Gay Gran Canaria: Best Gay Hotels, Beaches & Nightlife in Maspalomas (2025)

This Axel may not be the newest kid on the block, but what it lacks in modern finishes, it makes up for in pure vibe. Whether you're flying solo or coming with friends, it’s one of the easiest places to meet people (and maybe more) before heading out to Yumbo Center. Day passes are available, making it a top pick even if you’re staying elsewhere but don’t want to miss the poolside fun.

Vista Bonita – Gay & Nudist-Friendly Suites

⭐ Best for: Nude sunbathing, chilled couples & long stays
📍 Location: Sonnenland

Why We Love It:

Vista Bonita is where you go when you want to strip down and slow down. It’s relaxed by day with space to tan nude by the pool, grab a cocktail, and actually talk to people without loud music overpowering the vibe. You’ll meet return guests who treat this place like their Gran Canaria home.

Seven Hotel & Wellness – Stylish & Men-Only

⭐ Best for: Boutique luxury & wellness with a gay twist
📍 Location: Maspalomas, 5-minute taxi to Yumbo Center

Why We Love It:

Things to Do

Gran Canaria may be famous for nightlife, but daytime here is just as fun — especially if you love beaches, dunes, and poolside living.

Maspalomas Gay Nude Beach – No trip to Gran Canaria is complete without a visit to the gay nudist section of Maspalomas Beach, found between Kiosk 5 and 6. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you spot the rainbow flags fluttering between the dunes and the ocean. Here's what makes it iconic:

Day Passes at Nudist-Friendly Hotels – Want a nude pool day without committing to a full stay? These hotels offer gay nudist day passes:

AxelBeach BBQ Saturdays – Even if you're not staying at Axel, Saturday BBQ at the pool is one of the best social mixers on the island — with burgers, cocktails, music, and a very flirty crowd. It's one of the easiest places to meet people, especially for solo travelers.

Yumbo Center by Day – By day, Yumbo Center feels almost innocent — a quirky maze of souvenir shops, casual cafés, drag brunch terraces, barber shops, and mini markets perfect for snack runs, iced coffees, or a quick bite before heading to the beach. It’s the place to grab sunscreen, a fresh haircut, and maybe a cheeky rainbow fan you don’t need but absolutely buy anyway.

But don’t be fooled by the daytime calm… once the sun sets, this quiet shopping center transforms into the wild heart of Gran Canaria’s gay nightlife.

Where to Eat and Drink

While Gran Canaria is known more for its nightlife than its culinary scene, there are some standout spots worth planning around, especially if you know where to look. Unlike mainland Spain, many restaurants here open early (around 6 or 6:30 PM), but 9 PM is the sweet spot for dinner with atmosphere. Most Yumbo eateries are forgettable, but we’ve found a couple gems that are worth your time.

Bistro – Breakfast Worth Waking Up For. Our go-to breakfast spot just steps from AxelBeach Maspalomas. Order the Breakfast Tower for Two with layers of pastries, meats, cheeses, fruit, and warm bread. Andy said it best: “Without the tower, it’s just breakfast — with it, it’s an experience.” A perfect way to start your day before hitting the dunes or pool.

Abora Restaurant – Fresh Lunch & Sunset Dinners. Abora nails that fresh, healthy holiday food. Think bowls, wraps, sandwiches, and addictive chips for lunch. In the evening, the vibe shifts more refined with dishes like the Burrata Dream and handmade pastas. Even if you don’t stay at Seven, come for lunch or sunset dinner, it’s one of the island’s best-kept secrets.

Greek Village – Authentic Classic. Touted as the best Greek on the island, Greek Village delivers big portions, big flavors, and a surprisingly romantic indoor dining space. We shared the mezze trio, signature Greek Village salad, and chicken souvlaki. Yes, we ordered too much, and no, we regret nothing.

Insólito Bistró – Best Pizza & Pastas (Two Locations). The Playa del Inglés location serves some of the best pizzas in Gran Canaria, while the Yumbo outpost focuses on pastas and small plates with a modern twist. Menus are displayed on tablets with full photos — because decisions are easier when you can swipe through carbs like a Grindr grid.

Wapa Tapa – Small Plates, Big Reputation. A long-standing Yumbo favorite, known for tapas with personality. Tables fill quickly, so book ahead in high season (October–Easter). Perfect for a casual dinner before diving into nightlife.

LoLa – Classy, Creative & Romantic. One of the most elegant dinner spots in Maspalomas with a seasonal menu that changes quarterly. Expect smart plating, unique flavors, and the cheekiest host in Gran Canaria. We love the beetroot starter and risotto main, paired with generous holiday pours of bold red wine.

Iguazú Lounge – Craft Cocktails for Gays in the Know. A proper British-style cocktail lounge with plush seating, crafted drinks, and not a slushy piña colada in sight. They serve classic cocktails, Canarian craft beer, and wine, making it the perfect pre- or post-dinner spot. We came for mojitos and returned for Negroni Night with tapas on Mondays. Quiet early evening, especially off-season but ideal for date vibes or a reset between beach and nightlife.

Best Gay Bars & Clubs

Yumbo Center is the pulsing heart of Gran Canaria’s gay nightlife — a multi-level maze of bars, drag lounges, dance floors, and cruising clubs. Locals call it the “fruit loop” for a reason: you simply circle the complex and follow the crowd that speaks to your vibe. The scene shifts nightly, which is all part of the fun. Here are our standout spots to build your perfect Yumbo bar crawl:

Parrots Pub – The Essential Happy Hour Kick-Off. Just like in Sitges, we like to start the night at Parrots. Two large draught beers, two sparkling waters — it’s our ritual. With friendly waiters, comfy seats, and a front-row view of passing boys, this is Yumbo’s ultimate warm-up spot.

Junior & Adonis Pub – Social, Flirty, Easy to Meet People. Right across from Parrots, both Junior Bar and Adonis Pub are buzzing with cute guys from the moment they open. Grab a table, strike up a chat, and suddenly you’ve got new friends (or more) for the night. Along with Parrots, you honestly can’t go wrong starting at any of these three.

Sparkles Showbar – Drag Karaoke Chaos. Head upstairs to Sparkles for drag-hosted karaoke where nobody is safe from getting roasted — in the best way. If karaoke isn’t your thing, Ricky’s nearby offers similar drag entertainment and is great for that in-between moment before the dance floors kick off.

Mykonos – The Island’s Most Famous Dance Bar. Located on the upper level, Mykonos offers a big dance floor, video screens, a playful crowd, and yes, a cruising zone tucked away for those who don’t want the night to end on the dance floor. Opens around 11 PM and keeps going into the early hours. It’s been a staple since our first visit years ago.

Spicy Side of Yumbo – Cruise Bars & Nudist Nights. For our full reviews, including behind-the-scenes photos and videos, head over to our Patreon. Here’s the overview:

When to Go

Gran Canaria is a year-round gay getaway thanks to its warm climate, but the vibe of Yumbo Center changes with the season:

High Season (October–Easter):
This is when Gran Canaria really comes alive. From Fetish Week in October through Pride season in spring, the island fills with themed parties, drag events, leather crowds, and beach boys escaping the European winter. Hotels sell out fast—book early if you're coming anytime between Fetish Pride and Maspalomas Pride.

Shoulder Season (May–June & September):
Still busy but more relaxed, with great weather and a steady nightlife pulse. Bars are lively without being overwhelming, and you’ll find more space on the dunes (and in the dark rooms 👀).

Low Season (Summer – July & August):
Summer is technically low season here! Locals escape the heat, and the island sees fewer gay travelers compared to pride months and winter. Still plenty of nightlife, just a little more chilled—think more cocktails at Parrots, fewer wait times at Tom’s.

Key LGBTQ+ Events in Gran Canaria

Fetish Pride (October):
Kicks off peak season with leather, rubber, pup play, and more. Yumbo transforms into a full-on fetish takeover—gear up or at least be ready to watch the show.

Winter Pride Maspalomas (November):
One of Europe’s biggest off-season pride events with circuit parties, drag superstars, pool events, and daily shows on the Yumbo stage. It feels like summer Pride… just in November.

Carnival (February/March):
While not officially a gay event, Carnival in Gran Canaria is famously camp, full of drag, glitter, and sequins. Expect late-night street parties and over-the-top costumes.

Maspalomas Pride (May):
The island’s main Pride—tens of thousands of visitors, daily pool parties, boat parties, parades, and Yumbo concerts.

Getting Here & Around

By Air – Most visitors arrive via Gran Canaria Airport (airport code: LPA), with frequent direct flights from the UK, Germany, and mainland Spain. If you're flying from the U.S., United now offers seasonal flights to Tenerife, and from there it's just a quick 15–30 minute Binter inter-island hop to Gran Canaria. Another great option is to connect through Madrid or Barcelona, which offer multiple flights daily on both low-cost and full-service airlines. We actually flew Vueling from Málaga-Torremolinos this last time—super affordable and easy.

Taxis – Taxis are plentiful and reliable across the island. Expect to pay around €45–50 for the 25-minute ride from the airport to Maspalomas/Yumbo Center. Uber-style rideshares aren’t big here yet, so taxis are your go-to.

Public Transport – Buses run frequently between the airport, Playa del Inglés, and Maspalomas. They’re clean, cheap, and easy to navigate—even with luggage. Great option if you’re traveling light and don’t mind a short walk to your hotel.

Biking & Walking – Maspalomas is surprisingly walkable with dedicated pedestrian paths and bike lanes, especially between Yumbo Center, the dunes, and beach clubs. We used a mix of taxis, buses, and walking throughout our two weeks here and found it super easy to get around.

Frequently Asked Questions & Travel Tips

Is Gran Canaria LGBTQ+ friendly?

Extremely! Gran Canaria—especially Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés—is one of Europe’s most LGBTQ+ inclusive destinations. With gay-owned hotels, clothing-optional pool clubs, cruising bars, and Pride events nearly every season, it’s a place where queer travelers are not just accepted, but celebrated.

Is there a gay neighborhood in Gran Canaria?

Yes. Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés are the most popular gay areas on the island. The heart of gay life is the Yumbo Center. By day it's relaxed with cafés and shops, but by night it transforms into a multi-level gay nightlife hub with everything from drag karaoke and show bars to fetish clubs and late-night cruising venues. Most gay hotels and bars are within walking distance or short taxi of Yumbo.

Where is the gay beach in Gran Canaria?

The official gay nude beach is at Maspalomas, between Kiosk 5 and Kiosk 6. Look for the rainbow flags in the dunes—that’s where everyone gathers. Expect cruising trails, sun loungers, cocktail vendors, and plenty of opportunities to socialize (or disappear into the dunes).

When is the best time to visit?

Peak gay season runs from October through May thanks to Fetish Week, Winter Pride, New Year parties, and Maspalomas Pride.

How do I get around the island?

Maspalomas is very walkable, and most gay hotels are within 5–15 minutes of Yumbo. Taxis are cheap and everywhere, and local buses connect easily to Las Palmas, the airport, and nearby beaches. No Uber here, so plan on taxis or walking after nightlife.

Is the tap water safe to drink in Gran Canaria?

Yes, the tap water is safe, but locals mostly drink bottled or filtered water because the island’s supply can taste slightly mineral-heavy. Most hotels and cafes have filtered water stations.

Is Gran Canaria safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?

Absolutely. It’s one of the safest and most openly gay-friendly destinations in Europe. Crime is low, locals are used to LGBTQ+ tourism, and PDA is completely normal around Yumbo and the beach zones. Just be cautious of pickpockets in busy nightlife areas.

Final Thoughts

Gran Canaria truly is a gay travel playground — with nudist beaches, pool parties, nightlife, and more gay hotels than you'll know what to do with. Whether you're here to relax or dance until sunrise with the sand still between your toes, it’s a destination that brings people back year after year.