How to Get to the Maspalomas Dunes
The dunes sit at the southern tip of Gran Canaria, between Playa del Inglés and the Maspalomas lighthouse. Entry is free at any hour through several walking access points, and getting there is simple: bus 66 from the airport, line 30 from Las Palmas, or a car with free parking at Parque Tony Gallardo. Here is every option with lines, published fares and the exact stop.
Quick answer
You visit the Maspalomas Dunes on foot from three access points: the viewpoint next to Hotel Riu Palace in Playa del Inglés (the easiest), the Playa del Inglés beach via the Paseo Costa Canaria, and the Maspalomas lighthouse from the west. To get there:
- From the airport: bus 66 to Playa del Inglés (€3.50) or Faro de Maspalomas (€4.05), 30–50 minutes; taxi, €35–55; car, about 30 minutes on the GC-1.
- From Las Palmas: bus 30 direct to Faro de Maspalomas or 50 to Playa del Inglés; at night, line 5.
- By car: put “Parque Tony Gallardo” in the sat nav and park free 5–10 minutes from the dunes.
- On foot: from any hotel in Playa del Inglés it is 10–20 minutes to the viewpoint; crossing the dunes to the lighthouse takes 1.5–2 hours.
Where the dunes are and where you get in
The dune field fills the coast between Playa del Inglés to the east and the Maspalomas lighthouse to the west, inside the Maspalomas Dunes Special Nature Reserve. There is no gate, ticket office or opening time: you enter from the beach or from the signposted viewpoints, and the marked trails are there so you do not trample the vegetation.
Mirador de las Dunas, next to Hotel Riu Palace
On Avenida de Tirajana, at the end of Playa del Inglés. It is the main access and the best panoramic spot: two minutes from the street and the central dunes are in front of you. The buses stop here and the classic walk to the lighthouse starts here.
Playa del Inglés beach (Paseo Costa Canaria)
Go down to the sand from the promenade and walk south: the beach runs straight into the dune field. It is the natural entrance if you are staying in Playa del Inglés and combining a swim with the dunes.
Maspalomas lighthouse
The western access. From the lighthouse promenade you follow the shoreline to the first dunes; it is the quietest side and the best for sunset. Note: from here to the Riu Palace viewpoint is 3–4 km of sand.
La Charca de Maspalomas
Next to the lighthouse, the protected lagoon has a viewpoint with information panels and is the best place to watch birds. You do not enter the lagoon: you walk around it.
Which one to pick
To see the dunes without walking on sand: the Riu Palace viewpoint. To swim and then go in: the Playa del Inglés beach or the Anexo II car park. For sunset and the lagoon: the lighthouse. If you want to cross the whole field, go in on one side, come out on the other and return by bus or taxi.
From Gran Canaria airport
The airport (LPA) is on the east coast, about 30 minutes from the dunes. The bus is the cheap, simple option; a taxi pays off from three people or with a lot of luggage.
| Option | Where it gets you | Published fare | Indicative time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus 66 (Global) | Faro de Maspalomas, via Playa del Inglés | €4.05 to the lighthouse · €3.50 to Playa del Inglés | 35–50 min |
| Buses 90, 36, 5 and 1 (some services) | Playa del Inglés and Faro de Maspalomas | €3.50–4.05 | 30–50 min |
| Official taxi | Door to door, no booking | €35–55 estimated | 30–40 min |
| Hire car | GC-1 southbound, Playa del Inglés exit | No tolls | ≈ 30 min |
For the dunes, get off at the Hotel Riu Palace stop (Avenida de Tirajana) for the viewpoint, or at Faro de Maspalomas, the end of the line, to enter from the west. Fares are those published by Aena and Global, checked on 2 August 2026; times depend on traffic. The airport transfers guide compares bus, taxi and private transfer for every resort.
From Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Several Global lines leave San Telmo bus station for the south. Line 30 is the direct one to Faro de Maspalomas on the GC-1 and the most practical for the dunes; line 50 reaches Playa del Inglés by motorway; line 1 runs the whole coast with stops as far as Puerto de Mogán, and line 5 covers the night, from 20:00 to 06:00.
Timetables, the travel card and apps are in the Gran Canaria bus guide.
- Fare €5.60–6.25 Las Palmas–Maspalomas
- Bus time Between 45 minutes and a little over an hour depending on the line
- Taxi €50–60 as a guide
- By car GC-1 southbound, no tolls; a little under an hour without traffic
From Playa del Inglés, Meloneras and the rest of the south
On foot from Playa del Inglés
This is the usual way. From the centre of Playa del Inglés, Avenida de Tirajana runs down to the Riu Palace viewpoint in 10–20 minutes depending on your hotel; along the Paseo Costa Canaria you reach the sand and enter from the beach. No transport needed.
From Maspalomas and Meloneras
If you are staying by the lighthouse, enter from the west: lighthouse promenade, lagoon and shoreline. Bear in mind that Meloneras and the Faro 2 shopping centre are about 40 minutes on foot from the Riu Palace access, so for the viewpoint a bus or a short taxi ride is better.
From Puerto Rico, Mogán and Arguineguín
Global lines 1, 32 and 33 run along the coastal corridor and terminate at Faro de Maspalomas: get off there for the western access. For the Riu Palace viewpoint, change at the lighthouse to a bus heading for Playa del Inglés (30, 50 or 66) or walk along the shore.
By car: the route and where to park
From anywhere on the island, the GC-1 takes you to the Playa del Inglés exit (or the Maspalomas exit if you are heading for the lighthouse). In the sat nav enter Parque Tony Gallardo or Mirador de las Dunas, not just “Maspalomas Dunes”, which can send you to the far end.
Parque Tony Gallardo
The best option: 5–10 minutes on foot from the access, with limited spaces. In high season arrive before 9:30.
Streets by the Riu Palace: Av. de Alemania and Av. de Bonn
The free alternative if you only want the dunes. Respect the signs.
Anexo II car park
Direct beach access at Calle Las Dunas 2. The option if you are going to swim.
Faro 2 shopping centre
By the lighthouse, about 40 minutes on foot from the dunes: no use for the viewpoint.
Prices, peak hours and a map are in the guide to free parking at the Maspalomas Dunes.
Taxi and private transfer
“Maspalomas” covers several stops and resort areas. Tell the driver exactly “Mirador de las Dunas, Hotel Riu Palace” or “Faro de Maspalomas”. From the airport a taxi runs €35–55 depending on the destination; from Las Palmas, €50–60. A fixed-price private transfer makes sense for families, groups or late arrivals.
At the terminal, use the official taxi rank and ask for a receipt; the airport transfers guide explains the tariff.
Before you go into the dunes
Best time
Sunrise (6:30–8:00) and the last hour of the afternoon. In summer avoid 12:00 to 16:00: the sand can exceed 50 °C and there is no shade or water.
What to bring
Water, a hat, sunscreen and shoes you can slip off. Barefoot only first thing or at the end of the day.
Rules
It is a protected reserve: keep to the signposted trails, do not step on the vegetation and stay away from the lagoon. Take your litter with you.
How long it takes
Crossing from Playa del Inglés to the lighthouse is 3–4 km of sand: allow 1.5–2 hours. The viewpoint takes ten minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the entrance to the Maspalomas Dunes?
There is no single entrance. The main access is the Mirador de las Dunas next to Hotel Riu Palace, at the end of Avenida de Tirajana in Playa del Inglés. You can also enter from the Playa del Inglés beach (Paseo Costa Canaria) and, from the west, from the Maspalomas lighthouse and La Charca.
Which bus goes to the Maspalomas Dunes from the airport?
Global line 66, which stops in Playa del Inglés (€3.50) and ends at Faro de Maspalomas (€4.05), in 35–50 minutes. Some services on lines 90, 36, 5 and 1 also work. For the viewpoint, get off at the Hotel Riu Palace stop.
How do I get to the Maspalomas Dunes from Las Palmas?
By bus from San Telmo: line 30 goes direct to Faro de Maspalomas on the GC-1, line 50 to Playa del Inglés by motorway, and line 5 covers the night from 20:00 to 06:00. By car it is a little under an hour on the GC-1; a taxi runs about €50–60.
Which stop do I get off at to see the dunes?
For the viewpoint and the central dunes, the Hotel Riu Palace stop on Avenida de Tirajana. For the western end, the lagoon and sunset, Faro de Maspalomas, the end of the line.
Can you walk to the dunes from Playa del Inglés?
Yes, that is the usual way. From the centre of Playa del Inglés it is 10–20 minutes on foot to the Riu Palace viewpoint, or you go down to the beach along the Paseo Costa Canaria and enter from the shore.
How much does it cost to enter the Maspalomas Dunes?
Nothing. Access to the Special Nature Reserve is free and open 24 hours. You only pay for transport and, if you drive, whichever paid car park you choose.
Where do I park for the Maspalomas Dunes?
Free at Parque Tony Gallardo, 5–10 minutes on foot, or in the streets by the Riu Palace (Avenida de Alemania, Avenida de Bonn). Paid, with direct beach access, at Anexo II. The Faro 2 shopping centre is about 40 minutes on foot from the dunes.
How long does it take to cross the dunes to the lighthouse?
Between 1.5 and 2 hours for the 3–4 km of sand between Playa del Inglés and Faro de Maspalomas, following the marked trails. Do it early or late in the day and carry water.
Sources and method
Bus lines and fares are those published by Global and Aena, checked on 2 August 2026 for our transfers guide; they change periodically, so confirm them before you set off. Walking and driving times are indicative. The access and parking recommendations were reviewed in September 2026.
By Enrique Medina · Reviewed 7 September 2026
Local author from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This guide is based on the lines and fares published by Global and Aena and on the access and parking recommendations reviewed in September 2026.