Playa de Las Canteras

Playa de Las Canteras is the main urban beach of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, on Gran Canaria in Spain's Canary Islands, and one of the best-known city beaches in the archipelago. It stretches for roughly three kilometres along the Paseo de Las Canteras, a seafront promenade lined with cafés, restaurants and apartments. A natural reef called La Barra runs parallel to the shore a short distance out, which breaks the Atlantic swell and leaves the water inside calm and shallow, making the beach suitable for swimming and for families with children.

The sand is golden to grey and the beach is divided into sections with different characters. The northern end near La Cícer offers the best surfing conditions when the swell is up, while the central and southern parts are more sheltered. At low tide the reef becomes more visible and snorkelling is popular, with fish and other marine life visible in the clear water. The promenade is a destination in itself, with walkers, joggers and cyclists, and street performers appearing in the evenings. At the southern end the beach approaches Parque Santa Catalina, about a fifteen-minute walk away, while the northern end reaches the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus.

Lifeguards operate in daylight hours and the beach is open at all times, with free access. Visitors usually spend two to five hours here, depending on whether they swim, surf or simply walk the promenade. Mornings are quieter and weekdays outside July and August are the least crowded, while summer afternoons and weekends fill with locals and tourists. The sea can be rougher near the ends where La Barra gives less protection, so visitors are advised to follow flag signals and lifeguard instructions. Sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented in season, and the promenade is a popular place for sunset photographs looking back toward the city. Buses from central Las Palmas serve the beach regularly, making it easy to reach without a car.