Destinations/Spain/Balearic Islands/Canary Islands/Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes
Beach · San Bartolomé de Tirajana · Canary Islands

Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes

A protected Sahara dune-field opening onto the ocean

404 hectares of shifting dunes declared a Special Natural Reserve, ending in six uninterrupted kilometres of beach. Walk the crest of the dunes from the Riu Palace to the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse — one of Spain's great natural landscapes.

Type
Sandy beach
Length
6 km
Sand
Sahara-blown golden dunes
Water
Atlantic · 20–23 °C · gentle
Playa de Maspalomas — the DunesNo verified photo yet
GPS · 27.7376° N, 15.5866° W
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Where to park

Where to leave the car

Free car park at Playa del Inglés (Anexo II) and paid at the Faro de Maspalomas.

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When to arrive

Best time to visit

Two hours before sunset for shadow-carved dune crests.

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How you get there

Getting there

GC-500 exit signposted 'Dunas'. Camel-ride starting point at the Anexo II car park.

What you'll find

Services

  • Lifeguard year-round
  • Chiringuitos at either end (none on the dunes themselves)
  • Naturist section marked by flags
  • Camel rides at the northern edge

Local tips

What we wish we'd been told

  • 01Do not walk off the marked trails — protected reserve
  • 02Bring water: no shade or bars once you enter the dunes
  • 03Sunset from the Charca lagoon boardwalk

Around this beach

Towns within 15 km of Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes

Nearest villages on Canary Islands — sorted by distance. Ideal bases for staying close to the beach.

Guide to the linked village

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Asked by first-time visitors

Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes: the questions travellers actually ask

Every question people put to an AI assistant before a first visit, answered here in full — best time to go, itinerary, entry requirements, safety, transport and where to stay, plus the details guidebooks skip.

Practical questions about this beach

What is Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes beach like?

A protected Sahara dune-field opening onto the ocean. 404 hectares of shifting dunes declared a Special Natural Reserve, ending in six uninterrupted kilometres of beach. Walk the crest of the dunes from the Riu Palace to the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse — one of Spain's great natural landscapes.

Full answer +

A protected Sahara dune-field opening onto the ocean. 404 hectares of shifting dunes declared a Special Natural Reserve, ending in six uninterrupted kilometres of beach. Walk the crest of the dunes from the Riu Palace to the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse — one of Spain's great natural landscapes. It's a sandy beach in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Canary Islands: 6 km long, sahara-blown golden dunes, with water described as atlantic · 20–23 °c · gentle.

Where do I park at Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes?

Free car park at Playa del Inglés (Anexo II) and paid at the Faro de Maspalomas.

What's the best time to visit Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes?

Two hours before sunset for shadow-carved dune crests.

How do I get to Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes?

GC-500 exit signposted 'Dunas'. Camel-ride starting point at the Anexo II car park.

What facilities does Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes have?

On site: Lifeguard year-round, Chiringuitos at either end (none on the dunes themselves), Naturist section marked by flags and Camel rides at the northern edge.

What should I know before visiting Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes?

Do not walk off the marked trails — protected reserve Bring water: no shade or bars once you enter the dunes Sunset from the Charca lagoon boardwalk

Prompt pack

Copy these into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini

Use them as they are, then bring the answers back to us — we correct what the machine gets wrong about Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes with local eyes.

  • I'm visiting Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes for the first time. List the 5 things I must see and 3 I can skip, and say why.
  • Build me a 3-day Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes itinerary grouped by geography, with walking times between stops.
  • What in Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes must be booked weeks ahead, and what can I buy on the day?
  • Where do locals eat near the main sights of Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes? Avoid tourist-trap restaurants.
  • What are the common tourist scams in Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes and how do I avoid each one?
  • Give me a mid-range daily budget for Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes broken down by food, transport and attractions.
  • Act as a Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes local: what's your favourite corner that isn't in the guidebooks?
  • I have half a day in Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes. What is the most representative thing to do?

Human verification: every answer above has been checked against what is actually open, bookable and walkable in Playa de Maspalomas — the Dunes — not generated and left unread.

Keep exploring

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Editorial notice

Editorial summary produced with AI support and reviewed by a human editor. Facts are as reported by the sources linked in the text. Verify anything important before you act on it.

Last reviewed · 30 July 2026

Prices & times

All prices and times on this page are estimates and change often. They are a starting point from an independent editor, never official or guaranteed figures. Always check the final price and the opening hours with the official venue or operator before you book or travel.

Checked · 30 July 2026