With 300+ days of sunshine each year, warm temperatures that rarely dip below 68°F, and almost 1,000 miles of coastline, it’s always a good time to spend a day at the best beaches in the Canary Islands!
No matter which time of year you visit, you’ll always spot a mixture of locals and visitors basking in the glorious sunshine on the shore and splashing around in the gentle waves of the cobalt Atlantic Ocean.
The Spanish archipelago is home to more than 500 beaches, giving you more than enough to choose from during your trip. Because the islands are volcanic, many of the beaches boast striking black sand – although there are plenty of golden bays, too.
From epic coastlines perfect for windsurfing and rocky enclaves ideal for snorkeling to family-friendly beaches with perfect swimming conditions and remote shores where you’ll have the place to yourself, here are my picks for the best Canary Island beaches!
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A Local’s Guide to the Best Canary Island Beaches
1. Playa del Bajo de La Burra in Fuerteventura
The best beach in the Canary Islands if you’re looking for something a little different, Playa del Bajo de La Burra in Fuerteventura is popular because of its unique sand. Here the shore is covered in small white coral that looks just like popcorn. The rocks are scientifically known as rhodoliths and some pieces are thought to be up to 4,000 years old!
You won’t find any facilities, bars, or restaurants here – the stony nature of the beach means that people rarely hang around very long. But it’s still worth going for the chance to see such a unique landscape.
The closest resort to this beach is Corralejo, but it’s a pretty long walk. To get there faster, I suggest hopping on one of the electric scooters. You’ll get to the beach in no time and it will only cost a few euros.
2. El Verodal in El Hierro
Tucked away on the northeastern coast of El Hierro, El Verodal is one of the most captivating Canary Islands beaches. Here the sand is an otherworldly shade of ochre, lapped by stunning turquoise waters and white crashing waves. The dramatic, jagged cliffs that line the beach provide the perfect one-sided frame.
Again, there are no services or facilities at this beach. So, if you’re planning on spending some time here, make sure you take everything you’ll need with you.
I recommend visiting around sunset for the best view. At this time of day, the sun bathes the rocks and the shore in golden light, enhancing the colors so they contrast with the aquamarine of the ocean even more than usual. There are some large rocks before you drop down onto the beach that act as an excellent foreground for photos.
3. Las Teresitas in Tenerife
Most of the beaches in Tenerife (where I live) are volcanic, but Las Teresitas is one of the few exceptions. This beach boasts honey-gold sand that’s regularly imported from the Sahara Desert.
As you’re lounging on the warm sands, towering palm trees swaying above you, and the glistening ocean gently rolling in, you’ll quickly discover why many people think of the Canary Islands as the Hawaii of Europe!
Many beaches in Tenerife have fairly rough waves, but the breakwaters at Las Teresitas mean the sea here is always calm. In fact, the sea is so calm that there’s a kiosk on the beach that rents out SUP boards. It’s a great place to start out if you’ve never tried stand-up paddleboarding before.
Because of the beautiful sand, excellent swimming conditions, and great facilities, many locals think this is the best beach in the Canary Islands. And I’m inclined to agree! Instead of packing a picnic, I suggest you grab a table at La Isla Beach Club. This simple restaurant serves amazing frozen cocktails and fresh seafood.
4. Playa Las Canteras in Gran Canaria
If you want to stretch your legs, Playa Las Canteras in Gran Canaria is one of the best beaches in the Canary Islands. Located in the capital city, this huge beach stretches on for 2 miles and is lined by a promenade that’s perfect for strolling along.
This golden beach boasts a huge number of facilities, making it an excellent place to spend the day if you’ve got small children. There are kiosks with watersport equipment for hire, sun loungers and umbrellas to rent, beach bars serving food and drinks, volleyball courts, and children’s play parks.
One of my favorite things about this beach is the location. Whenever you get tired of the sun, sea, and sand, you can head into Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and check out the shops, explore the Poema del Mar aquarium, or grab something to eat. The center of the city and everything it offers is just a short walk away.
5. Playa La Tejita in Tenerife
I think Playa La Tejita in Tenerife is definitely one of the best Canary Island beaches because of Chiringuito Pirata. This small wooden shack is located just steps away from the beach and is an amazing place to hang out. Here you can sip local wine and dig into seafood caught that very morning – all for the loose change in your pocket.
If the sun is blazing, I recommend ordering a glass of “tinto de Verano.” It’s essentially a type of smooth red wine mixed with fizzy lemonade. It tastes a bit like sangria, but it’s much more refreshing after a day at the beach.
My favorite thing about the beach at Playa La Tejita is that it’s so huge you can always find a spot to yourself – no matter how busy it is. The dazzling black sand shore is around half a mile long and 350 feet wide. The waves can get pretty rough here, so take a look at the lifeguard’s flag before going in.
6. Playa de Cofete in Fuerteventura
One of the most remote Canary Islands beaches, Playa de Cofete is the perfect place to go for a desert island experience. Located on the very southern tip of Fuerteventura, this beach is almost always empty – but that’s the best thing about it.
You can walk along the beautiful golden sands, which stretch on for an incredible 7.5 miles and culminate in a large, jagged rock that sticks out into the ocean. You won’t find any services or facilities here – just peace, quiet, and tranquility.
This beach forms part of the Parque Natural Jandía, which is filled with fascinating things to see. Take a look around and you’ll discover giant sand dunes, kestrels swooping through the sky, and lizards hiding in the rocks.
If you’re a fan of photography, I suggest you seek out the viewpoint of this beach. You’ll find it just off the road on the way to the shore. Ask your travel buddy to keep a lookout. As soon as they spot the rock that sticks out into the ocean, pull over and you’ll get some incredible pictures.
7. Playa de Papagayo in Lanzarote
Playa de Papagayo is one of the most popular beaches in Lanzarote – and for good reason, too. This beach looks so perfect that it’s almost impossible to believe it’s real! Leave your car at the car park, take a short walk over the volcanic rocks, and you’ll find yourself gazing upon one of the most stunning bays you’ve ever seen in your life.
Even though Playa de Papagayo is part of the Monumento Natural de Los Ajaches, there is a small beach bar that serves food and drinks at the top of the hill. There are no sun loungers or umbrellas, so make sure you pack accordingly.
The waters here are reliably calm and clear year-round, creating the ideal conditions for snorkeling. The volcanic hills that form the bay plunge underwater and provide homes for the huge number of fish and marine life that live below the water’s surface.
8. Playa de Maspalomas in Gran Canaria
Maspalomas Beach is one of my favorite Canary Islands beaches because it has something for everyone. The long stretch of sand is best known for its dominating sand dunes (which are excellent for sandboarding!), but there’s much more to the coastline than that.
Here you can practice all kinds of watersports, including snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, and kayaking. The closer toward the lighthouse you get, the rougher the sea becomes, and the more watersport opportunities you’ll find.
This part of the beach is also home to a handful of nudist sections, which are clearly marked. If you’d rather stay out of the sea, you’ll find several volleyball courts up and down the beach, as well as play parks for the little ones.
There are plenty of beach bars where you can grab something to eat and drink, as well as a fantastic promenade that’s bursting with even more cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, and minimarkets. The promenade is always worth walking along because you’ll often spot impressive sand sculptures made by creative locals from here!
