28 Best Sights in Canary Islands, Spain

One of the best urban beaches in Spain is found at the northwest end of the city. Its yellow sands are flanked by a pleasant promenade that stretches more than 3 km (nearly 2 miles) from the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, in the south, where surfers congregate, to the Playa del Confital, in the north. The beach is protected by a natural volcanic reef, La Barra, which runs parallel to the shore and makes for safe swimming. Lounge chairs and sunshades can be rented year-round. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

The island's most emblematic beach and one of the most beautiful, Maspalomas has golden sand that stretches for 2¾ km (1¾ miles) along the southern tip of Gran Canaria. Behind this beach are the famous Maspalomas dunes as well as palm groves and a saltwater lagoon, which lend an air of isolation and refuge to the beach. Bathing is safe everywhere except at La Punta de Maspalomas, where currents converge. Topless bathing is acceptable, and there's a nudist area at La Cañada de la Penca. This beach is busy year-round. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: nudists; sunrise; sunset; walking.

Directly opposite Costa Teguise on the north coast of Lanzarote is perhaps the island's most breathtaking beach. Set in a natural cove, its 6 km (4 miles) of sand are flanked by spectacularly high cliffs. The riptide here makes for excellent surfing and windsurfing, and Playa de Famara is regularly used for world championships for those sports. That said, the strong currents mean swimming can be dangerous (a surfer died here in 2022). Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; surfing; walking; windsurfing.

This small, placid cove situated 12 km (7 miles) from Playa de las Américas is dwarfed by Los Gigantes, the towering cliffs nearby. Its natural black sand, striking in appearance, can be hot on the toes, so be sure to strap on some sandals. A nearby marina provides boat trips along the coast to take in the full beauty of the cliffs. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming.

The rugged coastline east of Playa Blanca has several stunning beaches, but Playa de Papagayo is considered to be the area's—if not the island's—most picturesque. This small bay with fine white sand is perfect for sunbathing as it's protected from the wind by cliffs at both ends. You have to walk along a dirt path to get here, so take suitable footwear and bottled water. Despite its remoteness, Papagayo is a busy beach, particularly in summer. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; sunrise; swimming.

This famous stretch of pure white sand rivals Corralejo for the title of best Fuerteventura beach. It extends for 6½ glorious km (4 miles)—at low tide you can walk over to neighboring beaches for 9 km (5½ miles). A sandbank that runs parallel to the beach creates a shallow lagoon that's perfect for swimming and for getting down the basics of windsurfing. Nude sunning is favored here, except directly in front of hotels—these areas are also the only place where amenities are available. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: nudists; solitude; sunrise; windsurfing.

Stretching for more than 2 km (1 mile), this is the longest beach on the island and also one of the most distinctive—the conical top of Montaña Roja (Red Mountain) lies at its southern tip. The golden sands and exemplary facilities earn it the country's "Blue Flag" rating, and the gentle waves make for safe swimming. Strong winds make it a good beach for those who want to try their hand at windsurfing. To get here, drive along the TF1 past Tenerife South Airport and take the TF64 south shortly afterward. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Part of the eight beaches making up the sands in Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos, Las Vistas has clean yellow sand and perfect bathing conditions thanks to a series of breakwalls that protect the beaches from high waves. Lounge chairs and parasols are available for rent. After sunbathing on this Blue Flag beach, take a stroll along the seafront promenade, one of the longest of its kind in Europe. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

This was the first beach on the island to receive international tourists en masse, from the 1960s on; today its golden sands are flanked by apartment blocks and hotels. The nearby port protects the beach from high winds and waves, so bathing is safe. Lounge chairs and parasols are available for rent. This is a lively beach, with frequent concerts and sporting events, and finding a space for your towel can be a challenge in the summer. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming.

Like so many of the Fuerteventura beaches, this is yet another stretch of perfect white sands. Playa Costa Calma is actually made up of three beaches, a large one flanked by two smaller ones. You can walk along all three at low tide, but don't be caught by the rising tide: the rocky outcrops between the beaches will prevent your return. Lounge chair and umbrella rental is available near the hotels. Windy conditions draw windsurfers here. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Barlovento is spectacularly unspoiled. The fact that it can be reached only by 4x4s or other heavy-duty vehicles means it receives few visitors; in low season you might well have this 6-km (4-mile) stretch practically to yourself. Take plenty of drinking water, and watch out for strong currents, especially when the wind is strong. Amenities: none. Best for: nudists; solitude; sunset; windsurfing.

Along with Barlovento next door, Playa de Cofete is one of Spain's most pristine beaches. This 14-km (9-mile) strip of golden sand faces north, making it the perfect spot for sunbathing, walking, and just getting away from it all. Currents are strong here, particularly when it's gusty, so inexperienced swimmers should skip this one. Take plenty of drinking water. Amenities: none. Best for: nudists; solitude; sunset; walking; windsurfing.

Also known as Grandes Playas, Playa de Corralejo runs about 3½ km (2 miles) south from the Tres Islas hotel to the Playa de la Barreta. Its white sands are fringed by high sand dunes on one side and the ocean and Isla de Lobos on the other, so views are magnificent. Like many Fuerteventura beaches, it's windy, so waves can be rough. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available on some parts of the beach, and nude sunbathing is common at the more remote spots. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: nudists; sunrise; walking; windsurfing.

Not far from the Jardín de Cactus, Playa de la Garita is a wide bay of crystalline water favored by surfers in winter and snorkelers in summer. Almost a kilometer (½ mile) of golden sands is safe for swimming, making this a popular spot for families. The beach gets busy in the summer but is reasonably quiet the rest of the year. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; swimming.

Sandwiched between Playa del Inglés and Playa de San Agustín, this little sandy beach is protected by a breakwall, making it a favorite with families. Small fishing boats are moored in the bay, and the seafront promenade connects the neighboring resorts. Swimming is safe. There are plenty of lounge chairs and sunshades. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming.

This is the best of Costa Teguise's several small beaches. The sands are protected from high wind and waves by the natural bay formed in the coastline. A pleasant seafront promenade takes you around the beach and into the southern stretches of the resort. Getting a spot for your towel in the summer can be a challenge, especially on weekends. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; swimming.

The co-ed "Women's Beach" is around the corner from the Maspalomas lighthouse in Meloneras. A natural beach with gray shingles and small rocks, this quiet enclave currently has no amenities, although the expansion of Meloneras, along with the construction of several high-end hotels, may change that in the future. Swimming is generally safe. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.

Santa Cruz's beach, Las Teresitas, is about 7 km (4½ miles) northeast of the city, near the town of San Andrés. The 1½ km (1 mile) of beach was created using white sand imported from the Sahara in 1973 and adorned with palms. Beachgoers in the 1970s were purportedly bitten by the occasional scorpion that had hitched a ride from Africa (they've since been eradicated). A man-made barrier runs parallel to the sands and ensures rip-tide-free bathing. Busy in the summer and on weekends, this beach is especially popular with local families. The 910 TITSA bus route connects the beach with Santa Cruz. There's a good choice of bars and restaurants, and plenty of lounge chairs for rent. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Good for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

Slightly north of Puerto del Carmen, this beach is near most of the area's development; hotels and apartments are restricted, however, to the other side of the highway, leaving the 2-km (1-mile) yellow-sand beach surprisingly pristine. Finding a spot to lay your towel can be difficult in summer. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

The long stretch of powdery white sand and safe swimming conditions make Morro Jable's beach one of the island's most emblematic. It gets busy on weekends and during the summer, and finding a space for your towel can be difficult unless you're prepared to walk a ways. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are both available. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

To the east of Maspalomas, this smaller beach consists of brown-black sand and some rocks. The promenade has lush vegetation nearby, making it one of the most picturesque on the island. This is a quieter beach than Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés. Bathing is safe in calm conditions, but watch out for strong currents when the waves get up. Lounge chairs and sunshades line the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; walking.

Powdery black sand is the main draw at this urban beach with a boardwalk, which is pleasant to walk or jog along. When the ocean is calm and the weather is slightly overcast (which makes the sand less likely to singe your toes!), it's an idyllic spot to relax and swim. There's a playground for kids. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free). Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

On the northwest side of the island, this beach has a castle that once repelled pirates. The small stretch of white sand is rather isolated and is popular with locals. The beach is backed by dramatic ocher cliffs, and the sea tends to be rough. Amenities: none. Best for: nudists; solitude; sunset; windsurfing.

Rivaling Maspalomas for popularity, Playa del Inglés has a lot going for it, including partying at the beach bars, sports, competitions, and concerts. There are nearly 3 km (2 miles) of golden sands, flanked by a pleasant seafront promenade that's great for early-morning and evening strolls. Swimming is generally safe, although windy conditions can create waves—it's a favorite spot with surfers. Lounge chairs and sunshades are available along the beach, and there's also a nudist area, which is signposted. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: nudists; partiers; swimming; windsurfing.

Playa del Reducto is an attractive urban beach, ideal for relaxing after you've looked around Arrecife. It's well maintained and protected by natural reefs, so swimming is usually like swimming in a warm lake (just watch out for rocky outcrops at low tide). The beach, overlooked at the eastern end by the high-rise Arrecife Gran Hotel, is backed by a pleasant promenade that goes all the way to Puerto del Carmen. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; walking.

Puerto del Carmen's main beach is a busy strip of yellow sand that's as close as you can get to an urban beach on Lanzarote outside Arrecife. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available for rent. Backing the beach is a seafront promenade with plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants. You can take the promenade all the way to Arrecife. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming.

On this northern extension of Playa de los Pocillos, there are alternating sections of gravel and gray sand. A perpetually windy spot, this busy beach has gentle waves that are perfect for those learning to surf. Lounge chairs and beach umbrellas are available. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

Squint and you could be in the Caribbean—this long white-sand beach situated within the protected area of Papagayo has turquoise water and generally calm surf. It faces west toward Fuerteventura and the Isla de Lobos and is popular among nudists. The sandy bay provides safe swimming conditions, and the beach is cleaned regularly. Amenities are limited to a few small bars. On the way to the beach, look out for the ruins of some bunkers from World War II. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; nudists; sunset; swimming.