Lopesan has applied for permission to install and operate 70 sunbeds on public coastal land next to the iconic Maspalomas Lighthouse in southern Gran Canaria, in a move that could create a new seafront relaxation area for visitors and residents.
The hotel group, through its subsidiary IFA Hotel Faro de Maspalomas, has submitted a request to the Canary Islands Government’s coastal authority for a one-year authorisation to occupy part of the maritime public domain. The proposal also includes preparatory work to improve the site, with an estimated investment of €4,444.
According to the project, which was originally submitted in October 2024, the planned sunbed area would be located on a 700-square-metre open space beside the eastern side of the small sea wall directly in front of the lighthouse. The site would cover approximately 30 metres of coastline and extend around 27 metres inland.
Before the sunbeds can be installed, the company plans to carry out a general clean-up and landscaping programme. This includes removing existing rocks from the site and redistributing them within nearby coastal defences to create a more uniform appearance.
Additional work would involve minor earth-moving to level the ground and create a gentle slope of between 2% and 4%, making the area more comfortable and accessible for visitors. The existing access ramp would also be upgraded to improve entry to the sea.
Lopesan notes that a sunbed concession previously operated in the same area decades ago. However, that licence expired, and the facilities were later demolished in February 2008 following a court ruling.
The latest application forms part of a wider redevelopment vision for the seafront around Maspalomas Lighthouse. Separately, the company is already seeking approval for a coastal improvement project that includes public wooden platforms overlooking the sea, designed to create new areas for relaxation and sea access.
It has also requested permission to build a public kiosk and toilet facilities to serve visitors using the proposed seafront recreation area.
The application will now enter a 20-working-day public consultation period following its publication in the Official Gazette of the Canary Islands on 27th May. During this time, interested parties can review the plans and submit observations or objections.
The proposal comes only months after a long-running legal dispute between Lopesan and the Spanish government over the coastal boundary near the lighthouse was brought to a close. In January 2026, the National Court rejected the company’s appeal against the existing coastal demarcation, which has remained in place since 1995.
For visitors, the project could eventually provide additional sunbathing facilities in one of Gran Canaria’s most popular tourist areas. However, the plans still require approval and remain subject to the outcome of the public consultation process.
