Playa del Confital

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 away, or the busy port town of La Isleta is about the same time in the opposite direction if you need supplies.

As for the beach itself, it’s a mix of sand and rocks, and it’s pretty exposed to the full force of the Alantic Ocean, which makes it a hotspot for bodyboarding and surfing, with surfers even having international competitions here from time to time.

Another thing to bear in mind is that lots of the locals like to strip off completely here, so don’t be surprised to see plenty of flesh on show. Generally speaking, the nudists tend to congregate at the rockier end of the beach, where it’s officially nudist-friendly, however you may see some nudists dotted along the sands too.