Playa del Inglés: Europe's Most Famous Beach

The vast Playa del Inglés beach in Gran Canaria The vast Playa del Inglés beach in Gran Canaria

Playa del Inglés must be Europe's busiest and most famous beach; its three kilometres of sand are packed every day and it gets millions of bums on sand each year.

You might expect a beach this busy to be claustrophobic, but Playa del Inglés is big enough for everyone to find their own space. With Maspalomas next door (the two are actually one long beach), it's over six kilometres of sand with a vast dune system attached. The brochures call it a mini Sahara Desert, but scientists believe the whole area formed during an enormous tidal wave over 200 years ago. 

Alex says: Playa del Inglés (Englishman's Beach) is named after an English farmer who grew tomatoes where the resort is now, and transported them up the coast by camel. Mad dogs and Englishmen.

Playa del Inglés beach runs right along the front of the resort but quickly widens out into dunes as you head east. The easiest way to reach the sea is at the Annexo II strip of bars and restaurants (directly in front of the Kasbah and Plaza shopping centres).

Annexo II is also where services and facilities cluster. You can eat anything here from a Big Mac to a Chateaubriand and buy anything from a surfing trip to a fluffy camel. Or just walk past it onto the sand.  Rent jet skis and book banana boat rides (yes, they still exist) just east of Annexo II. Sunbed concessions and kiosks are dotted along the beach.

Playa del Inglés beach becomes more nudist the further you walk and as soon as you go round the corner onto Maspalomas beach it's almost completely nudist. You don't have to strip to walk along the beach, although you will get in the way of nudists heading for a swim. For more on the nudist zones of PDI and Maspalomas beaches click here.

Lex says: The sea at Playa del Inglés is almost always calm but if there are waves, it's safest to swim close to a lifeguard.

The beach and dune front promenade behind Playa del Inglés beach stretches all the way from Avenida Tirajana in central PDI to San Agustín several kilometres to the east. It's one of Gran Canaria's great resort walks, especially early in the morning. 

Park at Annexo II for direct access to Playa del Inglés beach. The main car park charges a fee, but it is convenient. Otherwise park in the resort and walk down to the beach.

 

Additional Info

  • Lifeguard: Yes
  • Calm water: Yes
  • You're sitting on: Sand
  • Sand colour: Sahara yellow
  • Looks best at: Sunrise
  • Nudist: Yes
  • Hippy rating: 5
  • Lat/Long: 27.754190, -15.567693
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  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

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