Looking for the best beaches in Gran Canaria without knowing what you’re looking for is the quickest way to be disappointed. Not because the island lacks beaches, but because it has so many that are very different: man-made coves with no waves, urban beaches with surf schools, and secluded coves accessible only on foot or by boat. The useful question isn’t which is the most beautiful beach on the island. It’s which beach is right for the kind of trip you’re taking.
This guide organizes them based on how you’re traveling: those who just want to relax and read, those looking for waves, those traveling with children, those who want to hike to a scenic viewpoint, and those who aren’t afraid of a dirt road.
Before you choose: the south and the north aren’t the same island
Gran Canaria is small on the map but very diverse in reality. The south is more sheltered, warmer, and more developed: it’s the area around Amadores, Anfi del Mar, Maspalomas, and Puerto de Mogán. The north, with Las Palmas and Las Canteras, is more urban, breezier, and livelier year-round. The west, where the paved roads end, is where the wild beaches remain.
The wind is the factor that most shapes the experience. In summer, it makes the heat bearable, but it can also turn an afternoon at the beach into a sandstorm. The stretch between Arguineguín and Puerto de Mogán is the most sheltered part of the island, which is why certain bays in the south appear as flat as a swimming pool.
As for seasonality and the question everyone asks—can you swim even in January?—that’s a topic for another time, which we’ve covered in this guide dedicated to the sea in winter. Here, we’re focusing on the type of trip, not the calendar.
For those seeking pure relaxation: Amadores
Amadores is an artificial bay with imported light-colored sand, protected by two rocky headlands that keep the waves at bay. A story has been circulating for years that the sand comes from the Caribbean: it’s a tale often repeated in the area, but it hasn’t been verified, so it’s best to take it for what it is—a local legend.
What is certain is the effect: practically still turquoise water, a gently sloping seabed, and no currents. It’s the beach where you don’t have to do a thing. There are lounge chairs, umbrellas, and kiosks where you can grab a drink.
The downside is that it’s anything but wild. If you’re looking for silence and nature, this isn’t the place for you. If you’re looking for a spot to zone out for six hours, it’s perfect.
For wave lovers: Las Canteras and La Cicer
Las Canteras is Las Palmas’s urban beach, and it alone is worth a day in the city. It features a kilometers-long pedestrian promenade, bars and restaurants overlooking the beach, and a natural barrier that keeps the water calm in the central section—making it ideal for snorkeling.
However, if you’re looking to surf at Las Canteras, you’ll need to head over to La Cicer, the most exposed and roughest end of the beach. There are several schools there offering lessons, and the water conditions are perfect for both first-time surfers and those who are already confident on a board.
It’s also the most accessible beach if you don’t have a car: it’s right in the city, and once your session is over, you can grab a bite to eat just fifty meters away.
For those traveling with children: Anfi del Mar
Among Gran Canaria’s family-friendly beaches, Anfi del Mar—along with Amadores—is the one that requires the least supervision. The sea is almost always calm, the sand is fine and light-colored, and the water is shallow and crystal-clear for quite a distance.
The surrounding area has everything you need when traveling with children and don’t want to plan ahead: restaurants, shops, play areas, and a small marina where you can rent a pedal boat or set out on a boat tour. It’s also one of the sheltered bays where stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking work well, because the water rarely gets choppy.
It’s a beach built for tourism, and it shows. If your goal for the day is to relax, this is exactly what you need.
For those who want the view and are willing to go out of their way for it: Playa de Güigüi
Playa de Güigüi is the island’s hidden gem, and it remains hidden for a specific reason: you can’t get there by car. You either tackle a long and challenging hike—about 2 hours there and 3 hours back—or arrive by boat. There are no shortcuts.
What you’ll find in return is a pristine beach nestled beneath towering cliffs, with crystal-clear waters and absolutely no amenities. None. No snack bar, no shade, no restrooms. You’ll have to bring your own water and food.
It’s the least convenient beach on the list and the one that feels most like an adventure. If this kind of adventure appeals to you, there are other things to do on the island that have nothing to do with the coast but are in the same spirit.
For adventurers with a high-clearance vehicle: Playa de Veneguera
Veneguera is reached via a dirt road, and it’s this natural barrier that keeps it empty. Golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and surrounding cliffs that enclose the bay give it an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the south.
It’s a reasonable compromise between the convenience of Amadores and the challenge of Güigüi: moderate effort, almost no crowds. It’s worth checking the road conditions and the type of vehicle you have before setting out, because the dirt road to get there is quite challenging.
For those who want to walk on the dunes: Maspalomas
The Maspalomas dunes aren’t just a beach with scenery around it—they’re a landscape that ends at a beach. Golden sand shaped by the wind stretches for kilometers, with a silhouette that’s constantly changing. It’s our favorite.
The best time to walk there is in the late afternoon, when the light softens and the sand stops feeling hot. After your walk, you can go for a swim at Maspalomas Beach or continue on to the lighthouse, which provides a natural end to the walk.
An obvious but often overlooked recommendation: this is a protected natural area, not a playground. Please stay on the marked trails.
The Reserve: Playa de Mogán
Playa de Mogán wasn’t on the original list, but it’s worth a mention. It’s the small harbor with canals and low-rise houses, one of the most sheltered areas on the island and with a more laid-back atmosphere than the nearby tourist resorts. Boat tours for dolphin watching also depart from here and from Puerto Rico.
It’s the perfect beach for days when you don’t want either mass tourism or adventure—just a stroll, a leisurely lunch, and a swim.
If you’re on the island to work—not just for a week
If you’re among those arriving in Gran Canaria not on vacation but here for a month or with no set return date—and the beach isn’t your main goal for the day—you don’t have to miss out on it. Work from a coworking space in Meloneras or Las Palmas, and within walking distance, you can treat yourself to a swim without having to use the car. Those planning a more structured stay—like a “workation”—usually alternate: convenient beaches on busy workdays, and those requiring a dirt road or a hike on the weekends.
The Six Beaches Compared
BeachSeaSuitable forAmenitiesAmadoresCalm, no wavesRelaxation, for those who don’t want to plan aheadBeach chairs, umbrellas, kiosksLas Canteras / La CicerCalm in the center, rough at La CicerSurfing, snorkeling, long staysSurf schools, bars, and restaurants along the boardwalkAnfi del MarCalm, shallow, clear waterFamilies with childrenRestaurants, shops, play areas, small marinaPlaya de GüigüiCrystal-clear, wild beachScenery, hikersNone: bring your own water and foodPlaya de VenegueraClear, bay enclosed by cliffsAdventure, those seeking solitudeNone, access via a dirt roadMaspalomasOpen, very wide beachWalks on the dunes, sunsetsEquipped beach, historic lighthouse nearby
Frequently Asked Questions
Which beach is best for those traveling with young children?
Anfi del Mar or Amadores. The sea is calm almost all year round, the sand is fine, and the water remains shallow and clear for quite a distance. There are restaurants, shops, playgrounds, and a small marina nearby, so you don’t need to plan anything in advance.
Where can beginners go surfing in Gran Canaria?
At La Cicer, the most exposed end of Las Canteras in Las Palmas. It’s one of the island’s best-known surfing spots, and there are several schools offering lessons for both beginners and experienced surfers. Since it’s within the city, it’s easy to reach even without a car.
How do you get to Playa de Güigüi?
Only on foot or by boat: there’s no access by car. The hike is long and challenging; the alternative is to get there by sea. There are no amenities of any kind on the beach, so you’ll need to bring your own water, food, and sunscreen.
Are the beaches in Gran Canaria windy?
It depends on the area. Wind is a constant across much of the island, especially in the summer, when it helps make the heat more bearable. The stretch between Arguineguín and Puerto de Mogán is the most sheltered, which is why bays like Amadores and Anfi del Mar remain calm even when the breeze picks up elsewhere.
How many beaches can you visit in a week?
Realistically, three or four—if you want to actually experience them and not just take pictures. The distances are short on paper, but the mountain roads make the trips take longer, and beaches like Güigüi or Veneguera require a full day to explore. The practical guide to the island can help you plan your time, travel, and logistics.