Playa de Mogan

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 surrounding cliffs not only provide a nice bit of shelter for the bay, they also add to the stunning scenery. It’s not all about postcard-worthy snaps here though - on the practical side, there are plenty of places to eat and drink plus loads of laidback water activities to get stuck into, such as kayaks and pedalos, all of which make this a popular spot with tourists.

Perhaps best of all though is the snorkelling and diving scene here. There are lots of different types of fish swimming in these waters, and the crystal clear colour makes them easy to spot through your goggles. And if you fancy venturing out a little further, you can take a trip out on a deep sea fishing boat and catch big tunas and marlins.