The 13 Most Beautiful Beaches in the Canary Islands

What are the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands? Beaches with golden sand dunes, stretches of black volcanic sand, large coves where powerful waves crash, and sheltered inlets with calm, crystal-clear waters for swimming.

The Canary Islands offer a wide variety of beaches, perfect all year round for all types of travelers, from surfers to sunbathers.

Here are some of the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands.

Corralejo Beach, located in the northern part of Fuerteventura, is one of the most famous and captivating beaches in the Canary Islands.

This beach is part of the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park, a protected area that extends over about 2,600 hectares, where white sand dunes meet the deep turquoise of the Atlantic Ocean.

Clear, crystalline waters, combined with constant winds, make Corralejo a paradise for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and surfing enthusiasts.

On this long and wide beach, everyone will easily find a quiet spot to relax and sunbathe. Well equipped with facilities such as kiosks, restaurants, and rentals for sun loungers and umbrellas, Corralejo Beach offers a complete beach experience.

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Its proximity to the lively town of Corralejo also makes it an easily accessible beach.

Sotavento Beach is one of the most famous and spectacular beaches in Fuerteventura, located along the southeastern coast of the island.

It is an untouched stretch of white sand lapped by a crystal clear sea affected by the tides. During low tide, the sand creates picturesque dunes while high tide forms sheets of sand and small shallow saltwater pools.

The beach is 5 kilometers long, divided by its three main entrances, creating smaller Playa Risco del Paso and Playa Barca.

As the name suggests, this beach is always wind-blown and attracts hundreds of windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts.

Cofete Beach is located along the southwestern coast of Fuerteventura, in Jandia Natural Park.

It is a stretch of golden sand that extends for 2.5 kilometers and is dominated by the tall mountains of the park.

It is a scenic, wild, and unspoiled beach due to its location in the park and the sea that is almost always choppy.

Additionally, to reach it, one must travel along a winding road that branches off from the village of Morro Jable, near the Marina, and continue for 9 kilometers through the mountains.

Thus, Cofete is the least visited beach and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Fuerteventura.

In the Punta del Papagayo area, along the southern coast of the island, are the most beautiful beaches of Lanzarote: Papagayo, Mujeres, Pozo, and Puerto Muelas.

The four beaches are located in the protected area of Los Ajaches, an area of volcanic hills, and are very popular among surfers and snorkeling lovers.

The light golden sandy beaches are washed by shallow turquoise waters and protected by low cliffs.

Playa Mujeres is the largest and busiest of the four, while Playa Papagayo is a crescent-shaped cove bathed by calm, turquoise waters.

All are ideal for those seeking unspoiled nature, tranquility, and scenic beauty. To reach the beaches, which lack any services, one must travel along a very bumpy dirt road.

Playa de Las Conchas, located on La Graciosa Island, north of Lanzarote, is one of the most beautiful and remote beaches in the Canary Islands.

It features fine golden sand surrounded by a rugged volcanic landscape, with the majestic Montaña Bermeja volcano in the background. The crystalline waters, with an intense turquoise color, offer a breathtaking spectacle, although they are often characterized by strong currents and waves that can make swimming dangerous at times.

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The beach can be reached on foot in 45 minutes from the center, by bike in 20 minutes, or using a 4x4, the only permitted vehicle as the road is completely unpaved.

Playa de Las Conchas is the ideal spot for those seeking tranquility and an authentic connection with nature.

Charco de los Clicos, also known as Green Lake, is an extraordinary natural formation located on the western coast of Lanzarote.

It is the crater of an ancient volcano immersed in the Atlantic Ocean that has created this lake designated as a nature reserve.

Charco de los Clicos owes its name to the intense green color of its waters, caused by the presence of phytoplankton algae. The contrast between the green lake, the black volcanic sand of the adjacent beach, and the surrounding red and ochre rocks creates a surreal and breathtaking landscape.

Charco de los Clicos is a protected natural attraction, so swimming is prohibited. However, it's worth seeing this wonder, especially at sunset, from the scenic viewpoint of El Golfo before descending along the path that leads to the lake and the beach.

Playa del Inglés is the most touristy beach on the island. It is a sandy beach approximately 2.7 km long, lapped by turquoise waters, located in the southern part of the island.

Playa del Inglés is also known for its beach clubs and the wide variety of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

Walking along the shoreline, you can reach both Maspalomas Beach and San Agustín Beach. Nearby is San Fernando, renowned for its restaurants.

Playa de las Canteras is one of the city beaches of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and is just 5 minutes from the cruise ship port.

It is a dark sandy beach over 3 km long, protected by the La Barra reef, allowing for swimming and snorkeling in calm waters.

The southern tip, known as La Cicer, is more exposed to ocean currents and therefore frequented mainly by water sports enthusiasts.

The beach is also lined with a promenade where you can find shops, surf schools, bars, and hotels.

Playa de Las Canteras, therefore, is ideal for a beach walk around the city or for a relaxing day with children.

At the western end of the island lies Playa de Güigüí, a spectacular wild beach of black sand set between mountains and the ocean.

The beach is free and unspoiled, ideal for true nature lovers. But it is also quite difficult to reach.

You can arrive on foot after about a three-hour hike through the mountains or by boat from Mogán. Playa de Güigüí is an oasis of peace and tranquility for a few.

Playa de Las Teresitas, located north of the village of San Andrés on the northeastern coast of Tenerife, is one of the most iconic beaches on the island.

This artificial beach extends for about a kilometer and a half and is characterized by golden sand imported from the Sahara, lush palm trees, and calm turquoise waters thanks to a breakwater that protects it from the waves.

The calm sea makes Las Teresitas ideal for families and swimmers of all levels. Well served with numerous amenities such as kiosks, showers, rental areas for loungers and umbrellas, and ample parking, the beach offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for spending a day in the sun and sea just a few kilometers from the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Playa Nogales, located on the northeastern coast of La Palma, is one of the most spectacular and wild beaches on the island.

Characterized by black volcanic sand and surrounded by imposing cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic, this beach offers breathtaking scenery and a tranquil, unspoiled atmosphere.

Access to Playa Nogales requires a short but fascinating walk along a 500-meter trail through lush nature, adding a touch of adventure to the experience.

The waters are clear and cool, ideal for surfing, although strong currents require caution. Playa Nogales is perfect for those seeking silence and peace in a unique natural setting.

Small and picturesque, Playa de Verodal, located on the northwestern coast of El Hierro, stands out for its red and black volcanic sand contrasting with the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean.

Surrounded by high rocky cliffs, Playa de Verodal offers a wild and unspoiled environment, perfect for nature lovers and solitude seekers.

The waters are clear and ideal for swimming, although it is important to be cautious of strong currents and waves.

In 1634, the zero meridian passed through this exact point until it was moved to Greenwich in 1884. For this reason, El Hierro, declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, is also known as Isla del Meridiano.

Playa del Inglés, located on the southern coast of La Gomera, is characterized by volcanic black sand, which contrasts beautifully with the intense blue of the ocean.

Surrounded by cliffs and lush vegetation, Playa del Inglés offers breathtaking scenery and a peaceful atmosphere. The waters are clear and generally calm, ideal for swimming and relaxing.

Playa del Inglés was also a hippie haven in the 1970s. Today, despite being close to hotels and restaurants, it is still frequented by naturists.

The islands in the archipelago are all characterized by winds; however, certain areas tend to be more sheltered than others.

If you are looking for less windy beaches, we recommend heading to the more wind-protected beaches in the southwestern part of Gran Canaria; the same goes for the south of Tenerife.

At this link, you will find the guide to the Canary Islands climate month by month to help you choose the best time to visit.