Playa de Las Alcaravaneras

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 stalls and snack shacks nearby to keep you fed and watered for the day.

Beach volleyball and football are popular pastimes here, and there’s a playground on the sand for kids, but if you’re looking for sunbeds and parasols then you’ll have to make do with the sand, as you won’t find any here. 

Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months though, and there are public showers and toilets, plus an altogether quieter vibe than many of Gran Canaria’s more popular beaches, but if you’re looking for a raft of facilities then you’re better off heading over to Playa de las Canteras.

Another word to the wise - this beach is the closest to Las Palmas’ port, so instead of sea views for as far as the eye can see, there are dockyards and boats on the horizon, but on the flip side you might just see a celeb or two on the multi-million pound yachts that glide past.