Las Canteras Beach: The Best City Beach In The World?

Las Canteras: The world's best urban beach Las Canteras: The world's best urban beach

Some people say that Las Canteras is one of the top city beaches in Europe. We say it's number one. In fact, we'll go further and say that Las Canteras deserves to be at the top of any "best city beaches in the world" list.

Really?

Las Canteras beach sunsetYes, it's that good. Nowhere else in Europe can compete for one simple reason: Winter and beaches just don't mix.
 
Barcelona has lovely beaches, so do Dubrovnik, San Sebastian, Lisbon, Copenhagen and Marbella. But how many people sunbathe on them in February? Las Palmas city is over 20ºC every day of the year and gets glorious sunny days right through the winter. 
 
If you factor in the calm, clear water behind the reef, the golden sand, the year-round surfing at the south end, the snorkelling and the beachfront promenade where you can eat lunch in a t-shirt almost every day, then there's no doubt.
 
Las Canteras beach is the best city beach in Europe. But it's not really Europe is it?
 

But it's not really Europe is it?

 
Geographically the Canary Islands are south of mainland Europe but live here and can tell you that this is definitely Europe. Gran Canaria is two hours flight from Madrid and has all the services you'd expect from a European destination. 
 

Ok. Best in Europe. But best in the world?

 

Las Canteras beach north endStill yes. And here's why ...

Las Palmas city has the world's most pleasant climate. That' official, according to Syracuse University study that compared it to 600 cities around the world. Las Palmas gets more pleasant days of weather than anywhere else on Earth and doesn't get the air pollution of other big cities with beaches.

It's actually right in the middle of Las Palmas city rather than on the outskirts like many rival urban beaches. You walk down the street and there it is right by the shops, bars and restaurants that you want next to your urban sand.

Las Canteras is huge: With over 3.5km of sand it's big enough for everyone to sit down and enjoy the sunshine. It also has a long promenade right by the sand rather than a road. Las Canteras is big enough to still feel wild and natural even though it's right in the city. 

As well as being enormous, Las Canteras is varied enough to appeal to everyone: The south end has no reef and gets surfable waves almost every day. There're board rental, surf schools and surf hostels right by the beach and no need for buses or parking. The north end is sheltered by an offshore lava reef so it's calm with clear water. There's plenty of sand and lots of coconut palms for shade.

Las Canteras beach palm treesLas Palmas takes its biodiversity seriously. The beachfront lights were recently replaced with LEDs to stop them shining into the water at night. The water between the reef and the beach is teeming with fish and the snorkelling is fantastic. 

Las Canteras is a safe beach in a safe city: It doesn't have dangerous rip tides, has never had a shark attack and theft and nuisances are rare. There are no sandflies or pesky bugs and Gran Canaria doesn't get hurricanes.

It's a world beach: Las Palmas is a Spanish city but with heavy South American influences. It's more salsa that sangria. The city also has a huge diversity of communities from all over the world and you get food from everywhere. Just on the beachfront there are restaurants from Peru, Lebanon, China, Italy and Korea. Within one street from the beach, you can eat at restaurants offering over 30 national cuisines

Additional Info

  • Lifeguard: Yes
  • Calm water: Yes
  • You're sitting on: Sand
  • Sand colour: Sahara yellow
  • Looks best at: Sunset
  • Nudist: No
  • Hippy rating: 4

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  • How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer
    How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer

    Gran Canaria's hotels have to be licensed and offer a quality level of service as well as having insurance and complying with fire regulations. The same goes for the boats that take people out to watch dolphins, the companies offering jeep safaris, and even the holiday let apartments. 

    However, not everybody in Gran Canaria follows the rules. For example, there is a significant industry running illegal and uninsured transfers between Gran Canaria airport and the island's resorts. These cars, driven by locals and foreign-residents, are just private vehicles and the drivers are unregulated and uninsured. They don't pay tax and there is no way to hold them responsible if something goes wrong. 

     At Gran Canaria Info we believe that all people and all companies offering services to tourists should legal and above board.

    So, how do you know that your airport transfer service is legal and registered with the Gran Canaria authorities?

     Using legal Gran Canaria airport transfers

    It is quite easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following...

     A blue license plate: Taxis and other public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.

    A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.

    An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public. 

    Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park of the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your transfer driver therefore should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the aiport. 

    How to spot an unlicensed transfer service

    Unlicensed drivers get away with offerring their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign (just like any member of the public can).

    However, they also have to park their car in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter. A licensed transfer driver does not need to do this because they have their own parking zone right by arrivals.

    Some unlicensed drivers don't even wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognise them and get annoyed. Instead they have to stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks). 

    When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free. 

    An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car). 

    What's the problem with unlicensed airport transfers?

    Some people use unlicensed cars because they are the cheapest option and don't realise that they are unlicensed. 

    There are several problems with unlicensed services. The most obvious is that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they cut corners (hopefully not literally). You have no way of even knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.

    Another problem is that unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the island economy.

    We believe that everybody in Gran Canaria deserves better!

    Gran Canaria Airport Transfer Services

    To find out more about the Gran Canaria airport transfer, see our Gran Canaria airport transfer article which explains the three different models; man/woman from pub with car, online transfer websites, and local transfer services.

    Or you can book a legitimate Gran Canaria airport transfer at a great price right here. Our service uses local drivers and supprts the island economy because all the money you spend stays in Gran Canaria.

    Alex Says: Using our service also helps the Gran Canaria Info team to keep providing quality local information here and in our Facebook Group

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