Holidays to Maspalomas
Holidays to Maspalomas serve up the best of Gran Canaria pretty much all year round. We’re talking sweeping sand dunes, warm blue waters and over 300 days of Spanish sunshine. Hello, holiday heaven!
Sun, sea and siestas
Want a classic Spanish beach break with even more sun than your usual European jolly? Easy. Book yourself a holiday to Maspalomas in Gran Canaria. This island lies closer to Africa than Europe, and has the weather to match!
Expect endless sunshine, sizzling temperatures, a pretty promenade, resorts for all budgets, a wide choice of watersports, and the huge stretch of sand that is Maspalomas Beach. The perfect fly-and-flop getaway? Maspalomas certainly makes a strong case for it!
Dive into the dunes
There’s sand and then there’s Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve sand. Head here to discover 400 hectares of the stuff, with otherworldly peaks and troughs that will make you feel like you’re in a far-flung desert.
Hop aboard the camel train (yep, you read that right!) to glide across the spectacular dunes with ease. Later, make for the reserve's glassy lagoon – a soothing mini oasis that certainly isn’t a mirage. From the shade of the palm groves, you’ll spot parakeets, ospreys and falcons on the lookout for their lunch.
Explore a ‘mini continent’
Hire a car and you can drive the length of Gran Canaria – often called a ‘mini continent’ due to its diverse landscape – in around an hour. That means taking in golden dunes, black-sand beaches, mountain ranges and jungle-like forests all within sixty minutes.
Some of the best bits are inland, like the Caldera de Los Marteles, a huge crater formed by a volcanic explosion less than a million years ago. Here you can trek through the lush greenery, and enjoy the area’s misty microclimate.
For more mountainous majesty, hike your way to the iconic Roque Nublo or take on the island’s highest peak at Pico de las Nieves. Or, fill your biodiversity bingo card with a visit to the laurel forests of Los Tilos de Moya. Bonus points for spotting a barn owl!
Sneak Peek
Best for... A sun-kissed beach break that appeals to all ages ⛱️
Go... Between November and March for a dose of winter sun ☀️
You have to... Plan some day trips to fully explore this beautiful island 🏝️
Maspalomas holiday deals
H10 Playa Meloneras Horizons Collection, Gran Canaria
4.7
Excellent
- 11 Jan 2026
- 7 nights
- Bed & breakfast
- From Manchester
Prices from
Hotel Riu Palace Oasis
4.7
Excellent
- 11 Jan 2026
- 7 nights
- Bed & breakfast
- From Manchester
Prices from
Vista Oasis Bungalows
3.8
Good
- 7 Sept 2026
- 7 nights
- Half board
- From Gatwick
Prices from
Maspalomas Resort by Dunas
4.7
Excellent
- 11 Jan 2026
- 7 nights
- All-inclusive
- From Gatwick
Prices from
Details
Currency
Euro
Language
Spanish
Time difference
GMT +0
Cost of a beer
€2
3-course meal
€15
Flight time
4-5 hrs
Gorg bays for your holidays
Maspalomas Beach has four distinct sections of shoreline. Playa del Inglés is the all-in-one pick with sun-loungers, bars, watersports and paddle-friendly shallows. Equally well-stocked, Playa de Maspalomas is a ginormous golden stretch backing on to the island’s must-see sand dunes. Elsewhere, Playa de las Burras and Playa del Corralillo are most loved by the locals. Head here to top up your tan away from the towels of your fellow tourists.
A family affair
A zoo, theme park and dolphinarium rolled into one, Palmitos Park is a kid-approved pick that’ll hold the attention of all ages for hours on end. For an activity-packed day out during your Maspalomas holiday, try Aqualand, where you’ll find slides to get your heart racing like Spiral and Kamikaze, as well as Kidzworld. There’s also Holiday World, Gran Canaria’s take on the traditional fairground. Carousel, Ferris wheel and rollercoaster? Yep, you’ll find them all here.
Party by the playa
There are plenty of places to wet your whistle beyond your resort. Stroll along the coast towards Playa del Ingles for refreshing cocktails at the Tipsy Hammock, Iguazu Lounge or Eiffel Bar. If cold beers by the beach are more your jam, Dunes & Tunes has got your back. Alternatively, Zum Blauen Engel puts you right on the promenade with a tipple in hand. Sparkles is one for big nights filled with big tunes, drag acts and live entertainment until the early hours.
When to go to Maspalomas
You’re likely to find some sunshine in Maspalomas no matter when you visit, but for a quintessential sun, sea and sand getaway, travel here in June, July or August. With temps around and above the mid-20s, there’s no better time to slip into the Atlantic shallows, snooze on a sun-lounger or pass out by the pool.
Want to swerve freezing Blighty in December, January or February? With deliciously warm winters (expect highs of 22C), this Gran Canaria beaut is very much an option.
For the perfect combo of beach-worthy weather and budget-friendly prices, time your getaway between the summer and winter high seasons. Cheap flights and accommodation are up for grabs from March to May and September to November, when the highs still hit 25C.
