Maspalomas is the calmer, greener and more grown-up face of Gran Canaria's south. It shares the same glorious beach and the same famous sea of golden sand as neighbouring Playa del Inglés, but the mood could hardly be more different: leafy avenues, better hotels, an oasis of palms around a lagoon, a historic lighthouse and a pace that suits couples, families and golfers rather than the party crowd. If Playa del Inglés is the fun-fair, Maspalomas is the garden next door.
What it's like
Strictly speaking, "Maspalomas" covers a large area of the south — but as a resort it usually means the more upmarket zone spread west and south of the great dune field, out towards the lighthouse. Here the development is lower-rise and more spread out, threaded with mature palms, watered gardens and golf fairways. Many of the hotels are set in their own generous grounds rather than crammed together, and the whole place feels quieter, cleaner and a touch more expensive than its brasher neighbour.
The two resorts run into one another along the beach, so you can easily sample both: stay in calm Maspalomas and stroll into the shopping centres and nightlife of Playa del Inglés when you want the buzz, then retreat to the palms afterwards.
The dunes, the lagoon and the lighthouse
Maspalomas's signature sight is the Dunas de Maspalomas, a protected reserve of rolling sand dunes that looks more like the Sahara than a European beach resort — indeed, on a clear day you're not so far from the African coast. It's a genuinely special landscape and a wonderful place to walk at sunrise or sunset when the light rakes across the ridges.
Behind the dunes sits La Charca, a saltwater lagoon fringed with reeds and palms that is an important refuge for migrating birds — a little pocket of green and wildlife right beside the sand. Anchoring the western end of the beach is the elegant 19th-century Faro de Maspalomas, a tall stone lighthouse surrounded by a smart promenade of restaurants and cafés. The stretch of sand around the lighthouse tends to be calmer and more family-friendly than the busy central beach.
Walk the full sweep of beach from the Playa del Inglés end to the lighthouse at least once — it's one of the great resort walks in the Canaries. Time it for late afternoon and finish with a drink by the Faro as the sun goes down.
Where to stay and who it suits
Maspalomas has some of the best accommodation in southern Gran Canaria: well-kept four- and five-star hotels, spacious bungalow complexes set among gardens, and self-catering apartments that feel a cut above the resort average. Because it's aimed at a slightly more affluent, quieter market, you'll pay a little more here than in Playa del Inglés — but you get more space, more greenery and a more restful atmosphere for it.
It suits couples wanting a relaxed beach break, families who value calm over non-stop entertainment, golfers, and long-stay winter visitors escaping the northern European grey. Serious night-owls may find it too sedate — but the bright lights are a short walk or taxi away. For help weighing up the south's options, see our where to stay guide.
Eating, golf and days out
Dining in Maspalomas centres on the smart promenades around the lighthouse and the various hotel and shopping precincts, with a good spread of Spanish, Canarian and international restaurants — generally a notch more polished (and pricier) than the resort norm. It's a fine place to try proper local cooking; brush up first with our guides to Canarian food and the island's own volcanic wines.
Maspalomas is also Gran Canaria's golf heartland, with mature championship courses laid out among the dunes and low hills — a big draw in winter when northern Europe is frozen. When you fancy a day out, the family attractions of the south are all close by: the wildlife and dolphin shows of Palmitos Park up in the mountains behind the resort, the water rides of Aqualand, and more in our things to do section.
Getting there and around
Like the rest of the south, Maspalomas is around 30 kilometres from Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) — roughly a half-hour transfer by taxi, pre-booked car or the direct airport bus. Once you're here, the resort is spread out, so a hire car is handy if you plan to explore inland or up the coast, though local buses connect Maspalomas with Playa del Inglés, Puerto Rico and Las Palmas. Our getting around guide and car hire tips cover the practicalities.
Nearby
Right next door is lively Playa del Inglés, for shopping, nightlife and the eastern half of the shared beach. Head west along the coast for the family resort of Puerto Rico, the authentic market town of Arguineguín, and the canal-laced Puerto de Mogán. To see how Maspalomas fits into the wider island — and why it pays to explore beyond the south — start with our Gran Canaria hub.