Maspalomas: what to see, where to stay and how to get around
The south tip of Gran Canaria is a strange piece of desert: a field of moving dunes, a lagoon with a palm grove, and a lighthouse at the edge of the sea. Around it the resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés grew from the 1960s, but the dunes are protected as a nature reserve and still shift with the wind. This walk follows the beach from the lighthouse round the dunes and ends at the viewpoint above them. About 6 km on sand, so start early or late: there is no shade at all.
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A short history of Maspalomas
Until the 1960s Maspalomas, in the south of Gran Canaria, was an almost empty farming area, with a lighthouse built in 1890. Then the building of hotels and holiday districts began, and the area became one of the largest tourist centres in the Canary Islands. Its sand dunes, which cover about 400 hectares, were declared a nature reserve in 1987, and next to them lies a small freshwater lagoon.
The ten best sights in Maspalomas
1Faro de MaspalomasThe 1890 lighthouse at the end of the promenade; the meeting point of the resort
2Columbus MonumentMarks the spot where Columbus anchored in 1502 on his fourth voyage
3Templo EcuménicoOne church shared by many denominations, with services in several languages
4Necrópolis de ArtearaAn ancient Canarian burial ground in the Fataga gorge; walk the marked path
5Dunas de MaspalomasA protected dune field between the lighthouse and Playa del Inglés; stay on the marked paths
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6Charca de Maspalomas
A lagoon and palm grove behind the beach, good for birds at dawn
7Dunes ViewpointThe free viewpoint over the dunes from Playa del Inglés; best at sunset
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8Playa de Maspalomas
The long beach in front of the dunes; walk it barefoot to Playa del Inglés
9Puerto de MogánA small harbour village of canals and flowers, 30 minutes west
10Palmitos ParkBirds, an aquarium and a dolphin show in a palm-filled gorge, 20 minutes inland
Scan with your phone camera to open the map there
What is an audio walk?
Tours in Maspalomas →A guide in your headphones: open the walk on our site, walk from stop to stop, and at each one your phone tells its story. No guide, no group, and free. This is the first walk in Maspalomas:
Free walking tours in Maspalomas
Dunes, lagoon and lighthouse
The south tip of Gran Canaria is a strange piece of desert: a field of moving dunes, a lagoon with a palm grove, and a lighthouse at the edge of the sea. Around it the resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés grew from the 1960s, but the dunes are protected as a nature reserve and still shift with the wind. This walk follows the beach from the lighthouse round the dunes and ends at the viewpoint above them. About 6 km on sand, so start early or late: there is no shade at all.
- Faro de Maspalomas · The lighthouse, about 56 m tall, was designed by the engineer Juan León y Castillo and first lit in 1890. For decades it stood almost alone on an empty shore; today it is the end point of the promenade.
- Charca de Maspalomas · The lagoon is where the Fataga ravine meets the sea, and it is fed partly by fresh water and partly by the tide. Migrating birds rest here on the way between Europe and Africa, and the palm grove beside it gave the Oasis its name.
- Playa de Maspalomas · The beach runs for kilometres in front of the dunes, all the way round to Playa del Inglés. Its sand is mostly made of crushed shells and marine organisms, which is why it is pale gold and not black like the volcanic beaches of the north.
- Dunas de Maspalomas · The dunes cover about 400 hectares and are protected as a special nature reserve. The wind keeps moving them, and because the hotels built on the terrace above have blocked part of the sand supply, walking off the marked paths is forbidden.
- Dunes Viewpoint · From this terrace at the edge of Playa del Inglés you see the whole dune field down to the lighthouse. Late in the day the low sun throws the ripples on the sand into sharp relief.
- Templo Ecuménico · Playa del Inglés was built for visitors from all over northern Europe, so instead of a parish church it got an ecumenical temple, shared by Catholics and Protestant churches, with services in several languages through the week.
Up the Fataga gorge to Roque Nublo
Behind the beaches, the GC-60 climbs straight into the mountains of the island's centre, through a gorge full of palms and past villages that seem far from the resorts. It ends near Roque Nublo, the stone pillar that is the symbol of Gran Canaria. The road is good but winding, about an hour without stops each way. Go on a clear morning, before cloud gathers on the peaks, and bring a jacket.
- Degollada de las Yeguas · The first viewpoint on the road, over the deep Fataga gorge. Its walls are layers of ancient volcanic rock cut by water, and from here you can follow the road you are about to drive far below.
- Necrópolis de Arteara · Hundreds of stone burial mounds lie on a slope of fallen rocks here, making it the largest ancient Canarian cemetery known on the islands. A marked path leads between the tombs.
- Fataga · A village of white houses on a ridge in the middle of the gorge, among palms and fruit trees. Up here the air is already noticeably cooler than on the coast.
- Tunte · Tunte, the old village at the head of the municipality, is the seat of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, the council that also runs Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. Its church of Santiago is linked by a pilgrims' Way of Saint James across the island to the church of Santiago in Gáldar.
- Pico de las Nieves · At about 1,950 m this is the highest part of Gran Canaria. The name, "peak of the snows", recalls the pits where snow was once stored and pressed into ice for the towns below.
- Roque Nublo · The basalt pillar stands about 80 m high on a summit plateau at some 1,800 m, and it was a sacred place for the ancient Canarians. The path from the car park is about 1.5 km and takes half an hour.
West along the coast to Puerto de Mogán
West of the lighthouse the coast turns into cliffs and small bays, and the road follows it past a fishing town to the prettiest harbour on the island. The day mixes a short history stop, a calm beach for swimming and a long lunch by the water. It is about 30 km to Puerto de Mogán; parking there is tight, so arrive before eleven, especially on Fridays when the market comes to town.
- Columbus Monument · On his fourth and last voyage, in May 1502, Columbus anchored off Maspalomas to take on water and firewood before crossing the Atlantic. The monument on the Meloneras shore marks that stop.
- Playa Meloneras · A small beach at the foot of the Meloneras promenade, the newest part of the resort. Behind it run hotels and a conference centre built since the 2000s on former farmland.
- Playa de Pasito Blanco · A quiet beach beside the private Pasito Blanco marina, between the resort and the cliffs. Few tourists stop here, which is the reason to.
- Norwegian Church, Arguineguín · Arguineguín is a working fishing town, and for decades it has been a winter home for Norwegians, so much so that it has its own Norwegian church, and Norwegian is heard in its cafés all winter.
- Playa de Amadores · A man-made beach of pale sand with breakwaters that keep the water calm and clear. It is the easiest swim on this coast for children.
- Puerto de Mogán · The harbour village was built in the 1980s around a fishing port, with low white houses, bougainvillea and small canals, which earned it the nickname "Little Venice". The fishing boats still land their catch next to the yachts.
Getting to Maspalomas and getting around
- Gran Canaria Airport · About 30 minutes up the GC-1 motorway; the car return is easy
- Faro de Maspalomas Bus Station · Global buses along the south coast and to Las Palmas stop by the lighthouse
Cheap eats in Maspalomas
The south of Gran Canaria is a resort coast, and the food near the lighthouse leans international: pizza, ice cream and cafés on the promenade. For Canarian cooking, papas arrugadas with mojo, grilled cheese and fresh fish, head to San Fernando or the fishing town of Arguineguín. Prices on the promenade are higher than inland, but a coffee still costs a couple of euros.
- Maximilian's Café am Faro · Coffee and cake by the lighthouse, about €3-7
- Café de Paris · On the promenade; a coffee about €2-4
- Guarapo · Café near the lighthouse; a snack about €4-8
- Pizza Pepe · Quick pizza near the promenade, about €8-12
- Chelado · Ice cream between the lighthouse and the dunes, about €3-5
- Pingüino Soul · Ice cream on the Meloneras side, about €3-5
Museums in Maspalomas
- Faro de Maspalomas · The lighthouse and its square, the start of every walk
- Necrópolis de Arteara · Ancient Canarian tombs in the gorge; free, with a marked path
- Columbus Monument · Where Columbus anchored in May 1502
- Templo Ecuménico · Shared church of Playa del Inglés; services in several languages
Nature and day trips near Maspalomas
- Dunas de Maspalomas · Marked paths only; go early, there is no shade
- Charca de Maspalomas · Lagoon and palm grove; birds in the early morning
- Degollada de las Yeguas · Viewpoint over the Fataga gorge, 15 minutes up the road
- Roque Nublo · Half-hour walk to the rock; go before the clouds
- Pico de las Nieves · The island's highest viewpoint, with Teide across the sea on clear days
Things to do in Maspalomas with kids
- Palmitos Park · Birds, butterflies, an aquarium and dolphins; plan half a day
- Aqualand Maspalomas · Water park above the resort, 10 minutes by car
- Parque Botánico de Maspalomas · A free garden of Canarian plants in the middle of the resort
- Playa de Amadores · Calm, clear water behind breakwaters; the easiest swim for children
- Playa de Maspalomas · Long, sandy and shallow near the lighthouse
Where to eat in Maspalomas
- La Bodega · Canarian dishes by the lighthouse
- El Marinero · Fish on the lighthouse promenade
- La Proa Casa Reyes · Fish restaurant in Meloneras
- Carlos V · Canarian cooking in Playa del Inglés
- Tasquita La Bellota · A local tavern in San Fernando, away from the promenade
- Rustico · Regional food a short drive from the dunes
Frequently asked questions about Maspalomas
What is there to see in Maspalomas?
The top sights in Maspalomas are Faro de Maspalomas, Columbus Monument and Templo Ecuménico. The full list on this page has 10 sights, each with a photo and a short note.
How many days do you need in Maspalomas?
Three to four days are enough to see the best of Maspalomas without rushing, including at least one walking tour.
Is there a free walking tour in Maspalomas?
Yes. sleepntrip has 3 free audio walks in Maspalomas, with no guide and no group: your phone tells the story at every stop. The first one: Dunes, lagoon and lighthouse.
How do you get to Maspalomas and get around?
The main ways are Gran Canaria Airport and Faro de Maspalomas Bus Station. Full details are in the transport section on this page.
Where to stay in Maspalomas, and for how much?
sleepntrip shows only rooms in Maspalomas that meet nine conditions: a good location, high guest scores, cleanliness, and a price of up to $80 a night for two. Pick your dates and see what is free.
Looking for a hotel in Maspalomas for your dates?
Only rooms that meet nine conditions, up to $80 a night.