La Palmera Sur
What to order: the red porgy ceviche, the squid sandwich on charcoal bread and the black-pig cheek taco; for dessert, the brioche torrija
geocalia
Day itinerary · 27.74° N · 15.58° W
A Sunday in the Maspalomas Dunes, by bus from San Telmo and all on foot.
Bus 50 from San Telmo to the Lighthouse, herons at the Charca, the crossing of the dunes to the viewpoint, lunch at La Palmera Sur and the return along the shore. All on foot.
Leaving from
Part of Maspalomas Dunes and the South of Gran Canaria
Add to my trip
Total time9–10 h
By car45 min each way
From Las PalmasBus 50 · about 60 min
WalkingAbout 3 h, mostly on sand
DifficultyEasy
Cost€45–70 pp
Best timeOctober – April
With childrenYes, by shortening the crossing
The plan
The day at a glance
Any part can be swapped for another without spoiling the day.
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Leave Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 1 h by bus
Global bus 50 from San Telmo, bay 10; public holiday timetable
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1
Birds at the Charca de Maspalomas and the palm grove
a few steps from the Faro stop; herons and egrets from the walkway
- 5 min on foot
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2
Maspalomas Lighthouse and its ethnographic centre
ethnographic centre; confirm the hours before going
- 5 min on foot
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3
Walk through the Maspalomas Dunes on the marked trail
along the waymarked path to the Riu Palace viewpoint; water and a cap
- 15 min on foot
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4
La Palmera Sur
booking; on Sunday serves lunches 13:30 to 15:30
Av. Estados Unidos, 15 (Hotel Gold by Marina), 35100 Maspalomas · +34 928 94 30 00
Restaurant €€€Book - 15 min on foot
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5
Maspalomas beach, from the Lighthouse to Playa del Inglés along the shore
back to the Faro along the shore, one hour
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Back home 1 h by bus
bus 50 from the Faro, bay 2; the next one at 18:05
Approximate cost
About €35–60 per person
Adds up the activities and meals in the plan at their published prices; travel and accommodation not included.
The route
Birds at the Charca de Maspalomas and the palm grove
The Maspalomas Dunes are very easy to do without a car from Las Palmas. Bus 50 leaves San Telmo and drops you at the Lighthouse, which is exactly where the Charca, the beach and the reserve begin. From there everything is on foot: the birds of the lagoon, the 1890 lighthouse, the crossing of the dunes on the marked path to the Playa del Inglés viewpoint, a Canarian market lunch and the return along the shore.
The day, hour by hour
9:05 · Bus 50 at San Telmo. It leaves from bay 10 of the station. This is the public-holiday timetable, which applies on Sundays: there is one every hour. Sit on the left to see the sea on the southern motorway.
10:10 · The Charca. You get off at the Lighthouse and walk two hundred metres to the lagoon. From the walkway on the western edge you will see grey herons and egrets; the Canary Islands Government counts up to 24 species of bird.
10:50 · The Lighthouse. The 56-metre tower was lit in 1890. In the former lighthouse keepers' houses there is an ethnographic centre with more than 5,000 objects of traditional life; confirm the hours before counting on it.
11:30 · Crossing the dunes. Enter by the beach and climb the marked path to the viewpoint next to the Hotel Riu Palace. Allow about two hours with stops. Do not leave the stakes: it is a special nature reserve.
13:30 · Lunch at La Palmera Sur. About twenty minutes on foot from the viewpoint, on Avenida de Estados Unidos. Canarian market cooking; on Sundays it serves lunch from 13:30 to 15:30. Book ahead.
15:40 · Return along the shore. Go down to the beach and walk back to the Lighthouse over the wet sand, an hour with the dunes on your right.
17:05 · Bus back. The 50 leaves from bay 2 at the Lighthouse. If you miss this one, there is another at 18:05.
Is it for me?
If you like walking and do not mind sand, yes. With children, shorten the crossing: go down from the viewpoint to the beach and return along the shore. If you go in summer, take the first bus and leave the sand before midday.
Time45 min
Change the route
Where to eat
Where to eat?
Lunch is half the plan: book before you set off.
La Tapita Los Jose's
What to order: the sautéed mushrooms with prawns and ham, the goat's cheese log salad and, at midday on weekdays, the dish of the day
La Aquarela restaurant
What to order: the Experience menu with the Canarian wine pairing; if you do not eat meat or fish, the Harvest, which is vegetarian
Map
The stops, in order
With where to park at each one.
What to do
Eat
88 €Stay
Services
Getting there
By car or without one?
When to go
When to go to Maspalomas Dunes and the South of Gran Canaria
From October to April, when the sand is pleasant to walk on in mid-morning. In summer, bring everything forward to the first bus and avoid midday in the dunes.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1One litre of water per person
There are no services in the dunes. The beach kiosks are open from 10:30 to 18:00.
- 2Sandals that come off easily
In mid-morning the sand is still fine to walk on barefoot; at midday it burns.
- 3Check the day's timetable
Global changes its timetables between weekdays, Saturdays and public holidays: check its website before you set out.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Which bus goes from Las Palmas to the Maspalomas Dunes?
Global line 50, from San Telmo Station to the Maspalomas Lighthouse. Also the 30, from Santa Catalina, and the 5, which goes via Playa del Inglés.
How much does this day cost?
Between €45 and €70 per person with lunch and the bus. The dunes, the Charca and the beach are free.
Can you do it with children?
Yes, by shortening the crossing and carrying water and shade.
Where do you eat on Sunday?
At La Palmera Sur, which on Sundays serves lunch from 13:30 to 15:30 and is closed on Mondays.
More plans like this
Other days of walking and good food
geocalia.com/en/spain/canary-islands/maspalomas-dunes/itineraries/lagoon-lighthouse-and-sand-by-bus
Prices, opening hours and times are approximate: check them before you go. Each place has its own page on Geocalia.