10 essential things to see and do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

In this article we are going to talk to you about what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, capital of the island of Gran Canaria and the province of Las Palmas. It is located in the north of Gran Canaria and is the most populated city in the Canary Islands, followed by Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with around 380.000 inhabitants. Furthermore, it is within the 10 largest cities in Spain. As we see it, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria It has to be on your list of places what to see in Gran Canaria and below we are going to show you why. Here we go!

Next, we mention everything you will find in this article with the places to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

What to do and what see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (by a local)

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria It has a lot to offer and we as locals have experienced its gradual modernization. More and more hotels are opening, new restaurants, leisure areas are being added, mobility is more sustainable, etc. Furthermore, in Las Palmas you will find unique urban beaches or with a old town with a lot of history. At the same time, we are sure that your rich gastronomic offer Will not leave you indifferent. By the way, we're starting with the local tips, points out one of the best things to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Go up to the Belvedere Terrace to have the best views of the Santa Ana Cathedral

You should also know that it is an ideal destination for outdoor shopping due to its different shopping streets and markets. Next, we make a list of all the places to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

1. Old town: Vegueta. The most beautiful thing to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Vegueta is the old part of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Much of its streets are pedestrian, so walking through Vegueta is one of the things to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria capital. In this neighborhood you have to visit the following emblematic places.

• Plaza de Santa Ana and Cathedral of Santa Ana (Cathedral of the Canary Islands)
• Columbus House-Museum
• Plaza del Espiritu Santo
• Small square and hermitage of San Antonio Abad
• Vegueta Market
• New Pilar Square
• Plaza and parish of Santo Domingo
• Important and beautiful streets: Montesdeoca, La Pelota, Colón, Los Balcones

For more information, we recommend our article on what to see in Vegueta with Much more detailed information on opening hours, prices and advice.

In any case, the most important thing you should discover about the old town of Las Palmas is the link between Christopher Columbus and the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. For example, Columbus prayed in the hermitage of San Antonio Abad during his passage through the island of Gran Canaria.

2. Free tour of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

If you want an expert to explain first-hand each of the hidden corners of the city, be sure to hire a free tour of Las Palmas (2 hours). Remember that you can climb the cathedral tower to have some Panoramic views. The entrance is 6€ per person. The reduced price for students, large families, people over 65 and Canarian residents is 4€ per person (children under 12 years old free). Hours are Monday to Friday from 10:18 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 16:00 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

3. Triana neighborhood, what to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Is one of the most beautiful parts of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Also, along with Vegueta, Triana It is one of the oldest neighborhoods. On Triana or Mayor street in Triana you will find shops of all kinds. At the same time, in the surrounding streets you will find a wide range of restaurants, bars, parks, etc. Here small traditional businesses still coexist with the most cool city. Therefore, this part of the city is a must within the different things to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

In Triana you will also find a large number of emblematic places. We recommend you go through the following:

• Gabinete literario (access to the building only for members) and the Cairasco square
• Alameda de Colon
• Pérez Galdós Theater
• Most beautiful streets: Triana, Cano and Pérez Galdós
• Pérez Galdós House-Museum (Cano Street)
• Square of Lagunetas and the mural in honor of women that have stood out throughout history
• Rodríguez Quegles Palace (Perez Galdos Street)
• San Telmo Park and his mythical kiosk.

Both in the Pérez Galdós Theater, like the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, you can enjoy the best theater, music and dance on the island.

4. Beaches of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to see

In the capital of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria there are four urban beaches. We mention them below:

✔ Las Canteras Beach, the best urban beach to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The most important and beautiful is the famous Las Canteras beach. Along the beach there is a walk that goes from the Alfredo Kraus auditorium to La Puntilla full of restaurants and places to have a drink. As we see it, Las Canteras is one of the best beaches in Gran Canaria. And the best way to get to know it is to explore it on foot from Alfredo Kraus until you reach Los Nidillos. If you can, even to Confital beach. This plan is one of the stuff what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria city. Essential!

Since you're here, you can see the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, whether to appreciate its beautiful façade or access its interior, as it has guided tours. Likewise, if you are going to spend several days in the city, you may be interested in knowing its performance program.

✔ Confital promenade and beach, places to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Since The Confital You will have spectacular views of the bay of Las Canteras and a large part of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Also, if you like sports, It has a nice boardwalk and trails for running on land. These trails take you to the neighborhood of Las Coloradas where you will undoubtedly have the best view of the capital of the island of Gran Canaria.

The bathroom in El Confital is prohibited for the quality of its waters. Even so, we believe that it is one of the places to see in the capital of Gran Canaria. We locals frequent it a lot to meet with friends, sunbathe and play sports.

✔ Las Alcaravaneras Beach

In the heart of the city we find the Las Alcaravaneras beach. The smallest of all. It is located next to the sports dock and is opposite the entrance to the port of Las Palmas. It is ideal for practicing sports such as beach volleyball, canoeing y the swimming. Many groups even come to do functional training here. At this beach a promenade begins that goes to the next urban beach. On this beach you will find a huge park in the sand, so if you are traveling as a family, write this down beach to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with children.

✔ La Laja swimming pools and beach, places to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Finally, at the other end of the city, at the access from the south, we find the La Laja beach. Unlike the previous three, This is dark sand and has several natural pools (with sea water). Without a doubt, one of the places of interest in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria if you want to appreciate local life up close. To get here there is a spectacular promenade, but it is about 10 kilometers from the center. If you can, we recommend rent a bike and come here along the lane that passes through the seaside neighborhood of San Cristóbal.

5. Fishing neighborhood of San Cristóbal, the great unknown to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Another of the places to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria It is the fishing neighborhood of San Cristóbal. It's about a fishing neighborhood that is characterized by its colorful houses and local essence. Here You will also find small beaches and pebble covesIn addition Tower of San Pedro Mártir (Castle of San Cristóbal). It is a little far from the center, so it is best to visit it by bike.

In San Cristóbal you will be able to eat good fresh fish and Canarian food in its best-known restaurants: La Cofradía de Pescadores, Miramar and Los Botes.

6. Markets and flea markets in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to see

In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria there are three main markets: Vegueta Market, Central Market and Puerto Market. Both the Vegueta market and the central one, are focused purely on the sale of fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, fish, flowers, etc.. However, The Mercado del Puerto has become a restaurant space made up of different stalls. In the past it operated the same as the rest of the city's markets.

As for markets in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, on Sundays you can visit the Crafts and Culture Market in Vegueta (next to Columbus's house. It is celebrated from 10:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. Here you can buy typical products and Canarian crafts. On the other hand, a few steps from Santa Catalina Park, the trail of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in the white park. The latter is more for buying "bargains". Check all the Gran Canaria markets in our article on this topic.

7. Shopping in Las Palmas and places to visit

Regarding purchases, We recommend the Triana neighborhood area for its beauty and offer of exclusive shops on the island. On Cano Street is one of our Favorite multi-brand stores with national and international fashion. Is Regaliz Funwear.

You also have the area of ​​the José Mesa y López Avenue where the El Corte Inglés department stores are located and the typical franchises. In addition, next to Las Canteras Beach and the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium There is the Las Arenas shopping center. Here are all the stores, including Primark. Finally, If you are interested in outlets, We recommend the Las Terrazas shopping center, on the outskirts of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

8. Museums in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to visit

If you like touring the museums of the cities you visit. Next, we help you include more on your list things to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria:

• Columbus House-Museum. Museum that deals with the history of Christopher Columbus, as well as the links between the island of Gran Canaria and America. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the capital and one of the plans to do on a Sunday in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, your entry is free this day!
• Atlantic Center of Modern Art (CAAM), Vegueta. It is the main museum of contemporary art on the island of Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands. They have a headquarters on Los Balcones street and another next to the San Antonio Abad hermitage. The Entrance is free, which is one of the plans What to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for free.

• Elder Museum, Puerto-Canteras. This museum is located a few steps from Santa Catalina Park. A place dedicated to science and technology for all ages.
• Castillo de la Luz, Martín Chirino art and thought foundation. In the Muelle de La Luz area we find this foundation in honor of the Canarian artists of the 20th century, more specifically in the Canarian sculptor Martín Chirino. The building itself is the Castillo de La Luz, built in 1494 when Gran Canaria became part of the Crown of Castile.
• Benito Pérez Galdós House-Museum, Triana. On Cano Street in the Triana neighborhood you can visit the house where the Canarian writer Benito Pérez Galdós was born and lived. It is a 19th century house.
• Canary Museum, Vegueta. At the Canarian Museum they will let you know everything you need to know how the Canarian aborigines lived.

9. Tours and best excursions in Las Palmas city

Below we detail some activities to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. In each link you will find the price and reviews from other travelers:

• Turn in Transparent kayak around Las Canteras (2 hours)
• Guided tour of the Cathedral of the Canary Islands, Plaza Santa Ana and Casa de Colón (2,5 hours)
• Guided tour of the Vegueta neighborhood and Triana street (2 hours)
• Entrance to the Poem of the Sea Aquarium, one of the best tours to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with children

10. Guided tours and the best tours from the capital

Below we mention the best tours you can do from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for discover other important areas of the island of Gran Canaria. You can't leave without visiting Roque Nublo. In each link you can access the prices and days of the tours, as well as know the reviews of other travelers:

• Guided tour by Teror, Roque Nublo and the Bandama Caldera (7,5 hours)
• Excursion to Maspalomas, Mogán and the Guayadeque Ravine (8 hours)
• Tour to Agaete Valley and its coffee plantations (7 hours)
• Excursion by maspalomas, Puerto de Mogán and Arguineguín market (8 hours)

By the way, another of the places to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 4 days or more (on the outskirts of the city), is the Canary Garden. We don't know of guided excursions up here, but if you are going to rent a car is one of places to visit if you like botany. Here you can see endemisms from Gran Canaria and the Canary archipelago in general. If you are interested, you have a complete guide by clicking on our post about it. Gran Canaria Botanical Garden.

Finally, we would like to point out that the city is called Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (singular). We do not recommend searching on Google for what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canarias with an “s” at the end or addressing the island as Gran Canarias. It makes our eyes water!

Map of tourist places to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

You can then consult the map with the main points of interest to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria so you can plan your route through the capital well.

Where to eat in Las Palmas

An important part about what to see in the capital of Gran Canaria It is also its gastronomy. We suggest that you take a look at the article on restaurants in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with our favorite places to eat in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Brief history of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was founded on June 24, 1478 when Juan Rejón, the captain of Castilla, founded Real de Las Palmas. This small corner gave rise to historic neighborhood of Vegueta. The founding center was initially formed by some houses surrounded by a small wall. On top of one of these buildings, the House of Governors, is today the famous Columbus House that we told you about before.

Today you can find the previous facade in the Montesdeoca street in the historic center of the city. Next to this tombstone there is three palm trees (three palms) identifying the exact point where the capital of Gran Canaria was founded. A guide will explain all this to you if you decide to do a walking tour of Las Palmas.

Where to stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Without a doubt, the capital is one of the best places where to stay in Gran Canaria, we recommend that you look at our recommendations for hotels in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with a selection of our favorites. Us We believe that staying in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for a couple of nights is ideal to see the essential sites. Below, we show you the best hotel in Las Palmas: the Santa Catalina hotel. It was inaugurated in 1890 (it is one of the oldest in the Canary Islands) and has a Michelin Star restaurant. If you want to see other options, we recommend taking a look at all the offers in the following link.

Video: What to see and do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria capital

We have also prepared a video for you about the places to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Here we mention the points of interest what to see in Las Palmas in one day (not counting the museums of course). Remember that you can subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss more videos about what to do on the island of Gran Canaria. And keep reading that Below we tell you more things you need to know before traveling to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

How to get around Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

the best way to visiting the capital of Gran Canaria is on foot, especially the pedestrian areas of Vegueta and Triana Street. However, it all depends on how many days you have to visit the city. If you ask us what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in one day, we recommend renting a bike to be able to get around, for example, from Plaza Santa Ana to Confital beach. Throughout the city there are SityCleta bicycles and Sityneta (scooters) to rent by time. Below we leave you a tour of Las Palmas by bike in case it helps you to visit the most notable places to see on your own.

LAS PALMAS DE GC BY BIKE

Another option is to get around by public transportation. The company that operates within the city is called Municipal buses (we do not have a metro or Cabify or Uber in Las Palmas). On the other hand, in the capital there is also the option of touristic bus that will help you get to know Las Palmas quickly.

How to get to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is approximately 25 minutes from Gran Canaria airport. The most comfortable option that many travelers choose is the private transfer. You can check the prices depending on the number of people, as well as the reviews of other users below:

There is also a direct bus from the airport to the city that drops you off at Parque Santa Catalina or Parque de San Telmo. If you have arrived in Gran Canaria by boat from another island or from the peninsula, the Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is practically within the city. On the other hand, if your boat arrives at the Port of Las Nieves (Agaete), the The shipping company includes a shuttle that drops you off at the Santa Catalina park. Finally, if you are staying in the south, bus 30 is direct from Maspalomas.

Weather in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

What date to go to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria? In our experience, any month is perfect. However, if you have the choice, we recommend the months of May and June or September and October. Because? These are the months in which the weather in Las Palmas usually has more sunny days and it is not so hot. During the months of July and August the famous donkey belly. That is, a layer of clouds that is formed thanks to the trade winds. The good thing is that thanks to this phenomenon, temperatures remain warm without rising above 30 degrees in the middle of summer. Of course, you will not see the radiant sun.

From November to April the weather is also pleasant and rarely below 17 degrees. However, it is cooler and there is a greater chance of rain. Although, the donkey belly will no longer be there and it is easier to see the sun in the city sky. The photo above was taken at Christmas.

Festivals Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

One of the parties What not to miss in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria his own the Carnivals of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which are mostly held in the surroundings of the Santa Catalina Park. In this scenario it takes place the famous Drag Gala, election of the Carnival Queen and the best murga. On the other hand, in the neighborhood of Triana and Vegueta the Carnival by day and Los Indianos. They normally take place during the month of February, everything will depend on how Easter falls. If you want to know each year's program, the ideal is to consult the tourism website of the Las Palmas City Council.

On the other hand, During the month of June, the founding festivities of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria take place.. Therefore, for approximately two weeks the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria programs a series of events and concerts for its celebration. Finally, the big party takes place on the eve of San Juan (June 23) around Las Canteras beach. Tonight residents gather on the beach and many of them even swim to the sound of fireworks.

Where to go out in Las Palmas

We don't want to go on too long here explaining where to go out in Las Palmas, but we do leave you here our post about nightclubs in Las Palmas.

Travel guides to the island of Gran Canaria

Finally, if you want to know more about the most authentic side of the island of Gran Canaria, as well as the restaurants we frequent, you cannot get the best guides on the island. In addition to saving time searching for information about places to see, you will learn first-hand advice from a resident.

Ruth González

Hello! I am Ruth, Canarian with a traveling soul. With training and experience in the tourism and digital marketing sector. In this blog I tell you all the tips you need to get to know the most authentic side of Gran Canaria on your own. I also share my travel guides to all the places in the world that I am visiting so that you can discover the destinations like a local and save time planning. In addition to traveling, I love gastronomy and sports. I run and hike in the mountains with my “dog-children” (Silver and Plata). In all these adventures my partner accompanies me, Jorge, which you will also see a lot on this blog.