Road trip to Gran Canaria: a guide to its most beautiful beaches

The Canary Islands have always been synonymous with sun and sea, both summer and winter. Among the archipelago's main islands, Gran Canaria stands out for its incredible variety : long golden beaches in the south and volcanic coves in the north, lapped by clear waters and caressed by a climate that seems tailor-made for year-round outdoor living. An island where relaxation blends with nature and entertainment , ready to surprise you at every turn. Let's explore Gran Canaria's most beautiful beaches with a road trip through its most iconic and lesser-known, but no less fascinating, locations.

The Atlantic pearl that unites cultures and landscapes

Known as a miniature continent, Gran Canaria enchants with its contrasts : in an hour's drive you can go from desert landscapes to green valleys, from cliffs overlooking the sea to picturesque inland villages.

Located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa between Morocco and Western Sahara, it is the third largest island of the Canary Islands archipelago, in a central position that makes it easily accessible from all the other islands and which has given it a history rich in cultural influences and a varied nature, shaped by volcanoes and trade winds.

In addition to its beaches, suitable for all types of travelers, Gran Canaria is teeming with nature reserves, scenic routes of unspeakable beauty, and small villages that still live to the slow pace of times gone by. Each area of Gran Canaria has its own distinct character, and the best way to discover them all is to explore it slowly, at a leisurely pace, allowing yourself to be surprised at every turn.

The 5 most beautiful beaches in southern Gran Canaria

The southern part of the island boasts the widest beaches, characterized by calm waters and golden sand. This area is home to Gran Canaria's main tourist destinations , offering a wide range of services: beach clubs, restaurants, bars, shops, and water sports rentals. The proximity to accommodations and the well-developed road network make the beaches in southern Gran Canaria suitable for those seeking comfort and convenience, including families with children.

1. Maspalomas

We begin our Gran Canaria road trip with Maspalomas beach, located within the Protected Natural Area known for the dunes of the same name. With over 400 hectares of sand, this landscape is unique in Europe, where the charm of the desert meets the blue of the ocean.

A spectacular setting that stretches for miles and creates a surprising contrast: on one side the dunes, from which you can enjoy exceptional panoramic views, and on the other the beach, protected from the wind, with its calm waters and golden sand that invites you to relax, swim and take long walks.

The Maspalomas Lighthouse , at the end of the beach, offers unforgettable sunsets.

2. Playa del Inglés

Among Gran Canaria's most famous and popular beaches, Playa del Inglés takes top spot: a wide expanse of fine, velvety sand lapped by calm waters, with a dedicated area for nudists. Besides sunbathing, Playa del Inglés offers the opportunity to enjoy water activities such as windsurfing, snorkeling, and parasailing.

A natural continuation of Maspalomas beach, Playa del Inglés is made up of hotels and tourist complexes, restaurants, bars, pubs and trendy shops: it is a lively and dynamic area that comes alive in the evening with music and unbridled fun, confirming its reputation as the beating heart of nightlife in Gran Canaria .

3. Meloneras Beach

At the end of the panoramic promenade that winds from the Maspalomas Lighthouse past restaurants, lighthouses and trendy boutiques, lies Playa de Meloneras , a wide beach covered in golden sand and lapped by crystal-clear waters that have earned it the Blue Flag award several times.

Playa de Meloneras is the perfect choice for those seeking an elegant and tranquil coastline with all the comforts: sun loungers, umbrellas, and showers, as well as shopping centers for combining the beach with shopping, golf courses, and spas for relaxation and entertainment.

4. Amphi of the Sea

Anfi del Mar is a man-made beach distinguished by its turquoise waters and an expanse of fine, white sand as soft as cotton. It was built in the 1990s by Norwegian entrepreneur Bjarn Lyng, who imported sand from the Bahamas to recreate a Caribbean atmosphere and develop luxury tourism in southern Gran Canaria. Breakwaters, which shelter it from the wind, keep the waters calm, perfect for swimming and relaxing.

Much of the Anfi del Mar complex is private—with loungers and umbrellas for rent, showers, bars, and sea-view restaurants—but the beach and some facilities are accessible free of charge to all visitors. Nearby is the marina, where you can rent yachts or catamarans to explore the coast.

5. Playa de Güi Güi

Hidden among the imposing cliffs on the southwest coast of Gran Canaria, Playa de Güi Güi is one of the island's pristine and unspoiled beaches. Reaching it is challenging—it requires about a three-hour trek from the village of Tasartico—but once there, the effort is rewarded by a beach of dark sand, clear waters, and absolute silence.

At Playa de Güi Güi there are no tourist services, just pure nature, which makes it the ideal place for those seeking peace and tranquility, perhaps spending a night in a tent under the stars.

The 3 most beautiful beaches in the north of Gran Canaria

In the north of Gran Canaria, the beaches are wilder and often difficult to access, with coves of dark sand or volcanic rock and often rough waters. However, there are also welcoming natural pools, perfect for enjoying the sea in safety and tranquility.

1. Playa de Las Nieves

Playa de Las Nieves is a volcanic stone beach located on the northwest coast of Gran Canaria, adjacent to the village of Agaete. Also known as Playa de Las Salinas, it's famous for its natural lava pools, perfect for bathing in calm waters. For those who prefer pebble beaches, there are wooden platforms for comfortable sunbathing.

Near Playa de Las Nieves are the Faro de Sardinia del Norte – which offers splendid panoramic views of both the ocean and the coast – and the port, where you can taste excellent fresh fish or embark on the ferry to Tenerife.

2. Charcones de Bañaderos

Although not a real beach, Charcones de Bañaderos , located in the municipality of Arucas, are among the best places in the north of Gran Canaria for swimming in complete tranquility.

The Charcones are natural pools formed by the constant action of waves on the volcanic rock, which over time has shaped marine pools that offer a safe and sheltered environment, ideal for those seeking an alternative to traditional beaches.

It is advisable to avoid low tide hours, when there may be little or no water, and to wear rock shoes to move among the rocks, which are often uneven and slippery.

3. The city beaches: Las Canteras and Las Alcaravaneras,

We conclude our selection of the most beautiful beaches in Gran Canaria with Playa de Las Canteras , one of the most emblematic and beloved on the island.

Located in the heart of the capital, Las Palmas, Playa de Las Canteras is considered one of the best urban beaches in Spain , an ideal place to end the day with a dip and a swim just a few steps from the city centre.

Approximately three kilometers long, Las Canteras is characterized by its soft, honey-colored sand, transparent water, and coral reef that softens the waves and helps keep the water clear, despite its proximity to the city. Besides swimming, it's perfect for snorkeling, diving, surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

Alongside the beach is the Paseo de Las Canteras , a promenade always bustling with tourists and locals, teeming with restaurants, bars, shops, hotels, and places to sit and enjoy the ocean breeze. At the end of the promenade is Playa de Las Alcaravaneras , a little smaller but equally pleasant, especially for sports enthusiasts. Equipped for beach volleyball, basketball, and beach football, it has lifeguards to ensure safety, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The view of the harbor, with its pleasure boats, sailboats, and catamarans, gives it a special charm.

The beaches of Gran Canaria, both in the south and in the north, are not just a place to lie in the sun, but an invitation to let yourself be lulled by its rhythms, to breathe in the salty freedom of the ocean and to take home that bright memory that years later will still make you smile.