Sardina del Norte · Gáldar, Gran Canaria

Playa de Sardina del Norte

Everything you need to know before you go: Getting there, parking, prices, best time.

Last checked: September 2026

Does it cost anything?No, freePublic beach with no ticket, no gate and no closing time.

How do I get there?GC-202 or bus 401About 15 min from Gáldar. Bus 401 hourly, stop 160 m away.Where do I park?Avenue, 170 mAbout 110 spaces along the avenue down to the beach.When is it best?Summer middayLifeguards 12:00–20:00 in summer 2025. Weekends are busy.

The beach below the village of Sardina, seen from the rocks at its southern end — Photo: Rebexho, License: CC BY-SA 4.0

An 80-metre strip of sand in the harbour bay of Sardina del Norte, the fishing village of Gáldar. Houses climb the cliff above it, boats lie at the pier next to it, and divers go into the water a few metres away.

Straight talk

What to know before you go.

It is small. Eighty metres of sand and a village above it that comes down to swim. On summer weekends the beach and the avenue fill up; on weekdays it is much quieter.
A working harbour. Fishing boats, a slipway and in summer a floating pier for boats and jet skis are right next to the sand. Stay out of the marked boat lanes; swimming there is banned.
The north coast can turn rough. The bay is sheltered by the harbour wall, but the island's tourist board describes this coast as often battered by trade winds and strong surf. The town itself rates the beach as windy with moderate waves.

Getting there

Sardina del Norte lies on the northwest coast below Gáldar. The GC-202 winds down from the town to the harbour and ends at the beach.

By car

From Gáldar

~15 min

From Agaete

~25 min

From Las Palmas

~45 min

From the airport

~1 h

01Take the GC-2 from Las Palmas towards Agaete and leave at Gáldar.
02Follow the signs for Sardina del Norte onto the GC-202 and drive down to the coast.
03At the bottom the road becomes the Avenida Alcalde Antonio Rosas. Park along it, ideally at the lower end.
04From there it is a short walk down to the sand.

The Avenida Alcalde Antonio Rosas is one-way. If the spaces there are taken, use the ones further up the hill instead of stopping at the harbour.

Route to the car park

Public transport

Line 401 from Gáldar
Every day from Gáldar bus station (bay 7) at half past the hour, 08:30 to 22:30, plus early runs. It ends at the Playa de Sardina stop, about 160 m from the sand.
Back to Gáldar
The 401 leaves Playa de Sardina roughly on the hour, the last one at 23:00. At weekends there are fewer morning runs. On weekdays the 402 also stops here on its way back.
From Las Palmas
Take the 105 (hourly) or the 100 (direct) to Gáldar bus station and change there to the 401.

Check before you go

Lifeguards fly green (swimming allowed), yellow (caution) or red (no swimming). During coastal warnings the Canary Islands government says to stay away from the sea. AEMET's beach forecast for Sardina shows waves and water temperature.

Parking & arriving

Avenida Alcalde Antonio Rosas

~110 spaces · €0

The town kept about 110 spaces along the avenue when it was rebuilt in 2026. The car parks at the lower end are about 170 m from the sand and free according to OpenStreetMap.

Further up the hill

OpenStreetMap shows street-side parking near the health centre and Bar Miguelín, 550–700 m up the road towards Gáldar.

On site

A small bay of golden-brown sand between the seawall, the rocks and the fishing pier. People swim, snorkel and dive here, and eat fish at the bars right above the beach.

Time there: ~2–4 h
Walk from car park: ~200 m from the car park on the avenue, down steps or by lift
Toilets: Public toilets adapted for wheelchairs, plus showers and foot showers
Food & drink: A restaurant and several bars directly above the sand
Wheelchair: Lift down to the beach, an amphibious chair, and since 2026 a crane for divers with reduced mobility
Dogs: Not allowed on the beach or in the water, except assistance dogs

When is it worth it?

The beach is open around the clock. Tap a time of day.

00–12Before 12:00

Quieter, but no lifeguards yet.

12–2012:00–20:00★ Recommended

Lifeguards on duty in summer; the flag on the mast shows the state of the sea.

20–24Evening

Unguarded. The bay opens to the west, so the sun goes down over the sea.

Lifeguard hours from the press for summer 2025; the town has not published the 2026 hours. Crowds from visitor reports.

Jun – mid Oct

Official bathing season with regular water samples.

Nov – May

Outside the bathing season. The town does not say whether lifeguards are on duty then.

Forecast

Open full forecast ↗

Facts

Size: Source: Town of Gáldar · 09/2026; 80 m long, 40 m wide, sand
Blue Flag: Source: Town of Gáldar · 06/2026; 2026, the tenth year in a row
Water quality: Source: EEA · 09/2026; EU rating excellent every season 2019–2024
Bathing season: Source: EEA · 09/2026; 1 June to 15 October (official, 2024)
Lifeguards: Source: Canarias7 · 08/2025; 2025 daily 12:00–20:00
Bus: Source: Global · 09/2026; 401 from Gáldar daily, hourly at :30 from 08:30 to 22:30; stop Playa de Sardina (262000)
Parking: Source: Town of Gáldar · 09/2026; About 110 spaces on the Avenida Alcalde Antonio Rosas
Rules: Source: Town of Gáldar · 09/2026; No animals, no smoking on the sand or in the water, no fires or barbecues, no reserving spots with empty towels or umbrellas
Diving: Source: Town of Gáldar · 09/2026; Shore entry and exit only at the Muelle Fyffes
Fines: Source: Town of Gáldar · 09/2026; Minor offences up to €300
Protected area: Source: Town of Gáldar · 09/2026; ZEC Costa de Sardina del Norte (Natura 2000)
Emergency: Source: Town of Gáldar · 09/2026; 112