Maspalomas

Dunes under nature protection, a 2.8 km beach and mild winters at the far south of Gran Canaria.

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Maspalomas is a tourist resort at the far south of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, Spain, and the island's main tourist area. Most visitors come for the long beach, which runs about 2.8 km from the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse to Punta de Maspalomas. Together with Playa del Inglés, it forms the largest beach on Gran Canaria. The resort stretches from Bahía Feliz in the east to Meloneras in the west, and it is laid out in low bungalows and buildings rather than high-rise blocks.

Behind the beach, the Maspalomas Dunes have been a nature reserve since 1994, set up after hotel building had damaged them. The El Charco lagoon at the dune edge attracts many bird species. Winter is the main season for visitors from northern Europe. The climate is hot desert, with very mild, dry winters and nights that rarely drop below 13 °C. Plan several days to cover the beach, the dunes and the lighthouse, first lit on 1 February 1890, at an easy pace.

Maspalomas in five

Walk the dunes early, and stay on the pathsThe Maspalomas dunes are a protected nature reserve, with marked routes and rules on where to walk. Go at sunrise or late afternoon, bring water and check current access rules before you set out.
Pick a base: Playa del Inglés, Meloneras or the dunesPlaya del Inglés is the busiest and cheapest, Meloneras has newer resort hotels along a seafront walk, and Maspalomas village sits closest to the dunes. Choose by how lively you want the evenings.
Take the bus from the airportGran Canaria airport is about 25 to 30 minutes by road from Maspalomas. Direct buses and taxis serve the resorts, so you can skip a car if you stay on the coast.
Go to the mountains and Las Palmas by day tripThe south is dry and sunny, while the interior and the north are greener and cooler. Hire a car or join a tour for the mountain villages and for Las Palmas.Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Choose winter, spring or autumn for comfortGran Canaria is warm all year, and temperatures stay milder than mainland Spain in winter. July and August are hot and busy with families, so book far ahead if you travel then.

Things to do in Maspalomas

See all attractions in Maspalomas

Beach · MaspalomasEnglish beachVisit outside peak hours if you want to avoid crowds.

Theme park · MaspalomasAqualand MaspalomasConsider a weekday visit in April or a late-February visit for fewer crowds.

Forest · MaspalomasDunas de MaspalomasGo early or near sunset for softer light and cooler conditions.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MaspalomasPut the places you like in Maspalomas on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Gran Canaria (LPA), about 25–30 min by road
Getting there: Direct flights from many European airports; bus or taxi from LPA
Getting around: On foot and by bus along the coast; car for the interior
Best base: Playa del Inglés for value, Meloneras for resorts, Maspalomas for the dunes
Time needed: 5 to 10 days as a beach holiday; 2 days minimum

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh20°Low17°Winter sun
FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Carnival, sun
MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Dry, sunny
AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Easter, warm
MayClear1 rainy dayHigh22°Low18°Warm, calm
JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh23°Low19°Warm, trade winds
JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Hot, busy
AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Hot, peak
SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Hot, sea warm
OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Warm, quiet
NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low20°Winter sun starts
DecemberClear2 rainy daysHigh20°Low18°Christmas, sun

Average daily high and low in Maspalomas, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Maspalomas

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 24°
Humidity: 60%
Wind: 14 km/h
Chance of rain: 5%

Maspalomas

08:46 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today27°19°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 5%.
Tue26°18°45%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 45%.
Wed23°17°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu26°17°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri25°19°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat25°19°5%Saturday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 5%.
Sun25°20°41%Sunday: Rain. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 41%.

Updated 05:36 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Maspalomas

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Feb–MarCarnival of Las PalmasLas Palmas de Gran Canaria, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Maspalomas

Dune and island toursGuided walks and mountain tripsCompare day trips

Hotels in MaspalomasResort strip or dune-side staysCheck availability

eSIM for Gran CanariaRoaming costs add up on a long stayRead the guide

Travel insurance for winter sunCovers sunstroke, flights and baggageRead the guide

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Rules for Maspalomas, checked

Maspalomas is in Spain, a Schengen Area country. Check your entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you book.Source
Non-EU travellers may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the current rules before you fly.
The fenced-off section of Maspalomas beach is a nudist area, set up in 1978.
The dunes are a protected nature reserve, declared in 1994. Check the reserve rules with the local authorities before you walk in them.

Plan around Maspalomas

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The island capital, city beach and old town

Read the guide Puerto de Mogán travel guide

The small marina village to the west

Read the guide Morro Jable travel guide

Fuerteventura's long beaches, a short flight away

Read the guide North coast Tenerife

A greener Canary island with a cloud forest feel

Read the guide Canary Islands travel guide

Which island suits you, and when to go

Read the guide All of Spain

The mainland, the other islands and entry rules

Read the guide

Maspalomas FAQ

Is Maspalomas worth visiting?

Yes for winter sun and the dunes, which are a real landscape rather than a resort backdrop. It is built up and busy in the center, so choose Meloneras or the dune edge if you want calm.

Where should you stay in Maspalomas?

Playa del Inglés for lively evenings and value, Meloneras for resort hotels, Maspalomas village for the dunes, or San Agustín for a quieter, hillier beach. All have bus links along the coast.

Can you swim at Maspalomas beach?

Yes, but check the flags and lifeguard signs, because Atlantic swell and currents can be strong. Water is cooler than on the Mediterranean in summer and in winter.

When is the best time to visit Maspalomas?

October to April for warm winter sun, and May to June for calm, less crowded weather. July and August are hot and busy with Spanish and European families.

Do you need a car in Maspalomas?

Not for the coast, where buses and taxis connect the resorts, the dunes and the airport. You need a car or a tour for the mountain villages and for flexible days outside the south.