Choosing the island of Gran Canaria as the place to spend your holidays is a wise decision, especially if you decide to stay in the south of the island, where there’s a wide range of leisure activities you can choose from. However, if this is your first time, and you don’t know what to do in Playa del Inglés, you should definitely keep reading, because this article is for you.
In today’s article, we want you to discover the secrets hidden in the best tourist area in the south. That striking mix that makes it an ideal destination for the whole family and, at the same time, the best destination for nightlife.
At Holidayworld Maspalomas, we’ve carefully selected the best things to do in Playa del Inglés.
Where is Playa del Inglés located?
The area is located next to Maspalomas, in the tourist municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana. It’s delimited by the Dunes of Maspalomas on one side and on the other by the quiet and familiar beach of San Agustín.
During the 60s of the 20th century, Playa del Inglés was an eminently agricultural area, where crops such as barley and wheat supplied the entire southern region of Gran Canaria.
In 1962, the area underwent a conversion due to the tourist boom, with the construction of hotel complexes, restaurants, and leisure areas, giving rise to the Playa del Inglés we know today.
What to do in Playa del Inglés
This is undoubtedly the liveliest area in the south of the island. During the day the streets are peaceful and quiet, as well as its beaches adorned by the sun and the good weather, but at night the city transforms into partying and fun.
So, if you don’t know what to do in Playa del Inglés, don’t worry because we offer you a list of the 6 best things to do in Playa del Inglés. We want to suggest you a wide variety of plans to enjoy the area: from the best beaches, to tasting the best local and international cuisine, to the most active and adventurous tourism.
1. Visit the Maspalomas Lighthouse
Of course, we have to begin our ranking with one of the most iconic places of the island. The majestic Maspalomas Lighthouse is located at the end of Playa del Inglés, just before entering the Meloneras area.
The best way to enjoy the space is to walk along the almost 3 kilometres of beach that separate Playa del Inglés from the lighthouse and, on the way, discover the Dunes of Maspalomas and the natural environment of the Charca de Maspalomas, a natural pond and protected area.
And, of course, you can’t leave without seeing one of the best sunsets on the island. This activity is specially suited for couples or families.
2. Visit the beach of San Agustín
Another plan to enjoy a day at the beach with the family is going to Playa de San Agustín and its surroundings. This is a less crowded area as the main beach in the area.
Located on the other side of Playa del Inglés, you can reach it with a pleasant walk along the promenade or along the beach, discovering the small coves along the way, such as Playa del Cochino or Las Burras.
3. Tasting of national and international food
If you don’t know what to do in Playa del Inglés, you should know that one of its main strengths is its gastronomic offer. In the area, you can find the best local restaurants, such as El Senador, Allende 22º or Abrasa.
However, if you want to venture out and enjoy the best international cuisine, you’re in the right place. You can find exotic and suggestive restaurants such as the Sansara or the Borneo which offer a wide variety of Asian dishes.If you need more suggestions, check out or blog article about Where to eat in Playa del Inglés.
4. Holidayworld Maspalomas: the perfect amusement park for families
The best option to enjoy the best leisure activities for the whole family can be found at Holidayworld Maspalomas. Since its reopening in 2019, it has established itself as the largest amusement park in Gran Canaria, and the only one in the Canary Islands.
Here, you can find a magnificent range of leisure activities, with its roller coaster, Big wheel, escape room, karaoke, or the large bowling alley at the bottom of the park. However, we cannot forget the gastronomic offer that Holidayworld Maspalomas has. At the top, we find the Nomad Gastro Market, a gastronomic space that brings together up to 400 culinary references.
5. Go shopping
Playa del Inglés has a variety of shops, from high-end boutiques to souvenir stalls. You can find everything from clothes and jewelry to food and drinks. If you want to go shopping, you can visit the shops right at the beach or go to near shopping centres like the Yumbo Shopping Centre or El Tablero, with the most popular clothing shops.
6. Enjoy the nightlife
Playa del Inglés has a vibrant nightlife scene with a variety of bars and clubs to choose from. You can find everything from chill-out bars to dance clubs. We recommend going to Plaza in Playa del Inglés, a shopping centre where you can find all kinds of clubs and bars. On the other hand, the shopping centre Yumbo is one of the best gay friendly places to go.
A good way to discover the wilder side of the area is to take part in active tourism, different from the sun and beach.
Tips for visitors
Here are a few tips for visitors to Playa del Inglés:
- Book your accommodation in advance, especially if you are visiting during peak season.
- We recommend you to hire a car to get around and to enjoy Gran Canaria to the fullest.
- The weather in Playa del Inglés is generally warm and sunny, but it’s important to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
- Be aware that Playa del Inglés can be quite busy, especially during the summer months.
- If you’re travelling with children, have a look at our guide What to do in Playa del Inglés with children.
Playa del Inglés: the most complete area in the south of Gran Canaria
So much for today’s article, in which we have reviewed the best plans to enjoy Playa del Inglés.
The whole south of Gran Canaria has wonderful places to offer to all those who visit it, such as Puerto Rico, Tauro or Mogán. However, Playa del Inglés is where the largest and most complete range of tourist attractions are to be found.
As you can see, you can do everything at any time of the day, giving it a versatility that very few places have.
You can enjoy a great day at the beach with the family, relax while you discover the wildest seabed, round off the day with a pleasant dinner in any of the restaurants in the area, and finish the day with a few drinks on any of the terraces and bars along the promenade. In short, now that you’ve chosen Gran Canaria as your holiday destination, and you know what to do in Playa del Inglés, the only thing left to do is to enjoy each of the plans we have offered you.
