Naturist Beaches In Gran Canaria

Nudism is legal on all Gran Canaria beaches, but it’s best to stick to the areas where it’s considered acceptable. Don’t worry as there are plenty, from the Maspalomas dunes to tiny, hidden bays miles from the nearest road.

Naturist beaches in south Gran Canaria

If you fancy letting it all hang out on Gran Canaria the easy option is to head to the main beach in front of the Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés tourist resorts. To find the nudist section, simply walk from either end towards the middle and stop when you reach the naked people in front of the sand dunes. The nude area has a specific gay zone centred on snack hut 7. You can’t miss the big rainbow flag.

Nude sunbathing at Maspalomas is a bit surreal as a constant stream of fully clothed tourists (known as textiles) walk along the shore. To go for a swim you either have to put your bathers on or brave the stares. Nonetheless, the nudist area is wildly popular and there are hundreds if not thousands of nudists there every day.

For more discreet naturist beaches in Gran Canaria take a bus from Maspalomas towards Arguineguin and get off at the Montaña de Arena stop. A short walk along an old track brings you to the island’s local nude beach, set in front of a huge sand dune. Don’t go snap happy on Montaña de Arena beach as many of the locals don’t want their dangly bits turning up on the Internet. Take supplies as there are no facilities other than an occasional ice cream and drink seller.

The smaller, mostly pebble beaches between Maspalomas and Arguineguin, such as Tiritaña and Llano de los Militareslos Militares, are clothing optional. You need a car to get to them and you will have to hike down from the road. Most small or remote beaches on the island are nudist friendly. The simple rule to follow is to see what other people are doing and to tuck yourself away behind a rock if you are shy. Please be careful along this coast if the sea is rough and the tide comes in fast.

Another highly local option is Medio Almud beach just to the west of Playa del Cura. You can drive down to the beach, but it has no facilities. Arrive early to bag one of the stone circles.

Even Tasartico itself has a nice and very natural beach.

Naturist beaches in north Gran Canaria

As of October 2010, the capital city Las Palmas now has its own nudist beach. El Confital sits at the very northern tip of Las Palmas. Get there by following the boulevard which runs along Las Canteras beach as far as it goes, and then along the track and iron walkway. The nudist zone starts where the wooden boardwalk ends.

La Laja beach on the way to Las Palmas from the south is now also a de-facto nudist beach after the local government unsuccessfully sued a group of nudists there. The authorities have now said that they will not pester naked folk on La Laja beach.

The salt pans just east of El Puertillo beach are nudist but be warned that the zone is also a cruising area for the city’s gay men.

Naturist beaches in West Gran Canaria

If you get to a west Gran Canaria beach, then feel free to strip off (except for the beach in La Aldea town).

To really get away from it hike down from Tasartico to GüiGüi beach on the remote west coast of the island. The walk takes about three hours, but you’ll probably have the beach all to yourself (apart from the resident hermit). While camping is not allowed on Canarian beaches nobody checks GüiGüi because it’s so remote: Take all the water you need as there are no facilities. Another way of getting to GüiGüi is to hop on one of the boat trips out of Puerto Rico marina.

Guayedra beach, about an hour’s walk south of Puerto de las Nieves is another attractive naturist option. Guayedra is accessible from the road between Agaete and La Aldea de San Nicolas. It is a pretty, sand and pebble beach where nudism is pretty much obligatory.

Naturist hotels in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria’s hotels have cottoned on to the fact that lots of people want an all-over tan without getting sand on their dangly bits. Most large hotels now have a nude sunbathing terrace and there are even nude complexes.

The Gloria Palace Thalasso San Agustin has a rooftop terrace for nudists. The Palm Beach Hotel in Maspalomas and the Sandy Beach Hotel in Playa del Ingles have nude terraces, the latter with a jacuzzi. Both are close to the main nudist beach at Maspalomas.