Playa de Maspalomas

Maspalomas has its own palm tree oasis, lagoon and sand dune system. It's basically a miniature desert by the sea rather than a beach. It even has camels (which you can ride) but unlike a desert, there are convenient snack stands, comfy sun loungers and trained lifeguards.

Blue Flag Maspalomas beach stretches from the lagoon and Faro lighthouse at its western end all the way to the dogleg where the dunes stick out into the sea. The beach doesn't end here but turns into Playa del Inglés beach and continues on for kilometres as PDI beach merges into El Cochino and El Veril beaches.

The Maspalomas beach section of this vast sandy paradise is about 3.5 kilometres long. Apart from a few pebbles at the western end, it's all golden sand and is wide enough to absorb the crowds of people that use it every day of the year.

The famous and well-signposted Maspalomas nudist area is right in the middle of the beach where the dunes meet the sea. It's hard to miss but also easy to avoid if you'd rather not see anybody else's dangly bits: just stay on the first 1.5 kilometres of the beach.

While there are snack stands at intervals along the beach, we advise you to take plenty of food and especially liquids if you plan to spend a whole day on Maspalomas beach. Shade is also essential if you spend a whole day at Maspalomas; either bring a parasol or rent one.

To explore the dunes, it's best to set off from the Dunas Mirador in Playa del Inglés and either walk to the shore along the crests of the dunes (it takes longer than you expect) or west back towards Maspalomas. If you go west, follow the marked trail and be aware that the scrubland here is popular with nudists.

Get to Maspalomas beach by taking any bus that stops at the main Maspalomas bus station (called Faro Maspalomas). Then walk down the palm-shaded road that goes east from the roundabout until you reach the lagoon (about 300 metres). The beach is right there and stretches out east for over three kilometres.  For convenient access to cold beers, food and toilets, turn west towards the lighthouse. For the full natural splendour of Maspalomas beach, walk east and head towards the sand dunes. 

Parking close to Maspalomas beach can be tricky unless you arrive early. There's a paid car park or you can try your luck on the roads close to the ExpoMeloneras conference centre. There's always somewhere to park in this area but you may end up 10 minutes walk away from the sand.