Maspalomas Sand dunes
The Maspalomas Sand dunes are world famous in gay circles. The dunes are a popular cruising and nude sun bathing area check out the bushes, tree areas and the tops of larger dunes.
The dunes are patrolled by the police, some on quad bikes or jeeps. The police are there to ensure the safety of the tourists, gay or straight, and are very broad minded.
Routes through the dunes
Routes through the dunes are marked by wooden poles with coloured bands near the top of the pole to indicate the route you are on. Many of the poles have black bin liners for your rubbish.
- Red route
- Blue route
- Yellow route
Gay and nudist beaches
Bar Kiosk 7 Gay.
The Gay Beach is Roughly mid way between the south east headland point of Maspalomas Dunes and the Maspalomas lighthouse, where the cafe bar kiosk number 7 is located. Slightly nearer to Maspalomas than Playa del Ingles.
The nudist beach is at Number 6 kiosk on the other side df the point from the gay beach . N earer to Playa del Ingles than Maspalomas.
The kiosks sell refreshments and both alcholic and non alcholic drinks..
Sun beds and parasols are available to hire..
How to get there
You can join the mass of tourist who walk along the sea edge from either Playa del Ingles or Maspalomas until you reach the required kiosk.
Most gays will have obtained accommodation near to either the Yumbo centre or the Cita centre, there fore walk down the main drag Avda. de Tirajana that runs past both centres to the Hotel Riu Palace Maspalomas and go through the large arched entrance, along to the end of a short lane. From this highish vantage point note the direction of the sea, the Maspalomas lighthouse, the Riu Palace now behind you the hills on your right. You can use these to help you in finding your direction through the dunes. The main track, the blue route, heading toward the dunes also leads towards the gay beach located at bar 7 You turn left off the Blue route at an extemly low lying flat area. With hints of salt deposits. If its your first trip you might like to head more to the left to the sea then turn right to you reach the bar / cafe number 7..
See also our Maspalomas Sand Dunes page.
On your way back from the dunes
Some very popular places to stop for some refreshment.
- Riu Palace Terrace, Nice spot to watch the the sunset.
- the Cita Centre and the Cafe Wien on the upper level. It's a gays paradise in the late afternoon after the beach
Gay bars, gay pubs and gay nightclubs
The gay nightlife in gay Playa del Ingles starts out much later than in the UK and goes throughout the night to around 5 weekdays and 6am weekends.
Most gay tourists will either eat in there hotel if on half board, or in one of the gay or straight restaurants if on a self catering holiday from 8pm onwards.
The very early drinkers will head to the gay bars and pubs at around 8pm, but most people start around 10. You will find that each bar, pub or disco has a time slot when that establishment is popular and busy. Often this evolves around the "show time" in the show bars.
The gay bars, gay pubs and gay nightclubs are mainly located in the 2 large Commercial Centres, Yumo the main & busiest , Cita Centre & and on the main road, Avenida de Tirajana between the 2 shopping centres in the 2 Barbados Apartments, A finally next to the main .
- Yumbo centre.
- Cita centre.
These 2 centres of gay excellence are approximately 10 minute walk apart. Both located to the right side of the main dual carriageway Avda. de Tirajana as you walk uphill. You will also find a few gay bars on the left as you walk from Cita to Yumbo.
The Yumbo is the more famous of the 2 and has far more gay establishments.
Click for Gay Yumbo nightlife and Gay Cita nightlife
These 2 centres are only 10 minute walk apart, but if you need an inbetween watering hole then try the:
- Either of the 2 Cruise Bars, Zoo Mens Bar or Reds Cruising Club that are along the sides of the Barbados aparments ! & 2 in Avenida de Tirajana.
Gay friendly hotels and apartments
Playa del Ingles
Maspalomas
Hotel Gran Costa Meloneras Gran Hotel Villa Del Conde
Gay Magazine
GAYumbo a free monthly colour magazine in English and German. Mainly has information about the Yumbo centre but also covers the Gran Canaria gay scene. Obtainable in many of the gay venues.
Gay Restaurants
See also: Yumbo centre and Cita centre
