Balito Beach Holidays

Balito Beach is proof that good things come in small packages. In this case, the package is particularly tiny – there’s not much more than a strip of sand and a seafront hotel here. What that means is one of the most chilled-out holiday spots in the whole of Gran Canaria. The focus is fully on winding down on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, with nothing to distract you but the volcanic hills that rise and fall inland.

The beach here’s a peaceful little cove, with coastal trails peeling off towards neighbouring Los Caideros. The route takes about 15 minutes to walk, and leads to a cluster of sea-facing restaurants and hillside apartments. Anfi Beach curves around the foot of the hill – this sweep’s smothered in dove-white sand, so it stands out from the island’s usual volcanic bays.

It’s easy to pop to Balito Beach’s closest companions – one of the nearest is Puerto Rico, a five-minute drive along the coastline. This place might have a similar postcode to Balito Beach, but it’s in a different ball park when it comes to size. Valley-like slopes are crammed with hotels and villas, and the basin-style bottom goes big on its tally of bars and restaurants. A huge beach occupies the shoreline, and there’s a marina which specialises in boat trips and watersports.