World-renowned urban beach
The main reasons are:
Located in the heart of Las Palmas, Las Canteras is easily accessible for both locals and tourists. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy the beach without leaving the city.
Stretching approximately 3 kilometres of length, Las Canteras offers a vast expanse of golden sand and crystal-clear waters. The natural beauty of the beach, combined with its size, allows visitors to enjoy long walks by the sea.
The presence of a natural volcanic rock barrier, known as "La Barra", shields much of the beach from the waves, creating a sort of lagoon of calm and safe waters, perfect for swimming and water activities.
The waters of Las Canteras are home to a rich marine biodiversity, making it a popular spot for snorkelling and freediving. Additionally, the beach offers opportunities for surfing, paddleboarding, and other water sports.
Las Canteras boasts excellent infrastructure, including showers, toilets, access for people with reduced mobility, and sunbed and umbrella rentals. The beachfront promenade is lined with a wide range of restaurants, bars, and shops.
The subtropical climate of Las Palmas ensures pleasant temperatures all year round, with mild winters and warm summers, allowing you to enjoy the beach in any season.
Las Canteras has been awarded the Blue Flag on numerous occasions, a distinction that recognises the quality of the water, environmental management, safety, and the services offered by the beach.
The Las Canteras Promenade is a cultural and social hub, hosting events and activities throughout the year, from concerts to fairs and sports competitions.
These combined factors make Las Canteras an exceptionally attractive beach for both residents and visitors, cementing its reputation as one of the best urban beaches in the world.
Most of the beach is protected by three coral barriers known as 'La Barra'. This formation is located 250 metres from the shore and extends parallel to it for over 2 kilometres, providing shelter from the northern waves and giving the beach its unique character.
At low tide and in the absence of large waves, you can walk on it and enjoy its beauty, swim in its pools, and identify a variety of marine flora and fauna of great biological value. Additionally, the view of the beach from La Barra is spectacular!
At the same time, La Barra imposes its calm. The tranquil waters of areas protected by this coral barrier, such as the iconic 'Peña La Vieja', 'Playa Chica', or 'Playa Grande', are ideal for swimming, snorkelling, or kayaking.
Additionally, the average water temperature is 22°C in summer and 19°C in winter. This means you only need a thin wetsuit for winter swimming on days when you wish to stay in the water for a prolonged period. Otherwise, it's not necessary.
The Red Cross flags posted along the beach indicate the sea conditions.
Sea and action enthusiasts are in the right place. Playa Las Canteras offers a unique experience where relaxation and sport go hand in hand in an unparalleled natural setting.
Thanks to the shelter of 'La Barra' and the protected status of its seabed, Las Canteras is the ideal spot for snorkelling and freediving. Diving in this delicate ecosystem is a delight. Observe the wonders of nature captured by young photographer Alex Basha in Las Canteras.
We recommend visiting the La Vieja Diving Centre or Salitre Sport to explore the seabed of Las Canteras with experienced local instructors.
Additionally, thanks to the protection of 'La Barra', much of the beach forms a perfect natural pool. At low tide, it is ideal for stand-up paddleboarding and open-water swimming (we suggest replacing your swimming goggles with snorkelling ones 😉). You can take a 1.5-hour guided stand-up paddleboarding tour with Mojo Surf.
In front of the NH Canteras Hotel, you'll find numerous tennis and beach volleyball nets. We recommend Approba and La Barra Beach Volley Club to start or improve your skills in these sports.
On the other side, in the westernmost part of the beach known as 'La Cícer', the waves break powerfully, attracting surfers and bodyboarders from all over the world. Additionally, kite surfing enthusiasts are guaranteed an adrenaline rush on the windiest days.
La Cícer offers a wide range of local schools where you can learn or improve your style, or even rent equipment. Some of them are: Mojo Surf, Ocean Side and Brisa Surf.
Additionally, La Cícer is the only part of the beach where beach football is allowed. Particularly on Saturday and Sunday morning during low tide, matches are organised and everyone is welcome to join.
Lastly, for running enthusiasts, Las Canteras and its surroundings offer plenty of options. If you plan to run along the Paseo de Las Canteras, we recommend doing so before 10am.
In the surroundings of Las Canteras, you can find tapas bars, seafood restaurants, pizzerias, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Mexican cuisine, as well as healthy and vegetarian food options, cafes, ice cream parlours, and numerous nightlife spots.
When you book with us, you'll have access to our highly-rated 'Recommendations Guide', regularly updated with our favorite options, free from commercial bias, and categorised into restaurants, cocktails, rooftops, cafes, brunch spots, co-working spaces, activities, rental services, points of interest, beaches, etc.
Located in the heart of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Canteras Beach offers a wide range of services, most within walking distance from the beach:
These services, combined with the natural environment and favorable climate of Las Canteras, make the beach not only an excellent place for leisure and sports, but also a cultural and social hub within the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
At each and every LIVING LAS CANTERAS HOMES accommodation, you will find two snorkel masks with tubes, a beach umbrella, and two beach chairs, all free of charge, for you to use at the beach.
Moreover, in our esteemed 'Recommendations Guide', you'll discover exclusive discounts and promotions at numerous establishments.
You will receive more detailed information upon booking your stay at any of our properties on our website www.livinglascanteras.com.
