Walk a few hundred metres into the Maspalomas Dunes at sunrise and the resorts of Playa del Inglés simply disappear. What's left is a sea of golden sand ridges, wind ripples restored overnight, and the Atlantic glinting beyond — one of the most surprising landscapes in the Canary Islands, sitting right at the edge of Gran Canaria's busiest resort area.
The dunes are protected as a Special Nature Reserve of around 400 hectares, together with the Charca lagoon and the palm grove behind it. Entry is free and open at all times, but the reserve is fragile and closely managed, so knowing when to come, where you're allowed to walk and how to make the most of a few hours makes all the difference. This guide covers everything, from the best light to the hotels right next to the sand.
Understanding the Dunes
The reserve brings together three very different environments: the mobile dune field itself, the Charca de Maspalomas lagoon at its western end beside the lighthouse, and the Palmeral, a grove of tall palms on its edge. The area was first protected in 1987 and declared a Special Nature Reserve in 1994.
Contrary to the popular story, the sand isn't from the Sahara. It's made mostly of tiny fragments of shells and other marine organisms, brought ashore by the sea and shaped by the wind, which slowly pushes the dunes across the reserve. The dunes nearest the beach are the most mobile and bare; further inland, plants such as the Canarian tamarisk begin to stabilise the sand.
The most important rule: stay on the marked paths. Walking across the open dunes off the routes damages the fragile ecosystem and can lead to fines. Vehicles, camping, fires and dogs are not allowed, and you shouldn't build stone windbreaks or take sand, shells or plants.
What to See
I. The Dune Field
The heart of the reserve, and the reason you came. The marked paths lead from Playa del Inglés and from the Maspalomas lighthouse into the central dunes, where the most dramatic ridges and bowls are found. The dunes are at their most photogenic in the early morning, when the wind has smoothed the surface and the low light picks out every ripple.
II. Playa de Maspalomas
The long beach runs along the seaward edge of the dunes, from Playa del Inglés to the lighthouse, with the dunes rising directly behind it. Part of the beach is popular with naturists. The lighthouse, the Faro de Maspalomas, completed at the end of the 19th century, marks its western end, with the restaurants of the promenade and Meloneras just beyond. Our best beaches in Gran Canaria guide covers the beach in detail.
III. The Charca de Maspalomas
At the western end of the dunes, beside the lighthouse, the Charca is a small coastal lagoon fed by the ravine and the sea — one of the few natural wetlands left on the south coast and a resting place for migrating birds between Europe and Africa. Herons and egrets are usually easy to spot, and autumn brings a wider variety of waders. Most visitors walk straight past it, but it's worth half an hour, especially with binoculars.
IV. The Palmeral
The palm grove on the edge of the reserve, near the Charca, offers the most striking contrast in Maspalomas: golden sand meeting tall palms. Walk through it early in the morning, when it's quiet and shaded.
The Best Ways to Experience the Dunes
Sunrise Walk
The best version of the Maspalomas Dunes. Gran Canaria is on Western European Time, one hour behind mainland Spain, so in winter the sun rises at around 07:45. Follow the marked path into the central dunes and watch the sand turn from grey to gold. The sand is cool underfoot, the light is soft, and for the first hour you'll share the dunes with very few people. Bring a light layer — winter mornings can be fresh.
Late Afternoon and Golden Hour
The second-best window is the last two hours before sunset, when the heat has eased and low light creates deep shadows between the ridges. The sun sets over the sea to the west, so finish with sunset at the lighthouse and dinner on the Meloneras promenade.
Camel Rides
Camel rides of around 30 minutes take you into the dunes on a gentle, guided route — a favourite with children, and a fun way to see the landscape from higher up. When added to the e-scooter tour below, the ride costs around €15 for adults and €10 for children aged 7 to 12; prices at the camel station can vary. Rides stop in strong winds, and summer mornings can be busy, so go early.
Guided Tours: E-Scooters, E-Bikes and Camels
Guided tours are the easiest way to combine the dunes with the lighthouse, the Charca and the Meloneras promenade in a couple of hours. Both tours below start at the CITA shopping centre in Playa del Inglés:
Best for a Fun Mix
Two hours on a two-seater electric chopper with a local guide — dunes, the Charca, the lighthouse — plus an optional 30-minute camel ride. From around €86 per adult. Requires a driving licence; ages 15+.
Best Morning or Sunset Ride
Two hours by e-bike to the dunes, the Charca, the Punta Mujeres archaeological site, the lighthouse and the Meloneras promenade, with a sunset option. From around €63 per adult; ages 12+.
For more options, including camel-only rides and other guided tours, compare all Maspalomas Dunes tours on Expedia. For the rest of the island, see our best excursions in Gran Canaria guide.
When to Visit
| Season | Conditions | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| October–November | Warm, softer light, fewer crowds | Photography, birdwatching, walking |
| December–February | Mild days, cool mornings, busy holiday periods | Sunrise walks, long golden light |
| March–May | Pleasant temperatures, clear light | Walking, families |
| June–September | Hot; very hot sand at midday | Sunrise and evening only |
Summer heat warning: the sand becomes extremely hot in the middle of the day in summer, and there is no shade at all. Walk early or late, wear closed shoes, and carry at least a litre of water per person.
Getting There
The dunes sit between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, around 30 minutes by car from Gran Canaria Airport and 45–55 minutes from Las Palmas on the GC-1 motorway. From Playa del Inglés you can walk straight onto the marked paths; from Meloneras, walk along the promenade to the lighthouse. Global buses connect the airport and Las Palmas with Maspalomas — check the Global app for current lines and times. Parking near the lighthouse and Playa del Inglés fills up early in high season, and some areas are paid. Our getting around Gran Canaria guide covers buses and driving.
Wildlife in the Reserve
Beyond the birds of the Charca, the dunes support a small community of plants and animals adapted to the sand. Look out for Berthelot's pipit, a small bird endemic to the Macaronesian islands that runs across open ground, and the Gran Canaria skink, a reptile found only on this island, basking on sheltered slopes early in the morning. Dune plants such as sea spurge and the Canarian tamarisk help hold the sand in place.
Practical Tips
- Bring water and sun protection. There's no shade and no water in the dunes — a hat, sunscreen and at least a litre of water per person are essential.
- Wear the right shoes. Closed shoes or sandals that protect your feet; the sand can burn by mid-morning in summer.
- Download an offline map. The dunes can be disorienting. Keep the sea to the south and the resorts to the north, and stay on the marked paths.
- Respect the reserve. No dogs, drones without authorisation, fires or litter, and no removing sand or plants.
- Stay connected. A Yesim eSIM keeps maps and bookings working without roaming charges.
Where to Stay Next to the Dunes
Several of Gran Canaria's best hotels are right on the edge of the reserve. For more choice, see our best hotels in the south, luxury hotels and adults-only hotels guides.
Direct Beach Access
Five-star in huge palm gardens with direct access to Maspalomas beach beside the dunes. Family-friendly.
Overlooking the Dunes
Adults-only five-star on the edge of the dunes in Playa del Inglés, with views across the sand to the sea.
Most Exclusive
The island's top address, in gardens a five-minute walk from the lighthouse, the Charca and the beach.
At the Lighthouse
Design-led adults-only hotel right beside the Maspalomas lighthouse, where the promenade meets the beach.
Best Big Resort
Lagoon pools and a spa on the Meloneras promenade, a walk from the lighthouse.
Adults-Only Design
Boutique suites and a rooftop bar in Playa del Inglés, a short walk from the dunes.
The dunes are the centrepiece of the south, but there's much more nearby: Puerto de Mogán to the west, Roque Nublo in the mountains, and our 3 days in Gran Canaria itinerary shows how to combine them. Still choosing an island? Our Tenerife vs Gran Canaria guide compares the two.
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Our Honest Verdict
The Maspalomas Dunes are the one place in the south of Gran Canaria you shouldn't miss — and the one where timing matters most. Come at sunrise or late afternoon, stay on the marked paths, add the Charca and the lighthouse, and the dunes will be one of the highlights of your trip.