12 Best Beaches in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is a paradise place for those who are looking for the best beach experience. The Island offers dozens of beaches for every taste. So it does not matter if you are looking for the luxury beach with loungers, parasols and everything at hand, or prefer some isolated snorkeling beaches situated hours away from the nearest resort – the island is ready to offer you everything you are looking for. The only thing you have to do for the best beach experience ever, is to find the one that suits you most before your trip to Gran Canaria. For sure, you can do it after your arrival as well, just be careful not to get lost in the variety of choices.

To make your choice a little bit easier, we collected the top 12 beast beaches on the island. Still, it does mean that your choice has to be limited by this number. Gran Canaria is a place where you can truly get what you want, so if you decided on visiting this continent in miniature, get ready for the unforgettable tourist experience. Would you like to come here once again? For sure!

Now let us show you a little of wonders that Gran Canaria is ready to share with you.

1. Maspalomas Beach

Yes, you are right. Choosing Maspalomas beach to head our top is the most predictable decision. Though you are probably not surprised, you have to know that there are hundreds of reasons why this beach will remain number one in any top of the best beaches in Gran Canaria or even in the whole world. Yes, it is exactly what we meant. Maspalomas beach deserves its first position.

Maspalomas beach is the biggest one on the Gran Canaria island. 6 kilometers of a golden-sand beach with a view on beautiful Maspalomas city and magnificent dunes makes it a perfect destination for those who are looking for ‘everything included’ vacation. Still, visitors to Maspalomas beach should not have to worry about their private space as the beach is so long that there are nearly no crowds. Right in the middle of the beach, there is a nudist section, so if you are the one, you are always welcome. What is more, you should not worry about carrying some food to eat with you, as there are a lot of snack stands, as well as the food at the lighthouse end of the beach. Thanks to the good work of lifeguards, swimming is safe. Still, do not forget about safety instructions because there is too much water that needs to be watched.

2. Montaña de Arena

Montaña de Arena is the hidden beach situated close to Maspalomas resort. It is very popular among locals who are happy to share their beach with tourist. Still, be aware of using cameras and video cameras here if you want to keep in with local visitors of the beach. Their objects to taking pictures and making videos are explained by the fact that Montaña de Arena is considered to be a popular place amongst the island’s nudists.

Montaña de Arena has no facilities, so if you decided on visiting this beach, take everything you need to make your beach holiday perfect with you. Still, the beach guarantees you the amazing sea view from a huge still, refreshing blue waters and, what is important, a lot of privateness and freedom.

The beach is hard to find, that is why we will provide you with some directions. Montaña de Arena is situated between Maspalomas and Arguineguin. To get there follow the GC500 road from Maspalomas. When you pass Pasito Blanco Marina, drive five more kilometers. Then you will have to park in one of the two patches of ground and to walk down a track from the GC 500 road.

If Montaña de Arena seems like a perfect place for you, hurry up to enjoy it. It is planned to build a resort just behind the beach. Though the developers promised to respect the area, no one is sure what they actually mean by saying so.

3. Amadores Beach

It seems like Amadores was created to meet all tourists’ needs. To be honest, it was built exactly for this reason. The beach is full of bars, shops, and restaurants. You will probably fall in love with this half-moon area of white Caribbean sand washed by pure sheltered waters.

Amadores appeared due to the crowds in Puerto Rico’s beach. It quickly became one of the top beaches in Gran Canaria thanks to its warm waters, loungers and a lot of lifeguards. That is why the beach is considered to be a safe place loved by families with kids. Still, if you are more of wild and unspoiled beach experience, this beach is not for you.

To visit Amadores Beach, you will have to make 15 minutes walk from Puerto Rico Beach. While walking the distance, you can enjoy safe cliff-top path that starts from beautiful Puerto Rico marina. Still, there is always an option to get five minutes ride by local buses or taxi.

4. Anfi del Mar Beach

Anfi, a gorgeous artificial beach that was meant to be a private beach for Anfi visitors, is overshadowed by a huge Anfi Timeshare complex. As the Spanish law does not allow building private beaches, everyone who wants can come and enjoy this beautiful paradise. What a great luck!

To get to Anfi Beach, you have to follow the GC 500 road from Maspalomas or Arguineguin. The beach is situated few kilometers from Puerto Rico resort. It has a carpark where you will have to leave your car and walk down to the beach from the opposite side of the road. Anfi Beach will let you relax on gold sand and enjoy fresh food in one of Anfi’s great restaurants. If you love shopping, you will love  this place as well.

5. Las Canteras Beach

One of the most stunning beaches in Gran Canaria for some unknown reason does not head the lists of top beaches in the island. Las Canteras beach, situated right in the middle of Las Palmas city, is 3.5 kilometers long golden sandy paradise sheltered by a lava rock reef. It is a great place for both safe swimming and snorkeling. It is also considered to be Las Palmas marina reserve, so you will be able to discover beautiful sea world here.

This local beach can offer you a lot of space, a pleasure of visiting stunning bars and restaurants and the ability to surf at its southern end. If you are not the one who loves resorts but still want to spend a great time on the beach, Las Canteras will be your best choice.

6. Melenara Beach

The local beach of the town of Tedle is a well-maintained beach with dark yellow sands, lots of local restaurants, promenade and nearly permanently good weather. It becomes a great solution for Las Palmas visitors who are looking for the alternative beach when the weather is cloudy. Nearby you will be able to find one more stunning local beach called Salinetas.

7. El Confital Beach

If you are looking for one of the most natural beaches situated close to Las Palmas, El Confital Beach is the answer. Previously, the surroundings of the beach were full of illegally built houses but today the beach is considered to be the most pristine, mainly rocky natural beach with great waves. If you will try to find some sandy spots here, you will probably fail. Still, the beach is quite popular, especially among local nudists and surfers. If you come here to join the nudists, go right to the end of the wooden boardwalk. If you are here to catch waves, the best tube waves in Europe, try not to irritate locals. They do not like grommets getting in their way. Furthermore, be careful to jump in if you have just a little experience. As the beach is full of lava reefs it can be quite unsafe.

8. San Agustin Beach

If you are looking for quieter and more local beach than Maspalomas Beach, but still want to enjoy all the advantages it offers, visit San Augustin Beach situated nearby the low-key resort of the same name. Though the beach is windier and waiver, it is still considered to be the top beach to visit with your family. Still, it is better for families with older kids.

If you come here, do not miss a chance to visit one of the best restaurants on the island – El Capitan. Also, the beach offers few more restaurants with a fresh fish, best local food, and beautiful beachfront terraces.

9. Pasito Blanco Beach

Pasito Blanco Beach is one of the most isolated and emptiest beaches in Gran Canaria Island. So if you are looking for a top beach where you can enjoy privateness, Pasito Blanco is the answer.

Still, it is hard to say that the beach is fully empty. You will have to share the space with people who have yachts, as a yacht is the most popular way to get to the beach from the posh Pasito Blanco marina. Still, there is also a chance to park somewhere nearby and just walk in or get to the beach by bus. Also, Pasito Blanco is a great place to discover sea world. Snorkeling is quite popular here.

10. Taurito Beach

If you are looking for resort beach that will still provide you with the feeling of exploring wild nature, Taurito resort with dark natural sands and a lot of palm trees is the answer. Though the beach is known as one of the waviest southern beaches in Gran Canaria, it is considered to be the island’s most completed resort with its own water park situated just behind the beach, lots of restaurants and a real Caribbean feel.

11. Mogan Beach

Mogan Beach is situated just a few minutes walk from brilliant and famous Puerto de Mogán’s marina. The beach itself is famous for its sheltered warm waters, good weather with a lot of sunshine and a variety of choices when it comes to restaurants. It is a perfect family destination, as well as the perfect place for snorkeling.

12. Guayedra Beach

One of the most picturesque beaches on the island, Guayedra Beach, is situated in the north of Gran Canaria. The pristine paradise spot that looks like a valley full of palms mastic trees is a popular  place amongst locals.

Guayedra Beach changes from day to day. You have to be careful while swimming in the waters as there is a chance to meet big waves. Exactly thanks to such waves, the beach changes its appearance from sandy patches to pebbles. It is a popular destination for people who come to enjoy the wild beach from nearby towns such as Agaete, Galdar, and Guia. Still, during the week you can enjoy a private rest. The only people you can meet here are nudist campers. Still, during the weekends it is usually filled with locals.

To get to Guayedra Beach, you will have to follow the West Coast road past Agaete, to park up and walk down the beach to enjoy its magnificent natural beauty.