Las Canteras Beach, Las Palmas

Las Canteras is the city beach that Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is proud of. A long curve of sand runs along the north-west side of the city, protected by a natural barrier of stone and coral reef that lies just offshore and softens the Atlantic swell. The reef gives the water an unusually calm, swimmable character along much of the beach and makes the seabed interesting for snorkellers. Behind the sand a wide promenade is lined with cafés, restaurants and shops, and the whole stretch is open to everyone without a ticket. It is a place for a morning swim, a seafront stroll and a long lunch, and it is also the easiest way to add a beach day to a city break.

Check flags and lifeguard information before swimming, and ask locals about the tide on the day.\n\nWhat to do: swimming, paddling and snorkelling along the reef are the main activities. Walking the promenade is a pleasure at any time of day, and sunset is a popular moment.

Cafés and seafood restaurants line the route, and the Santa Catalina area at the southern end has the city's nightlife and the hotel district. The Poema del Mar aquarium is a short walk from the southern end of the beach, so a swim and an aquarium visit combine well.\n\nPractical tips: the beach is easy to reach by bus and taxi from the airport and from Vegueta, and several city hotels stand directly on it.

Bring sun cream and a hat, as the sun is strong all year, and bring a towel because sun beds and umbrellas are paid extras in places.

Because the city is cooler and sometimes cloudier than the south in winter, the beach is at its best on warm, clear days, though the promenade is pleasant whatever the weather.\n\nGood to know: take care of valuables on the sand, keep to the supervised areas for swimming and respect any marked zones.

The beach pairs naturally with an old-town morning in Vegueta and works as a relaxing reward after museums and walking.\n\nWhy it works: it is rare for a capital city to have a beach this good within walking distance of hotels, restaurants and sights, and the reef-sheltered water makes it more welcoming than many exposed Atlantic beaches.

It suits a short city break where you want a swim without a long transfer south. Compare it with Maspalomas for the dunes and wide beaches of the holiday coast, or combine both on a trip that splits time between the capital and the south. If you are staying in the south and want a taste of the capital, a day trip that combines Las Canteras with Vegueta and the aquarium is easy to arrange by bus, taxi or hire car, and it shows the city's relaxed, local side.

Evening is the other great time here, when families and joggers share the promenade and the cafés fill up as the light turns gold.