalomas and its immediate surroundings amaze with an abundance of interesting historical sites and natural attractions.
Below you can choose one of the tours of Maspalomas and the surrounding area from private guides – local experts in the region. Our offer is not limited to the three excursions presented. Click on the ‘View all’ button and choose any of our 4 excursions in the Maspalomas region.
This guide to cultural sights Maspalomas is protected by the copyright law. Full reprinting is permitted only if the source is indicated with a direct link to www.
orangesmile.com.
Maspalomas – guide chapters
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Another cultural center of the country is the capital of Catalonia – Barcelona. It is here that the most famous and grandiose architectural structures are located, mainly created by the legendary architect Antonio Gaudi. Sagrada Familia (Sagrada Familia) is a real hallmark of the city, one of its symbols. The construction of the temple began in 1882 and continues to this day. All elements in the building have a deep religious significance, the building is crowned with numerous towers, directed upwards. Other, no less impressive buildings of Gaudí are the Batlló House (House of the Bones) and the Mila House. The traveler will not find even a single straight line in the Batllo house. Gaudí’s building was inspired by the figure of a giant dragon. The Mila House is owned by a private organization, today it regularly hosts exhibitions.
… Open
Notes on the iconic cultural attractions of Maspalomas, where you should definitely go.
Interesting points of the tour of Maspalomas: viewing platforms, museums, temples, theaters, monuments and palaces. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places worth visiting in Maspalomas – historical buildings, architecture, squares, old town and so on.
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The GC-1 freeway running south from the airport runs along a wide coastal strip, almost parallel to the country road. Rocky mountains covered with sparse vegetation are visible on the horizon from the west. Shortly before reaching Playa de Tarajalillo (1) , you can turn off the motorway onto the coastal road. An obsolete aircraft at the edge of the road indicates the location of the flying club with a sports airfield – Aeroclub de Gran Canaria (Aeroclub de Gran Canaria) . Through Canyon del Aguila (Ca ñ on del Águila) , the path leads to the “cowboy town” Sioux City (2) , where sun-weary vacationers can enjoy exciting cowboy shows and saloons (bus service from Playa del Inglés and from Maspalomas; no shows on Mondays). * Playa del Aguila and * Playa de San Agustin From * Playa del Águila (3) , a string of beaches stretches along the coast, connected to each other by a ribbon of coastal promenades that is not tightly adjacent to the coast. These beaches stretch for more than 8 km, all the way to Playa del Inglés and the dunes of Maspalomas. Multiple world champion windsurfer Bjorn Dunkerbeck, together with his sister Britt, opened windsurf school in Playa del Aguila . A small beach with light sand and fairly clear water attracts mainly a young, athletic audience. On the other hand, on the nearby, very well-maintained beach * Playa de San Agustín (4) representatives of all generations indulge in idleness. This spacious bright beach stretches for more than 2 kilometers. Modern hotels and apart-hotels with lush gardens lined up on the hills and down to the shore. Here you can comfortably swim in the pool belonging to the hotel, or swim in the sea. * Playa del Ingles and ** Las Dunas de Maspalomas If all the beaches mentioned are still relatively calm, then on the popular wide beach 9004 del 3 * * Ingles (Playa del Inglés) (1) is always colorful and noisy. From year to year, many vacationers make their vacation dreams come true here. Moreover, no one will have to give up their favorite coffee and domestic tabloid newspaper or try to portray “something” in broken Spanish. The local waiters and shopkeepers are geniuses at languages. All day long, an endless stream of walkers stretches in both directions along the water’s edge. Playa de San Agustin – a sea of sun, sand and people. Maspalomas in a strong breeze is a yachtsman’s paradise. And, of course, this city-like resort has a vibrant nightlife in bars, clubs, discos and gambling halls. Here they play bingo, eat Black Forest cherry cake, drink Irish Guinness and sing in the Bavarian dialect with Tyrolean overtones. Huge shopping centers with all kinds of boutiques and shops tempt with jewelry, fashionable novelties, electronics, souvenirs and products from all over the world. The largest of them – Kasbah (2) in Plaza del Teide and Yumbo (3) in Avenida de España, next to the Tourist Information Centre. Playa del Inglés almost imperceptibly passes into a magnificent ridge of dunes. ** Las Dunas de Maspalomas (4) kilometers wide. Here crowds of people disperse, and in the middle of golden sand dunes, reaching a height of 10 m, sun worshipers (often naked) find themselves in the arms of life-giving silence. The southernmost tip of the island is crowned by the highest in the Canaries Maspalomas lighthouse (El Faro de Maspalomas) (6) 65 m high. Hotels, restaurants and shops are located in its shadow. North of the lagoon you will find a camel safari departure point, as well as a golf course and squash halls. Not far from Campo Internacional, a sprawling town full of bungalows and gardens, a real holiday experience awaits you in a huge amusement park Holiday World (7) : with fast-paced rides, a Ferris wheel, a laserdrome game room ”, trained animals, countless slot machines and even a disco. North of Maspalomas North of Maspalomas in the El Tablero quarter there is a good water park Aqua Sur (5) (behind the underpass over the motorway, to the right). If you drive up the rocky gorge of the Barranco de Chamoriscán, after 12 km you will reach * Palmitos Park (6) (reopened in 2008 after a recent fire). Its territory of approximately 200,000 m² is occupied by artificial plantations, where there are about a thousand palm trees, an alley of cacti, an orchid and butterfly pavilion, an interesting marine aquarium and 150 species of exotic birds, many of which simply fly freely in the park. Recently, spectacles such as “primate island” and “interactive” cage have been staged. Children will most of all enjoy a fun show with parrots. There is, of course, a souvenir shop and a buffet. An expensive hotel hid in a gorge above a recreation park in the middle of lush gardens “Park & Sport Hotel Los Palmitos” . 6 km north of Playa del Inglés (sign to Fataga; there is a bus service), on a hill, there is an ethnographic park Mundo Aborigen (7) with an area of over 100,000 m², which introduces way of life of the ancient inhabitants of the Canary Islands. “Aboriginal World”, as the name of this park is translated, is a recreated Guanche village. It shows typical scenes from the life of the natives, as well as their domestic animals, cultivated plants and crafts. Explanations are given in several languages. A small dramatization represents the struggle of the Guanches against the Spanish conquerors. The park has a cafe and a souvenir shop. Once back on the coast, you can drive west either on the freeway or on the good paved road 812. Near Pasito Blanco (8) is a marina with a sailing school and a private campsite. The calmest sandy beaches between Maspalomas and Pasito Blanco are Playa de las Meloneras (Playa de las Meloneras) and Playa del Hornillo (Playa del Hornillo) . |
From the hotels, cross the footbridges across the multi-lane highway to the coastal promenade and beaches. In the salons and discos of large hotels, you can have a great evening, and if you’re a little lucky, then replenish your vacation budget at casino luxury hotel “Meliá Tamarindos” located by the beach. 
Here you can watch paragliders and see how windsurfers struggle with wind and waves, or appreciate the puzzling turns of boats. 
Wandering through these dunes, which have the status of a protected area, you feel as if you were in a miniature Sahara, especially when a camel caravan passes by. At the western border of Maspalomas lies an area called El Oasis . Here Lake Charca (La Charca, lit. “Puddle”) (5) , a meager remnant of a lagoon with banks overgrown with reeds, borders on a sparse palm grove. Access to the shores of the lagoon is prohibited because the reeds protect waterfowl and their nesting sites. 
Nearby, swimmers can find a worthy replacement for the beach in the intricate water landscape Ocean Park (8) . 
