Puerto Rico holidays

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, t’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. Or spend the day at Palmitos Park, a wonderful botanical garden with a dolphinarium, aviary and aquarium. Just 15-20 minutes or 11km from here by car, it has been frequently ranked among the top-rated places to visit in Gran Canaria.

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 1,800m 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.

Nature lover’s paradise

Maspalomas is naturally very beautiful with its miles of stunning sands and lush greenery growing all round. If you want to see more of nature at its very best along with some amazing animals, be sure to take a visit to Palmitos Park. It’s an oasis of tall palm trees and flowery gardens and is also home to a remarkable cacti collection. If you love animals you’ll be treated to over 200 varieties of birds, a huge aquarium full of different fish, as well as monkeys, dolphins and a whole host of other species.

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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Big and buzzing Playa del Inglés in Gran Canaria is one of the island's oldest party resorts, pulling in visitors since the 1960s to make the most of its gorgeous beaches and nightlife. There’s plenty of room for everyone, with 3km of golden sand backing into a colourful waterfront with top bars, pubs and shops, and the resort’s best hotels close by. 

It  has the ideal holiday location on Gran Canaria’s south coast, situated close to nearby water parks and sport centres. Known in English as 'Englishman's Beach', it's very popular with English-speaking tourists, and offers some of the most cosmopolitan nightlife in the Canary Islands.

Things to do

Go on an unforgettable scuba diving adventure and see the stunning marine life of the Canaries during your Playa del Inglés holidays, or explore the busy market of Puerto de Mogán, Gran Canaria's very own 'little Venice'. If you love a bit of shopping, don't forget to visit the Yumbo Centrum in Maspalomas, where you'll find over 200 shops, restaurants and bars.

Head further afield to the striking volcanic rock known as Roque Nublo, which dates back over four million years and was an ancient place of worship. Or go on a day excursion to Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, and see its enchanting cathedral and museums where you can learn all about the history of the island and the discovery of the New World.

Excellent beaches

It’s no secret that the beach is the place to be in Playa del Ingles. Its popular with holidaymakers and the long stretch of soft, golden sand shelves gently into the warm sea and has all the comforts you could need for a great day at the beach. Facilities include disability access points, showers and kiosks selling ice-cold refreshments. Whether you’re after a relaxing afternoon on the sun loungers or a thrilling water sport adventure, the beach has it all. Sporting activities include jet skis, sailing, windsurfing and banana boats, to name a few.

Culture

The resort began to develop in the 1960s to accommodate the influx of tourism to the island. Since then, Playa del Ingles has turned into the largest resort in Gran Canaria. Purpose built hotel complexes, bars and restaurants are all within walking distance to ensure that you have everything you may need for a relaxing holiday.

Vibrant nightlife

As well as its fantastic beaches and hot weather, Playa del Ingles is recognised as being a great place for a night out. Themed and specialised bars and clubs are extremely popular here as the streets illuminate with colour and music streams out of every bar. Fruity cocktails and dancing is in store at the many nightclubs and bars open until the early hours.

If you’re after belly-laughter and fabulous entertainment, head to Ricky’s Cabaret Bar for a guaranteed great night out. Grab a drink and settle in for a memorable performance filled with audience participation, comedy and a whole lot of song and dance.

For something with a little more style and sophistication in the early evening, head to Eiffel Bar for a truly relaxed atmosphere. The knowledgeable and friendly bar staff serve highly recommended wines and delicious cocktails made with only the finest spirits. This is a great place for drinks with friends in this trendy, French themed bar.

More travel guides

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 | Maspalomas | Menorca | Puerto Rico | San Agustin

Escape to the sunny Gran Canaria resort of San Agustín, a tranquil resort with wonderful Atlantic views. A much more low-key alternative to Playa del Inglés, it's great for beach lovers and swimmers, and has long been popular with holidaymakers. Its laid-back feel makes it perfect for couples who simply want to relax on the dazzling golden beaches. Families are close to all the major attractions and waterparks, while adventurers can lace up their hiking boots and head inland or along the island’s stunning coastal paths.

Things to do

If you have time and would like to explore more historic sights, head north to the capital of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas. See its museum to learn about its prehistoric, ancient, medieval and colonial past. Visit the Casa de Colón museum to find out about Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the New World, then relax for a while on the golden sands of Las Canteras Beach. Las Palmas is also famous for its cathedral, which dates back half a millennium and is technically still unfinished! The church, which has a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Neo-Classical styles, is rich in artwork, and celebrates a huge feast on November 26th to commemorate its dedication.

More travel guides

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 | Maspalomas | Tenerife | Ibiza | Madrid | Malaga | Majorca | Menorca | Playa des Ingles | Puerto Rico