A traveler’s guide to the best beaches in the Canary Islands

Escape to the magnificent shores of the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy the holiday of a lifetime at Spain’s Canary Islands, one of the world’s most sought-after year-round travel destinations. Home to some of the most gorgeous beaches you’ll ever see, this Spanish archipelago not only features plenty of sunshine throughout the entire year but also a variety of beautiful landscapes and heavenly coastlines. The beaches in the Canary Islands are also ideal for a range of outdoor activities, whether it be trekking in their stunning nature reserves, snorkeling in their crystal-clear waters, or simply soaking in the radiant sunshine!

The Canary Islands are an incredibly rewarding travel destination for a variety of reasons—including a superb gastronomical scene that mixes both traditional and modern cuisines, several spectacular national parks that will leave you stunned with their natural beauty, and cultural attractions that include a range of architectural gems—but its wonderful beaches are definitely at the top of the list.

That’s why throughout this article we’ll be highlighting some of the beautiful in the Canary Islands along with ideal options for an accommodation near them. We hope to help you get off on the right foot in planning an unforgettable holiday.

Playa las Canteras, Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital of the Gran Canaria island and the largest city in the Canary Islands, continues to attract visitors year after year thanks, in part, to its plentiful sunshine, exceptional sea views, and its extraordinary historic legacy. It’s home to a range of architectural landmarks—many of which you can find in Vegueta, the city’s old town—and cultural attractions that include a lively annual carnival and an impressive culinary scene. The city also features a gorgeous port and numerous beautiful beaches with golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and plenty of opportunities for activities like surfing and diving. It’s the perfect destination for a memorable beach holiday.

Here are some of the best beaches you can visit during your trip to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria:

Playa de las Canteras

Playa de Las Canteras is one of the city’s most popular beaches and it will mesmerize you with its gorgeous soft, golden sand and its translucent and calm waters, which are perfect for snorkeling and swimming. This first-class beach also features a stunning 2-mile-long promenade, which is perfect for a leisurely walk and offers the chance of visiting the many fabulous restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques around it. Playa de Las Canteras is also suitable for a wide range of water sports, being particularly well-known for having excellent waves for surfing. It has a length of around 3100 meters and offers plenty of high-quality services and facilities, including parking, showers, and sports equipment.

Playa del Confital

With a length of around 180 meters, Playa del Confital is one of the best beaches in the Canary Islands where to enjoy family picnics in the sun. Featuring a mix of sand and rocks, the beach offers some stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and is a common hotspot for surfing and bodyboarding, even hosting some major world competitions. A wide boardwalk runs along the whole length of the beach, offering a fantastic place where to lie down and relax while enjoying the view. During the busiest seasons, the beach has surveillance services and first aid kits available.

Playa Los Muellitos

Playa Los Muellitos is a spectacular dark sand beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and an ideal place to catch the city’s beautiful sunsets. The beach also offers plenty of opportunities for sporting activities, such as surfing and skateboarding. Los Muellitos has a length of around 70 meters and plenty to offer in the way of services and facilities, including showers, and umbrellas, as well as a children’s area. At the end of the beach’s promenade, you’ll find a charming park where you can walk your dog and you can also visit the nearby Las Arenas shopping center.

One of the best hotels to stay at in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the NH Imperial Playa, a four-star hotel conveniently located just a 9-minute walk from Playa de Las Canteras. You can also reach Playa del Confital and Playa Los Muellitos by car from the hotel in 8 and 12 minutes, respectively. The hotel features 162 rooms with modern amenities, some of which have views of the sea, as well as a hotel restaurant with sea views. The NH Imperial Playa is also within walking distance of many local restaurants, shops, and bars. It’s a fantastic option for a relaxing holiday in the Canary Islands.

MINOR HOTELS EUROPE & AMERICAS has yet another excellent option in the area. Located just steps away (or a 1-minute walk) from Playa Las Canteras, the NH Las Palmas Playa Las Canteras is one of our beach hotels in Canary Islands. It’s also within walking distance of the popular El Muelle shopping center and Playa del Confital and Playa Los Muellitos are an 8-minute and a 14-minute drive away, respectively. The hotel also features a fully equipped gym and offers the personalized service and attention that we are known for. Do not hesitate: book a stay now and indulge in the coastal charm of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Playa del Duque, Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of all the Canary Islands and, attracting more than 6 million visitors every year, it’s also one of the most popular. It’s not hard to see why: the island boasts of having a pleasant spring-like climate throughout the entire year, some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands, a stunning volcanic scenery, plenty of eateries where modern and traditional cuisines blend exquisitely, and many luxurious resorts and hotels where to conveniently stay at. Whether you’re relaxing at one of its many tranquil beaches, exploring some of its green spaces (there’s a beautiful botanical garden in the island), or joining in on a lively cultural scene that includes an exciting yearly carnival, you are sure to be having a great time whenever you visit Tenerife.

Here’s a list with some of the best beaches in Tenerife that you can visit during your stay:

Playa de la Enramada

Playa de la Enramada is a gorgeous natural volcanic sand beach with rocks and pebbles and a relaxed atmosphere. Its crystal-clear and clean waters make it an ideal beach for swimming in or visiting with your children. It’s also very popular with surfers. Several beach bars are present throughout Playa de la Enramada, including Coqueluche which is known to offer live music on occasion. The beach is very easy to access and offers a range of services, including surveillance. It’s hard to find a better place where to relax while watching the sunset.

Playa del Duque

With its golden sand and gorgeous turquoise waters, Playa del Duque is a stunning beach and the perfect place to enjoy a day out with the whole family. It’s a fun place where to build sandcastles and its waters are very clean, making it a great choice for swimming. The beach has been awarded the Blue Fag certification and offers services and facilities including showers, surveillance points, hammocks, and umbrellas. There are several great restaurants in the area where visitors can indulge in the local cuisine as well as some of the best shops in Tenerife.

Playa la Caleta, Tenerife

Playa la Caleta

Playa La Caleta is a stunning beach with crystalline waters and it’s usually not as busy as its beauty might suggest. It features a small promenade that you can walk along while enjoying the views. With many fantastic restaurants, often specializing in seafood dishes, the area surrounding the beach enjoys a reputation as a culinary hotspot. The La Caleta beach itself is very easy to access and offers several services and convenient facilities, including showers, dressing rooms, and surveillance.

The previous three beaches are all located near the 5-star Tivoli La Caleta Tenerife Resort, a recently renewed resort with an impressive seafront location. Playa de la Enramada and Playa del Duque are within a 12-minute walk from the hotel while La Caleta is a 4-minute drive away. With its picturesque location on the spectacular Costa Adeje area, the resort offers gorgeous panoramic views of the mountains on one side and of the sea on the other. Among its luxurious facilities, the hotel counts with three fabulous outdoor pools, four restaurants, and a spa. What more could you ask for?

We leave with yet a couple more fantastic beaches in Tenerife:

Playa Valleseco

With a total length of 80 meters, Playa Valleseco is a small beach at the end of the pier of the port in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s capital. It’s very easy to access, whether you’re getting there by foot or driving, thanks to several signposts. It also features parking spots. You’ll enjoy strolling through its lovely promenade or swimming in its clear, tranquil waters. Thanks to its great location, you’ll have plenty of options for where to grab a bite or a drink after visiting Playa Valleseco.

Playa del Muerto

Playa del Muerto is a lovely beach with crystalline waters and gray pebbles. Located in between mountains, it offers truly spectacular views. It’s a fantastic beach where to go for a swim or simply relax at while feeling the gentle breeze and taking in the sun. Another bonus is that Playa del Muerto is not often crowded. It’s also very easy to reach, with a parking lot located less than 300 meters away.

Located in the center of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the NH Tenerife is a great option if you’re looking for a accommodation from where to visit these beaches. Playa Valleseco and Playa del Muerto can both be reached in under 14 minutes by car from the hotel. Additionally, this modern beach hotel in Canary Islands is just a few minutes away from the city’s main shopping street, its financial district, and the conference center. In addition, El Ático, the hotel’s terrace bar, is a perfect place where to enjoy the sunset over a few drinks.

So, what are you waiting for? Contact NH Hotels to book an accommodation and get to know the best beaches in the Canary Islands. It’ll be a well-deserved break from the monotony of daily life, refreshing you with a blast of energy. With all these gorgeous beaches and our personalized attention, we know you’ll have a fantastic holiday.