Photo: Wouter Hagens · Public domain
The beach
The Canary Islands tourist board gives it 2.7 kilometres; the town council, 2,850 metres and an average width of 80: either way, plenty of sand. The northern end, against the resort, has the sunbeds, parasols, showers, toilets, lifeguards and sheltered spots for children, and it has flown the Blue Flag since 1988. As you head south the beach empties, surfers appear on the bend that joins it to Maspalomas and the well-marked naturist zone begins at the foot of the dunes. The kiosks dotted along the sand have public toilets.
The Paseo Costa Canaria and the Mirador de las Dunas
The Costa Canaria seafront promenade runs some five kilometres along the top of the coast, from Las Burras and San Agustín to the Mirador de las Dunas, the balcony over the reserve beside the Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas at the end of Avenida de Tirajana. There you will find the reserve's visitor centre, with panels and films on how the dunes formed, and the start of Trail 3A, the only waymarked way into the reserve from this side. It is the place to take in the whole dune field with the lighthouse beyond without treading on a grain of sand.
Playa del Inglés during Pride
The festival hotels are spread across the resort, a stroll from the Yumbo, and the Saturday parade sets off from the Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas at the top of Avenida de Tirajana. In recent editions it has rolled down Avenida de Tirajana, Avenida de Gran Canaria and Avenida de España to the Yumbo's main entrance; check the programme for the 2027 timing and route.
When to go
In the morning the sea is usually calm and the sand still cool; the afternoon breeze is welcome but it also lifts sand on the dune stretch. For swimming, the northern end is the more sheltered; for walking, the water's edge towards Punta de Maspalomas at low tide. And for sunset, the Mirador de las Dunas.
Tips
- The beach kiosks have public toilets.
- The naturist zone is to the south, towards the Punta: if you would rather keep your swimsuit on, stay in the northern half.
- To see the dunes, use the Mirador and the waymarked trails; walking on the mobile dunes is forbidden.
- On parade day, expect the avenues along the route to be packed from early afternoon: get around on foot.
