Maspalomas

Maspalomas lies on the southern coast of Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands, and has been one of the archipelago's most popular holiday resorts since the 1960s and 70s. The area is best known for its sand dunes, a protected natural reserve stretching for several kilometres between the beach and the inland area, as well as the Charca de Maspalomas, a wetland lagoon home to varied birdlife. The Maspalomas lighthouse, built in the late 19th century, marks the start of the seafront promenade linking the resort to the neighbouring Playa del Inglés, known for its shopping and lively nightlife around the Yumbo Centre. The mild, dry climate throughout the year encourages outdoor activities such as golf, with one of the oldest courses in the Canaries, water sports and long coastal walks. The wide, well-exposed Maspalomas beach rounds off this sun-focused holiday destination, set against a landscape quite different from the greener, more mountainous parts of the island.