Discover La Laja beach and its natural pools

In this entry we are going to talk to you about swimming pools and La Laja beach, one of the sites what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria by bike. And we say by bike because it is located at the entrance to the city, about 5 kilometers on foot from Vegueta. La Laja is characterized by its black sand and for being a meeting point for many locals. That is to say, it is not at all touristy like other beaches in the city such as The pits.

La Laja beach and natural pools

Next to La Laja beach they have set up some natural pools with sea water, ideal for taking a good swim and for children to play. The water is very cool, since it is constantly entering from the Atlantic. 

Also, on this beach You can play soccer, paddle tennis, catch waves, go for a walk, etc since it is quite wide and there are usually not many people. It is approximately 1 kilometer long. Keep in mind that there is sometimes a current on the beach, so be careful and try not to go too far in.

How to get to La Laja beach

To get there from Maspalomas, you must take the La Laja exit just before reaching the city. If you are staying in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, we recommend that you go by bike, as There is a bike path that runs along the entire maritime avenue from the port of La Luz to here. It is about 12 kilometers each way. You can rent a bicycle in different parts of the city and even take one of the ones from the City Hall. SityCleta.

Another option is to go by car and park on the other side of the highway, since There is a tunnel that allows you to access the beach on foot under the road. For the more athletic, there is the alternative of running and taking a refreshing dip and then going back a little more calmly or taking a taxi. Very close is the neighborhood of Saint Joseph and Saint Christopher where you could catch one.

Restaurants in San Cristobal

In this area there are no restaurants or stores to buy water and/or drinks nearby, so it's best to bring something to eat if you're going to spend the day. In any case, at approximately 3 kilometers away is the fishing neighborhood of San Cristóbal. Here you can eat good local food. We recommend you try the fresh fish and a plate of canarian food en the restaurants Miramar, Los Botes or the Fishermen's Guild. They are all very similar and rich.

Finally, next to La Laja beach you can visit the great merman sculptureas well as a Wind Tower. This tower is the only construction that remains on the beach. In the past there were several houses that were destroyed to widen the promenade and improve the image of the entrance to the city.

In short, this is your beach if you are looking to mingle with the locals and escape the masses. Enjoy it!

Video of La Laja

Below we leave you with a small video of the natural pools of La Laja and its beach. You subscribe here to our channel about Gran Canaria to discover the island with us.

Finally, if you want to discover more non-touristy and recommended places to visit in Gran Canaria, you can't miss our guides. Also with local dining options!

Ruth González

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.