10 Beaches in Canary Islands That You Shouldn't Miss

August 8, 2021 Deane Carmody

The sun-drenched Canary Islands lie close to North Africa and have an exotic flavor of their own. Hundreds of volcanoes, rolling sand dunes, rich forests and rugged cliffs dapple these seven Atlantic gems. Catch a ferry to Lanzarote. Ride a camel through volcanic Timanfaya National Park. Take on Tenerife, home of Mount Teide, Spain's tallest peak. Romp Grand Canary's beaches or hike La Gomera's Garajonay National Park. More adventures await on tiny El Hierro, verdant La Palma and peaceful Fuerteventura.
Restaurants in Canary Islands

1. Playa de la Escalera

Camino a Casas de Taca El Cotillo Las Palmas, Fuerteventura Spain
Excellent
81%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

Playa de la Escalera

Reviewed By HappybackpackerDE - Berlin, Germany

Just a quick drive after El Cotillo beach on a corrugated offroad path, this infamous beach, took my breath away. Rugged cliffs, wild beach and a jaw dropping steep path felt like going down to paradise. Stay for sunset and you might be lucky enough to have the beach all by yourself. There is no real signs for Escalera, so watch out for other cars parked near the cliffs.

2. Grandes Playas

Av. Corralejo Grandes Playas, 24, 35660 Corralejo, La Oliva, Fuerteventura Spain
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 182 reviews

Grandes Playas

Reviewed By L7768EQdavidd - Devon, United Kingdom

We were very fortunate as we spent 5 weeks (Nov/Dec) in the Riu Place Tres Islas, which is situated in the centre of Grandes Playas, the Dunas of Corralejo and the Natural Park. The impressive Grandes Playas de Corralejo spreads along the coast for almost 3 and a half kilometres and an average width of 60 metres. They sit within the 10 kilometres of beaches that sprawl from Corralejo to Parque Holandes. The main two beaches Playa el Viejo Playa Bajo Negro, are on either side of the hotel. They are the only 2 beaches that provided sunbeds and umbrellas for rent at €9 for 2 sun beds and an umbrella. There are volleyball nets on both beaches and a beach bar on El Viejo. Don't want to use the sunbeds then there is plenty of space to spread out towels on the golden sand. Smaller beaches also formed part of the Grandes Playas, there are no facilities on these beaches. Dotted along the beaches are man made stone circular walls, known as corralitos, which provide shelter from the winds that swirls around the beaches. The  crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean wash the the shores. During our stay we did spent a number of days on the smaller beaches. We also walked along the beaches in both directions from the hotel. A walk along the beaches to Corralejo is a highlight. The smaller beaches are popular with naturists. The Natural Park of the Dunes of Corralejo, which includes the Grandes, was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in May 2009. There is plenty of car parking along the roadside.

3. Playa El Medano

Calle la Gaviota S/N, El Medano, Tenerife Spain
Excellent
51%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,701 reviews

Playa El Medano

Reviewed By Ricey73 - Coventry, United Kingdom

Close to the airport €15 taxi and 10 minutes door to door. We booked an Airbnb on avenue Juan Carlos absolutely perfect location with easy access to beach 3 minutes and town centre 10 minutes. Supermarket 5 mins away for the essentials ???? #SuperDino locals super friendly probably come back again. Very relaxed area

4. Playa de Las Canteras

Paseo de las Canteras Belén de arena, 35008 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria Spain http://www.grancanaria.com/patronato_turismo/Las-Canteras.22610.0.html
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,873 reviews

Playa de Las Canteras

Reviewed By deltaman0_0 - Plymouth, United Kingdom

Our second visit in December 2018 and now in January 2020, We have had wonderful weather on both visits, Great walk along the wonderful 3.5 km promenade a great clean beach with facilities for the disabled to enjoy the beach, excellent restaurants and cafés Don't miss out on this amazing place.

5. Playa de Maspalomas

Maspalomas, Gran Canaria Spain http://www.grancanaria.com/turismo/pl/plaze/maspalomas/
Excellent
57%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,363 reviews

Playa de Maspalomas

Reviewed By SebP_AnnaB - Brussels, Belgium

The Dunes and Beach of Maspalomas are a surprising sight and something not seen every day. Get lost in the dramatic sweeping dunes, walking along their crest of in the valleys between only to find before you a beautiful beach with inviting waters, even in December I was able to spend 45 minutes in the water! Key Points: 1) Bring Sunblock and Water. Not a lot of shade in the area and you don't want to wait for hours in lines a the drink shacks. 2) Dunes are gorgeous and fun. Have fun, try running down the dunes and jumping by the edge! 3) Be careful of the rip-tide. Maspalomas beach is a place where currents intersect. On some days the riptide is enough to carry you away even if you're in knee-high water. 4) Not a nude beach, specifically. But plenty of nude people. However, people are comfortable is how they do the beach there.

6. Playa de Cofete

Calle Cofete, Morro del Jable, Pajara, Fuerteventura Spain
Excellent
77%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,361 reviews

Playa de Cofete

Reviewed By Wayne2149 - Lanzarote, Spain

Getting there is an adventure in its self A unsurfaced rough track with a few hairpin bends and big drops thrown in Did it in my people carrier so any vehicle can do it Check your hire car allows off-road use as some track you and charge! The beach and views when there amazing There is a restaurant in Cofete so you can get away with taking food and drinks with you My only advice is get back before it gets dark !

7. Playa de Amadores

Urb. Sau Playa Amadores, Amadores, Gran Canaria Spain http://www.facebook.com/pages/Silver-Sand-Amadores-Beach-Gran-Canaria/184837918252824?pnref=story
Excellent
55%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,705 reviews

Playa de Amadores

Reviewed By Anthony653 - Pontyclun, United Kingdom

Great beach hidden around the short coastal path from Puerto Rico harbour. Plenty of restaurants and bars on this beach. Lovely white sand and plenty of room if you don’t want to purchase sunbeds. Great shallow water for children

8. El Cotillo Beach & Lagoons

El Cotillo, La Oliva, Fuerteventura Spain
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,690 reviews

El Cotillo Beach & Lagoons

Reviewed By CXJ11 - Newport, United Kingdom

Beautiful lagoons with crystal clear water and amazing, sandy beaches one end, great for kids. Walk along towards the lighthouse and it gets much more rugged and very rocky, making it a little more difficult getting into the water. Lovely walk from main beach to the lighthouse.

9. Playa de las Vistas

Los Cristianos, Arona, Tenerife Spain
Excellent
55%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,073 reviews

Playa de las Vistas

Reviewed By maheed - Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

Always looks inviting ,clean and ideal for everyone , plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from close by to suit all tastes and pockets , lovely on an evening for a stroll too

10. Sotavento Beach

Risco del Passo, Costa Calma, Pajara, Fuerteventura Spain
Excellent
74%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,083 reviews

Sotavento Beach

Reviewed By FilipWalraeve - Loppem, Belgium

It's a long sandy beach, more then 4 km, with a huge Laguna, which is empty at low tide. So, at low tide you can have fantastic hikes over the sandbanks. This area is luckely protect for nature. So no hotels or houses in this unique landscape shaped by the ocean and the wind. During summer time the wind can be very hard. So, not so nice for a hike, but fantastic for windsurfing and kiting.

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