Gran Canaria is one of Europe’s most popular-gay beach island destinations with a bustling gay scene at Playa del Ingles and the naked beach and cruising sand dunes of Maspalomas. Gran Canaria stands out as a premier destination for LGBTQ+ travelers, blending vibrant nightlife, inclusive culture, and stunning natural beauty. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, the island offers something for everyone, from the lively party scene in Maspalomas and the Yumbo Centre to the charming streets and cultural sites of Las Palmas. Whether you’re seeking thrilling nightlife, serene beaches, or a sense of community, Gran Canaria is a haven for LGBTQ+ visitors, celebrated for its diversity and openness.
Playa del Ingles
Playa de Ingles | Maspalomas
See also the google maps list – Gran Canaria
Hotels
So before we dive into the two main areas depending on your vibe you can also rent a villa in nearby San Agustín and just get a taxi to the nightlife. Otherwise though you are going to want to stay more central for drunken stumbling or easy access to the beaches.
Most of the men only resorts allow paid entry during the day for those not staying in the resort. There are quite a few now to choose from so google is probably your best bet as they open/close/rebrand.
Barceló Margaritas
Av. de Gran Canaria, 38, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana
barcelo.com
Not a gay hotel but is well located and offers half board and full board for usually less than the gay resorts so up to you if you want 100% LGBT holiday or one with a few pools to choose from nice cheap food and easy access to Yumbo.
Hotel Ritual
Av. 8 de Marzo, 33, 35100 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain
hotelritualmaspalomas.com
A nice location and LGBT friendly. Close to Yumbo for nightlife.
Aqua Beach Bungalows
35100 Maspalomas
aquabeachbungalows.com
Located in front of Yumbo Center and a short walk of the beach & sand dunes, the gay Aqua Beach (formerly ‘ParqueSol’) offers bungalow-style rooms, with outdoor pool and large sun deck.
Basement Studios – DAY GUEST
Av. Estados Unidos, 37, 35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana
basementstudios.eu
Basically an extension of and opposite Yumbo and it’s cruisy and by cruisy I mean it has a cruising area. Day guest passes available for those not staying in the resort. They also host events especially during pride season.
Bars
Okay so Yumbo Centrum is going to feature heavily here. It’s basically shopping centre by day, restaurants in the evening, bars and then nightclubs all in the same complex. There are over thirty bars and then there are the fetish/cruising bars and nightclubs too as well as a sauna on the top floor if you need to carry on.
Parrots Pub – Yumbo Centre
Yumbo Centrum 121/1
Following its huge success in the Sitges gay scene, the Parrots Group venture to their new location in Gran Canaria.
Adonis Bar
Yumbo Centrum 111/11-13
Adonis has been a part of the Yumbo Centre since 1996. It’s a friendly German bar that serves beer, sangria and homemade cocktails.
Bärenhöhle (The Bear Cave)
Yumbo Centrum 151/9
The drink selection and prices are great and the atmosphere is calmer than most other places in Yumbo Center
WunderBar
Yumbo Centrum 151/1-2
Eurovision Night and Retro Night and a large terrace.
Centre Stage Bar
Yumbo Centrum 231/2
Despite its small size it features a vibrant mix of show tunes, party music, and sing-alongs.
Macho Macho
Yumbo Centrum 261/19
If you are homesick from Amsterdam then this is the bar for you. Dutch and German “Schlager” music, this bar is a hotspot for those seeking a lively night out
Sparkles Show Bar
Yumbo Centrum 212/4
I spent far too much of my 40th in this bar I think. Karaoke, DJs, Drag Queens it all happens in Sparkles.
Seriously this is the tip of the iceberg there are so many more bars in Yumbo Centre and that’s just the regular bars not the Late Bars or the Cruising Bars.
Late Bars
Mykonos
Yumbo Centrum 421/2-7
23:00 – 03:30
Late-night gay bar with cocktails and draft beer, plus dancing areas.
Mantrix
Yumbo Centrum 421/8-18
Busiest from 03:30 (after most other bars have closed).
Restaurants
Okay so Yumbo Centrum is going to feature heavily here as well! I suggest just wandering around to be honest. See what takes your fancy. Chinese all you can eat buffet or ‘fancy’ Spanish.
Gio
Yumbo 111/10
Italian food with friendly staff.
Maspalomas
Playa del Ingles | Maspalomas
See also the google maps list – Gran Canaria
Gay Hotels & Resorts in Maspalomas
There are so many Gay Bungalow Resorts in Maspalomas that you should not be able to go wrong. Although check out the recent reviews since some switch hands, get refurbished or renamed etc from one season to the next.
Maspalomas offers a wide array of gay-friendly accommodations catering to diverse preferences. While the popular gay beach provides ample opportunity for sunbathing, accommodations with clothing-optional pools offer a convenient alternative for relaxed days, especially considering the beach’s potential distance. Opting for one of Maspalomas’s numerous gay-friendly hotels or apartments ensures a comfortable and enjoyable holiday experience.
Villas Blancas
Calle Tourop Tjaerebrg, 46, 35100
villasblancas.com
Set within spacious tropical gardens Villas Blancas offers the very best in exclusively gay accommodation for men. One of the first gay resorts I ever stayed in!
Club Torso
Av. Touroperador Kuoni, 8, 35100
clubtorso.com
Set behind a white-picket privacy fence, this clothing-optional, gay men’s resort hotel. No day guest entry.
Axel Beach Maspalomas – AVOID
Avda. Tirajana, 32 (Entrance by, C. Timple, 35100)
axelhotels.com
Gay hotel that is well located but can be very pricey for what it is. Unlike the other Axel hotels I cannot recommend this one based on our stay. Definitely trading on the success of the hotels in Berlin and Barcelona. Who in Maspalomas is paying for a cabana by a cold water pool?
Bars
Café Wien
C.C. Cita, Avenida de Francia
Coffee, Cakes and Cocktails after a day at the beach or wandering the dunes.
Restaurants
Gio
Yumbo 111/10
Italian food with friendly staff.
Beaches
Kiosco Beach N°5 – the gay beach!
Playa de Maspalomas (27.7359,-15.5833)
instagram
Clothing Optional (mostly nude) Gay Beach
You could probably just follow the sound of the gay bar music to find kiosk 5 but they start at the Maspalomas end as No 1
Dunas de Maspalomas – cruising
Dunas de Maspalomas
Most people walk from the Rui Palace hotel through the dunes to the gay beach and along the way there is a cruising area. Many people choose to stay in this area rather than head onto the noisy (and sometimes very windy) beach.
About Gran Canaria
The Canary Islands, despite their proximity to North Africa, are a Spanish territory blessed with consistently warm weather. Maspalomas, a prominent gay-friendly destination, hosts a popular Summer Pride event that draws over 100,000 attendees. Its year-round pleasant climate makes Maspalomas particularly appealing for those seeking winter or spring sunshine, when much of Europe remains cold. To avoid peak tourist periods, it’s advisable to visit outside of May to September or when major events like Pride, Winter Pride, and the vibrant March Carnaval, which resembles an extended Pride celebration with elaborate costumes, are taking place.
Regarding accommodations, proximity to the action is a key consideration. Maspalomas’s gay nightlife centers around the Yumbo Center, with numerous hotels and apartments within easy walking distance of the bars. For a more tranquil experience, consider staying closer to the beach or in a resort outside the central area. Due to recent concerns about overtourism in the Canary Islands, it’s important to be respectful of local residents and demonstrate responsible tourist behaviour.
Transportation & Airport Transfer
Traveling from Gran Canaria Airport to your Maspalomas accommodations is straightforward. A taxi ride is the most direct option, typically costing around €30. Alternatively, you can pre-arrange a private transfer for a similar price. For budget-conscious travelers, the local bus service, specifically route 66, offers a convenient alternative. This bus route serves both Playa del Ingles and terminates at Faro de Maspalomas, the city’s main tourist hub where many hotels are located. The one-way bus fare is €4.
Once settled in Maspalomas, transportation options include buses and taxis. Given the island’s generally affordable taxi fares, short-distance taxi rides often prove more convenient than navigating the bus system, especially for those unfamiliar with the local routes.
About Cramberts
From our home base in Amsterdam, we frequently explore some of Europe’s most vibrant cities, and we’ve compiled detailed guides to share our insider knowledge. Whether you’re seeking the canals and culture of Amsterdam itself, the sunny beaches of Gran Canaria, the historic charm of Lisbon and Porto, the bustling energy of Barcelona and Madrid, the refined elegance of Paris and Munich, the unique character of Sitges, or the diverse landscapes of the Randstad region, you’ll find comprehensive information and recommendations on the site.
See Also
Amsterdam | Barcelona | Chicago | Cologne | Gran Canaria | Iceland | Lisbon | London | Madrid | Munich | Paris | Porto | Randstad | Sitges | Washington DC
Gay Travellers
Gran Canaria is renowned as a top party destination and an ideal spot for gay travellers. The nightlife in Maspalomas is particularly famous, especially at the Yumbo Centre, which is the epicenter of gay nightlife on the island. Here, you’ll find a diverse range of venues from bear bars to pop clubs.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the island’s capital, offers a mix of historic charm and modern vibrancy, with a captivating blend of cultural sites, shopping areas, and culinary experiences. For a quieter experience, you can visit towns like Puerto Morgan and Bahia Feliz, where the beaches are less crowded and the nightlife is more relaxed.
For an energetic gay party vacation, Maspalomas is the place to be. It’s more affordable than Mykonos, but offers just as much fun and excitement. The island also hosts the legendary Maspalomas Pride, an annual week-long event that attracts visitors from around the globe to celebrate pride and unity.
There are so many places and there are probably more on the google maps list since that’s quicker to update. (LPA, GCLP)