Maspalomas - Gran Canaria - Resorts Guide

Click images to enlarge

Overview: Maspalomas is a popular holiday resort on the southern tip of Gran Canaria, adjacent to the island's largest and most hectic package-tour resort, Playa del Ingles. Maspalomas though, is the quieter and more upmarket option sporting the best four-mile (6km) stretch of golden, sandy beach on the island. Maspalomas is separated from Playa del Ingles by a spectacular undulating sea of sand dunes, a protected area that provide a habitat for some rare species of flora and fauna, and a favourite haunt for nudists. Along the waterfront the promenade, stretching to Playa del Ingles, bristles with bars, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues between luxury hotels and villas. Maspalomas also boasts an exhilarating water park and nearby are numerous other man-made attractions like amusement parks, nature parks, a golf course, an aquarium and theme parks. The resort has become a favourite destination for the gay community, with a designated gay zone on the beach and in the sand dunes. The resort's week-long Gay Pride festivities held in May each year have become world-renowned.

Shopping: The main shopping centre in Maspalomas is the Faro 2 complex, full of designer stores and boutiques. The surrounding area is crammed with shopping complexes of similar ilk, about a dozen in all, the biggest and best known being the Yumbo Centre in neighbouring Playa del Ingles.

Restaurants: Maspalomas has restaurants aplenty, most very reasonably priced, offering a variety of international cuisines. Many of the restaurants provide live entertainment in the evenings, and double as bars. Visitors can enjoy live music or DJs while trying out a range of different foods from pizza and pasta to Chinese, seafood and Tex-Mex.