Would you like to enjoy a getaway to somewhere different? Playa de la Laja in Gran Canaria has a strong volcanic character, and here you can enjoy its wide stretch of dark sand, crystal-clear waters and beautiful natural pools.
Playa de la Laja is not very popular among tourists who visit the Canary Island, as they usually choose better-known places such as Las Canteras Beach. However, La Laja in Gran Canaria has a unique charm that is well worth exploring, especially if you enjoy surfing.
How to Get to Playa de la Laja
Playa de la Laja is located at the southern entrance to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, just 3 km from the centre of the island’s capital.
To get there by car, you need to take the GC-1 motorway. Depending on the direction you are travelling in, you may or may not need to take a turn-off. If you are travelling north to south, you should follow the turn-off on the right towards Tres Palmas, Pedro Hidalgo and continue along the parallel route until you reach the La Laja car park.
However, if your route is south to north on the same GC-1 motorway, you will not need to take any turn-off, as you will arrive directly at the car park of the semi-urban beach of La Laja in Gran Canaria.
Natural Pools in La Laja, Gran Canaria
One of the main attractions of Playa de la Laja is its three natural pools, located on a rocky stretch of coastline next to the 1,200-metre-long sandy area. The natural pools of La Laja in Gran Canaria are the following:
- North Pool: it is only 0.70 m deep, making it the shallowest, with a surface area of just 366.370 m². Ideal for families with children.
- South Pool: it has an intermediate surface area of 388.43 m² and is only 1.40 metres deep, perfect for a refreshing dip.
- Central Pool: this is the largest of the three, with 608.23 m² and a depth of 1.40 metres.
In these three natural pools at Playa de la Laja, children under 8 years old are not allowed access without being accompanied by an adult. Its fine brown sand and waters with strong waves are part of its natural appeal, which you should not miss.
What Other Services Are Available at La Laja in Gran Canaria?
In addition to the natural pools, La Laja offers other services that make this place a true urban beach worth visiting during a trip. The most basic services include public toilets, parking, pedestrian access, a watchtower, basic first aid and conservation work.
However, some of these services are not maintained throughout the year, such as the Red Cross safety and lifeguard service, which is only available on the beach during the summer, from July to September.
In addition, since 2012, La Laja in Gran Canaria has had 6 different moorings located in the northern part of the beach, with 6 buoys of approximately 50 cm in diameter, and recreational boats of up to 12 metres in length are allowed.
What Sports Can You Do at Playa de la Laja?
The strong waves at Playa de la Laja make it ideal for surfing. Several professional surfers gather in its waters throughout the year to enjoy this wonderful sport. Along with fishing, these are the main sports you can practise in the waters of this surprising natural bay.
If you are looking for a beach with perfect waves and fewer tourists, La Laja in Gran Canaria is a perfect alternative for surfing and disconnecting. Its waves can be quite high, so we recommend caution if you are a beginner or do not have much experience in this sport.
Regeneration of Playa de la Laja
Playa de la Laja has strong waves throughout the year, which, combined with the fact that it has fewer services than other urban beaches in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, such as Las Canteras or Las Alcaravaneras, made it, until a few years ago, a less attractive place for the island’s residents.
However, in recent years, the Ministry of the Environment and other public institutions have carried out important regeneration work on Playa de la Laja in order to improve the coastline of this area, beautify it and make it much more attractive. For this reason, experts carry out a weekly sanitary analysis of the water and sand, seeking to maintain optimal conditions at La Laja at all times.
If you are planning to visit Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and discover lesser-known places such as Playa de la Laja, staying in the south of the island will allow you to combine visits to the capital with tourist beaches, excursions and activities during your holiday.
The Lopesan hotels in Gran Canaria, located in Meloneras, Maspalomas, San Agustín and Playa del Inglés, are an excellent option for enjoying the island and exploring some of the most interesting places in Gran Canaria during your stay.
