Playa de Amadores
The Caribbean of Gran Canaria
Easy days by the water
Playa de Amadores was built for a slow day. The sand is pale and imported, the clear water sits behind two breakwaters, and the result is one of the calmest places to swim on the south coast — which is why families and couples keep coming back to it.
The beach of the lovers
‘Amadores’ means ‘lovers’, and the name has stuck for a reason. The bay faces west, so on a clear evening the sun goes down behind the outline of Teide on Tenerife. It works just as well for families with small children.
- Blue Flag
- No surf
- Adapted access
Beach clubs and food
Amadores Beach Club
Chill-out terraces with Balinese beds, a private pool and table service. The most expensive corner of the bay.
The promenade
A row of international restaurants — Italian, grill, tapas — directly behind the sand.
Snacks and shops
Beach shops, ice cream and café-bars for something quick between swims.
Visitor information
Parking
There is limited free parking and a paid underground car park at beach level. Be warned: in June, July and August you need to arrive early to find a space at all.
Bus (guagua)
Global bus 91 / 32 / 33
From Playa del Inglés: bus 33 or 32.
Do NOT take bus 1 (77 stops, an endless ride).
From Las Palmas: bus 91.
Facilities
Toilets, showers (paid), lockers, lifeguards.
Not allowed
No dogs and no ball games.
A golden-sand beach that people built
Playa de Amadores occupies a former rocky cove turned into roughly 500 metres of pale sand. Two breakwaters shelter the bay and take most of the swell out of it. That is why it is one of the beaches in Gran Canaria that families with small children choose first, along with anyone who wants to swim in calm conditions. Restaurants, ice cream shops, small shops and beach services all sit along the pedestrian promenade.
The best thing about Amadores is the pedestrian coastal path that links it to Puerto Rico in about 15–20 minutes on foot. It is flat and paved, fine with a pushchair, and it passes viewpoints over the Atlantic that are at their best near sunset. From Puerto Rico you can carry on to the marina, where the boat trips to see dolphins leave. Doing both beaches in one day is one of the most popular plans in the south of the island.
How to organise a day at Playa de Amadores
The decision in 30 seconds
- Choose Amadores for sheltered water, small children, accessibility and an easy day.
- Look elsewhere if you want surf, wild scenery, serious snorkelling or solitude.
When to arrive and where to park
At weekends it pays to arrive before midday if you want to park without driving in circles. In summer and on public holidays, come earlier still. There are a limited number of free spaces and paid parking near the beach. Do not block accesses, ramps or loading bays: another lap of the car park is cheaper than a fine. If you are staying in Puerto Rico, the coastal path removes the car problem entirely.
Getting there from the airport
Global line 91 connects the airport with Puerto Rico and continues towards the Amadores and Playa del Cura corridor depending on the service. Check the exact stop before boarding. With luggage, bear in mind that many places to stay in Amadores are up on the hillside: a transfer or taxi can save you a hard climb even when the stop looks close on the map. The transfers guide also compares Las Palmas, Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Mogán.
What to bring for the day
The beach has restaurants and shops, so there is no need to carry a whole day's food. What you do want is high-factor sun cream, a hat, water and your own shade if you are not renting a parasol: the pale sand throws a lot of light back and free shade is scarce. Sandals and a swimsuit are enough to get in the water; there is rock near the breakwaters, but the middle of the beach is built for an easy swim.
A simple half-day plan
Arrive in the morning, pick your spot before the crowd builds and give the first hours to swimming. Eat on the promenade or bring a simple picnic. Mid-afternoon, walk the kilometre or so of path to Puerto Rico, have a drink by the marina and come back as the light softens. On clear days the sunset can show you Tenerife and Teide on the horizon.
The less perfect part
Amadores is comfortable, clean and good-looking, but it never feels wild. Restaurants take up a good part of the beachfront, prices can run higher than in the nearby towns, and at peak hours it is busy. The sea is usually sheltered, though no beach is free of wind shifts, currents or jellyfish: respect the flags and what the lifeguards tell you.
Amadores with small children
The two breakwaters take most of the usual swell out of the bay, and the beach has walkways and services, but 'calm' does not mean a child can swim unwatched. Pick a visible spot, agree a landmark on the promenade in case someone gets separated, and keep the youngest near the shoreline. On windy days, watch inflatables and lilos: they can travel fast even when the surface looks flat. The flags and the lifeguards outrank any description printed in a guide.
Swimming and snorkelling
The middle of the bay is the easiest place to swim. To see a few fish, move towards the ends and the rocks of the breakwaters — only when the sea and the signage allow it. Do not expect a reef: what Amadores is good at is a comfortable swim, not exceptional underwater life. Wear something on your feet if you enter over rock, stay out of areas marked for boats and do not feed the fish. If snorkelling is the main event for you, compare the other coves in the south-west.
Budget: where the money goes
Getting onto the beach is free. The cost appears when you add up parking, a sunbed, a parasol, paid showers or lockers, drinks and food with a sea view. A family can keep it in check by bringing water, fruit and their own shade, and renting only one of the services. Read the menu and the extras before you sit down; a spot facing the sand shows up in a lot of prices. Puerto Rico, a short walk away, has more supermarkets and more places to eat.
Accessibility: confirm the service on the day
Official tourist information lists walkways, adapted chairs and bathing assistance for people with reduced mobility. What is actually available can depend on the season, the time of day, staffing and the state of the sea, so confirm before you travel if a service is essential to you. The path to Puerto Rico is paved, but the approach to an individual hotel or apartment may add a gradient. For a door-to-door transfer, tell the operator what kind of assistance or space you need, not only that a passenger has reduced mobility.
What is nearby without moving the car
The walk to Puerto Rico is the natural extension of the day. Once there you can look round the marina, join a dolphin and whale watching trip or carry on into the shopping area. If you would rather stay in Amadores, save the sunset for the promenade and head back before dark if you do not know the path. For another day, Puerto de Mogán, Arguineguín and the Maspalomas dunes look nothing like this.
Common mistakes
- Arriving at midday on a weekend and expecting to park next to the sand.
- Underestimating the sun because there is a breeze by the water.
- Treating the first stop in Puerto Rico as if every apartment were on the flat.
- Promising spectacular snorkelling when the real advantage is a sheltered swim.
- Leaving it to the last minute to request a child seat or an adapted vehicle.
Facilities and accessibility checked against the official Gran Canaria tourist board site. Transport reviewed on 2 August 2026.
Reviewed by Enrique Medina
Local author, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Frequently asked questions about Playa de Amadores
Is Playa de Amadores artificial?
Yes. It was built on a former rocky cove and the golden sand was brought in. Two breakwaters shelter the bay and cut the swell, which is one reason it usually feels comfortable for swimming with children. Even so, always go by the flag and the signage on the day.
How do you get from Puerto Rico to Amadores?
On foot. A flat, paved pedestrian coastal path links the two beaches in about 15–20 minutes, passing viewpoints over the sea. It is fine with a pushchair. You can also drive or take a taxi in a few minutes.
Are there sunbeds and parasols to rent?
Yes. Paid sunbeds and parasols are available on the sand (around €5–7 per sunbed per day). You will also find toilets, paid showers, lockers and lifeguards. In summer, arrive early to be sure of a spot.
Is it good for diving or snorkelling?
The water is very calm and clear, which makes it ideal for swimming. For snorkelling, the best areas are along the rocks of the breakwater, where some fish gather. The seabed is not especially rich, but it is safe and works well for beginners and children.
When is the best time for the sunset?
Amadores faces west, so the sunset is worth staying for all year round, with the outline of Teide on Tenerife behind it on clear days. In summer the sun sets around 21:00 and in winter around 18:15. The beach clubs and bars on the promenade are a good place to watch it.
Can you go with children and wheelchairs?
Yes. It is one of the most accessible beaches in the south: Blue Flag, water without waves, adapted access for people with reduced mobility and a lifeguard service. Dogs and ball games are not allowed on the sand.
Keep exploring the south of Gran Canaria:
Gallery
Looking for a different beach? Compare all the beaches of Gran Canaria by swell, wind and facilities.