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Maspalomas is at the southern tip of Gran Canaria, and the name everyone associates with its dunes: a small desert of golden sand that slopes down to the sea between Playa del Inglés and the Maspalomas Lighthouse. Around it stretches a resort area without any high-rise towers, made up of bungalows, villas with pools, golf courses and a seafront promenade lined with restaurants.
Choosing where to stay in Maspalomas is mainly about deciding what kind of place you want and how close to the sea. Nine out of ten of the places we select here are holiday homes or villas, and we have hand-picked each one of the nine in this guide for its amenities, location and the kind of traveller it suits.
Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés: two different areas
Both belong to the same municipality, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, and meet via the beach and dunes, but they offer different kinds of trips. Playa del Inglés is the south's commercial and nightlife hub, with avenues, open-air centres such as Yumbo and apartment buildings; it has its own guide to where to stay in Playa del Inglés.
Maspalomas, by contrast, is more low-rise and residential. It's worth distinguishing between several different settings:
- The Lighthouse and Meloneras: west of the dunes, with a seafront promenade, sandy beaches and restaurants; the liveliest area without getting too busy.
- Campo Internacional: bungalows and low-rise homes between the golf course and the motorway, a short walk from the dunes.
- Sonnenland and the hilltop developments: large villas with private pools in a residential area, quieter and a few kilometres from the coast.
If you want to walk to and from the beach, look near the Lighthouse or Meloneras. If you're travelling in a group and plan to spend plenty of time by the pool, the villas in Sonnenland and the surrounding area offer more space per person, but you'll depend on a car.
Villas with pools for large groups
Let's start with the homes that work best for large families or groups of friends: four or five bedrooms, a private pool and a proper kitchen.
Villa Cervantes Sonnenland con piscina privada climatizada
Four bedrooms for ten people, a garden, sea views and a heated private pool that's enjoyable even in winter. A major practical plus is the free private parking inside the villa, with no reservation needed. A cash deposit is required on arrival, and Meloneras is 2.6 km away, so you'll need to drive to the beach.
Villa Morada Sonneland con piscina privada climatizada
Another spacious villa in the residential area: four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a heated pool, a hot tub and a kitchen with an oven and dishwasher. If you're travelling with a dog, there's good news: pets stay free. Free parking is public, on the street, and parties and stag or hen parties aren't allowed.
Villa Beskow Sunny Golf
Five bedrooms for ten guests and a home designed for outdoor living: a terrace, patio, balcony, outdoor pool and barbecue. Maspalomas Golf Course is a six-minute walk away, a clear plus if there are golfers in your group. Two drawbacks: the upper floors are only accessible by stairs, and one bedroom doesn't have air conditioning.
Casa Toni y Thais
A detached home with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and space for ten, with sea and city views from its outdoor areas: a patio, terrace and garden. The kitchen makes it easy to eat in, and parking is free. A minimum stay of four nights is required, and guests are asked to keep noise down after midnight.
Homes for families and couples
If there are four or six of you, or you're travelling as a couple, these homes offer pools and gardens without needing to fill ten beds.
Villa Palmera
Two bedrooms for four people, an outdoor pool, a garden and a hot tub, just over two kilometres from Playa del Inglés. The children's play area and a kitchen with an oven and dishwasher make it very convenient for families with children. Bear in mind that a deposit is due on arrival and check-in ends at 21:00.
Villa Holiday World
Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private pool and a children's play area: an ideal base for families with young children. The kitchen is fully equipped, with a dishwasher, washing machine and coffee machine, and Playa del Inglés is 2.4 km away. Parking is public, and quiet hours start at 22:00.
Chalet Afrika con Jacuzzi
A detached chalet with a private pool, children's pool, garden and hot tub, as well as games for little ones. If you arrive by car, you can park without a reservation in the free public car park next door. There's no lift, the upper floors are only accessible by stairs, and parties aren't allowed.
Bungalow SIENA Center Playa del Inglés
Three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a private pool and a terrace overlooking the water, for up to six people. It's set up for children, with a children's pool, high chair and socket covers. Pets are also welcome at no extra charge, and airport transfers are included. Check-in ends at midnight, so let them know when you'll arrive.
El Caramelito 1
Designed for two adults, this ground-floor home is wheelchair accessible and has an outdoor pool, patio, terrace and garden. Your pet stays free, and the kitchen has everything you need to avoid relying on restaurants. Children aren't allowed, parking is on the street, and guests are asked to keep noise down from 22:00.
You'll find more homes, villas and a few hotels on our places to stay in Maspalomas page.
What to see in Maspalomas
The Maspalomas Dunes are a Special Nature Reserve and can be explored on foot, sticking to the signposted paths that cross the sand to the sea. From 26 August 2026, the island council is trialling a monitoring scheme at dawn and dusk, with officers, drones and announcements in Spanish, English and German from the Dunes Viewpoint: leaving the paths to get the perfect photo isn't allowed.
At the other end of the beach stands the Maspalomas Lighthouse, dating from the late 19th century, beside the Charca, a lagoon where migratory birds stop, and the Oasis palm grove. The Meloneras promenade starts at the lighthouse and is perfect for an evening stroll and dinner by the sea. Nearby, Maspalomas Golf Course borders the dunes themselves.
With a car, the island's interior is just a short drive away. The road through the Fataga ravine winds uphill through palm trees to Tunte, the municipal capital, and continues towards the mountains and Roque Nublo. To the west, Puerto de Mogán and its coves await; for families with children, Palmitos Park and Aqualand are the most popular day trips.
When to visit Maspalomas
Southern Gran Canaria is sunny almost all year round, with mild temperatures even in January, which makes winter the high season, especially between Christmas and Easter. Summer is hotter and popular with families; spring and autumn bring good weather and more homes to choose from.
Mark this date: the Maspalomas Winter Pride is held every year in early November, with its main stage at Yumbo in Playa del Inglés. Demand surges across the south that week, and large villas are booked months in advance.
Getting there and getting around
Gran Canaria Airport is on the east coast, about 30 km from Maspalomas via the GC-1 motorway. Global buses connect the terminal with the Maspalomas Lighthouse: route 66 goes via Playa del Inglés and runs hourly, while routes 36 and 90 make the same journey via Telde. Taxis and hire cars are available outside.
If you're staying near the Lighthouse or Meloneras, you can get around on foot and by bus. For villas in Sonnenland and the hilltop developments, a car is almost essential: check whether the home has its own parking space or if you'll need to park on the street. Find all the details about flights, ferries and buses in our guide to getting to Gran Canaria.
Maspalomas is one of the places to stay in Gran Canaria, covered in our guide to where to stay in the Canary Islands. If you'd prefer more buzz, see where to stay in Playa del Inglés; if you're looking for city life and culture, see where to stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most from people planning a few days in Maspalomas.
Is it better to stay in Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés?
It depends on your trip. Maspalomas is quieter and more residential, with villas and homes with pools, the Lighthouse, Meloneras and direct access to the dunes; it suits families, groups and couples looking to relax. Playa del Inglés, in the same municipality and just to the east, has shops, bars and nightlife, with Yumbo as a meeting point. If you want to go out every night, choose Playa del Inglés; if you'd rather dine on the promenade and return to a quiet home, choose Maspalomas. They're close enough to combine with ease.
Which area of Maspalomas is best for families?
Homes and villas with private pools and play areas, which are plentiful in Campo Internacional and the hilltop developments such as Sonnenland, work very well for families with young children. You'll have more space, a fully equipped kitchen and peace and quiet, although you'll usually need a car to get to the beach. If you'd rather do everything on foot, look near the Lighthouse or Meloneras, with its seafront promenade and restaurants. In our selection, Villa Holiday World, Villa Palmera and Chalet Afrika con Jacuzzi are especially suited to families travelling with children.
Do you need a car when staying in Maspalomas?
Not always. If you're staying near the Lighthouse, Meloneras or Campo Internacional, you can walk to the beach and use the bus for everything else. Villas in Sonnenland and the hilltop developments, however, are two or three kilometres from the sea, making a car almost essential. You'll also need one to head inland, to the Fataga ravine or Roque Nublo. Before booking, check whether the home has private parking or if you'll need to leave the car on the street.
How do you get to Maspalomas from the airport?
Gran Canaria Airport is about 30 km away via the GC-1 motorway. Global buses connect the terminal with the Maspalomas Lighthouse: route 66 goes via Playa del Inglés and runs hourly, while routes 36 and 90 make the journey via Telde. Taxis and car hire companies are also available outside the terminal. Some homes, such as Bungalow SIENA Center Playa del Inglés, include airport transfers.
When is the best time to visit Maspalomas?
Maspalomas is sunny and mild almost all year round, so any month is a good time for the beach. Winter, between Christmas and Easter, is high season thanks to the good weather; summer is hotter and popular with families. Spring and autumn usually have more availability. Bear major events in mind: the Maspalomas Winter Pride takes place in early November, and it's best to book well in advance for that week.
