Beaches in southern Gran Canaria

Southern Gran Canaria is the island’s most popular area for beach holidays. This is where you will find the warmest climate, the largest selection of holiday resorts and many of the best-known beaches on the island.

The beaches in the south vary from long sandy stretches with plenty of activities to smaller, sheltered bays surrounded by cliffs. Some are perfect for families, others are better for water sports, long walks or a quieter day by the sea.

Below, we have gathered some of the most popular beaches in southern Gran Canaria, grouped by area along the coast – including several of our personal favourites.

Beaches in Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas and Meloneras

This is the largest and most famous beach area in Gran Canaria. It stretches along the southern tip of the island and offers a combination of lively beach life, impressive dunes and more elegant seafront surroundings.

• Playa del Inglés beach is one of the busiest and most popular beaches in Gran Canaria. The beach is long, sandy and very central, with easy access to restaurants, shops, beach bars and activities. It is a good choice if you want a lively beach with everything close by.
• Maspalomas beach is one of the island’s most iconic beaches, especially because of the famous dunes behind it. The beach is wide and spacious, and the further you walk towards the dune area, the more open and natural the surroundings become.
• Meloneras lies just west of Maspalomas and has a more stylish and relaxed atmosphere. The beach itself is smaller, but the seafront promenade, restaurants and high-quality hotels make it a popular choice for couples and families looking for a more luxurious beach holiday.

Puerto Rico and Amadores beaches

Puerto Rico and Amadores are two of the most popular beaches on the southwest coast. Both are sheltered and easy to access, which makes them especially attractive for families.

• Puerto Rico beach is a compact and very practical resort beach. It is close to hotels, restaurants, the marina and boat trips, and the water is usually calm. The beach is not large, but it is convenient and well suited for families with children.
• Playa de Amadores is one of the best family beaches in Gran Canaria. The beach has light sand, calm turquoise water and a beautiful setting between the cliffs. It feels more spacious than Puerto Rico and is a good choice if you want a relaxed beach day with good facilities.

When we stay in either Puerto Rico or Amadores, we often use the coastal walkway, allowing us to visit both beaches several times during our holiday.

Arguineguín, Patalavaca and Anfi del Mar

The coastline between Arguineguín and Patalavaca has a more local and relaxed atmosphere than the larger resort areas further east and west. This part of the south coast is a good choice if you want beaches with a slightly less touristy feel.

• Arguineguín is a traditional coastal town with a harbour, local restaurants and a more authentic atmosphere. The beaches in Arguineguín are not among the most spectacular in Gran Canaria, but the town is pleasant and gives a different impression of the south coast.
• Patalavaca is smaller and more holiday-oriented, with a beach close to hotels and restaurants. It is a relaxed option for visitors who want to stay by the sea without the busy atmosphere of the larger resorts.
• Anfi del Mar beach is known for its light sand, calm water and tropical-style surroundings, and it is one of the most popular beaches in this part of Gran Canaria.

San Agustín and Bahía Feliz

San Agustín and Bahía Feliz are located on the eastern side of the south coast. Both areas are quieter than Playa del Inglés and Maspalomas, but still close enough to the main resort areas if you want more restaurants, shopping or nightlife.

• San Agustín has a long beach with darker sand and a calm atmosphere. The area is well established, with hotels, restaurants and a pleasant seafront promenade. It is a good choice if you want a relaxed beach holiday without being far from the busier resorts.
• Bahía Feliz is smaller and more peaceful. The beach is not as wide or sandy as some of the better-known beaches in the south, but the area has a quiet, laid-back feel and is well suited for a simple holiday close to the sea.

Puerto de Mogán and Playa Taurito beaches

Further west along the south coast, Puerto de Mogán and Playa Taurito offer two very different beach experiences within a short distance of each other.

• Puerto de Mogán is one of the most charming beach areas in Gran Canaria. The beach is quite small and sheltered, with calm water and a beautiful setting close to the marina, canals and waterfront restaurants. It is a great choice if you want to combine beach time with a walk through one of the island’s prettiest resort areas.
• Playa Taurito is a compact beach resort in a narrow valley between the cliffs. The beach, hotels and water park are located close together, making it especially convenient for families who want everything within walking distance. When our children were younger, this was one of our favourite places in Gran Canaria.

Relaxed beaches in Playa del Cura and Playa de Tauro

Playa del Cura and Playa de Tauro are quieter beach areas located between Amadores and Playa Taurito. Both are good alternatives if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere away from the busiest resorts.

• Playa del Cura is a small and calm beach with a simple and low-key atmosphere. It is best suited for visitors who want peaceful surroundings and an easy beach holiday close to hotels and restaurants.
• Playa de Tauro is another quieter beach area with darker sand and a more local feel. The beach has changed over the years, but it still appeals to travellers looking for a less developed alternative on the south coast.

Other beaches to consider

Southern Gran Canaria also has a few smaller beaches that are worth considering if you want a different experience away from the largest resort areas.

• Pasito Blanco is a small marina area with a relaxed atmosphere and a sheltered beach close to the harbour. The area feels more exclusive than most holiday resorts in the south and the beach adds to that feeling.
• Montaña Arena is a more natural and less developed beach west of Pasito Blanco. It is popular with visitors looking for a quieter beach surrounded by open coastal scenery.
• Santa Águeda is a small coastal area near Arguineguín with a more local atmosphere and easy access to the sea. It is not one of the classic tourist beaches, but worth considering if you prefer quieter surroundings.

Best beaches for families and couples

For families, beaches in Puerto Rico, Amadores, Anfi del Mar, Puerto de Mogán and Playa Taurito are among the best choices. They all have relatively calm water, good facilities and short distances between the beach, restaurants and hotels.

For couples, beaches in Meloneras, Puerto de Mogán and Maspalomas are especially popular. These areas combine beautiful surroundings, good restaurants and a more relaxed atmosphere, making them ideal for a peaceful beach holiday. If you prefer a more local atmosphere and dramatic coastal scenery, the beaches in northern Gran Canaria offer a completely different side of the island.