These pools of crystal-clear water lie in that undefined territory between the mainland and the open ocean, at a spot where you can enjoy a swim in complete safety, with the sensation of touching the Atlantic with your fingertips. The area has been developed to allow you to enter and exit the pools with ease and sunbathe like the red crabs, either on the flat ground or seated on some rocky ledge, feeling as though you’re on your very own throne in the heart of nature. 

Boundaries fade away in the natural pools of Agaete. The sky is reflected in the water and the sunlight penetrates it, revealing the fish swimming beside us or the hermit crab dragging its shell across the submerged rock. Further out, the Cola de Dragón stretches all the way to La Aldea in a breathtaking succession of cliffs, slopes, ravines and mountains across which our gaze wanders.

The swimming opportunities in Agaete, however, are by no means limited to these inviting natural pools. If we take the Paseo de los Poetas, we reach Puerto de Las Nieves and its white houses by the sea. The town’s beach is another example of subtlety. Not one of the stones or pebbles that make up the beach is the same as another. Each has a shade, a colour, a shape or a mark that sets it apart. If you pick up a wet one and hold it in your hands, the sun reveals a surprising wealth of hues. 

Just a few metres away, on the promenade, life bustles on the restaurant terraces, where the air is filled with the aroma of fresh fish brought ashore by the colourful fishing boats coming and going from the harbour. There is something miraculous about this part of the island, where the riches of the sea meet those of the inland. In the nearby and almost wondrous Agaete Valley, coffee plants grow amongst mango, guava, avocado and papaya trees.

But let’s return to the coastline that concerns us today… Agaete Beach invites you to make yourself comfortable on one of its sides, where wooden platforms have been set up, perfect for watching sunsets or closing your eyes, as well as for chatting or simply sitting in silence. 

Here, the steps lead directly to the sea, as do those at the stone harbour, which also marks the boundary between Playa de las Nieves and Playa del Muelle, the beach closest to the cliff. The ocean dominates the scene and brings to the shore the words of one of the poets immortalised in the sculpture on the promenade, Saulo Torón: “Para saciar mi espíritu tengo que ver el mar…” [“To satisfy my spirit, I must see the sea…”] This phrase perhaps sums up what Agaete is all about: precisely the place where our spirit is sated by shades of blue, stillness and the sea.  

What shouldn’t you miss when visiting Agaete?

Which beaches and natural pools should you visit in Agaete?
Agaete boasts a variety of places to enjoy all that the sea has to offer, from natural pools to beaches located near Puerto de Las Nieves and at other points along its coastline. The three natural pools of Las Salinas are among the municipality’s most popular places for a swim. Around Puerto de Las Nieves, you will also find Playa de Las Nieves and Playa del Muelle.

What is there to see and do in Puerto de Las Nieves?
Puerto de Las Nieves is one of Agaete’s most iconic spots, with its whitewashed houses, fishing boats, beaches, natural pools and seafront promenade. 
Views of the cliffs and crags along the northern coast complete this unique seaside setting. Its terraces also offer the chance to enjoy the local cuisine, including fresh fish and other local produce.

What are the main places to visit in Agaete? 
Within just a few kilometres, Agaete brings together the sea, nature, agriculture, local cuisine and heritage. As well as its beaches and natural pools, it is well worth exploring Puerto de Las Nieves and the Valle de Agaete, with its coffee plantations, tropical fruit and farmland. You can also stroll through the historic centre, and visit the pre-Hispanic necropolis of Maipés de Agaete and the Huerto de las Flores.