The famous dunes have been a nature reserve since 1897, although scientists theorise they only date back to 1755 when a Lisbon-born tsunami hit Gran Cannaria. The Faro de Maspalomas, an active 19th century lighthouse, is a 68-metre tall man-made landmark. It stands proudly at the end of the spectacular 2,710-metre-long beach.

Located just off the Corniche in the waters of the Red Sea, King Fahd's Fountain is the tallest of its kind in the world. The water reaches an impressive height of 312 metres. No walk along the Corniche would be complete without stopping to admire it.

Cheong Fatt Tze, the Blue Mansion, was one of the wealthiest merchants of the 19th century, and Penang Straits Settlement imported artisans from China to build this opulent 38-room mansion. With its five courtyards, carved woodwork, Gothic louvered windows and cast iron, the mansion is a fascinating fusion of East and West culture. The building was restored at a cost of 7.6 million ringgit, and it is crammed with sculptures, antique furniture and tapestries, while now being a unique boutique hotel. However, it is also open for non-residents during guided tours, so book one ahead.