Tuesday, 03 February 2015 10:13

You've Arrived in Maspalomas: Here's What To Do First

Walk around Maspalomas to get your bearings Walk around Maspalomas to get your bearings

So you've arrived in Maspalomas, the sun is shining (hopefully) and you want to get your bearings. Here's how to explore the resort on your first day.

 

Campo Internacional, the main part of the resort, is a big place so be prepared for some walking. Depending on where you are in Maspalomas you're looking at up to half an hour's walk down to the beach (if you're in Sonnenland, or further away from the sea than Holiday World, get a taxi). If you walk, head to the dry channel that runs through the middle of the resort and follow it.

You'll go past the camels, where you can book a ride through the dunes, and arrive at the famous Charco de Maspalomas lagoon and then the beach itself. Turn left to walk along the sand towards the dunes and Playa del Inglés. It's about 6 kilometres one way but there are snack stands on the beach. If you want a fantastic meal, then book a table at Samsara on the top of the little shopping centre by the lagoon. It's fantastic!

For a more relaxed first experience turn right at the lagoon to see the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse and the long boulevard that runs along the coast to Meloneras beach. Choose a terrace for a drink and a meal or stock up in the supermarkets. Just behind the beachfront there's plenty more shops and restaurants. 

Away from the beach Maspalomas is mostly hotels and bungalows but there are some things to visit. The huge park next to Holiday World is a fantastic spot for a stroll or a jog and even has its own lake. Maspalomas even has its own Botanical Garden full or tropical fruit and flowers. Head to Avda. del Touroperador Neckermann. The garden is right by the big roundabout. Entrance is free. Holiday world itself offers bowling, fairground rides and a vast range of arcade games for the kids. 

Published in Maspalomas

Join the Gran Canaria Info newsletter list

endanlfifrdeisitnoplptruessv

 

 

Follow us on Facebook

Tip of the day

  • The Parafarmacia In Gran Canaria Is Not A Chemist!
    The Parafarmacia In Gran Canaria Is Not A Chemist!

    If there is one thing we hate it is visitors being tricked in Gran Canaria. In the past we've warned about overcharging at Gran Canaria chemists, and rip off electronics shops in resorts. 

    In this Tip Of The Day we return to the island's chemists or rather, to the island's fake chemists.

    A chemist in Gran Canaria is called a Farmacia and always has a green cross sign. Farmacias are the only place tobuy medicine in Spain, even basics like paracetamol.

    However, there is another kind of shop in Gran Canaria that looks and sounds like a chemist but doesn't sell medicine. This is the Parafarmacia and it also uses a green cross sign.

    A parafarmacia is a herbal medicine shop that is not allowed to sell any normal medicine such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or antibiotics. 

    Instead, parafarmacias sell herbal alternatives to medicine but don't have to prove that they work and they can charge whatever they want.

    We recently heard from a visitor to Gran Canaria who went into a parafarmacia and was charged 40 euros for a herbal alternative to Ibuprofen. It was only when they read the label that they realised what had happened. 

    To locate a genuine farmacia, see this website and search within your municipio (Puerto Rico is in Mogán, Playa del Inglés is in San Bartolomé de Tirajana). At weekends and on fiesta days many farmacias close but there is always one open, known as the farmacia de guardia, in each municipio.

    Search for the nearest one to you with this tool

    Lex Says: To keep costs down, see this article for the way to ask for generic medicine rather than expensive branded alternatives. 

Latest articles

Who's Online

We have 3523 guests and no members online

Login / Register

Take this website to the max, login or create an account now! By clicking on any Social Media platform logo, you can login with just one click.