Things To Do in Playa del Ingles

Pacha and Cream lead the pack here – they’re both in the Kasbah Centre on Avenida de Sargentos Privisionales, behind the prom. Elsewhere, you’ve got cabaret, karaoke, live music and discos in the open-air plazas. And if you’re looking for a good craic and Guinness, head to Irish Town at the north end of the resort.

Boat trips leave daily from Playa del Ingles’ harbour and cost around 30 euros. On a good day, you’ll see bottlenose dolphins jumping in the air and even whales shooting water out of their blow holes. If you don’t see any, though, you can usually come back another day for free.

Everything is duty-free in Playa del Ingles, including clothes and electrical goods. For a sweep of designer boutiques, Plaza Maspalomas is your best bet. It also has a large Visanta store, where you can snap up cut-price electronics. Yumbo and Cita have a ton of shops and supermarkets, but if you’re intent on paying local prices, head up to San Fernando, at the north end of the resort.

The busiest section of this huge beach is by the Annexo II shopping centre. This is where you’ll find sunloungers and jet-skis lined up on the sand like sea lions. The whole stretch is backed by a bustling promenade, where you can get a spot of lunch or enjoy a cocktail at sunset. For a change of scene, stroll past the dunes to the slightly more tranquil beach scene at Maspalomas.

A Jeep safari into the peaceful Valley of the Thousand Palms makes for a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Playa del Ingles. You’ll stop in Fataga, a little pueblo perched on a cliff top and filled with craft shops and small bodegas. From here, continue your journey by camel, exploring what could easily be the set of a Spaghetti Western, with patches of cactuses and a miniature Grand Canyon.

If it’s stellar seafood you’re after, this upmarket eatery will hit the mark. For a starter, try the deep-fried sardines or the miniature green peppers. Then, plump for grilled fish or lobster. And save some space for the fig ice-cream this place is famous for.

In the village of Puerto de Mogan, this festival honours the Virgin Mary, patron saint of fishermen. A large statue in her image is hoisted onto a boat, and a procession of vessels, decorated with flags and with music pumping from their speakers, follows the statue around the bay.

Playa del Ingles majors in nightlife, and the shopping centres are the real heart of the action. The Kasbah Centre has clubs like China Whites and Pacha, while Metropole Centre and Plaza Maspalomas, right next door, have bars playing the latest chart hits. The gay scene, meanwhile, is centred around Yumbo. Wherever you are, things rarely get going before midnight.

Playa del Ingles likes to shop – and it’s got 12 shopping centres to prove it. You can pick up everything from leather handbags to electrical stuff, though if you’re looking for designer names try Plaza Maspalomas on the south side. And down on the prom, you’ve got Cita – this maze of 200 shops comes with a mini golf-course on the side.

At this annual, high-energy carnival, the rainbow crowd really gets to wave its flag. The drag queen competition is hotly contested and the OTT costumes look like Lady Gaga has gone wild in Rio. You won’t want to miss the procession, but pace yourself for the finale – a huge all-nighter of music and dancing.

The hilarious drag shows at Ricky’s have been part and parcel of Playa del Ingles folklore for over a decade, and they continue to delight unsuspecting audiences. With outrageous outfits that even Lady Gaga would balk at and routines you won’t forget in a hurry, Ricky’s provides a night out you’ll remember for a long time.

Along the beachfront and in the shopping centres, the restaurants have all got 1 thing in common – fish. The Chinese places cook theirs in a dim sum, while the Italians do a pan-fry job with pasta. As for the Spanish joints, they like theirs any which way – stuffed with herbs, tossed in paella or covered in spicy mojo sauce.

You can pick your spot here. Along the shoreline you’ve got separate sections for families, naturists and those waving the rainbow flag – further from the sea, it’s a bit of a free for all. You’ve got everything you need here, with open-fronted restaurants and bars plus a beachfront shopping centre. If you fancy a walk, 25 minutes gets you to the Sahara-style sand dunes at Maspalomas.

As the name suggests, this bar has got a Parisian theme going on. French owners Fabien and Olivier have got themselves a sophisticated place here, with Cognac and Cointreau sharing the cocktail menu with anise. Music-wise, chillout and jazz tracks keep the mood mellow.

At this friendly restaurant, the owners do a good double act. Angel is the perfectionist in the kitchen, cooking up juicy steak, succulent chorizo and fresh sole with pasta, while Marjan keeps everyone happy front-of-house. Prices are reasonable, so if you want to squeeze in a crème caramel your wallet will still go home smiling.