What are the the best beaches of Gran Canaria? This question is somewhat difficult to answer, since the island has almost 100 beaches, coves, puddles and swimming pools on its 256 kilometers of coastline. It all depends on what you are looking for: virgin beaches, beaches for families, nudist beaches, beaches for snorkeling, beaches with golden sand, black sand, with rocks, accessible, for dogs, etc. Then there are the most touristy ones, which are the southern beaches of Gran Canaria that have nothing to do with the north coast. Firstly, let's select the beautiful beaches of Gran Canaria with map and then we will make a list of the most important ones by area. Here we go!
The 10 best beaches in Gran Canaria
1. Playa de Las Canteras, beaches in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
I'm sure that if you ask someone from the capital what is the best beach in Gran Canaria will tell you that Las Canteras. This earthly paradise just over 3 kilometers long of golden sand and crystal clear waters It can be enjoyed all year round. In addition, it is also considered one of the best urban beaches in Spain. Along its coast you can enjoy a walk 4 kilometers with a varied offer of restaurants. Also thanks to the bar (volcanic barrier that we see in the following photo), is a very safe beach without waves (except in the La Cícer area). You can learn more about it in our post about the playa de Las Canteras. If you are going to spend a few days in the city, our article with our tips on what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
- ️️ Services: accessible for people with reduced mobility, rental of hammocks and umbrellas, playground in the sand, showers and footbaths, spas with toilets, lockers and showers and security. Smoking is not allowed on the beach.
- ️Where to eat: Take a look at our suggestions restaurants in Las Canteras
- Family: yes
2. Maspalomas Beach, beaches in Gran Canaria
Second place on our list of best beaches in Gran Canaria It is occupied by another of the essential things to visit on the island: the beach of Maspalomas. If you like walking on the sand, this is your beach. Being so long and wide you can walk comfortably without feeling crowded at any time. Joins Playa del Inglés in "the tip" (the southernmost area of the island) and together they walk 6 kilometers along the sand. Maspalomas is also one of the nudist beaches of Gran Canaria. Well, not the entire beach, to get to the nudist area you must walk along the shore approximately one kilometer from the Maspalomas Lighthouse. In the nudist zone there is also the area gay friendly.
- ️️ Services: rental of hammocks and umbrellas, showers, footbaths, spas with toilets and lockers (next to the Red Cross of La Charca de Maspalomas), beach bars, nudist area and security (not on the entire beach).
- Where to eat: you can see our restaurants in Maspalomas favorites.
- Family: yes
Another one that usually appears in rankings of the best beaches in the south of Gran Canaria is the beautiful one Playa del Inglés. However, in my humble opinion, being in such a touristy environment it loses its charm, unless you walk a lot to the area that joins Maspalomas. Of course, it is one of the accessible beaches of Gran Canaria. Now we continue with the list mentioning you Less crowded beaches in Gran Canaria.
3. Sardina del Norte Beach, one of the best beaches in Gran Canaria
Undoubtedly, the Sardina del Norte beach is one of best beaches in the north of Gran Canaria. It is located in the municipality of Gáldar and has the distinguished blue flag. It stands out for being one of the few beaches with crystal clear water in Gran Canaria that in turn has golden sand in the northern area, since the majority is in the south. The north coast tends to be more volcanic. In the same way, Its seabed is known by divers from all over the world and is therefore one of the best beaches in Gran Canaria for diving or snorkeling. However, the dives are usually done next to the dock.
- ️️ Services: toilets, security (in summer) and showers. You can not smoke.
- Where to eat: There is a sea view restaurant highly recommended. Is called La Pizarra flavors of the sea.
- Family: yes
4. San Agustin Beach
Saint Augustine It is the Canarian vacationer's beach par excellence. Here many locals spend the months of July and August with their families, so it is highly recommended to go with children. In winter it is a Swedes' paradise. The beach has the blue flag and a pleasant walk along it.
- ️️ Services: toilets, security, accessible, hammocks, umbrellas, showers and footbaths.
- Where to eat: El capitán
- Family: yes
5. Tufia Beach, black sand coves in Gran Canaria
Telde It has many quality beaches and we would love to include them all in this list, but we chose this black volcanic sand beach. Tufa and its marine atmosphere makes us fall in love. It is a very peculiar and unique place that you should visit on your visit to Gran Canaria.. In addition, it is a good beach to start scuba diving. You can go with children perfectly, but there are rocks at the access to the water as you can see below. Try to avoid weekends and better go when the tide is low, since it is very small.
- ️️ Services: without services, there is no mobile coverage.
- Where to eat: We recommend purchasing a calamari sandwich in Ojos de Garza or one with a paw in the Bar Yazmina and enjoy it on the beach. There are no shops or restaurants nearby. Bring water.
- Family: yes
6. Playa de Guguy or Güigüí, virgin beaches in Gran Canaria
Here is the most paradisiacal beach in Gran Canaria: Guguy or Güigüi. The worst of all is its access on foot after a 2-hour walk each way. The best thing is that you will be practically alone on a beach surrounded by cliffs and without coverage.. Only for the most daring, given the complexity of the path, the lack of services and surveillance, although it is not a dangerous beach. If you are curious to know about it, we highly recommend that you visit this post by Guigui with advice. We cannot recommend this beach to go with children, unless you go by boat.
- ️️ Services: none, beach without coverage.
- Where to eat: there are no options
- Family: no, difficult access on foot. For now there are no tourist boats that come to this beach.
7. Piscina del Agujero, the best northern beaches of Gran Canaria
On the northern coast of Gáldar we meet the hole beach, although it has little of a beach, since the large natural pool eclipses any other bathing place that may be left when the tide goes out. We like it because it is ideal for taking a good bath, swimming in salt water and, of course, for its local environment. We hope you do too! Here you can come with your family perfectly, since being a swimming pool, there are no waves. In addition, there are little puddles and mini beaches with golden sand for the little ones.
- ️️ Services: accessible and with toilets.
- Where to eat: Chago's Backroom Gáldar or Tasca Juan Pedro. There is a restaurant next door, but we haven't been there yet.
- Family: yes
8. Playa de Las Burras, beaches in Gran Canaria
Clearly Las Burras is for us one of the best beaches in Gran Canaria. Its surroundings, despite being in a somewhat touristy area, are quite local. It has hammock and umbrella service, showers and footbaths. Furthermore, it is one of the few that It has a beach bar where you can eat delicious tapas or have a drink right on the sand.. If we have to fault it, it is its limited parking. It also has a pleasant walk that connects it with San Agustín and Playa del Inglés.
- ️️ Services: accessible, umbrellas, hammocks, toilets, showers and footbaths.
- Where to eat: Mao Mao beach
- Family: yes
9. Playa del Pirata, beaches in Gran Canaria
Pirata or Morro Besudo beach is one of our coves in the south of Gran Canaria favorites. It will be because we discovered it late and we have grown fond of it. Since it is not an easily accessible beach, we can say that it is one of the hidden beaches of Gran Canaria. Of course, as on any beach in the world, in summer the panorama changes. The rest of the year, the environment is very calm. If you have reduced mobility or are you going to visit the Pirate beach with baby stroller You should know that to access the arena there are only stairs. It also has no surveillance or services nearby. Furthermore, despite not being one of the Dog beaches in Gran Canaria, many locals go with their pets.
- ️️ Services: no services, little coverage.
- Where to eat: Rincón Canario Restaurant 5 minutes away, Ayre restaurant within the Acapulco Ocean View complex (call ahead to ask for fresh fish).
- Family: not completely, access only by stairs, difficult for strollers and people with reduced mobility.
10. Playa del Cabrón, one of the most beautiful beaches in Gran Canaria
Lastly, one of the best beaches in Gran Canaria for snorkeling We find it in the southeast of the island, in the municipality of Agüimes. It is the Cabrón beach. And it is one of the crystalline beaches of Gran Canaria and in its depths we find a great diversity of species. Anyway, you should know that it can be a windy beach and, furthermore, to access you must travel a stretch of dirt road.
- ️️ Services: no services, little coverage.
- Where to eat: You can buy a pata sandwich (typical of the island) at The Las Salinas Dairy or eat later in one of the restaurants on Avenida de arinaga. There are no stores nearby, bring water.
- Family: yes
As you may have observed, Most of the beaches in Gran Canaria are in the municipality of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, in the south of the island. This is where a large part of the hotel offer is concentrated. Northern, eastern and western beaches are also mentioned. In short, in Gran Canaria we are lucky. We have plenty of paradise. Which is your favorite? Have we agreed on any? Leave us a comment. If you want to know the weather on the beaches of Gran Canaria, Aemet usually does not fail. You can see the map of the beaches of Gran Canaria that we have named below.
Video of the most beautiful beaches of Gran Canaria
Below you can see a video where We take you to see 12 of the best beaches in Gran Cananaria, including some saltwater pools. Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss more videos like this.
Best beaches to go with children in Gran Canaria
Finally, we take this opportunity to mention the more beaches in Gran Canaria to go with children. They would be the following:
- Mogán Beach
- Patalavaca
- Mane
- Amadores Beach
- amphi of the sea
- Puerto Rico
- Pasito Blanco
Guide to beaches and natural pools of Gran Canaria
Finally, if you want to know more secret beaches in Gran Canaria, We recommend our Guide to beaches and natural pools on the island with more than 80 options for swimming and sunbathing along the entire coast. Some of these sites are hidden and we have not wanted to share them publicly on our blog to avoid their overcrowding. Thank you for letting it remain that way if you decide to purchase this guide or any other. You can see them all below.
More content about beaches in Gran Canaria
Below we leave you with all the posts of the beaches of Gran Canaria that we frequent the premises. We hope you find the one that best suits your tastes and preferences.
Hello! I am Ruth, Canarian with a traveling soul. With training and experience in the tourism and digital marketing sector. In this blog I tell you all the tips you need to get to know the most authentic side of Gran Canaria on your own. I also share my travel guides to all the places in the world that I am visiting so that you can discover the destinations like a local and save time planning. In addition to traveling, I love gastronomy and sports. I run and hike in the mountains with my “dog-children” (Silver and Plata). In all these adventures my partner accompanies me, Jorge, which you will also see a lot on this blog.
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