Maspalomas is all sunshine, soft sand and those famous golden dunes that make every holiday snap look like a screensaver. It’s calm, warm and effortlessly gorgeous - the kind of place that gets you into holiday mode before you’ve even checked in.

☀️ Holidays to Maspalomas 2026

• ☀️ Year-round sunshine with summer highs of 26–28°C and mild winters around 20–22°C — the south coast is Gran Canaria's sunniest spot

• 💶 Mid-range prices — around €3–4 for a pint, €12–18 for a main course, with cheaper spots inland and pricier seafront dining in Meloneras

• 🏜️ The Maspalomas Dunes are a genuine natural wonder — 400 hectares of shifting Saharan-style sand right next to the resort, protected as a Special Nature Reserve

🌟 Maspalmoas Holiday Highlights

• 🏜️ The Maspalomas Dunes — 400 hectares of golden, rolling sand dunes that look like they've been airlifted from the Sahara. Walk them at sunset for some of the best views in the Canaries

• 🏖️ Maspalomas Beach — a wide stretch of golden sand backed by dunes, with calm waters, lifeguards and enough space to never feel crowded even in peak season

• 🗺️ The Faro de Maspalomas — the iconic 19th-century lighthouse at the tip of the resort, surrounded by a lagoon nature reserve (La Charca) and a gorgeous promenade stretching to Meloneras

• 🎭 Maspalomas Carnival — one of the most international carnivals in the Canaries, with the famous Drag Queen Gala, Grand Parade and two weeks of street parties every March

• 🌈 Pride capital of Europe — Maspalomas hosts both the spring Pride by Freedom festival and Winter Pride, making it one of the most welcoming LGBTQ+ destinations on the continent

⭐ Why people love holidays to Maspalomas

Maspalomas holidays are all about big golden beaches, warm sunshine and those famous rolling dunes that make the whole place feel like a desert-next-to-the-sea dream. It’s relaxed, scenic and a little more polished than some of Gran Canaria’s livelier spots, making it a great fit for families, couples and anyone who wants sun, space and that chilled-out Canarian pace.

🏨 Best Hotels in Maspalomas

Maspalomas has a huge range of hotels, from sprawling all-inclusive resorts and boutique adults-only retreats to self-catering bungalow complexes surrounded by tropical gardens.

Families

• 🏨 Maspalomas Resort by Dunas 4-star A tranquil bungalow-style resort set in lush gardens, 2km from the beach. The dedicated Family Pool View Rooms come with kids' tents, bean bags and a welcome gift for little ones, plus there's a Palm Bakery Café and poolside snack bar. A proper chilled-out family base.

• 🏨 Suites & Villas by Dunas 4-star A 226-room resort facing the Maspalomas palm grove and dunes, with three swimming pools, a kids' club, mini disco and playground. The newly renovated Premium Villas (adults-only) offer an upgrade for parents who fancy a bit of luxury. Maspalomas Golf Course is just 300m away.

• 🏨 Maspalomas Princess 4-star Right in the heart of the resort with extensive tropical gardens, a large pool area and a shared entertainment programme with sister hotel Tabaiba Princess. Family rooms and suites available, and the beach is about 2km away. A solid all-rounder for families who want activities on tap.

• 🏨 Kumara Serenoa by Lopesan Hotels 4-star A modern hotel in the "magic triangle" between the dunes, golf course and beach. Separate adult and family pools, a daily entertainment programme and a cosy dining terrace. A bus runs to the beach daily (3.5km away), and the design blends beautifully with the natural landscape.

Couples

• 🏨 Club Maspalomas Suites and Spa — Adults Only 4-star A peaceful adults-only retreat in Campo Internacional with spacious gardens, contemporary suites with private terraces, coffee-making facilities and a complimentary beach shuttle (2km to the sand). No hen or stag parties — just peace, quiet and proper relaxation.

• 🏨 Seaside Palm Beach 5-star Just 70m from the beach with elegant rooms designed by French interior decorator Alberto Pinto, a gourmet Italian restaurant, seaside barbecues and tennis courts. Part of the Seaside Hotels Collection alongside its sister property, the Grand Hotel Residencia.

• 🏨 Riu Palace Maspalomas 4-star A polished Riu property with a main buffet restaurant, à la carte dining at Krystal, and a poolside snack bar. All rooms have balconies or terraces, and the dunes are right on the doorstep. A smart pick for couples who want a touch of elegance without breaking the bank.

• 🏨 Hotel Faro, a Lopesan Collection Hotel 4-star Overlooking Maspalomas Beach with 188 rooms, a continental breakfast buffet and the Café Panorama for à la carte dining. One of the closest hotels to the sand — you can practically fall out of bed and onto the beach.

Luxury

• 🏨 Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia 5-star GL The only member of The Leading Hotels of the World on Gran Canaria, set in a thousand-year-old palm grove just 300m from the dunes. Only 94 rooms, all designed by Alberto Pinto in colonial blues and yellows. A Michelin-noted restaurant, spa with Turkish baths, heated pool and concierge service arranging discounted green fees at eight nearby golf courses. Not recommended for children — this is pure grown-up indulgence.

• 🏨 Lopesan Villa del Conde Resort and Thalasso 5-star A stunning resort designed to resemble a traditional Canarian village, with a thalassotherapy spa, multiple pools and restaurants, and direct access to the Meloneras promenade. One of the most visually striking hotels in the south of Gran Canaria.

Budget

• 🏨 Maspalomas Oasis Club 3-star Comfortable bungalows in the quiet Campo Internacional area, 1.5km from the beach. Suits families, couples and groups who want a relaxed base with an 18-hole golf course, two water parks and a funfair all nearby. Proper value for money.

• 🏨 Bungalows Campo Golf 3-star A family-run complex of 90 bungalows set in tropical gardens around a large heated pool. Kitchenettes in every room, an on-site restaurant and a tennis court. Maspalomas Beach is 2.5km away, and the golf course is next door. Brilliant for self-catering on a budget.

🏖️ What’s the best beach to visit on holidays to Maspalomas?

The Maspalomas coastline is one of the longest and most impressive in the Canaries - golden sand, gentle waves and plenty of room to stretch out. It’s perfect for long beach walks, swimming and catching those postcard views by the lighthouse - kinda everything you need from a beach holiday, right?

Top beaches in Maspalomas:

• Playa de Maspalomas – iconic golden sand backed by dunes, ideal for relaxing, walking and swimming.

• Playa del Inglés (nearby) – lively, long and great for water sports or beach bars with atmosphere.

• Meloneras Beach – calm, sheltered and close to waterfront restaurants, perfect for families and couples.

🍽️ What’s the food like on Maspalomas holidays?

Maspalomas has a great mix of beachside eating, stylish dining and easy-going tapas spots. Whether you’re heading into Meloneras for a sunset dinner or staying close to your hotel, there’s always something tasty nearby.

Great places to eat in and around Maspalomas:

• La Bodega de La Avenida – relaxed tapas and local Canarian plates with generous portions.

• Restaurante El Churrasco Meloneras – excellent steaks and hearty mains with a smart-but-friendly feel.

• Casa Serafín – fresh seafood and traditional dishes right by the coastline.

🍹 Is the nightlife good in Maspalomas?

Nights here are chilled but fun - nothing too wild, nothing too quiet. Expect cocktails by the sea, live music, hotel lounges and enough late-night options to keep you entertained without turning your holiday into a recovery mission.

Nightlife highlights:

• Café del Mar Meloneras – stylish, scenic and perfect for cocktails at sunset.

• Chester Beach Club – chic drinks, smooth music and a polished nightlife vibe.

• Al's Bar Maspalomas – lively, friendly, and great for groups looking to kick off the evening in a relaxed, local-style setting.

🌴 holidays to Maspalomas travel guide 2026 / 2027

There’s loads to explore beyond the beach - from coastal walks to desert-style landscapes and classic Gran Canaria day trips.

Families

• 🏜️ Walk the Maspalomas Dunes at sunrise or sunset — kids love scrambling up the sandy ridges, and the views are properly spectacular. The dunes stretch all the way from the lighthouse to Playa del Inglés

• 🐪 A camel ride through the dunes is a classic Maspalomas family experience — short treks run throughout the day and are suitable for kids of all ages

• 💦 Aqualand Maspalomas has waterslides for all ages, a wave pool, a kids' zone and a chill-out area for parents. A proper full day out when the beach needs a break

• 🎡 Holiday World Maspalomas has bowling, go-karts, escape rooms, a funfair and an indoor food market — brilliant for evenings or rainy days (not that there are many)

• 🤠 Sioux City Park is a Wild West theme park about 20 minutes inland — live cowboy shows, horse stampedes, a farm zoo and a saloon BBQ. Free shuttle bus from the resort hotels

Couples

• 🌅 Walk the seafront promenade from the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse through to Meloneras — 2km of oceanfront with cocktail bars, restaurants and some of the best sunset views in the Canaries

• ⛳ Maspalomas Golf is an 18-hole course with views of the dunes and mountains, and Meloneras Golf is just down the road. Several hotels offer discounted green fees

• 🌿 The Botanical Park of Maspalomas is a peaceful escape from the beach — tropical gardens, quiet paths and a properly tranquil atmosphere for a wander with your other half

• 🎬 Moonlight Cinema in Meloneras is Europe's only permanent outdoor cinema — luxury sofas, waitress service, blankets and two films per night under the Canarian sky

Groups & Culture

• 🎉 The nightlife centres around two areas — the Yumbo Centre in nearby Playa del Inglés for bars, drag shows, clubs and the island's famous LGBTQ+ scene, and the Meloneras promenade for cocktails, beach clubs and classier evening drinks

• 🛥️ Catamaran cruises along the south coast include dolphin spotting, snorkelling stops and unlimited drinks — most depart from nearby Puerto Rico marina

• 🐳 Whale and dolphin watching trips head out regularly from the south coast — spot pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat, just off the Gran Canaria coastline

• 🌌 Stargazing on the Maspalomas Dunes — with minimal light pollution, organised telescope sessions let you see planets, galaxies and shooting stars in properly dark skies