There are so many great things to do in Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles, that it’s easy to understand why people keep coming back to this island.
Gran Canaria is a popular destination for travellers from all over Europe, and specifically for travellers from Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
The Maspalomas/Playa del Ingles area is in fact so popular amongst Scandinavian tourists that you’ll find several Norwegian, Danish and Swedish bars and restaurants scattered around.
But, there are more things to do in Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles than frequent these places, and after my recent trip to Gran Canaria I decided to include them all in this article.
First things first; why is this post on things to do in Playa del Ingles and things to do in Maspalomas not written as two separate posts? Simply put, these two touristy towns are so close to each other, the borders are a little blurred out. The nearby Sonnenland is also pretty much in the same area.
By definition, both Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles are cities in the San Bartolomé de Tirajana county of Gran Canaria. If you are wondering, my friends and I stayed in Maspalomas, but spent just as much time in Playa del Ingles. I share some hotel tips in the quick guide below.
As mentioned, the island is a popular place for anyone looking to escape the cold of Europe in winter (even the Spaniards themselves travel here in the colder months), and so you’ll find travellers of all kinds in the Canary Islands.
Families, couples, groups of friends and even solo travellers frequent Gran Canaria and the other islands. This means that you’ll find lots of great things to do in Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles during your trip, in addition to a bunch of fun activities in Gran Canaria in general. Here you’ll find some of my favourites!
Looking for somewhere to eat during your trip? If you head this way you’ll find my guide to some great Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas restaurants!
Table of Contents
Quick Gran Canaria Travel Guide
Where to stay: Playa del Ingles and the Maspalomas area are the most popular destinations, and where you will find the most hotels. Bohemia Suites and Spa is a 5-star suite hotel for those wanting to splurge on some luxury. The Bungalows Cordial Biarritz is a mid-range hotel with high ratings on Booking.com, and those on a budget will love opting for an apartment at Apartamentos Amazonas, where they’ll have a kitchenette and be just 250 meters from the beach.
Where to eat: Read my complete guide to restaurants in Playa del Ingles here.
Top activities and tours in Gran Canaria:
- 2-hour Dolphin and Whale Watching Cruise ($38)
- Relaxing on the beaches / By the pool
- Canyoning in Cernicalos Canyon ($68)
- UTV Buggy Offroad Adrenaline Excursion ($71)
- Amadores Water Park ($29)
Top Diving in Gran Canaria:
- Beginners Scuba Diving Experience ($93)
- Discover Scuba Diving ($95)
- 2 Dives for PADI Certified divers ($87)
- PADI Scuba Diver Course, 2 days ($275)
- Children’s Dive Experience ($76)
Packing for Gran Canaria: Gran Canaria in the summer months is scorching, so pack light, comfortable clothes, lots of sunscreen and shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Toms and flip-flops are ideal, and of course you’ll need a swimsuit, cap and sunglasses. I always recommend reef-safe sunscreen (very important).
Airport transfer: If you haven’t booked an airport transfer from the airport (LPA) to your hotel yet, you can do so here. This private transfer drops you off at your hotel, and has no hidden charges.
10 Things to do in Maspalomas & Things to do in Playa del Ingles
As mentioned, I’ll be covering these two cities in one big guide, as they are so close to each other it is a little difficult to know where one starts and the other ends.
Especially as a visitor.
Personally, my friends and I stayed in Maspalomas, but we kept hitting activities in Playa del Ingles without realising.
Of course, there are a few standard things to do in the area, mainly relaxing on the beach and by the pool. Like with other southern European destinations (such as Alanya, Türkiye and the other Canary Islands), the sun and ocean is the main reason people visit. However, there is much more than meets the eye to this area of Gran Canaria!
So, without further ado, here are my favourite things to do in Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles!
#1 The Maspalomas sand dunes
Of course, it’s not possible to write a guide on what to do in Maspalomas without mentioning the sand dunes. These stretch across over 1000 acres, and from certain angles it can look like you are in the middle of a desert.
The dunes have been a natural reserve since 1987, and are a popular place to see for visitors to Gran Canaria.
Whether you are staying in the Maspalomas area or not, heading this way to see the dunes comes highly recommended for your trip to Gran Canaria. It’s even possible to join a camel riding tour across the dunes, but I mainly recommend just strolling around and taking photos on your own.
#2 Dolphin and Whale Watching
Another fun thing to do if you are in Maspalomas or Playa del Ingles is to book a trip to go dolphin and/or whale watching! These tours are loads of fun, and often include a glass bottom boat for you to enjoy sightseeing from. T
he one I found takes about 2-3 hours, and hopefully you’ll see some whales or dolphins from your boat trip around the Canary Islands.
When the season is right, there are also whale watching tours leaving from the Playa del Ingles area. If you have the opportunity to see join one of these, there is nothing I recommend more. I’ve been lucky enough to see whales on some of my travels (such as in Sri Lanka), and it’s been so special.
#3 Play minigolf
“What’s minigolf doing on this list?” you may ask, but you’ll be surprised when I tell you that there is an insane amount of different places offering a great minigolf experience in Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas.
It may be the ‘spring break’ vibe this place gives off, but regardless, I’m here for it.
Whether you are travelling to Gran Canaria with family or as a group of friends, playing
#4 Play actual golf
If you’re looking for something a bit more serious, and you enjoy golfing, there are some great golf courses in the area, and some more unique than others.
Maspalomas Golf is a beautiful golf course right next to the sand dunes of Maspalomas, and quite a unique place to hit a few rounds with your friends.
Many European travellers will actually visit Gran Canaria and the other Canary Islands only to play golf in the winter time!
#5 Don’t miss a day on the beach
Out of all the things to do in Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas and Gran Canaria in general, you simply can’t miss a day (or two) on the beach.
Some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands are located here.
As mentioned above, the Canary islands are popular amongst Europeans trying to escape the cold, and the beaches are a great reason why. So if you are looking for where to go in Europe in winter, Gran Canaria and the other islands are a safe bet!
There are some incredible beaches scattered around the island, and Playa del Inglés beach is 3 kilometers of sand heaven for you to enjoy just outside your door when you are staying in the area.
Of course, there is also a great beach in Maspalomas, and you can relax in the sun on Playa del Maspalomas. Just a stone’s throw away is also the Maspalomas Gay Beach.
#6 Go diving
As you may know, I am a passionate diver, and always look for great dive sites and the best dive centers when I am travelling. During my trip to Gran Canaria, I went diving at the El Cabrón dive site, which is part of a natural reserve called Arinaga.
It was a great experience, and so if you are interested in diving at all, I recommend trying to fit it into your schedule in Gran Canaria.
Read about my experience diving in Gran Canaria here!
To dive the El Cabrón dive site you must be at least an Advanced Open Water diver, but there are plenty of other great dive sites for newer divers and complete beginners.
You can even get your dive certification in Gran Canaria, or join a Discover Scuba Diving program (which allows you to try scuba diving in a safe environment without committing to a test or several days of diving).
#7 Watch a drag show
Seriously, this one may seem a little odd in a city
Seriously, if you ask anyone what you should do during your trip, they’ll tell you to add this to your list.
Drag is a large part of the culture in Playa del Ingles and Gran Canaria, and just by taking a walk to your nearest commercial center (Yumbo is very popular and the largest in Playa del Ingles) you’ll find lots of bars and clubs putting on shows every night.
The Drag Queen Contest of Gran Canaria is actually one of the most popular events of the annual carnival, and definitely worth watching if you have the chance!
#8 Garbo’s Dinner Show
I had one thing on my list before visiting Playa del Inglés, and that was to spend an evening at Garbo’s Dinner Show. This is a spectacular show where you are treated to a 3-course meal (and an open bar if you opt for the VIP tickets. We sure did) and a great musical experience.
In short, at Garbo’s, your server is also an artist, and don’t be surprised if they walk around with their microphone in their back pocket while serving your dinner. The show runs Thursday through Sunday, and doors open at 18:45. The food was absolutely great, and I’ll admit I got
All though it is on the list of things to do in Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas, Garbo’s dinner show is located in Bahia Feliz, Gran Canaria. Fret not, though, it is only a 5-10 minute taxi ride from Playa del Ingles, and completely worth the trip!
#9 Spa Time
If you think of things to do in Maspalomas, you may not have a spa at the top of your list.
But there are several great spas and massage places around the area (and some not-so-great ones), and after a day in the sun (or a night of drinking and hitting the drag shows), a relaxing massage might be just what the doctor ordered.
The smaller spas are scattered around the city center, and we just dropped in without making an appointment whenever we felt like a massage.
The longest we had to wait was half an hour, and then we just went for a walk before heading back. Alternatively, if you want to book a specific treatment, why not have a look at some of the best spa hotels in the area?
#10 Catamaran Boat Tour
Ready to head out on the ocean? Spend a day on a boat, watching the water meet the horizon and just enjoy life.
The there are several options for boat tours in Gran Canaria, lasting anywhere from 2-3 hours to all-day. Most include snorkelling at some point, and sailing along the southern coast of the island.
If you want to go all-out, or you are a big group that makes it worth the cost, consider a private boat tour, such as this one.
Below you can find a selection of boat excursions and snorkelling in Maspalomas/Playa del Ingles.
There you have some fun activities and things to do in Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés, Gran Canaria. As you get closer to your trip, I hope you find this guide helpful when planning what to do!
It’s a lovely area, with lots of fun things to do, but also very busy. You’ll meet loads of fellow travellers there, and it’s highly likely that you’ll run in to someone from home. At least if you’re Scandinavian.
Have you been to Gran Canaria or any of the other Canary Islands? Tell me in the comments below!
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[…] The southern end of the island has some of the most spectacular beaches and there are loads of things to do in Maspalomas when you get tired of surfing the dunes! And as one of the more affordable islands on the list, […]