Best beaches in Gran Canaria | Our top picks

Gran Canaria beaches deliver more than just soft sand and sunloungers. Think volcanic rock pools, tucked-away coves, and black-sand stretches you can only reach by boat or on foot. Planning a Spain trip package? Make sure this island is on your list. From popular resort strips to remote naturist spots, these are the best beaches in Gran Canaria – the ones that actually live up to the hype.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Spain, your essential guide for visiting Spain.

What are the best beaches in Gran Canaria?

The beaches in Gran Canaria are as varied as the island’s landscapes – from resort-backed golden arcs to remote black-sand bays framed by cliffs. You’ll find long, family-friendly stretches like Playa de Amadores or Las Canteras, alongside wilder spots like Güi Güi, where the only crowds are seabirds. The island's year-round sunshine and warm Atlantic waters mean swimming and sunbathing are always on the table – even in winter.

The Canary Islands sit just off the northwest coast of Africa, but they’re very much part of Spain. That makes them one of the best islands in Spain for a laid-back beach break without skipping the culture. You’ll find historic towns, hiking trails, and volcanic landscapes within easy reach of the sand.

If you’re putting together a Spain itinerary, this is one of the best places to visit in Spain for a beach-heavy leg. And the best time to visit Spain? For Gran Canaria, anytime. The weather barely dips below 68°F (20°C), even in January. Skip the August crowds and come in spring or autumn for the sweet spot – fewer people, same sunshine.

1. Maspalomas and Meloneras

On the western side of the Maspalomas lighthouse, the newer development of Meloneras stretches for 2km, lined with 4- and 5-star hotels, a casino, and a conference center. The promenade is full of bars, cafés, and restaurants serving everything from tapas to sushi. It’s polished and upscale – but not pretentious.

At either end, you’ve got two contrasting beach options. Maspalomas is vast and open, with rolling dunes and naturist zones. Meloneras is smaller and calmer, with a more local feel and gentler waves. The combo makes this one of the best beaches in Gran Canaria for balancing comfort with space, and easily one of the best beaches in Spain if you want good facilities without the chaos.

By night, Meloneras shifts down a gear. Think wine bars, live music, and front-row sunset views – a slower, grown-up vibe compared to the busier resorts nearby.

Tip: There’s an 18-hole golf course right by the seafront if you want to swap beach for bunker.

2. Anfi del Mar and Arguineguín

Further west, Anfi Beach is lined with coconut palms and topped with 11,000 tons of fine white sand. Originally called Playa de la Verga, this resort was created in the 1990s by a Norwegian businessman determined to bring a slice of the Caribbean to Gran Canaria – and he pretty much nailed it.

Set in a sheltered lagoon between a marina and a heart-shaped island, the beach has calm, shallow waters that are ideal for families. If you’re doing Spain with kids, this is one of the safest places on the island for swimming. Snorkel, rent kayaks or paddleboards, or hop on a glass-bottom ferry to explore the coast.

Thrill seekers aren’t left out either – parasailing gives you a serious view, or you can try flyboarding if you're up for being blasted into the air on a water jet.

Tip: For sunset cocktails, head to Beach Club Maroa on the island – strong drinks, great views.

3. Playa de Amadores

Amadores Beach ticks all the boxes for a low-stress beach day. Set in a curved bay backed by cliffs, it’s easily one of the best beaches in Gran Canaria for calm swimming and all-day lounging. Built in 2002, the resort is a quieter alternative to the nearby buzz of Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria.

The waters here are still and sheltered – great for swimming, especially with kids in tow. The imported coral sand doesn’t overheat, but there are sun loungers if you’d rather not risk it. Loud music and rowdy games are banned, so it stays peaceful even on busy days.

It’s almost a kilometre long, and despite being popular, it rarely feels cramped. Amadores also holds a Blue Flag for water quality and services.

Tip: The 3km oceanfront path connecting Amadores and Puerto Rico is one of the easiest (and most scenic) walks for light hiking in Gran Canaria – expect cliffside views the whole way.

4. Playa de Mogán

The most westerly resort on the south coast, Playa de Mogán is tucked into a steep-sided valley, backed by mountains and lined with whitewashed buildings. It’s one of the prettiest Gran Canaria beaches – and far more laid-back than the busier resorts east of here.

The golden sand beach is sheltered by a breakwater and marina, so the sea stays calm and stone-free. It’s ideal for families and a solid snorkelling spot thanks to clear, shallow waters.

You’ll also find some of the best things to do in Spain right here on the water – take a trip in a yellow submarine, go whale watching, or join a deep-sea fishing tour from the marina.

Tip: Wander the canals and flower-filled walkways of “Little Venice” behind the beach. It’s touristy but undeniably photogenic.

5. Güi Güi

Güi Güi (pronounced “wee-wee”) is one of the true Gran Canaria hidden gems. Tucked away on the remote west coast, this pair of beaches sits below towering cliffs and feels a world away from the island’s resorts. You’ll need to hike two and a half hours from Tasartico or hitch a boat ride from Mogán or La Aldea – there’s no road, no bar, no lifeguard. Just raw coastline.

Güi Güi Grande is the first beach you’ll reach – a small, 350m arc of black sand named after the surrounding canyon. Scramble south over the rocks at low tide and you’ll reach Güi Güi Chico, the larger of the two. Watch the tides – Chico gets cut off fast.

The reward? Cool, clear water, total silence, and some of the best sunsets on the island. In summer, the sand is wide and walkable. In winter, it can vanish altogether.

Tip: Bring everything you need – water, snacks, sunscreen. There’s no help or supplies out here, and that’s kind of the point.

6. Playa del Confital

Playa del Confital feels like a different side of Gran Canaria – raw, rugged, and mostly untouched. Just north of Las Palmas, it’s a mix of golden sand and volcanic rock, with a boardwalk stretching along the coastline. It’s not a classic sunlounger beach, but if you like wild views and strong surf, this is one of the most atmospheric Gran Canaria beaches.

The water here is crystal clear, and it’s a top surf spot, especially in winter when the Atlantic swells roll in hard. There’s no shade or rental services, so come prepared, and don’t expect beach bars or music.

Confital’s also a popular local hangout. You'll see runners, yoga groups, and the odd drum circle at sunset. It’s an easy escape if you're staying in the capital and want a taste of something wilder without going off-grid.

Tip: If you’re planning a trip to Spain that mixes city and nature, Confital gives you both – Las Palmas is 15 minutes away, but this spot feels like the edge of the world.

7. Las Canteras

In the heart of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Canteras delivers the kind of urban beach that puts most city coastlines to shame. Stretching nearly 4km from La Puntilla to La Cicer, it’s one of the best beach holidays in Europe for anyone who wants golden sand by day and city energy by night.

At La Puntilla, you’ll find palm trees, fishing boats, and calm water. Down at La Cicer, surfers ride Atlantic waves in a misty haze. In the middle, a lava reef tames the current and makes for excellent snorkelling – perfect for kids, with lifeguards and shallow areas.

The Paseo de las Canteras promenade is where the real buzz is. Expect beachside tapas bars, ice cream shops, live music, and some of the best foodie experiences in Gran Canaria – from fresh seafood to laid-back wine bars.

Tip: Spot the locals diving off Peña La Vieja. Brave it yourself for a proper local rite of passage.

8. Playa del Inglés

If you’re after action, Playa del Inglés delivers it in full force. Linked by a seafront promenade to the quieter San Agustín, this is one of the best beaches in Gran Canaria for nightlife, people-watching, and pure resort energy. Despite the name – “English Beach” – it’s a favorite with German visitors too.

The beach itself is wide, sandy, and great for sunbathing or a long barefoot stroll. Behind it, expect a full-on resort scene: high-rise hotels, shopping malls, arcades, fast food, and beach bars. After dark, the place shifts up a gear with discos, pubs, and LGBTQ+ clubs that stay open well into the morning.

Tip: Walk towards the Maspalomas end for a wilder, more natural vibe and access to the dunes.

9. Playa de Sardina del Norte

Small, low-key, and far from the resort circuit, Playa de Sardina del Norte is one of the most underrated beaches in Gran Canaria. Tucked away on the island’s rugged northwest coast, this sheltered cove is all about slow travel – think diving, fresh seafood, and quiet swims.

The beach has soft sand, clear water, and easy access, making it a favorite with locals and scuba divers. The seabed here is teeming with marine life, and visibility is excellent year-round, so it’s a great spot to get underwater. You’ll also find a small promenade and a handful of places serving up good fish straight from the port.

Tip: Come midweek or early morning for a peaceful swim before the dive boats head out.

10. Playa de Vargas

Playa de Vargas isn’t built for beach towels and piña coladas – it’s made for wind, speed, and wide-open space. Set on Gran Canaria’s rugged east coast, this exposed stretch of dark sand and pebbles is one of the island’s most popular windsurfing and kitesurfing spots. The steady trade winds that whip through here are strong enough to host international competitions, and on breezy days, the sky fills with sails and kites.

There’s not much development – no sun loungers, beach bars, or holiday crowds. What you will find is a relaxed local surf scene, a basic campsite right by the shore, and a wild, untamed feel that’s getting harder to find on the island. It’s one of the few places in Gran Canaria where you can spend a day completely off-grid and still feel like you’re in the thick of the action.

Tip: Summer is prime time for wind and waves, but even in winter, the beach has a raw, remote charm.