Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the biggest city in the Canary Islands and, with an all-year-round warm climate, a 4km Las Canteras beach, it makes a wonderful city break or perfect day tour.
Historical Quarter
Visit Vegueta and Triana, in the old quarter and discover the Columbus House Museum, Canarian Museum, Santa Ana Square and Cathedral, then relax in the area’s fantastic cafes, tapas bars and restaurants.
Taste Gran Canaria
The Mercado del Puerto was the first fresh food market in the Canary Islands to add food stalls with ready-to-eat options, such as the Piscos & Buches stall. Mercado del Puerto’s popular terrace has become one of the city’s trendy spots for a drink after work.
Three of Gran Canaria’s five Michelin Star restaurants are in the capital. Poemas and Muxgo restaurants are located in the luxury Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel by Barceló; while Tabaiba is located by Las Canteras beach.
Where to stay
There’s an excellent choice of hotels on and around Las Canteras beach, including Bull Reina Isabel Hotel and Cristina Hotel; and charming luxury boutique hotels in the old quarter, including four by BeCordial: Los Malteses, La Perigrina, La Niña de Vegueta and Playa Mayor de Sta Ana. Also look for LIVVO LUM and Emblematic Hotels VEITIUNO and Massonet.
Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel by Barceló, is by subtropical gardens of Doramas Park, close to the historical quarter and Las Canteras beach.
Cruise Terminal
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria port receives than 500,000 cruise visitors every year. The Santa Catalina pier is located by the Shopping Centre El Muelle with several open-air bars located on the upper floors offering panoramic views. Close by is the new Aquarium Poema del Mar and the gastronomic market Mercado del Puerto.
Museo Elder is a high tech science museum, located just by Santa Catalina Square, while Las Canteras beach is within walking distance and the Old Quarter is five minutes away by taxi.
Within easy reach
The traditional residential areas of Tafira and Santa Brigida on the outskirts of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are known for vineyards, flowers and the Bandama volcano crater.
Play golf at Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas and visit a unique Finca Escudero, have lunch in a Restaurant Bodegón Vandama and visit Canarian Botanical Garden Viera & Clavijo, Spain’s biggest botanical garden. Then visit Teror, one of the oldest towns in the Canary Islands, founded in 1481.
Arucas and Agaete – Gran Canaria’s North
Drive or take transfer to the north of the island towards Arucas, to visit La ReKompensa, the unique open-air Banana Museum, with ample terraces and sea and banana plantation views.
Visit the famous Areucas Rum Distillery nearby, then head up to Arucas town and discover its beautiful cobbled streets, impressive cathedral-like church, historical buildings and botanical garden.
Continue north towards Agaete and Puerto de Las Nieves, a picturesque fishing village with seafood restaurants, craft shops and galleries, then take a dip in Agaete Natural pools. On the way back to the capital, stop by Cueva Pintada ‘Painted Cave’ Museum, one of the most important pre-Hispanic settlements in Gran Canaria.
Tips
- The sightseeing bus is a good way to get around the town • There are two main bus stations in the city, located at San Telmo Park – by the old quarter, and Santa Catalina Park – by the port area. Taxis are affordable and convenient.
- The Pueblo Canario by the Santa Catalina Hotel, hosts folklore shows on Sunday mornings. There are also folklore shows in Plaza España, close to El Corte Inglés, every other Sunday.
- Children will love the Elder Museum of Science and Technology and Poema del Mar Aquarium, both located by the port and close to Las Canteras Beach.
- The Canarian Museum houses the most complete archaeological collections in the Canary Islands.
- Try the signature Honey Rum widely available in the local eateries. The Arehuas rum factory is the oldest rum distillery in Europe, which you can visit on your day trip to the North of the Island. For more information visit www.grancanaria.com
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