Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de las Dunas (at the end of Av. de Tirajana)
- Birdwatching Locations
- La Charca de Maspalomas (saltwater lagoon at the end of the dunes)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited in the dunes; allowed only in designated BBQ zones like Presa de las Niñas
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Ayagaures Valley and the Fataga ravine for hiking
- National Parks Nearby
- Pilancones Natural Park (15km north)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Paseo Costa Canaria (seafront promenade connecting to San Agustín)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (Calle San Mateo) and SEUR for international shipping
- Tech Repair Services
- Informática Plaza (C.C. Plaza) for laptop and phone repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Public tables at Parque Urbano del Sur
- Language Classes
- Academia de Idiomas Maspalomas or Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas (EOI)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal de San Bartolomé de Tirajana
- Community Centers
- Centro Socio-Cultural de Mayores (San Fernando)
- Gaming Lounges
- Game Station (C.C. Yumbo - limited arcades)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Gran Canaria (Hotel Buenos Aires)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (€180,000 for 40 m² in prime tourist zone)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (€128,000 for 40 m² in San Fernando or Bellavista)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (€252,000 for 60 m² near Annexo II)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (€180,000 for 60 m² in El Tablero)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,000 per m² (€320,000 for 80 m² in Av. de Tirajana)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (€224,000 for 80 m² in residential outskirts)
- Corporate Tax
- 4% (under ZEC - Canary Islands Special Zone, subject to requirements) otherwise 25% standard
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% - 23% (Special exemptions apply for ZEC entities)
- Tax System
- Spanish nationwide system with Canarian IGIC (7%) instead of VAT (21%)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Approx. 47% (progressive rate)
- VAT
- 7% (IGIC - Canary Island General Indirect Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Spanish CFC rules apply to prevent tax avoidance
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - approx. 0.5% - 1.1% of cadastral value annually
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6.5% ITP (Transfer Tax) for second-hand properties in Canaries
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Beckham Law (24% flat tax for 6 years) or the new Digital Nomad Visa (specific tax perks)
Essentials
- City
- Playa del Inglés, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria, Spain
- Population
- Approximately 17,000 permanent residents
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optic widely available; averages 300 Mbps - 600 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.08 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, BBVA on Av. de Tirajana
- Tap Water
- Safe for showering but generally not recommended for drinking due to high mineral content; use bottled water (approx. €0.80/5L)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets
- SIM Card
- Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange. Pre-paid plans from €15 for 50GB-100GB
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, N26, and CaixaBank (requires NIE for residents)
- Accommodation
- High density of apartment complexes like Apartamentos Barbados or bungalows like Los Porches
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and contactless payments accepted in 95% of establishments
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Gran Canaria Stays
- Budget Accommodation
- Sentido Gran Canaria or low-cost studios in Yumbo area (~€45/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Avenida de Tirajana and Paseo Costa Canaria (near the beach)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- San Fernando (residential area with local prices) or near the Yumbo Centre for social life
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The House (locations in Maspalomas/Las Palmas) or local spots like Coworking Maspalomas (€15/day)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café de Punta (Av. de Tirajana) or Mana 264 (good Wi-Fi and power outlets)
- Networking Events
- Gran Canaria Digital Nomad Facebook Group meetups; monthly meetups at the Yumbo
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Las Palmas branch and localized weekly pub quizzes at The Red Cow
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- PideTaxi (Uber is limited/expensive in the south); local taxis operate on meters starting at €3.15
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Free Motion (Av de Alfereces Provisionales) - e-bike rentals from €25/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa del Inglés beach / Maspalomas Dunes (walking distance)
- Top Regional Airline
- Binter Canarias (flights to other islands from €40)
- Top International Airline
- Iberia, Ryanair, and Vueling operate from Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)
- Highway Access
- GC-1 highway connects directly to the airport (20 mins) and Las Palmas (45 mins)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Estación de Guaguas (Bus Station) at Tropical or San Fernando
- Public Transport Passes
- Global Bus - Tarjeta TransGC (up to 40% discount on fares)
- Regional Travel
- Global Bus line 30 to Las Palmas (€6.15) or line 66 to the airport (€3.50)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital San Roque Maspalomas (Calle Mar de Alborán)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Be Your Flow Yoga Maspalomas; drop-in classes roughly €15
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Strong Gym (C.C. Ronda) or Fit-Point (C.C. Sonnenland) - monthly pass ~€45
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Self Service (Calle San Fernando) - €5 per wash
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo and Just Eat are the primary providers
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Papas Arrugadas con Mojo (Canarian wrinkly potatoes) at Restaurante El Mana
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- A.S. Co. Me. (C.C. Cita) or Mana 264
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heladeria Gelizia (Paseo Marítimo) - artisanal gelato
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- HiperDino (C.C. Bellavista) or Mercadona in San Fernando
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (note: Canary Islands have different customs/shipping terms)
- Grocery Delivery
- Mercadona Online or HiperDino home delivery (€7 fee)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Yumbo Centrum (LGBTQ+ focused, over 200 bars) and Kasbah Center
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Jaira (brewed in Agüimes, served at local craft bars like The 19th Hole)
- Wine Bars
- La Taberna de El Chiky (San Fernando) for local Canarian Malvasía
- Street Food Stalls
- Mercadillo de Maspalomas (San Fernando Market) - Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Popular International Cuisine
- Restaurante Allende 220 (Spanish Fusion) or Sawadee (Thai)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Dunas de Maspalomas (Sand dunes reserve) and the 19th-century Faro de Maspalomas
- Museums & Art Venues
- Centro Cultural Maspalomas for local art exhibitions
- Historical Sites
- Mundo Aborigen (Guantche replica village, 10 mins away by car)
- Religious Sites
- Templo Ecuménico El Salvador (Av. de España)
- Annual Events
- Maspalomas Pride (May) and Carnival (February/March)
- Cultural Districts
- San Fernando old quarter (more traditional Canarian feel)
- Theater Venues
- Auditorio del Parque Urbano de San Fernando
- Local Markets
- San Fernando Farmers Market (Calle San Mateo) - bi-weekly
- Music Scene
- Live music at Hard Rock Cafe or jazz nights at 19th Hole
- Street Art
- Murals around the San Fernando underpasses and residential blocks
- Cooking Classes
- Mojo sauce workshops at local fincas in Fataga (20 min drive)
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte de la Casa de la Condesa (Maspalomas)
- Historic Buildings
- Ermita de San Fernando
- Local Heritage
- Canarian Lucha Canaria (wrestling) matches at local Terrero sites