Beaches

Dunas de Maspalomas

South of Gran Canaria

In the resort area of Maspalomas, the wind has sculpted more than 400 hectares of sand into a landscape that feels like a desert. The dunes shift endlessly and offer a different view at every hour, above all at dawn and sunset. It is one of the rarest natural phenomena in Europe.

Area: Maspalomas
Type: Beaches
Good for: Iconic Family Sunset Free Viewpoint

Directions Book

Zone: South · Maspalomas· See everything in this area

Why it's worth a visit

A natural phenomenon that is rare in Europe.
Memorable sunsets over the sand.
An ideal place for photography.

The Mirador de las Dunas

It is the balcony over the sea of sand: from the walkway the whole dune field fits in a single look
The path that crosses the dune down to the beach starts here: a good half hour, without a scrap of shade on the way
Access is free and flat, pushchairs included, on the reserve’s north-east edge
Low light stretches the shadows between the crests: that is when the relief really shows, and when the photographs happen

Exploring the dunes

The main entrance is near the Hotel Riu Palace, next to the Dunes Interpretation Centre. From there a marked path lets you cross the dunes without harming the environment.

The dunes are part of a protected nature reserve with a fragile ecosystem. Among its highlights is the La Charca lagoon, a small oasis where many migratory birds stop to rest.

After the walk you can relax on Maspalomas beach, a long stretch of sand that reaches the Maspalomas Lighthouse.

Getting there

By car: easily reached via the GC-1 road. There is parking near the seafront promenade and the Hotel Riu Palace.
By bus: several lines connect Maspalomas with the island's other resort towns.
On foot: you can walk in from the centre of Maspalomas or from the beach.