Beaches of Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria, like a real continent, can offer holidaymakers beaches of any kind. There are very popular and crowded beaches, cozy and well-equipped ones, natural and secluded ones. And what’s nice is that whichever beach you choose, they are all public, meaning access to them is free.

Here are 25 beaches in Gran Canaria worth your attention.

Beach Map

1. Maspalomas

Playa de Maspalomas is the southernmost coastal strip. Beyond the sandy dunes, a golden beach with a gentle slope extends for 4 km along the shore. The bottom is covered with clean sand, although there are some rocky areas. There are commercial kiosks, umbrella and sun lounger rentals. There is a designated area for nudists.

Nudist Beaches in Spain →

2. Amadores

Playa de los Amadores is 1.5 km west of Puerto Rico. It is the most beautiful beach on the coast, with bright turquoise water and imported white sand. It has been awarded the Blue Flag.

3. Puerto Rico

Playa Puerto Rico is protected from the winds. This spacious urban beach with imported golden sand is considered the center of water activities in Gran Canaria. Nearby, the Atlantis water park is open, and a golf course has been built.

4. Las Canteras

Playa Las Canteras is a 3 km long “golden” strip in the center of Las Palmas. The rocky reef Barra in the bay serves as a natural breakwater. Conditions have been created for water sports, and there are cafes, shops, and rentals.

5. Anfi del Mar

Playa Anfi del Mar is a beautiful beach in a bay, in front of the club complex of the same name. On the shore is imported coral white sand; the beach is surrounded by picturesque palm trees. Restaurants and shops have been built at Anfi, and there is a marina.

6. Melenara

Playa de Melenara is a secluded beach near Telde with imported black sand. It is popular for its seafood restaurants, where they cook delicious sea bass.

7. San Agustin

Playa de San Agustin is covered with dark grey sand. It is 670 m long, with a slight slope to the shore. This beach is popular with snorkelers and scuba divers. There are cafes and shops on the beach, as well as the “El Capitan” restaurant.

8. Mogan

Playa de Mogan is a golden sandy beach on the west coast. The water here is calm, with plenty of fish and excellent diving opportunities. Family vacationers choose Playa de Mogan.

9. Taurito

Playa Taurito is an oasis of tranquility on the southern coast. It is a wide beach with grey sand and a gentle slope into the sea. Nearby is the Lago Taurito water park.

10. Guayedra

Playa de Guayedra is a beautiful black beach in a bay with views of Teide, surrounded by high cliffs. This secluded spot can only be reached on foot or by quad bike.

11. Marañuelas

Las Marañuelas is a beach in the town of Arginegín. The mountains create a stable microclimate here. The coastal strip is 14 m wide and about 370 m long. The water near the shore is usually calm, and the sand is grey.

12. Playa Inglés

Playa del Inglés is a crowded 2.7 km long beach with yellow sand brought in from the Maspalomas dunes. The slope into the water is sandy. There are numerous water activities at Inglés. Nearby is the large ANEXO shopping center.
27.754198, -15.567885 (photo: Hotel Playa del Ingles)

13. Puerto de las Nieves

Puerto de las Nieves is a beach town on the northwest coast. The shore is covered with pebbles and grey sand, with palm trees growing near the sea. The beach offers a picturesque panorama of the coastal cliffs.

14. Patalavaca

Playa Patalavaca consists of two beaches, separated by a rock, located in the town of the same name. The shore is covered with natural grey sand. Umbrellas and sun loungers are available for rent, and there is a cafe.

15. Gui-Gui

Guigui Beach – a wild beach of fairytale beauty, an inaccessible part of a nature reserve. Here, there is dark volcanic sand and bizarre rocks; the water is crystal clear, turquoise.

16. Aguadulce

Aguadulce Beach – a beach in a pristine bay near Tufía. In a secluded corner, surrounded by rocks, tranquility reigns. The 150-meter-long coastline is covered with yellow sand; the bottom is sandy, without rocks. The clean waters of the bay attract divers.

17. Sardina

Playa de Sardina del Norte – a beach near the town of Galdár. The coastline is divided into two zones: on the left – rocky, on the right – with brown fine sand. The beach is surrounded by volcanic rocks. On windy days, surfers gather at Sardina.

18. El Cabrón

Playa del Cabrón – a yellow sandy beach on the territory of a marine reserve, an ideal place for diving. There are no boats or fishing vessels here. The water is impeccably clean, home to many species of fish.

19. Las Burras

Playa de Las Burras – a small beach with natural yellow and gray sand. It stretches for 350 meters. A sandy spit protects the shore from waves, but the winds can be strong. The beach is equipped: there are rentals, showers, cafes; nearby is the YUPI shopping center.

20. Cochino

Playa de Cochino – a small beach with gray sand, sheltered from waves. It is located in the Maspalomas beach area, near Las Burras.

21. Puertillo

Playa de Puertillo – a 360-meter-long beach in the northern part of Gran Canaria. The shore is covered with fine dark-golden sand, and the seabed conditions are favorable for diving. The beach is equipped, and fish restaurants operate along the promenade.

22. Buriero

Playa de Burrero – a beach near the town of Buriero on the eastern coast. Its length is about 400 meters. The sand is dark, gray-yellow, mixed with volcanic rock.

23. Farenoke

Playa de Faneroque – a pristine “black” beach in a quiet bay, with cozy small lagoons sheltered from the surf. This spot is secluded from the hustle and bustle: it can be reached on foot from the town of Agaete.

24. Pasito Blanco

Playa de Pasito Blanco – one of the emptiest beaches in the south of the island of Gran Canaria. It is located near the port of the same name, which can only be accessed by car if you have a yacht or property in the marina. The beach can be reached on foot, leaving the car at the gate. The sand is gray.
(photo: JESUS MONTANO)

25. Meloneras

Playa de Meloneras – a beach at the westernmost end of the Meloneras seafront promenade. There are usually not many people here, as the entry into the water is rocky. However, the beach is perfect for sunbathing without the hustle and bustle.