Playa del Ingles: Your Guide to Gran Canaria's Vibrant Coastal Paradise

The main beach of Playa del Ingles is   family-friendly because of its soft golden sand. Plenty of space exists to relax, play, or enjoy long scenic walks along the shoreline.

The 3 kilometres length allows you to decide if choosing a self-organization day at the beach, bringing your stuff, such as a sun umbrella or beach chairs and choosing an area more reserved or opting for the amenities supported area offering:

• Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent.
• Lifeguards ensure the safety of visitors.
• Beachfront bars and restaurants for refreshments.
• There are also plenty of water sports opportunities, such as  jet skiing, banana boat rides, surfing, parasailing and more. 

Famous for its  imposing dunes, this beach offers a unique desert landscape. It’s perfect for  scenic walks, sunbathing, and breathtaking sunsets.

Located to the right of the Maspalomas Lighthouse (facing the sea), it is accessible with a 15-20 minute walk. This is a small but well-equipped beach, surrounded by numerous restaurants and bars with spectacular sunset views.

A bit further beyond Playa de Meloneras, this beach is part of the  private marina of Pasito Blanco. Access is only possible via land through the  GC-500 road. The best way to reach it is by car, parking outside the entrance barrier, or using  public transportation. The beach is unattended and without bars, ideal for those seeking a more secluded seaside experience.

A small fishing village with a harbor from which fishing boats and ferries to Puerto de Mogán depart. Although it is less touristy than Playa del Ingles town, it primarily attracts Scandinavian visitors and offers various bars, restaurants, and sandy beaches. During weekends, the beach gets quite busy. Every Tuesday, the Playa de Las Marañuelas area hosts a traditional local market.

Along with Playa del Ingles, Puerto Rico is one of the  most developed tourist areas in Gran Canaria. Its main beaches are:

• Playa de Puerto Rico: located between two marinas where boat trips, catamaran excursions, and whale-watching tours depart. This  golden sand beach offers both equipped and free areas, making it ideal for families with children.
• Playa de Amadores: One of the island’s most scenic beaches, featuring white sand and crystal-clear waters. Despite being very crowded, it’s worth spending at least a day relaxing here. Fun fact: The sand of this beach was imported from the Sahara Desert!

Tip: Puerto Rico and Amadores beaches  are connected by a beautiful  coastal walkway, offering stunning views of the ocean.

For more information about this charming town, check out our dedicated article on Puerto de Mogán!

A small but fully equipped beach, offering  sunbeds, umbrellas, and a water sports center. It also features the only true beach kiosk on Gran Canaria, the perfect spot to watch the sunset while enjoying a beer and listening to great music.

One of the  largest and best-equipped beaches , covered in fine sand and stretching for  about 600 meters . Along the coastline, you’ll find  bars, restaurants, and seaside terraces , perfect for a relaxing break.

Playa del Ingles offers a wide variety of activities. For those who love adventure, buggy excursions through the dunes of Maspalomas and boat trips along the coast are available. 

Families can visit amusement parks such as Aqualand Maspalomas, the largest water park on the island, or Holiday World Maspalomas, a leisure complex with attractions for all ages.

Nightlife is another strong point of the location, thanks to the numerous bars, nightclubs, and live music pubs. The Yumbo Center is one of the main points of reference for the LGBT+ community and anyone wanting to have fun until dawn.

Nature lovers cannot miss a visit to the Dunes of Maspalomas, an amazing landscape shaded by the wind that offers a real sense of harmony and peace.

The offer of accommodation in Playa del Ingles Gran Canaria is elevated and covers the entire range of budgets and needs.

• Sustainable accommodation:  more and more structures are committed to environmental sustainability, adopting eco-friendly practices such as water recycling and the use of renewable energy. Hotels like the Gloria Palace San Agustín Thalasso & Hotel promote responsible tourism without sacrificing comfort.
• Luxury Hotels:  for those looking for an exclusive stay, several 5-star resorts with panoramic swimming pools and direct access to the beach are available. The Bohemia Suites & Spa and the Seaside Sandy Beach represent two excellent choices. 
• Aparthotel Formula: perfect for those who want greater autonomy while still guaranteeing some hotel services. It is ideal for families, groups of friends, and anyone who wishes to have some independence without renouncing some hotel services. HD Parque Cristóbal Gran Canaria offers spacious units with kitchens, perfect for extended stays.
• Guesthouses and Economic Hotels: for budget travellers, many affordable options offer essential comforts and a welcoming atmosphere. The Bungalows Cordial Green Golf is a great option for its strategic location and excellent value for money.

The gastronomic choice in Playa del Ingles is huge for every palate and budget: you enjoy specialities of Canarian cuisines, such as "gofio", "papas arrugadas with mojo canario" or ropa vieja, a chickpea-based dish, and international restaurants serving Italian, Asian and Mediterranean dishes do not miss.
I personally follow a vegan diet, so the restaurants you will find below were selected based on the places I frequent:

• Samsara: this restaurant offers fusion cuisine served in a very particular and evocative environment. The terrace is beautiful. Reservation is required; otherwise, you risk not finding a place.
• Blue Marlin Ibiza Sky Lounge & Terrace: one of the best locations in Gran Canaria, perfect for a sunset dinner in an elegant and trendy environment. Ideal even just for an aperitif. Restaurant with modern Mediterranean cuisine and vegan options.
• Good Vibes: ideal alternative to the English, Italian, and classic Canarian bar/restaurants of Playa del Ingles. It has a great atmosphere and ace of vegetarian and vegan dishes and burgers. The cocktails are really excellent. They do not accept telephone reservations.
• Rustico Pizza e Vino: italian restaurant and pizzeria located in San Fernando, 5 minutes from Playa del Ingles. It offers wonderful pizzas in a variety of vegetarian and vegan versions. Reservations are recommended.
• Las Burras Beachouse:  we recommend this place (Mediterranean cuisine) because it is the only kiosk in Gran Canaria located directly on the beach. Although the vegan choice is minimal, it is also a fantastic place for an aperitif, from where you can experience spectacular and unforgettable sunsets.

Moving to Playa del Ingles is simple and safe, connecting the area to the main destinations such as Las Palmas, Puerto Rico, and Puerto de Mogan. 

The public transport service is very efficient. Most of the stops are equipped with displays that show the timetables of arriving buses, display tables with the timetables of the vehicles and how to reach the various destinations. Tickets can be purchased directly on the bus; the cost varies depending on the stop where you get off, and you can pay either in cash or with cards. 

Taxis are easily available everywhere. However, the major attractions can be reached by bicycle and, in many cases, even by foot.

For a better personal and environmental experience, we strongly advise you to consider walking and bike rental, as two win-win solutions: exploration of Playa del Ingles, budget and environmental protection.
Car rental is the best solution for those who love to travel freely and independently. Car rentals are everywhere, although renting a car in advance can be a winning choice regarding savings and vehicle availability.

Playa del Ingles is the starting point for the main experiences and excursions to do in Gran Canaria.

As already mentioned above, everything related to water activities can be found directly on the beach and on the surrounding beaches.

If you like to go further and want to explore the rest of the island, here's what you can do, starting from Playa del Ingles:

• Boat tours and dolphin trips:  Playa del Ingles is a frenetic centre of departure for daily activities involving boat trips. Daily, tons of minivans and buses bring tourists from their hotels to Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogan to get dolphin tours, catamaran trips, and private yachts.
• Roque Nublo and Mountains Area:  This natural monument is a perfect place for trekking lovers, with spectacular views of the island and a unique atmosphere.
• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria:  The capital of Gran Canaria offers culture, history, and shopping, with attractions such as the Santa Ana Cathedral and Christopher Columbus House. You can also visit Playa de Las Canteras, one of the best city beaches in Europe.
• Bus and Minivan Tours:  In the Playa dell'Ingles area, there are numerous pick-up points for the main bus excursions around the island, while for those by minivan, the pick-up and drop-off are done right in front of each hotel.
• Jeep Safari:  The Jeep Safari is a truly unique excursion that mixes adventure, exploration, and a visit to the island. Since 60-70% of the tour is carried out off-road, on roads that can only reach by Jeep, it offers the opportunity to see things and pass through places that are impossible to reach with classic Ion bus or minivan tours.

Below are some tips to get the most out of your stay in Playa del Ingles:

• Best time to visit:  Mild weather all year round although the months between April and December offer the most pleasant temperatures although they are the busiest months.
• Currency and payments:  Currency and payments: The current currency is the euro and credit and debit cards, except Amex, are accepted everywhere. ATMs are everywhere . For tourists from the UK:  get some euros before you arrive. Payment in sterling is not accepted and if it were, it would be at a significantly unfavorable exchange rate. The strength of the pound rewards card payments: when choosing the currency to use for your card payment, select euros and you will save a few pounds.
• What to pack:  sunscreen, sunglasses, a baseball cap, and light clothing. A hoodie or light jacket can be useful for the evening.
• Responsible tourism:  don't leave rubbish on the beaches and respect the environment, especially local wildlife. Before booking your excursion or trip, make sure you do it with ethical, responsible and certified tour operators especially for activities as dolphin tour.
• Safety:  Playa del Inglés is a safe destination, but like everywhere, watch out your stuff in crowded places and on the beaches, especially on the most popular ones.

If you are planning a trip to Playa del Ingles, make it unforgettable with Discover Gran Canaria. We offer a wide range of excursions and tours to let you experience the best of the island authentically and sustainably.

• Rigorous selection of excursions and operators:  We carefully select the activities and, above all, the best operators to guarantee unique experiences. Take a look at the reviews our customers leave.
• Wide choice of excursions and tours:  From boat tours to spot dolphins and whales, bus or minivan trips, water sports, adventure tours with buggies, jeeps, quads, van-ams or trekking in the heart of the island, up to visits to the picturesque villages of Gran Canaria.
• Best Price Guarantee:   If you find the exact tour or activity at a lower price from our operator, simply notify us with the details, and we'll refund the price difference hassle-free.
• Fast Customer Support:  Rapid interaction through the main platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram messenger but also with our live chat service, operational every day from 8:00 to 22:00, where you can interact with a human.

Make the most of your  Gran Canaria getaway  by booking unforgettable  excursions, tours, and activities  with  Discovergrancanaria.net From dolphin watching to luxury stays, your next adventure starts here.  Plan now and create memories that last a lifetime!