In Greek mythology there was a place where virtuous souls went. It was called the Fortunate Isles, and according to historians, it corresponded to the islands we know today as the Canary Islands.
Today we want to take you to some of its most outstanding coastal areas, getting to know the best beaches of the Canary Islands, one for each island. Let’s go there!
1- Las Conchas Beach, La Graciosa
We begin our tour of the best Canarian beaches on the smallest island of all, La Graciosa. And you may ask, since when has La Graciosa been considered an island? Well, it was in June 2008 when the Senate approved a motion that considered La Graciosa as the eighth island.
But let’s get to the point, and that is that an essential place to visit is the beach of Las Conchas. To get there you have to go on foot or by bike to the northwest of the island, 5 kilometers from Caleta de Sebo, the island’s main population center.
There you will find a completely unspoilt landscape where you will not see a single building. The tranquility of the 610-meter-long beach of Las Conchas is unequaled.
You can lie on the yellow sand, dive into the turquoise waters (as long as there are not too many waves) or simply admire the incredible scenery of the beach. You can also slip on your Havaianas flip-flops and take a stroll along this paradise on earth.
2- Papagayo Beach, Lanzarote
We now come to the neighbouring town of La Graciosa, Lanzarote. On this island the volcanic nature of the Canary Islands is felt more than anywhere else, as evidenced by the Timanfaya National Park, where there are more than 25 volcanoes.
In terms of coastline, the best beach on Lanzarote is Papagayo.
Located in the south of the island, it is 120 metres long and only 50 metres wide, so it is considered a small beach.
The most impressive thing about it is neither the crystal clear water nor the fine yellow sand, but the landscape formed by the cliffs that enclose it to form a small bay.
The beach appears to tourists as a haven of peace, where you can go to relax, alternating between lying on a towel and going into the Atlantic Ocean to cool off.
It should be noted that this beach is part of an even larger group of beaches, also called Papagayo beaches.
In its list there are other very famous beaches in the south of Lanzarote such as Playa Mujeres, Playa de la Cruz or Playa Puerto Muelas, which we can also visit to complement our protagonist.
3- Sotavento Beach, Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is home to some of the best beaches in the Canary Islands. It is very difficult to choose just one, but the one we have chosen for you is one of the most spectacular.
Sotavento beach is located in the south of Fuerteventura, on the Jandía peninsula. Its yellow sand stretches for more than a kilometre. It is the perfect place to look for a remote corner where you can have the beach practically to yourself. Around Sotavento you won’t see any buildings that hide the landscape.
Sotavento also impresses with its landscape. When the tide goes out, a sand bar can be seen just beyond the shore, forming a small lagoon where a swim is a must.
Its name is no coincidence, as the beach is also perfect for sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing. You’ll see kites and sails everywhere in the water.
If you’re going for a walk on the beach, in our accessories section you’ll find everything you need to enjoy a great day at the beach.
4- Las Canteras Beach, Gran Canaria
The only urban beach on our list is Las Canteras, a yellow sandy beach in the north of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Elected this year 2022 as one of the best beaches in Europe according to the Tripadvisor platform, it is a must-see on the island of Gran Canaria.
With a length of 3 kilometres, in its waters we can take a refreshing swim while admiring a seafront avenue brimming with life.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants where you can eat or have a drink after a day at the beach.
If you are going to visit this beach, don’t forget to bring sandals so that you can alternate between strolling along the beach and enjoying the terraces in the area.
One of the most popular sports in Las Canteras is surfing. You’ll see dozens of boards in the water, with people of all levels waiting for the next wave. Very close to the Alfredo Kraus auditorium is the perfect spot to watch the surfers in action.
On the sand you can play beach volleyball, catch some of the sunshine that is often present in these latitudes or just sit and watch the Atlantic Ocean.
We can also enjoy all kinds of games on the beach. And all this just a few metres from one of the most iconic cities of the Canary Islands, where the offer is extended with places like Vegueta or Triana.
This beach is also famous for being an ideal place to run on the beach.
5- Benijo Beach, Tenerife
If a moment ago we were in the city, we would move on to one of the wildest beaches in the Canary Islands. And we also change sand, as yellow turns to black on the western islands.
On the island of Tenerife, if there is one beach that offers a unique landscape, it is Benijo. Located very close to the village of Taganana, in the northwest of the island, reaching it is a real privilege.
You will cross the Anaga massif, an area of lush laurel forests and large mountains that in just a few hundred metres turn into beaches.
In Benijo you have to be very careful when bathing, as the waters in the north of the island tend to have a strong current and waves. Nevertheless, many Tenerife locals come here to spend an unbeatable day of leisure on the sand.
But if there is one thing Benijo beach lends itself to, it is photography. It is not unusual to see large cameras pointing from the black sand towards the rock that rises imposingly in front of the coast. In the distance, also impressive, are the famous rocks of Anaga, symbol of this particular area of the island.
6- Playa del Inglés, La Gomera
We arrive at the third smallest island of the archipelago. La Gomera and its ravines offer unique viewpoints, where we can appreciate the volcanic origin of the islands.
From there we move on to the Garajonay National Park, where the vegetation covers the central area forming a forest that looks like something out of a fairy tale.
But we are talking about the best beaches in the Canary Islands, and to get to know one of them we must go down from the peaks to the village of Valle Gran Rey.
There you will find the Playa del Inglés beach, a black sandy redoubt where bathing is a unique experience.
So as not to take you by surprise, you should know that this is a nudist beach, which is mainly frequented by Germans. Valle Gran Rey is the Little Germany of the island of La Gomera.
Just behind it rises the cliff of La Merica, more than 700 metres above sea level, but very close to the sea. Being located in the west of the island, the best thing to do is to wait for sunset to see the sun set directly into the sea.
7- Los Nogales Beach, La Palma
LLa Palma is known as the beautiful island. Perhaps because of its mountains, its laurel forests, its volcanoes or, why not, its beaches.
The most recommended beach on the island is Nogales, located in the east of the island, next to the town of Puntallana. Its black sand stretches for more than 450 metres, and is perfect for spending some time away from civilization. It is ideal to lay out your beach towel and parasol and unwind.
Access to the beach is tricky. You have to walk down steep cliffs, which, despite the difficulty of the descent, look spectacular once you reach the beach.
The possibility of surfing on this beach becomes a reality on days when the sea is rougher. On the other hand, if the sea is calm, we can go swimming or snorkelling to discover the marine life that lives in these Atlantic waters.
After bathing, we can do many activities, as La Palma offers an almost unlimited range of activities. The Roque de los Muchachos, where some of the most important telescopes in the world are located; the Taburiente caldera and its trails; or the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, a very interesting historic town.
8- Verodal Beach, El Hierro
We finish our list on the westernmost island of the Canary Islands. And being the westernmost, we also go to its westernmost point, to visit the Verodal beach.
There the sand changes colour again. This time it is red, which is surprising at first sight. This tone is given by the volcanic rock that we find behind us, as the beach is located in front of large cliffs.
Care must be taken when bathing on this beach, as its location means that the currents are strong.
El Verodal is one of the best beaches in the Canary Islands to enjoy a unique environment, in what was once considered the end of the known world. Nothing beyond iron was discovered until 1492, when Columbus arrived with his caravels to America.
This is how we end our list of Canarian beaches, hoping that on your next holiday you will be able to visit some of them.
