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Stroll through Maspalomas’ dunes
Hop in a cab, and you can reach Maspalomas in less than 15 minutes from Patalavaca. It’s got a decent line-up of shops, bars and restaurants, but its star attraction is the famous field of sand dunes. As you walk towards the sea, the rolling peaks and troughs start to look like tortilla-coloured waves. Bring your camera along, and you’ll leave with some top holiday snaps.Neighbouring Puerto Rico's a must-visit for shoppers. From Patalavaca, you can reach the seaside resort in five minutes by car, and it’s got a big retail centre set back from the sandy beach. There’s everything from Canarian souvenirs to top fashion labels on sale, plus a handful of cafés where you can stop for a coffee or an ice-cream.
Read MorePatalavaca wears an international hat when it comes to eating out. Wander along the waterfront, and you’ll have your pick of Mediterranean, Oriental and Spanish cuisine. It stays true to its roots, too, with a handful of Canarian restaurants where you can tuck into salted potatoes – known as papas arrugadas – freshly-caught sea bass, and pork in a red mojo sauce.
Read MoreAnfi Beach isn’t Gran Canaria’s best-known sweep of sand, but we reckon it’s one of the best on the island. It’s a couple of minutes’ walk from the centre of Patalavaca, and at first sight you might think you’ve stumbled into the Caribbean. Grab a spot on the vanilla-white waterfront, and you’ll have turquoise waters ahead of you, and leafy palms over your shoulder.
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