Compare Maspalomas car hire

Set on the south coast of Gran Canaria, Maspalomas is arguably the island’s best-known resort, with giant rolling sand dunes behind a long beach and a generous range of restaurants, bars, shops and hotels putting it on the map.

Aside from its beaches, this sun-kissed island also has mountains, forests and vineyards all waiting to be discovered – it’s not known as a mini continent for nothing.

Keen to see it all? Hire a car in Gran Canaria and you’ll get plenty of flexibility and freedom to explore at your leisure.

If you want one less thing to think about when you arrive at Las Palmas Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), which is a 20-minute drive from Maspalomas, hop on the shuttle service, unpack your bags, enjoy a siesta and then make your way into town to pick up your hire car.

There are several well-known and local car rental companies in Maspalomas and more in neighbouring Playa del Inglés, including:

• Sixt: +34 871 180 192
• Omega Rent a Car: +34 663 877 033
• Autos Drago: +34 928 765 745
• Orlando Rent a Car: +34 928 148 603
• WF Rentacar Canarias: +34 624 545 685

Driving around Gran Canaria isn’t just convenient – it’s also a breeze. Not only are the roads on the island generally in good condition, but its relatively small size means that journeys are rarely long, especially around the coastline.

That said, the windy mountain roads can be more of a challenge with tight, blind bends that are best approached carefully (although well worth the extra effort to explore the inland scenery). If you need to, just pull over to let others pass as locals are far more experienced at navigating these roads.

Generally, the speed limits are 50km/h in urban areas (approximately 31 mph), 90-100km/h (approximately 56-62 mph) outside towns, and 120km/h (approximately 75 mph) on the highway. These limits are well signposted.

It goes without saying, but don’t risk drinking and driving – roadside breathalyser tests are common. The limit is 0.05% in Spain (lower than the UK’s 0.08%), and fines start from around €500.

And while it’s not technically illegal, it’s best to wear proper shoes to drive (so no flip flops or bare feet), as this could be considered unsuitable attire and result in a fine.

• Min. age required to hire a car: 18 but companies often require drivers to be 21+
• Which side of the road: Right
• Credit card requirements: A valid credit card is required, though some companies accept debit cards

Any additional requirements: If your driving licence was issued outside mainland UK – for example in Jersey or the Isle of Man – you’ll need an International Driving Permit