Maspalomas Beach
The Maspalomas Beach is probably the most famous beach of the Canary Islands. When you see postcards from Gran Canaria with sand dunes right next to the sea you are looking at Maspalomas Beach.
Interestingly, many consider this stretch of sand to be just a simple beach. And while that is true, it is also so much more. Basically, it is a miniature desert. That being said, lifeguards are also present, as well as sun loungers and snack bars.
A desert that is not really a desert, one might say. Furthermore, wind-sculpted dunes with golden sand and the blue ocean as far as the eye can see are a natural stress-therapy for anyone. This natural beauty is just one of many reasons why this island sees visitors throughout the year.
Maspalomas Beach Has Plenty Of Room For Everyone – Quite Literally
The Maspalomas beach starts at Faro Maspalomas, the light-tower in the west, and La Charca – the natural salt-lake in the north and stretches for about 3,5 km all the way to La Punta, the most southern point of Gran Canaria, which shifts back and forth endlessly, depending on the ocean currents. The beach does not end there, but transforms into the Playa del Inglés beach, another 4 km along the coast in the east. The whole coast between Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés is divided into ten sectors. Each sector has a kiosk, which usually hosts a bar, toilets and lifeguards. But not all of them.
When visiting Maspalomas Beach, make sure to bring some type of footwear and a towel. Flip-flops will do just fine if you are walking along the shore. The sand gets very hot on a sunny day, and singing hot in the summer. Do not even consider crossing the dunes in flip-flops on a hot day in the summer between 11:00 and 16:00 hours. You will get your feet burnt, even if you have good footwear, because you will sink into the hot sand.
Maspalomas Beach consists of four main areas. The area close to the light-tower, sector 10, is ideal for families with kids. Kiosk Nr 9, a the snackbar right at the foot and the beginning of the dunes is quite popular. The next sector 8 is the hetero nudist area, sector 7 is gay nudist area. The kisosk 7 between the gay nudist beach and the gay beach is the meeting point for the gay scene on the beach.
Sector 6 begins at the Punta, where the Maspalomas beach meets the Playa del Inglés beach. Here there are the least people, as the sea can be rough, there are no toilets and no snack bar close. Surfers love that spot as the ocean swell can offer them some good rides. The ideal spot if you want to enjoy the beauty of the dunes. Therefore, regardless of which group you belong to, rest assured there is a place for you on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world!
Walking on the Maspalomas Beach
If you decide to walk from the light-tower to Playa del Inglés beach-walk, take plenty of water along. Don’t forget the sun-cream and a hat. It will take well over an hour, even two if you decide to take a dip in the ocean to cool down. But the walk is well worth it. The sheer beauty of the dunes, the ocean and sky with the constant background of the waves and sea surf is well worth the effort.
How to get there
Finding near-by free parking on the road around the light-tower can be quite tricky. There are two park-houses about 5 minutes from the beach, which will cost 6 – 8 Euros if you stay all day. If you don’t mind walking 10 minutes, then you can park the car on the road near the Meloneras congress centre. There is usually always something free there. The nearest bus-stop is called “Faro Maspalomas”, which is also about 5 minutes from the coast, no matter if you go straight to the light-tower, or turn left towards La Charca, the salt-lake. See the nearest hotels here.
