Maspalomas

Whether you're sitting on a sand dune with the lighthouse silhouetted by the setting sun or walking under the palm trees on Boulevard Faro, Maspalomas gets cracking sunsets almost every night. One of the best spots is the first set of dunes by the Charco de Maspalomas lagoon. You see the sun setting behind the palms and the lighthouse and also all the people walking along the shore. Most days a fishing or sailing boat goes past to create the perfect scene.

Another top spot is the newly refurbished mirador at the end of Avenida Tirajana in Playa del Inglés. Great for sitting on a step with a cold beer (BYO) and watching the dunes slowly fade to black.

Tamadaba

It's a long drive back to your accommodation, but sunset from high up on the Tamadaba massif in north-west Gran Canaria is spectacular. Sit close to the edge and you get the clearest view possible of the sun dropping behind Teide volcano.

With a bit of effort, you can camp at Tamadaba and experience the sun rising through the pine trees as well.

Amadores beach

Most people leave Amadores beach in time to get back to their hotel in time for food, but it's well worth hanging back until sunset. The cliffs light up in the warm light and the rows of parasols cast long shadows across the sand.

Best of all, you get the whole of Amadores beach to yourself.

Puerto de las Nieves

The ferry port blocks the view from the town but just walk north along the promenade for the full impact of the setting sun lighting up the west coast cliffs. You can even watch it from in the water at the natural swimming pools.

Alternatively, walk up through Agaete and watch the sunset over the flat roofs of the town and through the palm trees by the coast. The best spot to be is here.

This area gets lots more clear sunsets that everywhere else on the north coast as it's sunnier.

Puerto de Mogán

The alleys behind the marina at Puerto de Mogán run from east to west so you get the gorgeous sunset light flooding down them and lighting up the bougainvillaea archways. Then the sun sets and the sky turns a fantastic blue colour. The perfect time for a drink and then dinner by the sea.

However, the best sunset spot in town is at the far west end of the marina. Just walk up a short track from the road and you'll find a rocky shelf where people gather to play music and watch the sun go down over the ocean. 

Another option is walk to the far end of the beach and watch the sun drop behind the marina.

Pico de las Nieves

The high point: From Pico de las Nieves you see the sun drop behind Teide volcano with the silhouettes of Roque Nublo andRoque Bentaiga in the foreground. Some days the views are wiped out by mist but on others the swirling cloud lights up the sky and make the sunset a magical experience. Take layers as it can be cold this high up even during the summer.

Las Canteras

Cloudless skies aren't as guaranteed in Las Palmas as they are down south but when Las Canteras beach gets a sunset, it really puts on a show. Between the twin peaks of Galdar volcano and Teide on the horizon, surfers walking home, coconut palms tree silhouettes and the funky LED lights along the beachfront, its got to be one of the world's top urban beach spots for a sundowner.

Grab a table by a coconut palm tree, order a rum (Canarian please) and coke, and look west. Behind Tenerife and the eastern Canary islands, there's nothing except water until the Caribbean. But it has to wait for another six hours until it's time for a sunset drink. Cheers.

El Confital

It you prefer your sunsets natural then walk north along the coast from Las Canteras until you get to El Confital beach. 30 years ago it was a slum but now it's Las Palmas' pristine sunset spot. There's nothing but a wooden boardwalk and you get to watch the whole of north Gran Canaria lit up by the setting sun.

Just remember to take your own refreshment as there are no facilities at El Confital.

The Cumbres

If you're high up in Gran Canaria and looking west you get a great sunset. Good spots in the highlands include Cruz de Tejeda, Artenera and Tejeda villages and the rock platform at Roque Nublo (take a torch for the walk back down to the road). Just remember that you need to be over the spine of the island to get the sunset.

Arguineguín

The west side of Arguineguín gets clear sunset views with Tenerife up on the horizon and the bright lights of Anfi and Patalavaca in the foreground. Bag a table by the beach at Las Marañuelas beach or La Lajilla pool and enjoy south Gran Canaria's most local sunset. 

If you want a bird's-eye view, then climb up to the top of the ridge overlooking Arguineguin. The path starts at the back of Loma II.