Gay Maspalomas

If you're in search of a year-round playground where you can frolic like a celebrity, take a look at gay Maspalomas. Nestled on the Canary Islands, between the Spanish mainland and the coast of the African continent, this vacation spot on the island of Gran Canaria is a glittering LGBTQ oasis in a desert landscape of endless sand dunes. Gay Pride Gran Canaria takes place every season and provides enough excitement to make every day feel like a holiday. It's one of the top destinations for gay travel in Europe, and once you experience its heavenly climate, golden beaches, and top-notch gay resorts, you'll want to revisit this paradise again and again.

With dozens of resorts and venues, the uninitiated may not know where to begin an exploration of gay Maspalomas. The good news is that most of the best places to see, be seen, and hook up are all in one area: Yumbo Center, THE party and shopping epicenter of Gran Canaria's gay scene. Within its open airy, green expanse, you'll find the best restaurants, shopping, and gay cruising spots on the island, day or night. Many of the prime spaces are gay-owned and operated, and an overall feeling of celebration and acceptance is prevalent. It's also adjacent to the Playa del Ingles, a golden beach that spills out over three kilometres. 

The year-round highlights for the Pride scene in gay Maspalomas begin in February with Carnival Maspalomas, a week-long, themed celebration of gayness that culminates with drag queen elections and a massive parade. March is full of warm feelies and chances to snuggle up at the annual Bear Carnival, while spirit takes center stage in May at the annual Maspalomas Gay Pride celebrations. If vanilla just isn't your flavour, cap off your sizzling summer with Maspalomas Fetish Week. In August, during the Dunas Festival, you can enjoy lavish pool parties, live DJs and go-go dancers, and shows. Last, but certainly not least, double-dip December gives you Winter Pride and the gay clubbing festival, Together. So whether you're hoping to relax on a gay beach in Gran Canaria or you'd rather party the night away in a club in Yumbo Center, make Maspalomas your next gay destination in Europe.