Dunes of Maspalomas★★★
The Dunas de Maspalomas are the iconic postcard motif of Gran Canaria — and rightly so. The nature reserve (Reserva Natural Especial) covers 403 hectares at the southern tip of the island and includes three ecosystems: the wandering dunes themselves, an oasis lagoon (La Charca), and a palm grove. The sand dunes, up to 10 meters high, look like a piece of the Sahara that has lost its way into the Atlantic — in fact, the sand partly comes from the nearby Western Sahara, enriched by crushed shells and corals.
The dune landscape is alive and in constant motion: The trade winds reshape the sand ridges daily. The scenery is most impressive at sunrise or sunset when the dunes are bathed in gold and red tones, and the long shadows create surreal patterns. The walk through the dunes from the hotel area to the Faro de Maspalomas (lighthouse, 1890) takes about 30–40 minutes — sturdy footwear is better than flip-flops, as the sand becomes scorching hot at midday.
La Charca: The brackish water lagoon on the eastern edge of the dunes is a surprisingly diverse biotope — herons, plovers, stilts, and even occasional ospreys can be observed here. A wooden walkway leads around the lagoon. Bird watchers should bring binoculars and come in the morning.
Beaches around the dunes:
- Playa de Maspalomas — 2.7 km of golden sand right by the dunes. Less crowded than Playa del Inglés, nudist area in the middle section.
- Playa del Inglés — The large tourist beach (2.7 km) east of the dunes. Full infrastructure with loungers (5 €), bars, water sports.
- Playa de Meloneras — West of the lighthouse, quieter and more upscale. Upscale restaurants on the promenade.
💡 Tipp
Camel tour through the dunes: 12 € per person (20 minutes) — touristy, but fun, especially with children. For photos: come around 6 p.m. when the light turns golden and the day tourists are gone. The dunes are a nature reserve — please stay on the marked paths and do not leave any trash.
