Best Spain Beaches

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  • 61. Playa de Las Canteras // Gran Canaria

    Playa de Las Canteras
    Bengt Nyman
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Surfing

    This golden sandy beach on Gran Canaria's northeastern tip is just a few miles from the island's capital, Las Palmas.

    This place is a real hotspot for snorkellers, who flock from far and wide to check out the natural reef and the sea creatures that swim in the calm waters here. And if you fancy giving snorkelling a go but don't have your own gear, there are plenty of shops and… read more »

  • 62. Playa de Las Alcaravaneras // Gran Canaria

    Playa de Las Alcaravaneras
    Pepelopex

    Less than five minutes' drive away from Playa de las Canteras is the slightly lesser-trodden sands of Playa de las Alcaraveneras. 

    Whereas surfers and snorkellers head to the waves and reefs at its near-neighbour, this particular spot is more popular for sailing and canoeing.

    The sands are what you'd expect from a Gran Canaria beach, with a soft texture and a custard cream colour to them, while there are enough ice-cream… read more »

  • 63. Playa de Mogan // Gran Canaria

    Playa de Mogan
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Fishing
    • Swimming

    There's a best-of-both-worlds vibe to this golden crescent of sand, which is the westernmost beach on Gran Canaria's south coast. 

    The picturesque town that sits just behind the sand is a hub of whitewashed houses and narrow, cobbled streets, which are far removed from the tourist-filled spots on the island like Playa del Ingles, and far more in keeping with a traditional Spanish fishing town.

    As for the beach itself, the… read more »

  • 64. Playa de Melenara // Gran Canaria

    Playa de Melenara
    Wiki05
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    This cosy black sand beach is tucked along Gran Canaria's eastern coastline, just a 10-minute drive from the airport, and around double that to the island's capital, Las Palmas.

    It's more locals than tourists here, so you're more likely to get an authentic Canarian beach experience than you would at some of the island's busier beaches.

    In terms of facilities, they've kept things simple, which perhaps explains the lack of tourists in… read more »

  • 65. Playa de Guayedra // Gran Canaria

    Playa de Guayedra
    -

    Nestled along Gran Canaria's northwest coast, this secluded beach is as far away from the tourist trail as it gets. 

    The closest town, Agaete, is around 15 minutes' drive away, or just over an hour if you fancy the scenic walk, which takes you along the roads and down the hillside.

    Alternatively, if you are driving straight to the beach, you'll still need to park up and take a five-minute downhill stroll,… read more »

  • 66. Playa de Sardina del Norte // Gran Canaria

    Playa de Sardina del Norte
    Wolfgang Sauber
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming

    You'll find this picturesque beach in the far north of Gran Canaria, away from the hordes of tourists that flock to the busier seaside spots of Playa del Ingles and Playa de las Canteras.

    With its rugged cliffs, whitewashed buildings and soft gold sands, this place is perfect for some Insta-worthy snaps, and it has a far more traditional Spanish feel to it than some of its more popular… read more »

  • 67. Güi-Güi // Gran Canaria

    Güi-Güi
    Lexthoonen

    All but hidden by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean at high tide, at low tide Güi Güi Beach reveals a narrow stretch of dramatic sand. A rich brown-black in colour and backed by towering mountain slopes dotted with tall cacti, it lies in a remote area of the Reserva Especial Natural de Güi-Güi.

    Pronounced ‘wee wee', Güi Güi Beach can be subdivided into two sections. The first reached is… read more »

  • 68. Playa del Confital // Gran Canaria

    Playa del Confital
    Bengt Nyman
    Great for:
    • Surfing

    This laid-back spot is Gran Canaria's most northerly beach and is fairly off the beaten track. The vast majority of beachgoers who come here are locals, and it's a popular spot for sunset picnics and family barbecues.

    In terms of facilities, there aren't any, and that's how the locals like to keep it. There's a tiny town with a supermarket and a handful of restaurants that's just over five minutes' drive… read more »

  • 69. Playa Famara // Lanzarote

    Playa Famara
    Victor R. Ruiz
    Great for:
    • Surfing
    • Kitesurfing

    Playa Famara faces out into the waters of Bahia de Penedo on Lanzarote's northwest coast. Part of the Chinijo Archipelago Nature Park, it offers excellent views of La Graciosa island, which sits off Lanzarote's northern tip.

    Stretching for an incredible five kilometres, Playa Famara's yellow sands never get crowded, though in places they are mixed with ancient volcanic pebbles from the massif of rock that overlooks the shore.

    Sometimes called the Hawaii… read more »

  • 70. Playa del Jabililo // Lanzarote

    Playa del Jabililo
    Frank Vincentz
    Great for:
    • Snorkeling
    • Swimming

    A popular beach on the Costa Teguise, Playa del Jablillo occupies the western side of a cove protected by sea walls. These ensure few heavy waves make it to shore, and the resulting calm waters are ideal for both swimming and snorkelling.

    Predominantly made up of sand with some low, smooth rocks protruding through it in places, Playa del Jablillo has a family feel. Roughly 350 meters in length, most visitors… read more »

  • 71. Playa Flamingo // Lanzarote

    Playa Flamingo
    kspltj .Polen
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    This 200-metre stretch of ice white sand is pulled right up to the calm, crystal clear sea on Lanzarote's southern tip. 

    It's particularly popular with families, partly due to the breakwater in place, which helps to keep the waters calm, and partly due to the number of facilities and family-friendly amenities nearby.

    Showers and sunbeds are just a couple of the nice-to-haves you'll find at this beach, and there's a lengthy palm… read more »

  • 72. Playa Francesa // Lanzarote

    Playa Francesa
    © Lapping

    Set on the little island of – La Graciosa, Playa Francesa, or Playa de la Francesa, has a fine expanse of sand offering excellent views towards the northern coastal cliffs of Lanzarote. Split into two parts by a rock breakwater, the beach's white sand runs for a total of around 450 metres alongside turquoise waters.

    Free of facilities and amenities, visitors come to enjoy its nature, but this does require beachgoers… read more »

  • 73. Playa de los Clicos // Lanzarote

    Playa de los Clicos
    Victor R. Ruiz

    Surely one of Europe's most unusual natural spectacles, Playa de los Clicos consists of black volcanic sands backed by a lagoon of vivid green. This is in turn edged to one side by the caldera of a volcano now partially lost to the sea.

    Thankfully the green of the lagoon isn't the result of some terrible nuclear accident, but the natural algae that found the mineral-rich waters so agreeable. Part of… read more »

  • 74. Playa de los Pocillos // Lanzarote

    Playa de los Pocillos
    Katie Belle
    Great for:
    • Swimming
    • Surfing

    This laid-back Lanzarote town sits on the island's east coast, just a 15-minute stroll away from the much livelier, Puerto del Carmen.

    Unlike many other parts of the island, Playa de los Pocillos doesn't have a long history of tourism, with most of the town's development taking place in the early nineties. As a result, despite being relatively busy, it remains one of Lanzarote's lesser-trodden resorts.

    As for the beach, it's a… read more »

  • 75. Playa Chica // Lanzarote

    Playa Chica
    Frank Vincentz
    Great for:
    • Swimming

    This cosy little beach is the Southernmost in Puerto del Carmen, just along the coast from the harbour in the old town.

    It's one of the more secluded beaches you'll find in the area, and is somewhat off the beaten track compared to its bigger neighbours up the coast, like Playa Grande. It's also a pretty snug spot, which is great when it's quiet, but as a result, it doesn't… read more »