Beaches

Beaches in Gran Canaria

The best beaches in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria has some of the finest beaches in the Canary Islands, and this guide covers 16 of them — from popular resort sands with sunbeds, lifeguards and everything on tap to remote, wind-blown coves that reward the effort of getting there. Tap any beach below for the full guide: what to expect, how to get there, parking and swimming, and the best time to go. For the wider picture, see our guide to Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands beaches overview.

Aerial view of Maspalomas beach and its dunes meeting the Atlantic on Gran Canaria

Playa de Maspalomas

A vast golden beach backed by protected desert dunes and a landmark lighthouse.

The sheltered golden crescent of Playa de los Amadores near Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria

Playa de Amadores

A man-made horseshoe of imported golden sand with calm, turquoise water — a family favourite.

The golden sands and sheltered bay of Playa de Puerto Rico on southern Gran Canaria

Puerto Rico Beach

A compact, sheltered resort beach with a marina, watersports and some of the sunniest weather on the island.

Playa de las Canteras

One of Europe's finest city beaches — 3 km of sand, a natural reef lagoon and a buzzing seafront promenade.

Puerto de las Nieves

A whitewashed fishing village on the green north-west coast — pebble beaches, natural sea pools and superb fresh fish.

Playa de San Agustín

A sheltered dark-sand beach in the calm, grown-up resort of San Agustín — quieter than its famous neighbours.

Playa de Tauro

A quiet, sunny pale-sand bay between Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán, with calm, shallow water.

Playa de Veneguera

A wild, undeveloped beach at the mouth of a dramatic valley — for those who like their sand with no sunbeds.

The isolated cliff-backed beach of Güigüí, reachable only on foot or by boat, on western Gran Canaria

Playa de Güi Güi

One of the island's last wild secrets — a golden beach under towering cliffs, reached only on foot or by boat.

The seafront promenade beside the coast at Arinaga on the east coast of Gran Canaria

Playa de Arinaga

A local, low-key east-coast town beach with a long promenade — a diving and windsurfing favourite away from the resorts.

Playa de Melenara

A local east-coast favourite in Telde — calm dark sand and a seafront lined with some of the island's best fish restaurants.

Playa del Cura

A small, calm, low-key beach between Puerto Rico and Taurito — a sheltered sun-trap without the resort crowds.

Playa de Taurito

A sheltered dark-sand bay with a big seawater lido complex behind it — calm, sunny and made for families.

Rocky turquoise shoreline of Playa del Confital below La Isleta, Las Palmas

Playa de El Confital

A wild, crystal-clear beach on the edge of Las Palmas with a world-famous surf break — the city's raw, untamed side.

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Playa de Vargas

A wild east-coast beach and world windsurfing arena — big wind, big waves and championship sailing, not sunbathing.

Playa de La Laja

Las Palmas's long southern city beach — dark sand, a breezy promenade and a local, everyday feel away from the tourists.