5 Canary Islands Beaches for Families

Spain’s Canary Islands are best known for the beaches, and each island has its share. But not all these beaches are good destinations for family travelers. Some of the most famous have heavy surf or steep drop-offs not safe for children, while others lack facilities family travelers look for. There are, however, quite a few family-friendly beaches in the Canary Islands.

Tenerife: Playa de Las Teresitas
Free parking, beachside restaurants and vendors, shallow water protected from ocean currents —  it’s easy to see why this white-sand beach near the capital of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a good one for families. You’ll meet more locals here than at resort beaches, and with nearly a mile of beachfront, there will always be a place to spread your blanket. You can also rent umbrellas and loungers from one of the beach clubs.

Tenerife: Playa Torviscas

Like Playa Teresitas, Torviscas is protected from high surf by a breakwater, but it’s smaller and more intimate. Behind the beach restaurants, you’ll find changing rooms and a sports center where you can rent paddleboards and even kayaks.

Gran Canaria: Playa Maspalomas
Kids will love the giant sand dunes bordering this beach on the largest island. Kids can even take camel rides when they tire of swimming. Older kids will like the availability of water sports equipment and lessons. If you arrive by car, expect a long walk from the parking lot, but you’ll find the beach worth it. Larger and with more tourist activity, nearby Playa del Ingles has closer parking and is busier, with more shops and restaurants bordering the sand.

Lanzarote: Playa Papagayo
Although less known to American travelers, the smaller island of Lanzarote has its own appeal with a dramatic volcanic landscape. At the southern end of the island, the beautiful white sands of Playa Papagayo stretch between two soaring headlands, which protect it from both wind and heavy surf. The water is shallow with a gradual slope. At the south end of the island, you can take the ferry to the neighboring island of Fuerteventura.

Gran Canaria: Playa de Maspalomas
No list of Canary Island beaches would be complete without Playa de Maspalomas. This iconic beach in Gran Canaria is famous for its expansive sand dunes, which feel like stepping into a desert. It’s ideal for sunbathing, exploring and watersports.