🇪🇸Maspalomas

Maspalomas combines a 404-hectare dune reserve, a wildlife lagoon, Aqualand water park, and year-round sunshine into one of Spain's top family holiday destinations.

Your family guide

Maspalomas with kids: golden dunes, lagoons and water parks

“Walk the dunes at dawn when they're empty, then hit the water park by afternoon. Maspalomas gives you both without the drive between them.”

— San & Jo

Maspalomas is one of those places that genuinely surprises you. You arrive expecting a beach resort, and you find something far more interesting: a 404-hectare nature reserve of golden dunes that look like the Sahara, a peaceful lagoon teeming with wildlife, and a palm grove that has been here long before the hotels. Your family gets the beach holiday and the natural adventure all in one.

The atmosphere here is a lovely mix of laid-back and lively. In the morning, you can walk the dunes in near silence, watching the sand shift in the trade winds. By afternoon, you might be screaming down a water slide at Aqualand or spotting dolphins from a boat. The promenade, Paseo Costa Canaria, ties it all together with its tropical plants, restaurants, and ice cream stops.

Gran Canaria's south coast enjoys warm, sunny weather almost year-round, which makes Maspalomas a reliable choice for families who want to guarantee good beach days. Whether children are toddlers building sandcastles or teenagers chasing waves, the range here covers most family needs.

Year-round sunshineWarm and dry most months

South Gran CanariaCanary Islands, Spain

Beach + dunes + lagoonAll within walking distance

Best things to do

Best things to do in Maspalomas

Walk the Maspalomas Dunes

These 404 hectares of shifting golden sand are unlike anything else in Spain. The dunes rise up to 10 metres tall and drop straight onto the beach. Walking through them feels like stepping into a desert film set, and children love scrambling up and rolling down the slopes. Go early morning for the best light and cooler temperatures.

Bring water and sun protection: there is no shade

1-3 hours

Spot wildlife at La Charca lagoon

Just behind the beach, this peaceful sea lagoon is a protected natural space and a brilliant birdwatching spot. Herons, sandpipers, and migratory birds stop here throughout the year. It is a calm, free activity that works beautifully as a gentle start to the day, and curious kids will love scanning the water for movement.

Bring binoculars for the best birdwatching experience

30-60 minutes

Visit the Faro de Maspalomas

Built in 1886, this 60-metre lighthouse is one of the oldest in the Canary Islands and a genuine landmark. The views from around the base over the dunes, ocean, and La Charca are spectacular. There is also a small ethnographic museum inside showcasing local crafts, which gives you a nice slice of Canarian history without a long visit.

Great photo spot at sunset when the dunes glow golden

45-60 minutes

Splash around at Aqualand Maspalomas

One of the largest water parks in Europe, Aqualand has around 40 slides including the famous Anaconda, plus water games and Polynesian gardens. It is a full-day destination and a genuine crowd-pleaser for families. There are areas suited to younger children as well as bigger thrills for older kids and adults.

Book tickets online in advance to skip the entrance queue

Full day

Explore Palmitos Park

About 10km from the lighthouse, this subtropical zoo and botanical garden is set in a beautiful ravine. Animal shows featuring dolphins and exotic birds are the highlights, and the lush tropical setting makes it feel far removed from the beach resort. A lovely half-day trip that works well for families with younger children.

Check the show schedule when you arrive to plan your route

Half day

Take a camel ride or jeep safari

Camel rides and jeep safaris are classic Maspalomas activities and genuinely fun for kids of all ages. The camel rides typically take you through the dune landscape, adding a whole new perspective on the natural reserve. Jeep safaris head into the interior of Gran Canaria, where the scenery changes dramatically from coast to mountains.

Camel rides near the dunes are usually short but memorable

1-3 hours

Get out on the water

Maspalomas has a brilliant range of water sports on offer: kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, boat trips, dolphin watching, and even scuba diving. The calmer waters near the shore are great for beginners and younger children, while older kids and teens can try something more adventurous. Dolphin watching boat trips are a particular favourite with families.

Dolphin watching trips are most popular in the morning

1-4 hours

Our verdict

How Maspalomas scores for families

Kids

Between the dunes, Aqualand, Palmitos Park, camel rides, and water sports, Maspalomas is genuinely packed with things for children to do. There is variety for every age and energy level.

Nature

The combination of dunes, lagoon, and palm grove makes Maspalomas stand out from typical beach resorts. The natural reserve is ecologically significant and genuinely beautiful.

Food

Fresh seafood, papas arrugadas, and tapas are all easy to find. The resort area has plenty of family-friendly restaurants, though quality varies. Seek out the local Canarian spots for the best experience.

Culture

The lighthouse museum and Canarian cuisine offer some cultural depth, but Maspalomas is primarily a resort destination. Day trips to Las Palmas or Fataga add a richer cultural dimension.

Budget

Maspalomas is a mid-range destination. Accommodation and eating out are reasonable, but attractions like Aqualand and Palmitos Park add up. Planning ahead helps keep costs manageable.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay in Maspalomas?

3 days

Quick break

Walk the dunes, visit La Charca, and spend a day at the beach. You will see the highlights but feel a little rushed.

sweet spot

5 days

Sweet spot

Enough time for the dunes, Aqualand, Palmitos Park, water sports, and a day trip into southern Gran Canaria. This is the pace most families enjoy.

7 days

Full week

Take everything at a relaxed pace, explore Puerto de Mogán and Fataga, try multiple water sports, and still have lazy beach days in between.

Fun facts

Things to know about Maspalomas

The dunes were shaped by a tsunami

The Maspalomas Dunes are thought to have first formed after an earthquake and tsunami in 1755. Since then, the northeast trade winds have been slowly sculpting and shifting the sand into the dramatic landscape you see today.

The lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1886

The Faro de Maspalomas is one of the oldest lighthouses in the entire Canary Islands. At 60 metres tall, it has been warning ships away from the southern tip of Gran Canaria for well over a century.

La Charca is a stopover for migrating birds

The lagoon at La Charca sits on an important migratory route between Europe and Africa. Birds travelling thousands of kilometres use it as a resting point, which is why you can spot so many different species here throughout the year.

Taste Maspalomas

What to eat with your family in Maspalomas

Papas arrugadas with mojo

Kids love it

La Proa Casa Reyes

These small, wrinkly potatoes boiled in heavily salted water are the most iconic dish in the Canary Islands. Served with red or green mojo sauce, they are simple, delicious, and almost universally loved by children. Order them as a side dish with just about everything.

Grilled limpets with mojo

Must try

The New Rustico Maspalomas

Fresh limpets grilled on a hot plate and finished with mojo sauce are a Canarian classic. They arrive sizzling at the table and taste of the sea. Older children who enjoy seafood tend to love them, and they are a great introduction to local coastal cooking.

Ropa vieja

Local favourite

La Proa Casa Reyes

This hearty stew of shredded beef with chickpeas, potatoes, and spices is proper comfort food. It is filling, flavourful, and the kind of dish that works well for hungry families after a long day at the beach or dunes.

Carne fiesta

Local favourite

The New Rustico Maspalomas

Spicy pork bites seasoned with paprika, oregano, and parsley, carne fiesta is a popular tapas dish especially during local festivals. The flavours are bold and aromatic. Worth trying as part of a shared tapas spread for the table.

Paella night

Safe choice

The New Rustico Maspalomas

Maspalomas restaurants regularly host paella nights, and they are a fun, relaxed way to eat well with the family. The New Rustico Maspalomas is well known for theirs. A big pan of rice, seafood, and saffron on a warm Canarian evening is hard to beat.

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