Maspalomas the Ideal Sun Holiday in Gran Canaria

Get Your Guide Maspalomas, no it is not a route planner as you know it from your car. In my route planner or directions I give you an overview of what you can find in Maspalomas. Maspalomas and Meloneras in Gran Canaria are by far the most popular seaside vacation locations in the Canary Islands, and thus ideal for a summer vacation. The climate, like Tenerife, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura, is suitable as a year-round sun vacation due to the pleasant temperature.

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Maspalomas together with San Fernando, El Tablero, Playa del Ingles, Meloneras and San Agustin are part of the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana.Together they are the ideal vacation destinations for the whole family and children as vacation travel experts. This web page is your help, route planner or travel planner during your vacation in Maspalomas as travel advice.

Maspalomas and Meloneras an Exceptional Climate

Beautiful vacation destinations abound but if you’ve been coming here on vacation for many years, it’s like a virus. It doesn’t let you go. The most popular is undoubtedly the walking route along the beach between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas and the protected dunes. If you have not done this yet, it is highly recommended and signposted through your vacation.

The average temperatures here are around 25 degrees, but during the holiday months of July and August it can sometimes reach 40 degrees. This heat is regularly tempered by the trade winds.

In strong sun and wind you should definitely take precautions both on the beach and during a walk. Your skin burns very quickly here and then your holiday is over quickly. You can read a guide to the climate of Maspalomas here.

The Lighthouse Maspalomas: An Iconic Monument in Gran Canaria

Users of flight and hotel search engine Jetcost have named the Lighthouse Maspalomas in Gran Canaria as one of the 20 best lighthouses in Europe. Built in 1861, this lighthouse is an iconic beacon that rises high on the island. At the time, the surrounding area was a remote and desert-like region, isolated from the rest of the island. To construct this imposing 55-meter-high lighthouse, a special wharf was built, complete with a platform for loading and unloading materials brought in exclusively by ship.

On February 1, 1890, the Maspalomas Lighthouse was lit for the first time. At that time, it was the only structure at the end of a long stretch of sand that began at present-day Playa del Inglés and ended near the Oasis de Maspalomas. The lighthouse served as a crucial landmark and navigation aid for steamboats plying routes between Europe, Africa, and America.

For hundreds of years, lighthouses have protected mariners and illuminated the night between reefs. Although their usefulness is relative today and they no longer require the constant presence of a lighthouse keeper, these unique buildings remain remarkable landmarks. They defy the wind and the sea and also offer the best views. These historic landmarks continue to amaze us with their beauty. Many lighthouses have been transformed into unique accommodations where one can enjoy peace and beautiful views.

Practical Information for a Lighthouse Visit

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm

Accessibility: Much effort has been made to remove communication and architectural barriers. Therefore, information is available in Braille and multimedia files are subtitled in several languages. Visitors are also encouraged to touch the textures of certain objects.

Tourist Information Point: The Ethnographic Centre has an information point for both foreign and local visitors. The Gran Canaria Cabildo set this up to provide tourist information about the island’s towns, events and cultural centres, and to raise awareness of the rich resources here.

Craft Shop: Crafts made in Gran Canaria are for sale to help preserve these traditional trades. All crafts carry a stamp of authenticity. The range of items on offer ranges from Canarian knives to ceramics, including hand-painted shawls and lace.

Visit the Ethnographic Center for a unique experience and discover Gran Canaria’s rich culture and traditions!

Around the Lagoon of Maspalomas

The beaches and dunes of Maspalomas are without doubt the most appreciated, visited and photographed in all of the Canary Islands. The area around the Maspalomas lagoon, dune field and palm oasis is of great ecological importance. Visit the Maspalomas Lighthouse and discover the rich history and breathtaking views of this top Gran Canaria destination.

In 1996 we were introduced to Gran Canaria as a vacation destination for the first time. The view then was completely different. Maspalomas today merges from the lighthouse with upscale Meloneras. The palm forest of yesteryear has given way to immense hotels, stores and a Boulevard Faro.

What has been preserved and declared a nature reserve in 1987 can be found on the other side of the lighthouse. The inhabitants of the island call it “Charca de Maspalomas”. The reserve is 404 hectares and is very important because of the large fauna and flora. It is an oasis of water, fish, birds, dunes and palm groves.

Discover the Tony Gallardo Park Maspalomas in the Natural Reserve of the Dunes

Located within the boundaries of the Maspalomas Dunes Special Natural Reserve, the Tony Gallardo Park is a work of Canary sculptor and professor of fine arts, Tony Gallardo.

Gallardo’s works reflect his cultural and personal legacy. He saw his creations as points of social mobilisation, intellectual activism and a connection with the Canarian people and their culture. The route is circular and takes approximately 15-20 minutes

The Palm Grove of Maspalomas is one of the most iconic and probably the most visited on the island, creating a true oasis in Maspalomas.

In the park you will find the hybrid palm, a botanical symbol of our Archipelago. The forests of tamarisk, the Dama de Maspalomas, the balo, the aulaga and the saltbush stand out; all of them provide shelter for a wide variety of invertebrates and bird species such as the kestrel, the long-eared owl, the blackcap, the shrike, the Canary Island willow warbler and an ever-increasing population of waterfowl.

Visit Tony Gallardo Park and experience the unique flora and fauna of this beautiful nature reserve in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria.

Christopher Columbus was in Gran Canaria

If you move away from the beach towards the interior of the city, you will come to Avenida Cristóbal Colón. On the way on the Avenida Cristóbal Colón you will see at one of the many traffic circles on a giant pillar the statue of Columbus.

In 1502, Christopher Columbus landed in Maspalomas to take on water and firewood for his fourth voyage to America. This canal is dry most of the year, but during the winter months, water from the mountains inland can cause the river to rise suddenly. Find out more on the Vegueta page

Shopping and Tax Free Shopping in Maspalomas

Shopping in the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria and Maspalomas, is still tax-free. However, the Euro has also caused prices to rise slightly here. The Canary Islands still have the status of a free trade zone with lower import duties and VAT rates (despite EU membership), you can still buy some consumer goods – such as alcohol, tobacco, perfume, jewellery, smartphones, clothing and electronics – cheaper in duty-free shops in Las Palmas and the shopping centres in the south.

Maspalomas Hotels and Seaside Holidays

Maspalomas is the oldest resort on the island of Gran Canaria, located directly on the Atlantic Ocean in the shadow of the lighthouse. Maspalomas borders Playa del Inglés and Meloneras, so vacations by the sea and the beach mean relaxing from morning to night. There is no shortage of hotels, just take a look at the route planner at home, or in the brochure of your travel agency.

Many of the hotels are located directly on the sea like the 4-star IFA Faro Hotel and the Riu Palace Maspalomas is right on the beach, other hotels are located within walking distance of the beach and the center.

The big hotel chains offer daily hotel specials as last minute vacations and all-inclusive sun vacations through a vacation auction or tour operator. I can well understand that with the abundance of hotels that you can no longer see the forest through palm trees.

Gay shows in Maspalomas

Gay shows for the gays and lesbians among us Maspalomas is the largest gay paradise in the world. There are also many meeting places and accommodations. The annual Gay parade brings thousands of extra tourists to the holiday island. The hotels, bungalows, holiday homes and apartments do golden business within the LGBTQ+ community during this period. This colorful parade usually takes place in the month of May, so a May holiday is ideal. The nightlife in Maspalomas and Meloneras is something special that you have to share with everyone.

Child-Friendly Holiday for the Whole Family

“The roaring sound of an undersea volcano in the making“. So out of nowhere, new majestic super hotels in half-board as well as all-inclusive rise from the ground here every year. Maspalomas and Meloneras are ideal for a family vacation with the kids. Almost all hotels and apartment complexes have a children’s pool, children’s entertainment, child-friendly restaurants and children’s disco. Read more about hotels in Maspalomas ...

Cheap Holidays and Last Minute Flight Tickets

Maspalomas is easily reached today from any country, by plane or by ferry (boat). By ferry has the advantage that you can take your car. The disadvantage is that it will take you about three days on the road. Booking a flight vacation can be done through cheap low-cost airlines that today offer cheap airfare to Las Palmas airport at bargain prices.

The flight from United Kingdom to Gran Canaria takes +/- 4.30 hours. The distance from the airport to Maspalomas is 35 km according to our route planner. Under normal circumstances, the travel time from Gran Canaria Airport ( Las Palmas Aeropuerto ) to your hotel in Maspalomas is about 30′ to 45′ minutes.For you specially I have more info about public transportation.

Share Your Experiences and Suggestions about Maspalomas!

Have you been to Maspalomas recently? We would love to hear about your adventures and recommendations! Your insights help us keep our tourism page updated and improved. Whether you’ve discovered a hidden gem, found a great restaurant or have tips for other travelers, your feedback is invaluable. Share your experiences and suggestions with us verschueren.eddy@gmail.com and help others get the most out of their visit to this beautiful island. Together we will create the ultimate guide to Gran Canaria!