Playa del Ingles holidays

Playa del Ingles holidays come up trumps in terms of location, and not just because this place is a winter sun spot. The resort’s within easy reach of the famous Maspalomas golden sand dunes and high-octane nightlife venues. Family friendly daytime activities are up for grabs, too.

A European holiday heavyweight

Playa del Ingles is set on the southernmost tip of Gran Canaria. Sandwiched between the smaller resorts of Maspalomas and San Augustin, it’s brimming with purpose-built resort infrastructure, like apartment complexes, hotels, big-name nightclubs and a Saharan-sized beach. Come summer, it draws a young crowd looking to party, but it’s got a multi-generational appeal, thanks to its long list of daytime activities for families to get stuck in to.

Golden sands and coastal promenades

This place is plonked on an 8km coastal stretch that includes Maspalomas and San Agustin, and has 3km of local white sand all to itself. Watersports like jet-skiing and parasailing are laid on close to the Anexo shopping centre, and the main part of the beach is backed by the 2km-long Paseo Costa Canaria promenade. Stroll this seaside stretch, and you’ll pass lots of snack bars, pubs and souvenir stores before reaching Playa El Veril. This beach has shallow waters for families to splash about in.

Duty Free Shopping and vibrant nightlife

Playa del Ingles is a shopper’s paradise. There are 12 commercial centres, including the Kasbah Centre and Cita Shopping Centre, which come with duty-free shopping perks. You can get everything from electronics to designer clothes here, often cheaper than what you’d pay at the airport. This area is a bit of an LGBTQ+ hub, too, with activities centered around the Yumbo Centre. This place hosts Maspalomas Pride in May and November, and hosts things like drag queen galas throughout the year. You’ll find LGBTQ+-friendly bars in the CITA Shopping Centre, too.

Exploring Puerto de Mogan

Hop on a 40-minute bus trip, and you’ll have the chance to see the Puerto de Mogan bougainvillea. These fuscia-coloured flowers tumble down whitewashed buildings, walkways and the ‘Little Venice’ canals – pretty waterways that connect the harbour to the marina, which are often likened to the ones in Italy’s floating city. The Friday outdoor market is also worth a visit if you’re a fan of crafts, clothing and souvenirs. Want to stay a bit closer to base? Aqualand Maspalomas slides give a great adrenaline rush if you don’t mind getting your hair wet, while Holiday World Maspalomas Centre packs in bowling alleys and funfair rides.