Maspalomas Gay Travel
wolfyy’s Maspalomas gay travel guide to hotels & where to stay, gay bars, beaches, & local gay events.
The Gay Travel Experience: Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
Strangers run up to each other on the gay beach in Maspalomas joking and laughing under the island sun. This is one of my fondest memories of visiting Gran Canaria, the perfect example of how people in Maspalomas embody every sense of the word carefree.
Maspalomas is among the most popular gay travel destinations in the world. With beautiful weather year-round and a short flight from Europe, it’s also a convenient warm-weather winter gay getaway for Europeans.
There are actually two gay pride events every year in Maspalomas. I visited during Winter Pride in 2018, which takes place in early November.
I made more gay friends during my visit to Gran Canaria than any other destination or gay pride that I’ve been to. Since then, these friends have turned into long-term buddies and travel partners!
Gay vacationers in Maspalomas are talkative and so outgoing! There are fewer groups of men who are closed off to making new friends. It was such a nice change from the usual gay pride vibe.
Gran Canaria is the largest of the Canary Islands. You will surely find rainbow flags and gay resorts everywhere. Take note that Maspalomas is a town completely occupied by tourists. There are not too many local Spaniards to be found, as I’ll mention below.
Gay Maspalomas: Hotels & Where to Stay
Playa del Inglés is the main gay area of Maspalomas and many travelers prefer to book hotels here. Staying in close proximity to Yumbo Centre is particularly popular for convenient access to local gay nightlife.
While browsing Playa del Inglés hotels, the most important considerations are proximity to Yumbo Centre as well as the availability of a private/community pool.
While it’s easy and inexpensive to get around by taxi in Maspalomas, being within walking distance to gay bars and clubs is definitely more convenient.
Accommodation types in Maspalomas range from resort/bungalow style rentals to chic hotels. Vacation rentals in Maspalomas are also an option, but they’re not necessarily any more popular than the plethora of fairly priced hotels.
Here are the Maspalomas gay hotels along with some other highly-rated recommendations.
AxelBeach Maspalomas
AxelBeach Maspalomas is one of the popular gay hotels conveniently located near Yumbo Centre. It’s one of the older Axel Hotels locations, but still continues to attract a massive gay crowd during big gay events.
Hotel Ritual Maspalomas
Hotel Ritual Maspalomas is another notoriously popular adults-only gay resort in Maspalomas. It’s conveniently located directly next to Yumbo Centre, too.
I stayed at a Ritual Hotel while in Torremolinos and thought it was super fun! I’d definitely try the location here.
Barceló Margaritas
Barceló Margaritas is the top choice of a friend of mine who travels to Gran Canaria every year. The property was recently renovated, now featuring ultra-modern amenities with an effortlessly chic design.
In addition to the two tranquil outdoor pools, Barceló Margaritas has a glass-walled gym, sauna & spa facilities, plenty of garden space, and private outdoor cabana beds.
Eó Maspalomas Resort
I stayed at Eó Maspalomas Resort. It’s a comfortable, simplistic hotel with the perfect two-level layout to share with a friend.
Having the swimming pool and personal patio made my stay very relaxing. It’s also only a 3 to 4-Euro cab ride from Yumbo Centre.
More Maspalomas Hotels I Recommend
Here are a few other fantastic hotels and gay resorts in Maspalomas that are all adults-only, highly rated, and located near the local gay area in Playa del Inglés.
Accommodations Farther from Playa del Inglés
If you’re not concerned with the gay bars and parties in Yumbo Center—or Playa del Inglés in general—there are plenty of other beautiful hotels and resort options along Gran Canaria’s coast.
Tons of resorts in La Playa de Arguineguín are highly-rated. This area is a beach town only a ten-minute drive west of Playa del Inglés.
A bit farther west, accommodations in Playa Cura are truly majestic and many have spectacular views.
Maspalomas Gay Travel Experiences
Yumbo Centre is the hub of all nightlife. But, let me tell you a few more things about it. Firstly, the center is sort of like a “New Orleans Bourbon Street meets Bangkok’s gay district.”
Everyone socializes at tables outside or they just grab drinks and wander! Physically, Yumbo is not pretty. It’s just a spot to get wild and have some fun!
Also, the setup of Yumbo Centre is sort of “walled-in.” Everything faces inward, which I love. You enter through various stairwells and passageways.
High-end restaurants are mostly within the higher-end hotels and resorts. Food is decently cheap here in the Canary Islands, but the convenience stores are not.
Eating meals out is a good bet. There are a few run-of-the-mill Chinese and Indian restaurants close to Yumbo Centre.
Maspalomas Gay Beaches & The Dunes
Now it’s time to talk about Las Dunas de Maspalomas! I’m sure you’ve heard about and seen many photos of these dunes. Spectacularly scenic, do not leave the island without walking through them.
Head toward the Maspalomas gay beach and take tons of photos. You won’t want to forget these dunes! Watch out for a few areas that have cacti, as the little burrs can hurt and be difficult to remove.
The Maspalomas gay beach is Kiosco Beach Number 7 and it’s an absolute must-visit. Filled with guys wearing sexy swimsuits, it’s one of the most carefree and friendliest gay beaches I’ve ever been to.
There are two points from which you can reach this area. If you prefer a route walking along the shore, grab a taxi to Plaza del Faro and walk east. You will pass various pockets of areas with beach chairs.
If you prefer a little hike through the dunes (a little steeper but nothing crazy), go directly to the main entrance of the dunes which is due south of Playa del Inglés. The beach is downhill from this point, so it is definitely easier to walk from Playa del Inglés and stroll the shore back.
The beaches in Maspalomas are beautiful, and the water is warm enough to swim in most of the year. Most people don’t swim during the coldest couple of months since drying off can be chilly.
At the Kiosco Beach Number 7 gay beach, lounge chairs are free. Most people just spread out on the sand though. There is a small cash-only bar as well, so bring your Euros.
Maspalomas Dunes Cruising
Anyone who hasn’t been to Maspalomas is surely wondering, is there actually cruising happening in the dunes? The truth is…yes. But it may vary on time of day and day of the week.
Maspalomas dunes cruising isn’t a full-on herd of men. It’s more like a few individuals nestling themselves into a secluded spot, remaining just visible enough to invite a stranger over.
Ultimately, there’s no harm in trying your luck! Maybe a sexy jockstrap will catch the attention of passerbys! I’d say to keep your expectations in check, though.
Shop These → Gay Beach & Pool Party Essentials
Maspalomas Gay Bars
There are so many gay bars and clubs in Maspalomas to choose from in Yumbo Centre. One of my favorites is Mykonos Bar, where I made friends who I am still close with today.
They have a fun outdoor terrace with an indoor-outdoor feel, another reason it’s one of the more popular spots. You have to check it out!
Otherwise, most of the fun is just exploring the dozens of gay bars in Yumbo. Wide-open terraces and cabaret bars pack in thousands of gay men.
If you are visiting during a Maspalomas pride event, the crowd at the gay bars drastically changes around midnight. Earlier in the night, you’ll find an older European audience. Hang around a little later and things get wild with a primarily 25 to 35-year old crowd.
Bunker Maspalomas Cruising Club
Bunker is the main Maspalomas gay sauna and cruise bar with a darkroom basement. It’s the go-to spot for a little more “fun” after some dancing. They charge a cover at the door of about ten Euro.
If there is a sizable crowd in the Yumbo Centre, you can expect Bunker will be open with a good crowd.
Before you go cruising, make sure you have a pair of sexy underwear or a jockstrap to wear!
Maspalomas Gay Events
Since Maspalomas is a huge gay holiday destination in Europe, the island holds many gay events every year. Aside from Maspalomas Pride, there are several themed gay holiday weekends on the largest Canary Island.
First I’ll discuss Maspalomas Pride weeks, and then I’ll mention some other fun local gay parties.
Maspalomas Pride Events
Maspalomas hosts two pride events each year, which are super popular with international travelers.
Gay Pride Maspalomas is in May, conveniently scheduled before pride season ramps up in the rest of Europe. Winter Pride Maspalomas is in November.
I had an absolute blast at the T-dance during Winter Pride. This party was in an indoor-outdoor bar overlooking the ocean at Playa de las Meloneras.
Be cautious when looking at the official Maspalomas Pride events because some of them are quite far from Playa del Inglés, which is the top place to stay during Maspalomas Pride. I purchased one ticket to a beach party but it was so far away we decided not to go.
Bear Carnival Maspalomas
Bear Carnival is another hugely popular bear week in Maspalomas, typically held toward the end of March.
Bear Carnival is branded as Europe’s biggest bear event. Their events typically include a welcome barbecue, a neon-beard party night, speed dating night, a toga party, and sex parties at the Maspalomas gay sauna.
Make sure to bring your best gay party gear and some sexy underwear or jockstraps!
Fetish Week Maspalomas
I would love to go to Maspalomas Gay Fetish Week the next time I visit the Canary Islands. The photos from past events look great and it’s one of the best gay fetish events in Europe. Many of the gay resorts will participate in the overall fetish week themes.
All the proceeds for Fetish Week typically go to a local HIV/AIDS charity. Learn more on the Maspalomas Fetish Week Official Website.
Gran Canaria Summer Fiesta Events
With events all throughout August, there’s no excuse to miss Maspalomas Summer Fiesta! The end-of-summer gay event program starts on August 1st and finishes on August 31st.
Summer Fiesta Maspalomas has literally everything from wine tastings and free scuba experiences to their famous “Please Disturb” gay cruising party.
Looking for more circuit parties? Check out these circuit party events around the world to see productions being hosted in one of your travel destinations.
Maspalomas Gay Travel Tips
Local Taxi Cabs
Taxi cabs in Maspalomas are trustworthy. Of all the taxis I took, none of them tried to rip me off. They are extremely cheap as well. Most don’t speak much if any English, though.
Knowing the name of the road where you are going is best, especially if your hotel isn’t well-known. The cabbies are honest guys, so tip them well!
Is Gran Canaria Spanish Speaking?
Many travelers assume that because the Canary Islands are occupied by Spain, that there is a lot of local Spanish life around. This is not exactly the case.
Spanish is the official language of the Spanish Canary Islands, but there isn’t much “Spanish culture” per se. This is simply because the island mainly caters to tourists.
In general, it’s easy to get around using only English. The only reason you might want to learn some Spanish would be to talk to any of the Spaniards that will be visiting!
Babbel subscriptions are super cheap and their app makes learning some language basics easy. The most you’ll pay is $14 per month! Plus, it gets even cheaper if you choose a multi-month package.
Pack Your Tropical Vacation Essentials
Before you head off to paradise, check wolfyy’s useful list of what to pack for tropical destinations. You’ll find my favorite waterproof gear, lightweight clothing ideas, rain gear, and tons more.
Getting to Gran Canaria Airport from Playa del Inglés
One of the many Gran Canaria public buses can take you directly from the airport to Yumbo Centre. It is only 3 Euros or so, a much better deal as opposed to the normal 50-Euro ride.
Playa del Inglés is not near the airport, so the bus is definitely worth it. You can grab a cab locally once it lets out at Yumbo.
Las Palmas Airport Lounge Access
The Sala Galdos lounge in the Las Palmas airport is huge. I spent a couple of hours here before my flight and it was so relaxing. If you have the chance, you should do the same!
Priority Pass offers 10% off annual memberships, which you can use in so many airports worldwide, including Las Palmas. It’s more than worth it if you take a few international flights per year.
Or, head to the south of Spain and experiences Andalucian destinations like Seville, historic Cádiz, or the gay resort town of Torremolinos.
For more inspiration, explore wolfyy’s full collection of gay travel guides.
