Gran Canaria Beaches
Gran Canaria is one of the most popular holiday islands in the Canary Islands, and it is easy to understand why. The island has a pleasant climate throughout the year, spectacular and varied landscapes, lively holiday resorts and a surprisingly diverse coastline with everything from long sandy beaches and sheltered family beaches to more remote beaches and natural swimming pools.
Most of the best-known beaches are located in the southern part of Gran Canaria, where the weather is usually warmer and sunnier than in the north. This is also where you will find many of the island’s most popular beaches in holiday resorts like Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán.
But Gran Canaria offers much more variety than many first-time visitors expect. In the north of the island, the atmosphere is generally more local and relaxed, with smaller coastal towns, dramatic scenery and beaches that feel (and are) very different from the large resort beaches in the south.
On this website, we have gathered detailed guides to many of the best beaches in Gran Canaria, based on our own experiences from numerous visits to the island over many years. The extensive beach descriptions are combined with many of our own photos and videos.
Beaches in southern Gran Canaria
Southern Gran Canaria is by far the island’s most visited area. This is where you will find the largest holiday resorts, the warmest climate and many of the most popular beaches in Gran Canaria.
The area around Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and Meloneras is the largest and most famous beach area on the island. Playa del Inglés is lively and central, while Maspalomas is especially known for the impressive dunes behind the beach. Meloneras has a more elegant and relaxed atmosphere, with a long seafront promenade, good restaurants and several luxury hotels.
Further west, Puerto Rico and Amadores are two of the most popular areas for family beach holidays. Puerto Rico beach is compact, sheltered and family-friendly, while Amadores is more spacious and known for its imported sand and calm turquoise water. Another favourite in this part of Gran Canaria is Anfi del Mar, a family-friendly beach with fine white sand imported from the Bahamas.
Puerto de Mogán is one of the older holiday areas in southern Gran Canaria, but also one of the most charming. The beach is quite small and sheltered, but the combination of marina, canals, waterfront restaurants and relaxed atmosphere makes it a great place to spend the day. Nearby Playa Taurito is more compact and family-oriented, with hotels, beach and water park close together.
Beaches in northern Gran Canaria
Northern Gran Canaria feels very different from the south. The large holiday resorts are replaced by a wilder coastline with impressive cliffs, small beaches with dark volcanic sand and authentic Canarian towns.
Las Palmas deserves special attention. The capital is home to Las Canteras, widely regarded as one of the best city beaches in Europe. The long sandy beach stretches along the city centre and is protected by the natural reef La Barra, which usually keeps the water calm. Behind the beach, the promenade is lined with restaurants, cafés and shops, making Las Canteras one of our personal beach favourites in Gran Canaria.
In the northwest, Puerto de las Nieves and Sardina del Norte offer local atmosphere, coastal scenery and a more authentic impression of Gran Canaria. Even more characteristic of the north coast are the many natural swimming pools, known locally as piscinas naturales or charcos, with Piscina Roque Prieto being one of the places we have returned to most often over the years.
Attractions and activities in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria offers many exciting attractions and activities alongside its beautiful beaches. The island has water parks, family attractions, mountain villages and dramatic volcanic scenery, all within a relatively short distance of the main holiday areas.
Families often choose attractions such as Aqualand Maspalomas, Palmitos Park or Holiday World. In Las Palmas, the modern aquarium Poema del Mar is a good indoor option, especially if you want a break from the sun.
Nature is another big part of the island’s appeal. Maspalomas Dunes are one of the most famous natural sights in Gran Canaria, while Roque Nublo and Caldera de Bandama show a completely different side of the island away from the coast. A drive through the mountains can also be combined with visits to towns and villages such as Teror, Tejeda, Arucas, Fataga and Firgas.
This variety is one of the reasons why Gran Canaria works so well as a holiday island. You can spend the morning on the beach, the afternoon in the mountains and the evening in a seaside resort or local town.