Maspalomas Holidays

Maspalomas is one of the big shots on Gran Canaria’s southern shoreline. It’s the huge blanket of sand dunes that hog the attention here. Plus, it’s a three-pronged town, which only adds to its appeal. Maspalomas sits between upmarket Meloneras and party-ready Playa del Ingles, giving you multiple options for days and nights out. What’s more, they’re so close that you can walk between them.

There’s plenty of towel room on Maspalomas Beach. At six kilometres long, it’s the second-longest beach on the Canary Island, just behind the capital’s Playa de Las Canteras. But that’s not even what gives this place the wow factor. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to wander the Saharan desert, you can get a taste of it here in Spain, courtesy of the 400 hectares of dunes.

Maspalomas’ colour palette isn’t all golden. The greenery kicks in right behind the dunes, with an 18-hole golf course and a botanical garden. It’s got some great family-friendly credentials, too. There’s an amusement park right in the centre, or you can hit the slides at Aqualand waterpark on the outskirts of town. And retail therapy comes in the form of the modern El Tablero shopping mall.