Most tourists stay in the south of the island, which is sunnier and has less rain than the north. There is a large bird park, Palmitos Park, in the south of the island, as well as many beach resort communities. The resort communities start in the central eastern part of the southern coast in the Maspalomas area which includes the towns of San Agustín, Playa del Inglés, and Maspalomas where most tourists visit. The Dunes of Maspalomas, supplied by sands from the Sahara, are located between Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas. Another tourist attraction is the Lighthouse at Maspalomas.

Heading west along the southern coast is the fishing city of Arguineguin in the Municipality of Mogán. The market, which is held on Tuesdays, is the largest on the island.

Still further to the west along the southern shore, also in the Municipality of Mogán are the communities of Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán, a pictoresque village referred to as "Little Venice" on account on its many canals.

The number of annual visitors is 2.2 million (2,200,000). Most of the tourists visit the southern part of the island.

Other attractions includes Banana Park. Roque Nublo (a 80 m monolith), Dedo de Dios in Puerto de las Nieves, Cenebio de Valerón with about 290 caves, the botanical garden Jardin Canario in Tafira Alta and many more.