At 60 m long and 15 m wide, pretty El Roquete Beach in Gran Canaria is surrounded by cliffs and is part of Gáldar, a lovely village in the north of the island. Gáldar is 27 km from Las Palmas, which is famous for its important archaeological sites and Museum of Sacred Art. El Roquete is an isolated beach so it’s normally quiet; it doesn’t have a seafront promenade and the sea is usually calm, although there is always some wind here that causes moderate swells.
El Roquete (Gran Canaria) is close to Sardina Beach, which has had the Blue Flag since 2018, and Agujero Beach, another of the best beaches nearby.
Impressive El Roquete Beach has black, volcanic sand, crystal clear waters and an incredible seabed that makes it the perfect spot for scuba diving and snorkelling fans. There is also a beach bar on the beach and restaurants nearby where you can enjoy local food.
Surprisingly, the name ‘Gáldar’ comes from the word the island’s ancient inhabitants used to call the settlement that once existed here, where the modern city was later built.
- El Roquete Beach and its natural surroundings
- The beach and its facilities
- Beach activities
- Where to eat near El Roquete
- What to see nearby
- Where to stay in Gran Canaria
El Roquete Beach and its natural surroundings
El Roquete Beach is in a natural setting that has been practically untouched by man. Protected by soaring cliff walls, it’s a small, peaceful beach that can be reached along the GC-202, the nearest road.
Remember that nudism isn’t permitted on El Roquete Beach and it doesn’t have Blue Flag status because it has barely any facilities. However, there is an unsupervised car park near the beach.
The beach and its facilities
El Roquete Beach in Gran Canaria has very few facilities. In fact, this stretch of sand is a protected space, so if you’d like to fish here you need to keep an eye on the times it’s used by swimmers to avoid any possible accidents.
El Roquete doesn’t have disabled access and the nearest hospital is Doctor Negrín, which is 42 km away. Puerto de las Nieves in Gáldar is the nearest port to El Roquete Beach.
Beach activities
Surfing isn’t allowed on El Roquete but it’s the perfect place to go snorkelling and scuba diving because the water is exceptionally clear and the seabed has a wealth of marine flora and fauna. Don’t forget to bring everything with you that you need when you visit El Roquete and to be vigilant because there is no lifeguard service and few facilities
Where to eat near El Roquete
There are some great restaurants near El Roquete where you can enjoy local food. Try El Rincón de Marcos, which specialises in dishes with watercress; or Marmita – Parador de Cruz de Tejeda where you can sample regional dishes in a smart atmosphere. Gáldar also has a wide variety of restaurants where you can enjoy a lunch or dinner of typical Canary Islands food. Popular spots include La Bodeguita de Cá Juancri, which has a lovely terrace; Mirey Taberna & Grill, which serves fantastic cachopos (fried breaded veal fillets with ham and cheese) and stuffed mushrooms; and La Trastienda de Chago, where dishes are created from first-class local produce, such as their tomato salad with chopped onion in dressing. Other restaurants that are also worth visiting are Encurtidos Antequera, La Pizarra, Come y Caña, Sandwichería La Semilla and Alcori.
What to see nearby
After you’ve visited the lovely town of Gáldar and fallen in love with the ancient architecture of its old town, there are plenty more things to do in the area around El Roquete. Take a trip to neighbouring Sardina del Norte Beach, a Blue Flag beach that is one of the most beautiful in Gran Canaria. And don’t forget that the Way of St James of Gran Canaria starts at Maspalomas Lighthouse and ends at the church of Santiago in Gáldar old town. This pilgrim trail is 65 km long and is usually completed in three stages.
Where to stay in Gran Canaria
The best option for your stay on Gran Canaria is accommodation that will allow you to enjoy your stay on the island to the full. You’ll love any one of the three hotels we’re recommending here because they’re high quality and great value for money. They are:
Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel. This emblematic hotel with a long history is in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel opened in 1890 and since then has been the meeting point for social life in the city. Its 204 elegant and luxurious rooms have welcomed a number of illustrious figures from the last century, who have left their mark here. This exclusive hotel with its classic style will leave you with memories to treasure for many years to come.
Occidental Las Palmas. This cutting-edge, urban four-star hotel is in the heart of Las Palmas between Parque Doramas and the Marina. The Occidental Las Palmas has 70 guest rooms offering views of either the Atlantic or Jardín de Palmeras park. One of the hotel’s most outstanding facilities is the Stage Roof Top, perfect for relaxing or sipping a cool drink while enjoying the finest panoramic views of the city. It’s the perfect accommodation for an unforgettable holiday on the island.
Occidental Margaritas. This four-star hotel is in Playa del Inglés, one of the island’s main tourism areas. It has 489 rooms and apartments designed to make your stay unforgettable. The Occidental Margaritas is fully equipped with all the facilities you could possible need: two swimming pools, an entertainment programme, tennis court, gym and new, open-air CrossFit box with a personal trainer. It also has all-inclusive packages for guests who want to enjoy its variety of food options. The Occidental Margaritas is perfect for families, couples and friends who want to enjoy the sun and beach on their holiday to Gran Canaria.
