Maspalomas, Canary Islands: A Holiday Guide to Gran Canaria

Maspalomas is a coastal resort town of a little over 36,000 residents. It is built for the kind of holiday British travellers come to the Canaries for: sun, sea and an easy pace. Most of what you will want sits close together. The Maspalomas Botanical Garden is in the town itself, and the lighthouse, the waterpark and a string of beaches are all around 2 miles away.

It also works well if you like a few outings between beach days. Palmitos Park, a zoo set about 6 miles from town, and Mundo Aborigen, an open-air museum around 4 miles out, both make good half days. They are a welcome change of scene for families, or for anyone who finds a fortnight of sunbathing a little long.

The resort area divides naturally between Maspalomas proper, close to the Botanical Garden, and the coast to the west around the lighthouse. Meloneras lies about 2 miles from the centre and has its own beach, Playa de Meloneras. Nearby are Playa de las Mujeres and Playa del Hornillo. This stretch suits travellers who want to walk to the sand and to Maspalomas Lighthouse.

Families may prefer to look at accommodation within easy reach of Aqualand Maspalomas, the waterpark, which is also around 2 miles away. If you are after a quieter stretch of shore, Playa de las Carpinteras lies a little further out, about 4 miles from the centre.

Anyone checking the meteo for Maspalomas, Gran Canaria will see why it is a year-round resort. Daytime highs stay between 23°C and 28°C from January to June and again from September to December. Nights rarely drop below 15°C. Winter is the classic escape from British grey: January brings around 23°C and just one rainy day on average.

July and August are the hot months, at 31°C and 33°C, with no rain recorded. August is the one month left off the best-months list, so it suits sun-seekers who do not mind real heat. March and November are the wettest, though that still means only four or five rainy days.

UK school holidays push package prices up, as they do everywhere. If you can travel outside them, spring and autumn offer the same warm weather with more choice.

You fly into Gran Canaria airport (LPA), which has direct flights from the United Kingdom. The drive to Maspalomas takes about 24 minutes, one of the shorter airport transfers in the Canaries. That makes a big difference after a four-hour flight with children.

If you fancy seeing more of the islands, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria port is about 29 miles away by road. Ferries to Tenerife leave from there, arriving at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, about 63 miles from Maspalomas, or Los Cristianos, about 72 miles. Car hire is useful if you want to reach the port or explore the island under your own steam.

Most British travellers book Maspalomas as a package: return flights, a hotel and the transfer from Gran Canaria airport in one booking. You choose the board basis that suits you, from room only or bed and breakfast through to half board or all inclusive. With a 24-minute transfer, you are usually by the pool soon after landing.

On this page you can compare package deals from several major UK holiday operators side by side. You can also check hotel prices, browse tours and tickets for sights such as Palmitos Park, Aqualand and Mundo Aborigen, and compare car hire if you want to explore beyond the resort.