Hotels near Playa de las Canteras

Playa de las Canteras runs three kilometres along the northern edge of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and a volcanic reef called La Barra lies offshore, flattening the Atlantic swell across most of its length. That reef is why families swim here in water that behaves like a lagoon while surfers work the exposed La Cicer end near the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus.

The promenade behind the sand is lined with fish restaurants, where grilled vieja with papas arrugadas runs about 14 to 18 EUR. Sunbed and parasol hire costs roughly 10 EUR a day. Snorkelling over La Barra at low tide turns up sea bream and octopus in under two metres of water. The beach itself is free and lifeguarded year round.

Pro Tip: Check the tide table before you swim. At high tide the reef submerges and the swell rolls straight in, while two hours either side of low tide gives the calmest and clearest water.