13 Best things to do in Arguineguin & Places to stay - Gran Canaria

Read our travel guide for Arguineguín, if you are planning a holiday in this area of Gran Canaria. Arguineguín is an ideal destination for people who want a relaxing and quiet holiday, away from the noisy bars and clubs.

Arguineguín is one of the largest towns in the south of Gran Canaria, with a local feel and a lot quieter compared to the popular resorts of Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, or Playa del Ingles.

Most of the places to stay for tourists are on the seaside of the GC-500 road (it's the main road that crosses through Arguineguín) and the rest of the town is actually the part where the residents live, since this is mostly a residential area, not so much a tourist area.

Is Arguineguín a good place to stay in Gran Canaria?

For people like us, Arguineguin is actually the best place to stay in the south of Gran Canaria.

We spent two weeks in Arguineguin in January 2022, after spending more than a month in Las Palmas, and Arguineguin was definitely our favorite place in the south of Gran Canaria.

While we were there Playa de Arguineguin was undergoing a major renovation and the construction works should be over by the end of 2022, so the town will soon have a new and attractive beach beside the current Playa Las Maranuelas.

Where to stay in Arguineguin

There aren't that many hotels in Arguineguin, since like we said, the area is very quiet compared to the resorts. This means that most of the places you'll find for accommodation in Arguineguin will be private apartments, although we would recommend that if you plan to rent a car while you're there, you should look for a place that has its own private parking.

What to do in Arguineguín, Gran Canaria

Arguineguín can be a good base if you plan to explore more of Gran Canaria.

With easy access to the GC-1 Autopista, Arguineguín is a good place to stay if you want to go out to explore all day long, and then return home to a quiet town, where you can rest and relax.

1. Playa Las Marañuelas

One of the main beaches in Arguineguin, from where you can admire lovely sunsets.

There are no showers on the beach and although there is parking along the entire promenade, it is not easy to find a place. The sea is usually quite calm and good for swimming.

When we visited in January there were almost no people on this beach during the day, so if you want to have a beach all to yourself this one is a good choice.

There are lots of bars nearby and across the street from the beach, there's a nice all-you-can-eat restaurant, Restaurante El Marino, which serves fresh food cooked on the spot (not buffet style). We've had some lovely dinners at this restaurant while admiring the sunset, so it's a nice place to have lunch or dinner in Arguineguin after you spend your time at Playa Las Marañuelas.

Sunbeds and umbrellas cost  3.5€ each in February 2022.

2. Playa de Arguineguín

Playa de Arguineguin is currently being improved and there is construction work going on in the area, which should be finished towards the end of 2022. 

After seeing the plans and how the beach should look when the works are done, I'm sure that this beach will become one of the main points of attraction on the coast of Arguineguin.

This beach is located very close to where the Arguineguín market is held on Tuesdays.

From Playa Arguineguín you can admire beautiful sunsets, and on days with high visibility, you can even see Mount Teide in Tenerife.

3. Boat trip to see the dolphins

Climb aboard a spacious speedboat in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria, and then head for the open ocean to look for dolphins, whales and other animals in their natural environment.

• Dolphin watching cruises
• Luxury catamaran cruises
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

4. La Lajilla (Costa Alegre) beach

La Lajilla (Costa Alegre) beach is our favorite beach in Arguineguin since it's like a natural pool protected from the waves and the ocean currents, so it's safe to swim here and it's a great beach for families with kids. 

This beach was actually very popular among families with small children holidaying in Arguineguin, as it's very safe and sheltered and since we visited Gran Canaria in winter, we actually thought that the water was warmer here than at Playa de Anfi for example.

BULL Hotel - Hotel Dorado Beach & Spa is located only a few steps away from this lovely beach and it's actually one of the most popular hotels in the area.

There are showers on the beach and also sunbeds and umbrellas at Playa de La Lajilla. 

Prices at La Lahilla beach in Arguineguin (valid in February 2022):

• sunbed - 3.5€
• umbrella - 3.5€
• sunbed + umbrella - 7€
• 2 sunbeds + umbrella - 10.5€

5. Playa Santa Agueda

Beautiful beach, clean and not very popular (although during some months, especially during summertime, it can get quite busy).

Despite the nearby cement factory, the place is a quiet and pleasant alternative to the most popular beaches. Free parking is a few meters from the beach, but not always easy to find a place.

You also have a good restaurant right on the beach, so you can spend the entire day here since there's an option for drinks and lunch during your stay.

6. Go on a snorkeling trip

Get acquainted with the diverse marine life of Gran Canaria on a three-hour snorkeling excursion.

Learn how to use your equipment and dive in for a guided snorkeling experience during which your guide will lead to the best spots, pointing out and identifying the local marine life. You will be in the water for approximately 1 hour. The total excursion time from start to finish is 3 hours.

• Includes pickup from Mogan, Puerto Rico, and Arguineguin.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
• Reserve now & pay later to book your spot without any charges today.

7. Arguineguin Market

• When: on Tuesdays

The market in Arguineguin is happening each Tuesday and it's the typical market in the Canary Islands (if you've ever been to one before, you know what to expect). 

The market is actually comprised of the same vendors and stalls that travel all around the island on different days, so if you're staying in Arguineguin it's better to go here on Tuesday, as there's no reason to travel to some other town since you will most likely see the same stuff there are well.

Travel tips: Best time to visit Gran Canaria

8. Playa La Carrera

A small and undeveloped beach, not among the most popular beaches in Gran Canaria.

If you want a secluded place, away from the crowds, Playa La Carrera might be for you.

9. Coastal walk to Anfi del Mar beach

From Arguineguin, it's easy to get to Anfi, one of the best beaches in Gran Canaria, extremely popular and extremely beautiful (it's popular for a very good reason).

At Anfi del Mar you'll find all the amenities of an urban beach: sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, and lifeguards on site. It's a really popular beach in the south of Gran Canaria, with clear water which is ideal for swimming.

10. Spend the day at the beach in Patalavaca

Patalavaca is only a short stroll away, so you can simply walk there on a day during your stay. It took us around 20 minutes walking along the coastline from our apartment in Arguineguin to get to Patalavaca.

Spend a day on the beach and try some of the many local bars and restaurants - what more can you wish for during a relaxing holiday in Gran Canaria? 

Gran Canaria or Tenerife? Which island to choose?

11. Watch the sunset in Arguineguin

Admiring the sunset was really one of our favorite activities in Arguineguin and we consider it to be an attraction in itself for Arguineguin. 

The view and colors look so magical and special and there are lots of angles and spots for photographers to take really beautiful shots of the sunset. 

We would go as far as to name Arguineguin of the best places to watch the sunset in Gran Canaria!

Short trips from Arguineguin

12. Spend the day exploring the amazing Maspalomas Dunes

For us, no visit to Gran Canaria would be complete without a day spent exploring the Maspalomas Dunes. This is an iconic spot in Gran Canaria and you'll even see the dunes on many of the postcards picturing the island.

It's one of the amazing landscapes in the Canary Islands, similar only to the Corralejo dunes in Fuerteventura.

Walk on the dunes, spend some time on Maspalomas beach and watch the sunset from the lighthouse, followed by a dinner at one of the restaurants on the promenade. Sound like a pretty full and perfect day to spend in Gran Canaria! Plus, the dunes are only a short drive away (or a short trip with one of the local buses).

13. Spend a day in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is another gem in the south of Gran Canaria and home to one of the best beaches on the island.

It's easy to get to Puerto Rico from Arguineguin by using public buses, or you can drive there if you decide to rent a car. Located only 6 km away, a ride there shouldn't take you more than 10 - 15 minutes each way.

Puerto Rico is lively and busy at most times of the year, so you'll find plenty of things to do in there, as well as many good restaurants and bars.