Maspalomas Things to Do Tips by Regina1965 Top 5 Page for this destination

The Botanical Park of Maspalomas.

Where ever I travel in the world I always look for a botanical garden, I just love them :) The Botanical Park of Maspalomas (El parque Botánico de Maspalomas) is a nice little (covers an area of 12.000 m2) botanical park located at the end of the golf area in Maspalomas, right at the bottom of the hill which takes you to Playa del Ingles. Because of the location it has a special microclimate. It has about 50 different species, ranging from a vide variety of palms from all over the world to all kinds of vegetables, medicinal and aromatic plants. It has a nice sitting area where you can rest and look at the beautiful plants and trees.

The opening hours are from 10:00-14:00h except on weekends and holidays. There is no entrance fee.

I am going to add another tips with flowers only, they are so beautiful that they deserve a tip of their own!

Address: Avda. del Touroperador Neckermann, 1, Maspalomas

Directions: This Botanical Park is located in Urbanización Campo Internacional at the bottom of the hill leading you to the hotel area of Playa del Ingles.

The Botanical park of Maspalomas part 2 - flowers!

There is so much diversity at The Botanical park of Maspalomas that I just must add a tip on the beautiful flowers in the park. There is an endless selections of flowers in the park, making vising the park a breathtaking experience, with butterflies and dragon-flies making it even more beautiful.

A must visit while in this area.

Address: Avda. del Touroperador Neckermann, 1, Maspalomas

Directions: This Botanical Park is located in Urbanización Campo Internacional at the bottom of the hill leading you to the hotel area of Playa del Ingles.

Faro 2 - Shopping Center.

Faro 2 is a shopping center on 2 floors in what is called the Maspalomas country side "Campo Internacional de Maspalomas" - in this area there are many golf resorts and the price in Faro 2 is a bit on the higher end, but there are lovely shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars there and I always stop there while walking from Playa del Ingles to the beach of Maspalomas. The architecture of the mall is outstanding as you can see from the photos - and there is a mini-golf next to the mall.

It is said that 2.200.000 people visit Faro 2 every year, so don't miss it while visiting Gran Canaria.

During the weekends there is a very popular flee-market on the parking lot in front of Faro 2.

Address: Plaza Touroperador Holland International, Campo In

Directions: Faro 2 is almost opposite the street of Holiday World. Coming from Playa del Ingles walk on Avenida Touroperador Tui and turn left at Plaza Touroperador Holland International, Campo Internacional and there is Faro 2.

Other Contact: faro2@grupolopesan.com

Phone: 34 928769197

The car boot sale by Faro 2.

There is a car boot sale on Sundays from 11-14 o' clock (in a German magazine I saw different information, i.e. from 9-16) on the parking lot behind the Faro2 shopping center in Maspalomas, where people sell new and used stuff. There is also a used car sale there. This is a very lively market and not to be missed, you can find almost everything there, used International books, clothes, both new and vintage, shoes and bags, electronics both new and used, antiques, records, jewellery, toys, plates and mugs etc.

Address: Plaza Touroperador Holland Internacional, Campo In

Directions: On the parking lot behind Faro 2.

Holiday World.

The Holiday World in Maspalomas is a kind of a landmark in this area as you can see the 27 meters high Ferris wheel from afar, be it night or day. There is also a roller coaster and a laserdrome and all the exciting rides which a funfair has. Inside there is a very popular bowling alley, Internet café, amusement arcades, a gym and a spa, two night clubs, cafés and restaurants.

The funfair opens during the Spring-Summer from 18-23 and Autum-Winter from 17-23, weekend till 24h and is lovely all lit up during the night, but the bowling alley and inside activities, including the gym and spa are open during the day.

There is never a dull moment here and I visit it often. I especially like it at night, I am a kid at heart and get mesmerised by the Ferris wheel.

Address: Avda. Touroperador Tui, Maspalomas

Directions: Very close to Faro 2 shopping center by road Avenida Touroperador Tui and Avenida Finnair. Easily spotted because of the Ferris wheel.

Website: http://www.holidayworld-maspalomas.com

The Marketplace - Maspalomas - El Mercadillo.

El Mercado Municipal is an inside and outside market which is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:00-14:00. But it starts to close around 13:00. It is quite big and very popular which all kinds of stuff for sale, mainly clothes and shoes, but also fruit stalls and jewellery.

Here you can find all kinds of fake bags, Chanel etc. and the price is ridiculous and as I don't like to haggle I walk away. But this place is all about haggling and it is extremely lively, every time I have been there there were crowds of tourists. It is so crowded that the traffic police needs to stop traffic for people to pass the street. And taxis have a lively business. Inside there is a café and food-stalls.

Well worth a visit just for the fun of it.

Address: Avenida Alejandro del Castillo, San Fernando

Directions: At the end of San Fernando close to where San Fernando and Maspalomas meet by Holiday World. Bus nr. 72 takes you to the market from Playa del Ingles. I prefer to walk, ca 40 min. from Playa del Ingles.

Parque del Sur.

Parque del Sur is a big park close to Holiday World with a pond for boats, outside chess, a big climbing pole, a childrens' play area, a restaurant, lots of beautiful palms and flowers.

The park can be seen from afar as it has a large white semi-circle roof by an outside theatre in the park.

Even thought this is a park with lots of activites note that there is no fishing nor swimming in the pond and no playing of football there, no skating nor dogs allowed.

The park is open Monday-Friday from 7-23.

Address: By Avenide El Alejandro del Castillo and GC-500

Directions: From Holiday World cross motorway GC-500 and the park is on your left.

Plaza de Colon square in Maspalomas.

Now this is a lovely square, with a fountain and lovely mosaic benches, lots of flowers and a big entrance gate. Across the street is the oasis in El Oasis de Maspalomas. So this is a beautiful area to hang out in :D

Address: Avenida Cristobal Colon, Maspalomas

Directions: From Faro de Maspalomas walk straight up, pass Plaza del Faro and the square is on Avenida Cristobal Colon and a part of that footpath.

El Oasis.

The area around The Nature reserve in Maspalomas is called The Oasis in Maspalomas. Next to it is a lovely little oasis, a lot of palm-trees and walking under the palm-trees there gives you a feeling of being in a real oasis as the branches of the palms form a roof over your head. Just watch out for branches falling ;) This is a perfect place to hug a tree. Worth a visit.

Address: Avenida del Oasis, Maspalomas

Directions: From Faro de Maspalomas pass Plaza del Faro, walk up Avenida Cristobal Colon and by the roundabout is The Oasis.

A park behind Faro de Maspalomas.

There is a lovely park behind the lighthouse Faro de Maspalomas. If it is too windy on the beach one can seek shelter there and sunbathe between the low palms in the park which provide perfect shelter. There is a pond in this small park with a bridge and a scary looking fountain (see my picture). As the park is right behind the promenade of Meloneras it is quite lovely sunbathing there and watching the crowds go by.

El Boulevard de Faro is next to the park.

Directions: By the promenade of Meloneras, behind the lighthouse Faro de Maspalomas and next to Plaza del Faro.