12 Best Things To Do in Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria

Playa del Inglés is a beach resort in Gran Canaria, situated in the southern part of the island, where the weather is sunny and warm all year round, which is why it's so popular among many visitors.

The area where Playa del Ingles is located is actually an important tourist center on the island, with other big resorts like Meloneras and San Agustin in the vicinity. 

Since Playa del Inglés is situated in the south of Gran Canaria, the weather here is mild year-round, which means few precipitations even during the winter months, when you can still sunbathe and swim on most days when the sun is out.

See out dedicated section for weather in Playa del Ingles throughout the year (month by month historic data about the weather conditions in this part of Gran Canaria).

What to do in Playa del Inglés - Places to visit & attractions

Playa del Inglés is a lively resort and the best place to stay in Gran Canaria for nightlife. It is not really the place for a quiet holiday in Gran Canaria - for that we would recommend Puerto de Mogan, which is a more relaxed and quiet resort in Gran Canaria.

1. Playa del Ingles beach

The beach in Playa del Inglés is long and with yellow sand, a really beautiful place to spend the day while soaking up the sun and enjoying the ocean. 

You have lots of restaurants around and even a supermarket, which means that you can grab something quick to eat and maximize your time on the beach. 

Since it is an urban beach you have all the amenities available to be comfortable: sunbeds, umbrellas and beach showers.

The price for a sunbed/ umbrella in 2023 on Playa del Ingles is 3€.

2. Surfing and windsurfing

Playa del Ingles is a great spot for windsurfing, especially during the winter months, due to the west winds which create the perfect conditions at this time of year.

The only drawback of windsurfing in Playa del Ingles can be the number of people on the beach since it is quite a big and popular resort. But the beach is quite large and usually there's enough room for everyone to enjoy their day as they like.

If you haven't tried surfing yet and you want to try it for the first time, Gran Canaria is a great destination to do so, as you can take a learning class and see if you like it and if you'd want to continue.

• Learn to surf in ideal summery conditions
• Ride the waves safely and quickly with expert tuition
• Includes all surf equipment: surfboard, leash, rash vest, and long or short wetsuit; Surf instruction, fruit and water

3. Yumbo Centrum

Playa del Ingles has long been a popular destination for gay tourism in Gran Canaria and Yumbo is probably the epicenter for gay bars and nightlife on the island. 

At night it's when the Yumbo Centre comes to life, with lots of bars and nightclubs attracting visitors of all ages and nationalities. With around 20,000 square meters, the Yumbo Centre is also the home of many shops and cafes, where you can relax during the daytime before the nighttime madness kicks in.

4. Dolphin-Watching Cruise

Doing a boat trip is one of the best activities in Gran Canaria and you shouldn't miss this opportunity. The boat trips usually leave from Puerto Rico, but the trip includes the transfer from your hotel in Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin, and Bahia Feliz.

Sail along the southwest coast of the island in search of marine animals like pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, green turtles, and flying fish. 

• Pickup from Mogan, Taurito, Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, San Agustin, and Bahia Feliz.
• Duration 2 - 3 hours
• Unlimited soft drinks
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts

5. Maspalomas Dunes

We think that no visit to the south of Gran Canaria can be complete without a walk on the Maspalomas Dunes, which are the highlight of the area and the main natural attraction in this part of the island.

The dunes are also a great place for photoshoots and an ideal spot for birdwatching, so there are many reasons why you should dedicate a day to exploring this Nature Reserve, which has been a protected space since 1987. 

6. Centro Comercial Anexo 2

Anexo II is a shopping center in a good location near the beach, with lots of bars and restaurants where you can grab a drink or something to eat at lunch. Tipsy Hammock Bar is one of the most popular bars in the area, right next to the beach. 

Unfortunately, there are a lot of street vendors that will try to sell you sunglasses, fake watches and things like that, which could bother some people, but you should refuse them with a firm NO and just ignore them. 

7. Walk on the promenade Paseo de Costa Canaria 

This coastal path takes you from the north of Playa del Ingles all the way to San Agustin, so it's a great place for a long walk on the coast, where you can enjoy the views of the ocean and beautiful villas.

This is a great walk to do on an overcast day, when you might not want to sit on the beach, waiting for the sun to come out. It's actually a perfect thing to do in Playa del Ingles on a cloudy day, since otherwise, it can get too hot during midday hours, especially during the summer months.

8. Coastal walk to San Agustin

Can you walk from Playa del Ingles to San Agustin?

Definitely YES, we actually recommend it, as it's a fantastic walk along the ocean.

If you decide to go on a walk on Paseo Costa Canaria and you get to San Agustin, why not spend the entire day there and see how you like this resort as well? It's smaller and quieter than Playa del Ingles, so it's great for a chilled day in Gran Canaria. 

9. Walk along the beach to Meloneras

Probably thousands of people walk each day between Playa del Ingles and Meloneras along the oceanfront, as it's such a lovely walk and you can enjoy the view of the dunes. In Meloneras you'll find lots of restaurants and bars, plus many five-star hotels along the promenade, as it is an upmarket resort in Gran Canaria.

10. Stand-Up Paddle

For those who wish to try an activity on the water but don't want to go surfing or windsurfing, there's always the option of stand-up paddling which is also a widely popular activity in Gran Canaria.

If you've never tried it before you can grab a lesson with a licensed instructor, who will also show you some good spots for stand-up paddling in the south of Gran Canaria. 

• Pickup from your hotel/apartment in the south of Gran Canaria.
• Duration 4 hours
• Included: Wetsuit, stand up paddleboard, snorkeling Equipment, energy bar & water,  full Insurance covered you during all excursion, a theoretical and practical lesson on the beach with qualified instructors

11. Templo Ecumenico el Salvador

This is a Catholic church, with rather modern design, being built in the 1960s.

You can go in just for a visit or you can attend mass - see the schedule inside, as there are masses in different languages since there are so many foreign visitors and residents in the area.

12. Palmitos Park

Although Palmitos Park is not located in Playa del Ingles, in only 20 minutes you can get there (either by car or by bus) and you can spend an entire day watching lots of animals, birds, shows, as well as beautiful plants like orchids. 

Palmitos Park is a good place to visit especially for families with kids, as the little ones will enjoy for sure all the park's attractions.