At a glance: The best beaches in Gran Canaria ranked
If you only have time for 3 beaches
Beaches I wouldn't go out of my way to visit
Best beaches in Gran Canaria for all types of visitors
Best beach for first-time visitors
Best beach for a romantic setting
Suggested Gran Canaria beach itinerary
Why are the beaches in Gran Canaria worth visiting? Well, I’ll tell you. First of all, the best beaches in Gran Canaria are really varied. I knew about how diverse nature is in the Canary Islands, so I knew I wasn’t signing up for a simple beach vacation, but I was still surprised by what I found.
Beaches in Gran Canaria—some are for swimming. Some are for the scenery. Some are for restaurants. And some are for people who enjoy pretending pebbles are comfortable, which is a downright lie.
I visited Gran Canaria in late 2025 and quickly realized that choosing the best beach here is less about finding the softest sand and more about choosing the right setting—dunes, cliffs, city promenades, natural pools, beaches in resorts, rugged coastline, or a perfect road-trip stop.
My girlfriend loved the long sandy beaches of Playa de Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés the most, while I was more impressed by beaches surrounded by dramatic scenery. Just sand doesn’t do it for me, I guess. I need some drama.
During the trip, I stayed in different parts of the island and drove around the south coast, the Puerto de Mogán and Puerto Rico area, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Agaete, and La Aldea de San Nicolás, and compared everything from family-friendly beaches and swimming spots to great viewpoints and places that are worth stopping at for ten minutes, just to stare out at the ocean.
So here’s my ranking of the best beaches in Gran Canaria, helping you decide which ones to prioritize, the best beaches for families in Gran Canaria, the most scenic beaches in Gran Canaria, the best beaches for swimming in Gran Canaria, the best resort beaches, and which really deserve a spot on your itinerary.
Read more from my Canary Islands travel blog.
As you can see, the best beaches in Gran Canaria are scattered all around the island
I ranked these Gran Canaria beaches based on how much I liked the setting, how they rate for all types of travelers, and whether I’d actually add them to an itinerary.
If you are short on time, I would leave these Gran Canaria beaches out.
I broke down the best beaches in Gran Canaria on my list into specific groups for different travel styles.
I am not what one would call a beach bum. I go to the beach. I look at the sand, stare at the water. Maybe I feel something. Maybe I don’t. This one surprised me. Playa de Maspalomas has 3 km (1.9 mi) of golden sand, with huge sand dunes, and an iconic lighthouse. I LOVED the sand dunes. They are much larger than I expected… they seemed out of place.
Best part: Gran Canaria has beautiful nature, and here the dunes meet the ocean, so very cool. Super clean water that I was happy to splash around in until I was cold.
Worst part: It connects to Playa del Inglés with family zones, couple zones, and nudist zones (I didn’t need to see the effects of gravity on my vacation). Also, it can be very windy, which was annoying and slightly painful for my eyes.
Why go: I walked the promenade from the lighthouse, bought an overpriced drink, got sand everywhere, and still managed to think “yeah, this is good actually.. just look at those dunes!” This is the best beach in Gran Canaria. Do not miss it.
The Playa de Amadores resort beach is basically for people who want the sea without any drama.
Best part: The water is calm thanks to the breakwaters. I expected some waves and got something more like a giant salty bathtub. I liked it… perfect calm water for kids, too. And there are plenty of shops and restaurants. One of the best beaches for families in Gran Canaria, and one of the best beaches for swimming in Gran Canaria.
Worst part: Parking is chaos. I tried, gave up. Also, everything is so clean and organized I almost felt out of place.
Why go: The best resort-style beach to do absolutely nothing. Relaxation station, this beach.
Top tip: Pay for parking in Puerto Rico at the beach and walk on the promenade to Playa de Amadores.
This is an easy-going small-town beach where I showed up thinking it was a quick stop and somehow ended up staying half the day.
Best part: Super safe swimming with shallow water, very easy with kids. The surrounding cliffs and colonial buildings made it look way nicer than a standard resort beach, and the “Little Venice” area is small and very pretty. I really enjoyed walking around after seeing the beach and even wondered about the cost of real estate. One of the best beaches in Gran Canaria, in my opinion.
I don’t know why it’s called Little Venice as the buildings do not look Gothic, dilapidated, or slightly moldy… sorry, Venice.
Worst part: It gets busy, especially around the “Mogán sign,” where everyone turns into a photographer. I like taking photos, but I definitely thought everyone was overdoing it. I can be slightly judgmental if you haven’t noticed by now.
Why go: Good base for boat trips like whale watching.
Playa de la Aldea is mainly a pebble and volcanic stone beach… and I forgot my flip-flops.
Best part: I walked through a carved rock tunnel, and reached “La Caletilla,” a hidden cove with black sand that felt really magical. On a clear day you can also see Tenerife and Mount Teide in the distance; unfortunately, everything was a bit hazy when I was there, but the whole coastline is really dramatic, scenic, and definitely worth it.
Worst part: Pebbles on the main beach. My feet filed a complaint immediately.
Why go: Rugged coast, surprise sandy cove, and big island views—a quintessential road trip stop that will be jogged in your memory.
This is the paella that set my expectations super high, I doubt any other paella will ever make me as happy
Ahhh. I had the best paella of my life at Playa de las Nieves… and it’s a beautiful beach. What a solid combo of scenery and food.
Best part: Coastal views with green mountains dropping into the sea and super clear, calm water. Plus the harbor is nearby with great seafood! One of the most scenic beaches in Gran Canaria, and one of the best beaches for swimming in Gran Canaria with calm water.
Worst part: It’s rocky, not sandy, so lying down comfortably didn’t work. Also, not many facilities, so don’t expect much beyond the view and a few benches.
Why go: For the views and the food. You don’t come here to sunbathe; you come here to stare at the coastline, eat fish, and pretend you’re fine sitting on stones.
Güigüi Beach is a reward for people who enjoy suffering a bit first, and who doesn’t? Isn’t life all about suffering? Hmm. Maybe it’s time for me to go to a Buddhist retreat in Southeast Asia.
Best part:
The beach is empty, wild, and ridiculously beautiful. I swam there after my hike thinking “yeah, I earned this.”
Worst part:
Getting there is a long hike with serious ups and downs. I spent part of the walk wondering why I didn’t go to a normal flat beach like a sane person.
Why go:
For a secluded beach with almost nobody on it and even views of Mount Teide on a clear day. First suffering, then well-earned paradise. Do not forget proper hiking shoes.
Top tip: Trekking and hiking in Gran Canaria is amazing. There’s a real variety to be found here, as well as in the Tenerife nature. You can also reward yourself with a private boat trip.
Playa de Las Canteras is not the place to go if you’re looking to escape the city
Playa de Las Canteras is Gran Canaria’s big city beach. I arrived from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria after what I can only describe as traffic survival training.
Best part: Long sandy beach, lots of restaurants, and a lively “Miami Beach” vibe. Easy to walk, swim, eat, and repeat.
Worst part: It’s a bit gritty. You never escape the buzz, and parking/traffic is… let’s just say, character-building. I speak Spanish, and I know what was being yelled at me in traffic. And I’m a good driver! If you’re not already in Las Palmas, I would skip this one.
Why go: At the end of the beach is the weird Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, and nearby the Poema del Mar Aquarium, where I was happy to see fish behaving better than most drivers in Las Palmas.
I visited Playa de La Laja while in Las Palmas and it was nice to feel like I was among the locals. I found myself wondering if I could relocate and spend my days in Las Palmas, but then I quickly remembered the awful drivers there.
Best part: Long stretch of dark volcanic sand, big Atlantic waves, and a very cool massive statue of the Greek god Triton blowing into a conch shell. I tried to take some selfies there, but unfortunately, my muscles aren’t as developed.
Worst part:
The sea can have strong currents there, so it’s not really a relaxed swim-and-float kind of beach, which is more my jam.
Why go:
Less touristy, local energy, and very accessible from the city. There are also natural seawater pools, including one for kids.
Again with Playa de Mogán and its pretty cliffs, harbor, and the Little Venice area. I would definitely not miss this one.
Best part: The cliffs and colonial buildings are very pretty, and the “Little Venice” area is charming. I literally daydreamed about buying a house there.
Worst part: It gets busy, especially around the “Mogán” sign. It’s fun and colorful, so I understand… but just take a few snaps and move it along already so the rest of us can take a pic! Don’t be a tourist jerk. It ruins the romance of it all.
Why go: Small town vibes with cliffs, and a good base for boat trips like whale watching.
No shortage of sand on Playa del Inglés
Playa del Inglés to Playa de Maspalomas is my favorite beach walk on the island. I set off for a short stroll and found myself getting a workout.
Best part: Endless sand, giant dunes, and views that actually change as you walk. It never feels repetitive and it’s memorable. One for the books!
Worst part: It’s longer than it looks. My legs discovered this before my brain did.
Why go: Playa del Inglés is a great beach base with restaurants, nightlife, and direct access to the dunes. Easy, lively, and very hard to leave after just one drink.
Best part: It’s wild and feels untouched even though it’s right next to Las Palmas. The walk/boardwalk is great, and the sunset views over the Atlantic are just ridiculous.
Worst part: It’s not really a swimming beach. It’s rocky, slippery, and with strong currents… basically, the ocean is not in a friendly mood here. Just like me in the morning without coffee.
Why go: I did the coastal walk (about an hour each way) between here and Playa de Las Canteras and timed it for the sunset views, and it was well worth it, although the wind played a big part in my adventure.
Playa de Tauro is a quiet beach between Playa de Amadores and Playa del Cura.
Best part: I reached Tauro after a short, easy walk from Puerto Rico (about 45 min.) and it felt like the noise just dropped out of the island. I could hear my own thoughts, which I don’t mind from time to time.
Worst part: It’s very low-key. Don’t expect beach bars or crowds… it’s mostly wind and silence. It’s pretty, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit this beach unless you really need a break from resort beaches. Dare I say, it’s a bit boring.
Why go: Peace & Quiet. It’s less developed and crowded than neighboring Amadores and it’s scenic with rocky cliffs and hills in the area.
Las Salinas de Agaete were my favorite natural pools in Gran Canaria. Big waves crashed outside the pools, rugged cliffs were everywhere, and meanwhile, I safely sat in a natural pool pretending to be adventurous.
Best part: Probably the safest way to swim in the Atlantic. The views are fantastic too.
Worst part: The water is still cold. I got in, proved I was a man, and quickly got back out.
Why go: It serves up a dramatic coastline for a memorable road trip and a controlled sea dip for people who like nature but also enjoy surviving it, like myself.
Wondering whether you should dedicate your time to Gran Canaria or Tenerife? Have a look at the Best beaches in Tenerife.
The Agaete promenade
Gran Canaria is known for its variety of beaches. Here’s how you can break it down into 1 or 2 days. If you have more time, here’s a 7-day itinerary for Gran Canaria.
Spoiler: after spending the whole morning in the dunes, you will absolutely want to see the beach too — and you absolutely should
Good to know: The 2-day beach itinerary gives you the best of Gran Canaria beaches, both resort style and rugged.
Hotel Santa Catalina is exactly as charming as it looks and the service made it even better
I loved Santa Catalina in Las Palmas. Very charming with amazing service.
If you want to visit multiple beaches, the best way to get around is to rent a car. If you just want low-key beach time at a resort, you don’t need a car.
The best beach in Gran Canaria is hands down Playa de Maspalomas.
The best beach for families in Gran Canaria is Playa de Amadores.
Not all. Some are more rugged with strong currents. Stick with beach resort areas if you are not a strong swimmer.
The south and southwest of Gran Canaria are best for easy beach holidays, especially Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Amadores, Puerto Rico, and Puerto de Mogán.
Maspalomas is better for dunes, scenery, and a more complete beach experience, while Playa del Inglés is better for convenience, restaurants, nightlife, and a livelier beach base.
Gran Canaria has several lighter-sand resort beaches, especially in the south and southwest, but the island mostly has darker volcanic sand beaches, pebble beaches, and rugged rocky coastlines.
If I had to pick only one area for the best beaches in Gran Canaria, I’d go with Maspalomas. The dunes make it feel completely different; the beach is easy, and the whole area actually works as a solid base.
For the best beaches in Gran Canaria if you want something smaller and more scenic, I’d pick Puerto de Mogán. For a more rugged road-trip stop, Playa de la Aldea is the one that feels like you actually left the resort world behind.
Las Canteras is great if you’re already in Las Palmas, but I wouldn’t fight city traffic just to lie on city sand. Gran Canaria beaches work best when you pick them for a reason—not when you try to collect them like supermarket stamps.
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At a glance: The best beaches in Gran Canaria ranked
If you only have time for 3 beaches
Beaches I wouldn't go out of my way to visit
Best beaches in Gran Canaria for all types of visitors
Best beach for first-time visitors
Best beach for a romantic setting
Suggested Gran Canaria beach itinerary
Hi, I’m Jan. I travel fast and intensely, whether I’m exploring the buzz of Tokyo in 3 days or road-tripping through mountains and beaches on a 3-week Thailand adventure. And no matter where I am, you’ll always find me in a comfortable hotel at night and eating the best food.
If that sounds like your kind of journey, hop on board, and let’s explore the world together!
I started this blog after realizing how tough it can be to find reliable, authentic travel info. You wouldn’t believe how many “travel bloggers” never even visit the places they write about! On Next Level of Travel, you can count on my full honesty and insights drawn from my firsthand experiences.
Here’s the deal: not every destination is all superlatives and unicorns. I’ll let you know if a tourist attraction isn’t worth your time, like skipping overrated stops in my 2-week Spain itinerary. And when I find something truly special—like the perfect mix of culture and nature in Cape Town—you can trust that it’s worth adding to your itinerary.
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