Maspalomas holidays

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Maspalomas holidays

Best hotels in Maspalomas

The vibrant seaside resort of Maspalomas is a family favourite on Gran Canaria’s southern coast. A laid-back alternative to the island’s party capitals, it’s perfect for families with kids, or couples who want something a little bit more relaxed. Holidays to Maspalomas are full of magnificent beaches and an upbeat town centre with a top choice of family-friendly hotels. An easy resort to get around, and well-placed for day trips, it’s surrounded by gorgeous landscapes plus water parks, nature parks and much more, which means it is the perfect setting for a relaxing, fun-packed holiday.

Things to do

Holidays in Maspalomas are ideal for the kids, so why not take the family to the Maspalomas Aquapark as a change from the beach? This family favourite is the perfect place to cool off in the summer sun. Relax in the pool, zoom down the adrenaline-boosting water slides, or meet the amazing sea lions.

Another place worth visiting during your Maspalomas holidays is Roque Nublo, a dramatic volcanic rock in the heart of Gran Canaria. 80 metres high, and more than 1,800 metres above sea level, it was created about 4.5 million years ago during a volcanic eruption, and was a place of worship in ancient times. It's also the second highest point in Gran Canaria, and is best viewed at sunset, when you can get some terrific photos.

Gorgeous sands

You can’t visit Maspalomas without a trip to the sand dunes. The nature reserve is over 400 hectares of soft sand peaks, so you could easily spend hours walking up them. If a good beach is an important part of your holiday, you’ll love the beach in Maspalomas. The Playa de Maspalomas is a Blue Flag award winner with a six kilometre stretch of golden sands split into different zones so you can find the perfect piece of beach for yourself.

Family fun

There are lots of things for kids to do in Maspalomas when on a family holiday. If your family is a fan of the water, take them to Aqualand Maspalomas, it’s one of the Canary Island’s largest waterparks with an impressive 33 slides. For family-orientated evenings that have loads of fun things for the kids to do but still have adults in mind, head for Holiday World. Kids will love all the fairground rides and soft play and you’ll be able to sit and enjoy a meal or a couple of drinks whilst still being able to keep an eye on them.

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We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Andalusia | Balearic Islands | Barcelona | Canary Islands | Costa Almeria | Costa Blanca | Costa Brava | Costa Dorada | Costa del Sol | Fuerteventura | Gran Canaria | Lanzarote | Tenerife | Ibiza | Madrid | Malaga | Majorca | Menorca | Playa des Ingles | Puerto Rico | San Agustin

 

21°C to 28°C

Maspalomas enjoys warm weather all year round, although the best time for beach weather is from around May to October. In fact, this resort enjoys some of the highest winter temperatures in the Canary Islands, thanks to its relatively sheltered location and protection from cooler northerly winds.

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About 4 hours and 30 minutes
About 4 hours and 30 minutes from UK airports to Gran Canaria International Airport, which is about 20 minutes / 32 km from Maspalomas.
Types of holidays in Maspalomas

Maspalomas is best for...

Families: Maspalomas is jam-packed with kid-friendly attractions. Let them scream themselves silly as they plunge down the water slides and chutes at the aquapark!

Beach lovers: Lazy days just float away as you lie back and relax on award-winning beaches, with beautifully soft white sand and clear blue waters.

Adventurers: See camels cross the dunes, fly across the waves on water skis, or take a sailing trip to spot dolphins during your Maspalomas holiday.

Fast facts for Maspalomas

Language: The language spoken here is Spanish. However, in many hotels and other tourist establishments, you can expect to hear English spoken by most of the staff.

Currency: The currency used here is the Euro (€).

Local time: Don't change your watch! It’s the same time zone as the UK. Phew!

Fly to: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Airport (LPA).

Flight time from UK: Approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes from UK airports.

Tourist information: Get more Maspalomas travel tips from the official Gran Canaria tourist board.

Safe travels: The UK government FCDO team has all you need to know about passports, visas, health, safety and security for Maspalomas.

Holiday destinations related to Maspalomas:

 

Getting around Maspalomas

By bus: The buses in Gran Canaria are well organised and cheap, with bus stops located throughout which is great for visiting a neighbouring town or getting around the resort. These can provide excellent value for money and are a convenient way to explore the island.

By taxi: Taxis here are reliable and reasonably priced. They are required to use a meter and can be booked in advance or found at a taxi rank in the town centre, making them useful for both airport transfers or getting back to your hotel in the evenings. Just remember to confirm what the taxi fare will be before you start your journey.

On foot: It’s a compact resort that is easy to get around on foot, with most attractions no more than 20 minutes’ walk from the hotels.

By car: If you'd like more independence and the freedom to explore Gran Canaria at your own pace, hire a car at the airport, where you'll find plenty of rental firms. However, it's often cheaper to book your car hire online and well in advance of your Maspalomas holiday.

Events in Maspalomas

Canary Day: May 30th is a public holiday in the Canary Islands, commemorating the islands’ independence from Spanish rule. The event celebrates Canarian culture, traditions and history, and across the islands you’ll find parties, parades and exhibitions, with locals showcasing the best in Canarian music, food and festivities. 

For music lovers: In January, the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife host the celebrated Canary Islands Music Festival. Indoor and outdoor venues across the islands’ resorts put on showcases and concerts, with many celebrated artists including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The event goes on for several weeks and is a must-see for lovers of classical music.

Carnival: In late February or early March, join the fun with incredible processions, dazzling costumes, live music and other exciting festivities.

Maspalomas weather

Temperature: Highs of 28°C in August.

Best time to visit: June and July for almost guaranteed sunshine. However, the weather is generally sunny and dry most of the year, and winter, spring and autumn are cooler and more pleasant for hiking and cycling.

The weather here is usually pleasantly warm in winter and very warm or hot in summer with occasional heatwaves. The temperature tends to stay in the mid-20s (°C) from May to October, with the hottest month being August. The sea is warm enough for a comfortable dip from around May until at least early November. In fact, water temperatures only dip to about 18°C by February.

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