In the north of Gran Canaria, you’ll find several natural swimming pools. Most of them are well-maintained, with safety barriers, ladders and often even lifeguards on duty. Charco de Las Palomas, however, is completely different. Here, you’ll discover naturally formed pools in the flatter parts of the rocky coastline. Charco de Las Palomas is slightly off the beaten path; you won’t just stumble upon it and signage is limited. You really need to know it’s there and go looking for it. You could say these natural pools in northern Gran Canaria are still relatively unknown hidden gems.
Where is Charco de Las Palomas?
Charco de Las Palomas is located in the north of Gran Canaria, to the east of the more well-known natural pools of Los Charcones De Bañaderos. The pools are clearly marked on Google Maps. The GC-2 road runs right nearby and if you take the correct exit, it’s just a few minutes’ drive to reach Charco de Las Palomas.
The charm of Charco de Las Palomas natural pools
Charco de Las Palomas is a wonderful place to relax, especially at the end of the day. The light is beautiful as the sun begins to set, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape. There are several natural pools and whether or not they’re suitable for swimming depends on the weather conditions, the season and the tides. The furthest pool is the largest and deepest and this is where you’ll likely find the most people during the high season.
Most beautiful natural swimming pools in Gran Canaria?
It’s a lovely spot to explore, especially if you enjoy photography. There are plenty of beautiful corners and spots where you can capture stunning images from different perspectives. Caution is advised when descending from the road to the natural pools of Charco de Las Palomas, as it’s quite steep. In dry weather, the rocks offer good grip, but I can imagine it could get slippery when it rains.
Parking at Charco de Las Palomas
Parking at Charco de Las Palomas can be a challenge. There’s a small parking lot that fits around 10 cars. During our visit, however, it was filled with campervans. I can’t blame them, as it’s such a beautiful spot to camp so close to the coast! Smaller cars can be parked along the road, which eventually dead-ends. Whether this is allowed, I’m not sure, so be aware that you could get a fine. It’s park at your own risk, so to speak. 🙂
Other natural pools in the north of Gran Canaria
If you want to visit different natural pools in the north of Gran Canaria, Los Charcones De Bañaderos is very close to Charco de Las Palomas. These two are perfect for combining. I’d recommend visiting both at the end of the day for the best light, with Charco de Las Palomas last. Earlier in the day, you could head to Agaete Piscina Natural. Don’t forget to enjoy the stunning view over Playa de las Nieves in Agaete — it’s like stepping into Hawaii!
Piscina Del Barranquillo Del Vino is a more secluded natural pool, so it’s lovely and quiet. Not far from here, you’ll find the more well-known Piscinas de Punta de Gáldar, which offers a beautiful spot when the weather is calm. Further east is the larger Piscina Natural de Emiliano. Continuing along the coast to the east, you’ll come across the beautiful Roque Prieto pools. Lastly, there’s Charco de San Lorenzo and Piscina Natural El Altillo, before reaching Los Charcones De Bañaderos and Charco de Las Palomas further east. As you can see, you can easily fill your days with swimming in the north of Gran Canaria!
What to see and do near Charco de Las Palomas
If you’re driving to Charco de Las Palomas from Agaete, you can take a detour to visit the unique Cenobio de Valerón. You might expect to find ancient cave dwellings at this site, but in reality, it was created around 500 years ago to store grains and other foodstuffs. To the north, there are also several charming mountain villages worth visiting, such as Firgas with its beautiful water fountains, Arucas with its dark-colored church and the pilgrimage site of Teror. Each of these is highly recommended!
Discover Gran Canaria with a rental car
Of course, you’ll be exploring all these beautiful, natural swimming pools with your best friend on this vacation: your rental car. It’s important to rent a car with good insurance coverage. Make sure the policy includes everything, so you’re covered for any mishaps. For instance, if you accidentally cause damage, having the right insurance will ensure you’re reimbursed for your excess. It’s such a comforting feeling to get into the car and explore a country. Especially when you find yourself on exciting roads, like those in the interior of Gran Canaria. Or the GC-200, where you will find the amazing Mirador del Balcón.
Where to stay in Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria isn’t very large. You can drive from the north to the south of the island in about half an hour via the highway on the eastern side. So, you could easily explore the island from one accommodation. However, if you prefer to stay in different places, you might find my personal experiences helpful, which you can read about in this article on beautiful accommodations in Gran Canaria’s inland. Of course, there are many more accommodations to discover on the island and it’s a pleasure to browse through the options!
