A very popular seaside resort in southern Gran Canaria, Maspalomas is the ideal starting point for numerous excursions throughout the region, from Puerto de Mogán to Agaete, via Pico de las Nieves and Barranco de las Vacas. Between a magnificent seafront and volcanic mountains, you’ll discover picturesque villages and exceptional landscapes!
Use our practical tips and our many photos to plan your ideal getaway. See our selection of the 10 best excursions from Maspalomas to make your choice!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Our 3 favorite excursions in Maspalomas
Before discovering our detailed opinions on each of the selected excursions, here are our 3 favorites:
- Our speedboat tour for dolphin watching and water sports – see program and availability.
- A guided tour of the Barranco de Las Vacas ravine and the village of Agüimes – see program and availability.
- The emblematic Roque Nublo island rock and the magnificent Pico de las Nieves viewpoint – see program and availability.
1. Escape to Puerto de Mogán
Why do we recommend this tour?
Puerto de Mogán is, in our opinion, one of the prettiest towns on the island. Tourists have nicknamed it Gran Canaria’s “Little Venice”, because part of the town near the port has a few canals. We really enjoyed wandering around, admiring the white houses with their colorful borders and the perspectives in the alleyways. There are also pretty pink bougainvillea gardens. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and a lively atmosphere in the evenings. Enjoy the beaches that surround the city and its interesting archaeological site, Cañada de los Gatos.
What you will see
- Italian-style canals
- A historic city center and charming alleyways
- Cañada de los Gatos archaeological site
- A lively Friday market
How much time should I allow?
Spend the day, the afternoon or a gust of wind. Anything is possible, depending on what you want to do. Organized excursions also allow you to visit the city. Here’s a suggestion.
- Take a tour of the island, passing through Los Azulejos (more on this below) and Gran Canaria’s most beautiful towns, such as Puerto de Mogán – see program and availability.
2. Dolphin watching off Puerto Rico
Why do we recommend this tour?
In addition to its beaches and beautiful hotels, Puerto Rico has an active marina. Numerous boats leave the port every day to explore Gran Canaria’s southern coast. If, like us, you love to see whales and dolphins in the open sea, come aboard a catamaran, a speedboat or a more classic boat. We had high hopes, and were lucky enough to see some dolphins! A wonderful experience at sea with the island’s landscapes in the background. Departures are mainly from the port of Puerto Rico, but many tours offer to pick you up at your hotel. See all boat tour options.
What you will see
- Puerto Rico in the distance
- The island’s magnificent south coast
- If you’re lucky, you’ll see dolphins, whales and flying fish.
How much time should I allow?
Times vary according to the excursion. You can choose between different formats.
- On a speedboat for 4 hours, in a small group, with tapas and drinks, snorkeling and swimming, paddle and parasailing extra – See details and availability
- On a private luxurysailboat, duration 3h, departure from Pasito Blanco in Maspalomas, aperitif and snorkeling break, – See details and availability
- By big boat, duration 2h30, with swimming and snorkeling break – See details and availability
- By catamaran, duration between 2h and 3h, fresh drinks – See details and availability
3. Discover central Gran Canaria and Roque Nublo
Why do we recommend this tour?
You’ll discover the heart of the island, with its mountain landscapes and typical villages. If you’re tempted by the famous hike to Roque Nublo, the uniquely shaped rock emblematic of Gran Canaria, we advise you to get there early before the parking lot is full. The walk is easy (1.5km) and the panorama is well worth the effort. Continue your exploration of the center of the island with the pretty village of Tejeda and why not Artenara and Roque Bentayga. On the way back, stop off at Pico de las Nieves, the island’s best-known viewpoint. Why not stop off at the village of Fataga on the way down to Maspalomas? There’s a lovely stone house to take a photo of.
What you will see
- Roque Nublo, a rock with a special shape
- The village of Tejeda
- Artenara, with its troglodyte houses and Risco Caído archaeological site
- The village of Fataga
- Roque Bentayga and its vertigo-inducing hike
- Pico de las Nieves viewpoint
- Numerous hiking trails
How much time should I allow?
Allow several hours, depending on what you want to discover. Numerous tours are available to reveal the secrets of Gran Canaria’s heights.
- Visit the green interior of the island, Roque Nublo but Pico de las Nieves – see prices, photos and availability.
- This tour takes you through the villages of Tejeda, Artenara and its troglodyte houses , and Fataga – see prices, photos and availability.
4. Venture to Barranco de Guayadeque, de las Vacas and Agüimes
Why do we recommend this tour?
In the center of the island, we fell in love with Agüimes, one of the most beautiful villages in the Canaries. Like us, lose yourself in the labyrinth of narrow streets punctuated by stone and lime-covered houses. A photographer’s paradise! From the village, you can walk to Barranco de Guayadeque and admire this great gully of colorful rocks and vegetation. We also went to Barranco de las Vacas, a tiny piece of the great American West! Here, the curves created by the water give you a tiny glimpse of the beauty of the Grand Canyon.
What you will see
- The beautiful village of Agüimes and its camel statue
- Barranco de las Vacas canyon
- The Barranco de Guayadeque ravine and a small village nestled at the end of the ravine
- Barranco de Guayadeque Interpretation Centre
How much time should I allow?
Allow half a day to visit the village and the 2 barrancos. Here are some suggestions for guided excursions.
- Try a guided tour of the Las Vacas ravine, a cave, a farm and the village of Agüimes in a small group – see photos, photos and availability.
- Discover Barranco de las Vacas, an oasis and other mountain landscapes, and enjoy a picnic lunch on this guided tour – see prices, photos and availability.
5. Climb to the Mirador Degollada de las Yeguas and the village of Fataga
Why do we recommend this tour?
The Mirador Astronómico de la Degollada de las Yeguas is a viewpoint located 9km from Maspalomas that gave us the chance to admire both the volcanic valley and the starry sky. The sunlight on the basalt mountains and the arrival of the stars made our observation a poetic moment. Continue on to the charming village of Fataga. Nestled in the heart of the valley, it offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. One of these houses is particularly photogenic, with its stone walls surrounded by whitewash.
What you will see
- A beautiful road winding through the valley
- An ideal view of the valley and the stars at night
- A typical village with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains
How much time should I allow?
We suggest these tours below.
- Rent a vintage buggy, a small off-road vehicle that lets you explore the surrounding area at your own pace and in a fun way.
- Let us guide you through the mountains on a Ryker quad bike.
- Try a jeep tour that stops at Fataga.
6. Walking around Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Why do we recommend this tour?
We enjoyed visiting Gran Canaria’s capital, Las Palmas. The old town has a lot of charm. Many of the buildings are typical of Canarian architecture. Wooden balconies, columns and ornamental details dress the houses in the colors of Spain. At the heart of the city, the cathedral is well worth a visit, as are the many museums that bring it to life! Those who wish to do so can also visit the Poema del Mar Aquarium or enjoy the city’s beaches and lively markets. Read our article on Las Palmas for more activity ideas.
What you will see
- The historic center of Vegueta
- Exciting museums such as the Casa de Colón and the Museo Canario
- The magnificent Santa Ana Cathedral
- Poema del Mar Aquarium
How much time should I allow?
Allow at least a day to explore the island’s largest city. Some ideas for tours below.
- Hop on a Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus to explore the whole city – buy your ticket in advance.
- Opt for a guided walking tour with an experienced guide who will reveal the city’s secrets to you – book your tour now.
- Discover the historic center on foot , with riddles and directions on your smartphone – see program and book.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Gran Canaria
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
7. Marvel at Rainbow Rock and Cactualdea Park
Why do we recommend this tour?
In the west of the island, as we rounded a bend in a beautiful mountain road, the landscape changed and we thought we were in North America. Los Azulejos, also known as Rainbow Rocks, are a series of highly colorful walls. Stop off or take a short hike to admire the different layers of minerals and their colors. A little further on, discover the Cactualdea Garden, made up entirely of cacti. The view of the mountains is a sight for sore eyes too!
What you will see
- The magnificent road between Puerto de Mogán and La Aldea
- Rainbow Rocks or Los Azulejos
- The Cactualdea cactus garden and its breathtaking panoramas
How much time should I allow?
Allow half a day to explore Los Azulejos and the cactus garden. Tour options below.
- Tour the island via Los Azulejos and Gran Canaria’s most beautiful towns, such as Puerto de Mogán – see program and availability.
- A day of canyoning at Barranco de los Azulejos: experience the thrill of free-fall abseiling and jumping while admiring the superb landscape – see program and availability.
8. Explore northern villages: Teror, Firgas and Arucas
Why do we recommend this tour?
We found Gran Canaria’s villages colorful and full of charm. Teror, Firgas and Arucas are no exception. With their historic centers, pretty cobbled streets, colorful whitewashed houses, gardens and fountains, these mountain hamlets are sure to win you over. They are also places of pilgrimage, with churches, basilicas and cathedrals well worth a visit.
What you will see
- Typical villages with colourful whitewashed houses and small wooden balconies
- Basilica of the Virgin del Pino de Teror
- Arucas Cathedral
- Firgas staircase fountains
How much time should I allow?
Half a day is enough to visit these 3 small villages. Small group tours include them in the day program. Here are some suggestions for excursions.
- Day trip with stopover in Teror: you’ll discover the treasures of Gran Canaria as you pass through Teror and visit its basilica and stroll through its narrow streets – see program and availability.
- Day trip with stopover in Firgas by private bus: you’ll discover the island’s verdant interior and stop in Firgas to admire its fountains – see program and availability.
9. Visit Agaete and Galdar
Why do we recommend this tour?
We ventured into the north-west of the island and discovered 2 charming little towns, Agaete and Galdar. Take a dip in beautiful natural pools and stroll along unspoilt beaches. Visit unique archaeological sites and pretty historic town centers. Like us, you’ll be pleasantly disoriented.
What you will see
- The charming town centers of Agaete and Galdar
- Las Salinas Natural Pools
- Playa de Guayedra and Playa de las Nieves
- The archaeological sites of Cueva Pintada and Maipes
- Agaete Valley
- Antonio Padrón Museum
- Banana crops
How much time should I allow?
We recommend taking at least one day to explore the 2 villages and their surroundings. Here’s an interesting tour below.
- A day with stops in Agaete and Galdar: you’ll visit the south coast, then stop for lunch in Agaete. You’ll then discover Galdar and its banana-growing history – see program and availability.
Other excursions from Maspalomas
Excursions and thrills
Try some of our other thrill-seeking excursions:
- A vertical climbing via ferrata tour of the island
- Canyoning for abseiling and vertiginous water jumps
- Buggy tours to speed through volcanic landscapes
Excursions and exploration
Other excursions allow you to explore the island in a different way:
- Try this equestrian adventure in the mountains opposite Maspalomas
- Combine tasting and scenery with this culinary tour of natural sites
- Soak up nature on a hike through the Barranco de los Cernicalos rainforest
- Explore the seabed with scuba diving from Playa del Inglés
DISCOVER Maspalomas
- Best things to do in Maspalomas
- Most beautiful beaches (coming soon)
- Best hotels
- Best restaurants (coming soon)
- Maspalomas dunes
- Aqualand
- Excursions from Maspalomas
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Maspalomas?
We think it’s great to visit Maspalomas and the surrounding area all year round! Summer and winter are ideal. It’s a little busier in summer, but the seaside resort comes alive with joy. In winter, temperatures remain very mild, around 20° Celsius. The weather is also sunny. The ideal place to soak up the sun and relax. The hotel offer is attractive all year round. Read our article on the subject and book your dream room now for your next vacation.
Is there an airport in Maspalomas?
No, there’s no airport in Maspalomas, which is not a city but a seaside resort. Gran Canaria airport in Las Palmas is just a 30-minute drive away. You can easily get to Maspalomas by cab, bus (lines 66 and 90) or car, which is the best way to get around the island. If you’re looking to rent a car in Gran Canaria, read all our advice in our dedicated article.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Gran Canaria
- Best of
Best things to do in Gran Canaria
Most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful towns and villages
Most beautiful beaches
Best natural pools
Archaeological sites
Best museums
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Secret places, off the beaten track
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Gran Canaria
When to go?
How to get around
How to rent a car in Gran Canaria
Driving tips
Best excursions (coming soon)
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
- The must-dos
Las Palmas and its historic center
Dolphin watching in Gran Canaria (coming soon)
Maspalomas dunes
Puerto de Mogan (Little Venice)
Agaete and its natural pools
The magnificent town of Agüimes
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
