Playa de Maspalomas
Gran Canaria, Spain
The epic sweep of golden sand that is Playa de Maspalomas sits at the southernmost point of Gran Canaria, one of the Canary Islands. Stretching for about 12 miles (7.5 kilometers), the beach is backed by the Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve and meets the Atlantic Ocean, attracting a mix of walkers, sunbathers, families, surfers, nudists, and an LGBQT+ scene.
The basics
The beach stretches from Meloneras in the west to Playa del Inglés in the east, and families and day-trippers tend to gather around these reaches. The beach feels somewhat wilder in the middle, where the dunes come down to meet the sea, and there are water-sports zones and nudist areas.
If you’re not planning on sunbathing or swimming, there are other ways you can explore the sands. Walkers can find marked trails along the beach and back through the dunes, and there are even guided rides by camel, horseback, e-bike, and scooter.
Things to know before you go
Shade is limited on the beach, but sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented. If you’re with small kids, a sun tent and windbreaker could be a good idea.
There are beach kiosks that sell ice cream, snacks, and drinks. Beach vendors are often here as well, selling towels, beach toys, and souvenirs as they pass.
There are no restroom facilities in the middle of the beach.
The nudist areas of the beach are centered right in the middle around kiosks 3 and 4. The area is marked with signs.
How to get there
Right at the southern tip of Gran Canaria, Playa de Maspalomas is best reached by car. There are official parking lots and street parking, but on busy days it can be tricky to find a spot. If you’re a car-free visitor coming from Las Palmas, take the #30 from San Telmo bus station to the Touroperador Neckermann stop, or the #50 to Ocean Park.
When to get there
Playa de Maspalomas is a warm spot year-round, but it feels hotter between June and September. While there’s rarely a bad time to go, you might want to skip it on very windy days, when the sand can really whip up around you. Photographers should visit on a clear day, just before sunset, for the best light conditions.
El Faro de Maspalomas
On the western end of Playa de Maspalomas, you can find El Faro de Maspalomas, a lighthouse that dates back to the late 19th century. Here, you’ll find a small museum that's free to enter, with information about the history of Gran Canaria, a small gift shop that stocks local products, and an outdoor viewing platform.
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