Maspalomas to Berlin: A Unique Travel Journey

Intro

It was Christmas Eve 2024, and months ago, I had the great idea of travelling on this day. From my own experience, holiday traveling on the day of can be very difficult, but many people had left the city by now. My trip, as always, included many stops, but for the first time I was going to the Canary Islands, specifically Maspalomas in Gran Canaria, explored on today’s blog. I also had stops in Madrid and Barcelona for New Years Eve, but you’d see those in my next blog. Finally, I ended my trip in a quick stop in Berlin, on New Year’s Day, and it did not disappoint.

The trek to Maspalomas, Spain

I started my journey to Maspalomas on the Christmas Eve, leaving from JFK International Airport in New York. Took an Uber to Lefferts Blvd and the AirTrain to the terminal.

The flight was on Norse to the Gatwick Airport in London. I had been to London for NYE 2 years ago, and this time I was hoping to do a quick checking of the city before my connection to Barcelona. I was so wrong. After being able to sleep for most of the flight, and landing in London, the plane took quite some time to debark. Then I did immigration, in vain, cause when I asked around if I could take the train into the city, they told me that the trains were not working on Christmas. I was in shock. How is all this people going to be able to get to their destinations? The Uber was extremely expensive and took too long. I could miss connection, so for the next 6 hours I was just at the airport wasting my Christmas Day.

Then it was time to flight to Barcelona. I took another nap and got there before the sunset. Another immigration process to enter the Schengen zone, and I was good for the rest of this trip.

I had to wait another 3 hours for my flight to Gran Canaria, so I explored the airport and got some food in the meantime. I love this airport.

Finally time for my last flight on this long journey. From Barcelona to Gran Canaria it takes 3 hours and 30 minutes, since it is located next to Africa. Landed really late at night but still Christmas, and waited for the bus that would take me to Maspalomas, located to the south of the Gran Canaria island. For reference the airport is at the East-Center of the Island.

Made it to my hotel. The bus dropped me off very close and walked. I felt so disoriented haha. Thankfully Google Maps helped a lot, but since it was my first time in this town, I was feeling a bit out of place. Time to check in and sleep once again.

Exploring the Dunes of Maspalomas

Woke up on Boxing Day, and got ready to go get some coffee and explore this beautiful town. Walked towards the RIU hotel, and into one of the things that make Maspalomas famous: the dunes.

Maspalomas is a popular tourist resort in the south of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, known for its golden sand dunes, long beaches, and a mix of family-friendly and upscale amenities, including hotels, restaurants, and shops. 

• Southern Gran Canaria: Maspalomas is located on the southern tip of Gran Canaria, stretching from Bahía Feliz in the east to Meloneras in the west. 
• Maspalomas Dunes: The area is famous for its iconic sand dunes, a protected nature reserve known as the Maspalomas Dunes, home to a diverse ecosystem including a dynamic sand dune system, a palm grove, and a brackish lagoon.
• Maspalomas Beach: A long, golden sandy beach stretches from the dunes to the Maspalomas Lighthouse, offering calm waters and various amenities. 
• Resort Towns: Maspalomas includes the resort towns of San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, and San Fernando. 
• Lighthouse: The iconic Maspalomas Lighthouse, a 19th-century structure, stands at the edge of the beach, offering scenic views. 
• Family-Friendly: Maspalomas is a popular destination for families, with calm seas, hotels, and apartments nearby. 
• Nightlife: While Maspalomas has a vibrant inner-city with restaurants, shops, and nightlife, Playa del Inglés, a nearby resort town, is known for its lively nightlife. 
• Activities: Visitors can enjoy activities like swimming, sunbathing, water sports, hiking, and exploring the dunes. 
• Walks: A popular activity is walking along the beach from Playa del Inglés to the Faro de Maspalomas lighthouse. 

The views from the dunes into the sea are mesmerizing.

Maspalomas Beach

You could go into the dunes and cross them to go to the beach, or go to the Faro de Maspalomas and walk East on the beach.

The famous lighthouse or Faro de Maspalomas is a way to guide you into the dunes and the beach. Next to it you’ll find lots of restaurants, stores and cafes, plus a bus stop and taxis.

Perhaps one of the most famous spots for the LGBTQ community is the Kiosco Beach N°7, located a little bit towards the East.

Had a nice time around, just walking and then went to the Starbucks, located next to the lighthouse. I was doing my line while using an umbrella, and some lady said in Spanish, not knowing I knew Spanish, that the umbrella was bothering her. I replied to her in Spanish, and she felt so bad afterwards lol. I got my coffee and explored this resort as well.

Time to go back to the hotel, and get ready for my tour I had later. I took a bus from the terminal and it dropped me off very close to my hotel. I was not going to walk back in the dunes and in the heat lol.

Maspalomas Naked Boat Tour

Yep, I had booked a naked boat party tour, even though I was probably not get naked. It would not be the first time being in a naturist environment. Just my last blog was about Zipolite in Mexico, a nudist beach. The boat was extremely late but it arrived while the group waited in line. The pick up had been around Yumbo Centre on a bus, that took us here to the pier of Pasito Blanco.

The boat started and many people got naked lol. I was enjoying the views. Snacks and drinks were offered.

Loveeee seeing the cliffs, it was such an unexpected view.

After a couple of hours the boat returned, and the sun was setting in the distant West. Such a beautiful time.

Night at the Yumbo Centrum

The Yumbo Centre in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, is a vibrant, open-air shopping center known for its lively nightlife, numerous bars and restaurants, and is a popular destination for the LGBTQ+ community, featuring drag shows and a bustling atmosphere. 

• Location: Situated in Maspalomas, on the south of Gran Canaria, near Playa del Inglés. 
• Shops and Restaurants: It boasts over 200 shops and international restaurants, offering a variety of goods and cuisines. 
• Nightlife: The Yumbo is famous for its busy nightlife, with a wide range of gay bars, discos, nightclubs, and drag cabarets. 
• LGBTQ+ Focus: It’s a popular attraction for LGBTQIA+ visitors, known for its inclusive atmosphere and events. 
• Events: It hosts the resort’s carnivals and Maspalomas Gay Pride events. 
• Daytime: During the day, the Yumbo offers a more relaxed atmosphere with shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. 

Grabbed some late snack and a couple of drinks and went back to my hotel for another day of exploring tomorrow.

Maspalomas Beach and Dunes – Part II

Slept in and woke up to wanting Starbucks coffee again. I’m sorry but the coffee I got somewhere else in this island tasted really bad. So, I decided to wait for the bus to the Faro de Maspalomas area. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I took the route with the longest distance. I got a free tour to very up the mountain.

But after a long drive, I made it to the Starbucks, and decided to walk with cold brew in hand on the beach. New Years was going to be in a couple of days, so the sand castles being built reflected that.

It felt weird having such a nice temperature at the very end of December, and actually enjoying the beach.

I might have explore the dunes a little more this time haha.

But after that, it was time to go back, almost the sunset already!

Walk back to the bus terminal and took a shorter bus back to my hotel, this time also going up the hill but in a shorter time. The sunset was amazing today once again.

Hotel Rey Carlos

All this time I had been staying at Hotel Rey Carlos, which was great location wise, and the apartment was huge.

The view also was amazing. Obviously not the view of the dunes, but the mountains were captivating.

One last night at the Yumbo Centrum

I was able to make some friends, and they invited me to see a drag show and have some drinks at the Yumbo Centrum.

I got a pina colada because why not lol.

The show was fun. I am not used to go to them in NYC, but somehow it felt more natural here in Spain, and yes, everything was in English as most guests were visitors from UK and other countries in Europe.

Next up, it was karaoke night, and I had not done this in a while but it was actually fun!

The night ended at Strong Construction, but I could not stay long since my flight to Madrid was in a few hours. Went back to the hotel, slept a bit, and got into the plane right after the sunrise. Madrid was next, but you will see that in the next blog post.

A quick stop in Berlin

After Madrid and Barcelona, I still had a 24 hour stop in Berlin, at no other day than January 01, 2025. Fortunately, my flight from Barcelona had no difficulty, and now I was back in Germany after many many years. I came to Berlin last time almost 10 years ago!

I was also thankful that the New Years did not disrupt public transportation as much as in London in Christmas, and after dropping off my suitcase in the hotel (arrived really early), I went to explore, and saw the Berlin TV Tower.

And the Alexanderplatz.

I love taking the trams in Europe, so I decided to do that and go to the iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Unfortunately almost all of the Christmas Markets had been dismantled since December 26, so nothing was really left. I was really disappointed but made me book another return to Berlin for December of 2025, yay! After getting something quick to eat, I went back to my hotel, Hotel AMO by AMANO. It was perfect, I would definitely stay here again.

After refreshing, it was time to go explore a little bit more, which I did, and spent the first night of the year seeing the bars and where people were hanging. The next morning I slept in, but had time to go for another exploring before my return trip to New York later that night.

I checked out and left my suitcase in the hotel. Took the train to the Berlin Cathedral, although this time I did not climb it.

Got a kebab from a Farmer’s Market, and then it was time to go back to the hotel, pick up my stuff, and head to the BER International Airport. My NYE had come to an end, but like I said, Barcelona and Madrid will be explored in the next entry!