This beautiful town in Gran Canaria has a claim to fame – as it beholds one of the tallest towers out of all the Canary Islands.
If you’re heading to the Canary Islands for your next getaway, you might want to consider hitting up this incredible ‘hidden gem’. It’s known as the perfect place to visit if you’re the kind of person who loves ‘immersive’, historic travel experiences.
Nestled amongst the breathtaking dunes, lagoons and trails, sits the oldest lighthouse in the Canary Islands. Located in Gran Canaria, at the Southernmost point,in the town of Maspalomas, the lighthouse built in 1890 acts as a beautiful historical monument.
Known as Fara de Maspalomas, it was constructed by Juan León y Castillo and has served as a beacon of light for ships travelling between Europe and the US. Standing at a huge 55 metres tall, it was one of the ‘highest buildings in the Canary Islands’ when it was built.
Situated within the Maspalomas Dunes Natural Reserve, the lighthouse is surrounded by a beautiful ‘desert-like’ landscape. The walk – that runs for seven kilometres – starts at the lighthouse and winds through the entire reserve, looping back around in a circle, making it a popular pick with visitors.
What makes this walk so iconic is the fact that the path offers the opportunity to explore the diverse terrain of the area, moving from dune to dune. As part of the walk, you will also pass the Charca de Maspalomas, a stunning lagoon that’s packed full of wildlife.
Just beyond that, there’s also Playa de Maspalomas, a tranquil beach with golden sands and crystal clear waters, that’s ideal for a family beach day. The beach boasts calm, gentle waters, and plenty of space to swim, relax and play.
But despite feeling like you’ve entered another world when you walk this trail and visit the iconic lighthouse, it’s actually located within a thriving tourist area, with lots of other activities to see and do. There’s even a large Aqualand water park close by that offers a range of water slides, pools and rides, designed to entertain the whole family.
Those who are looking to book up a break to Gran Canaria for some winter sun will be surprised to hear that the island retains a warm temperature right through until January.
It’s still a mild 24C in November, dipping to around 22C in December. While the days are mostly sun-bathing weather, holiday firm TUI recommends packing cardigans and jumpers for the evenings when the mercury begins to dip.
