In this post we are going to talk about the things to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, capital of Gran Canaria island and the province of Las Palmas. It is located northeast of Gran Canaria and is the most populated city of the Canary Islands with around 380,000 inhabitants. In addition, it is among the 10 largest cities in Spain. If you come to Gran Canaria, you have to visit Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. For us it is a mandatory stop and we will show it to you next.
Things to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has much to offer, from spectacular urban beaches, to an old town with a lot of history. In addition, its wide and varied gastronomic offer will not leave you indifferent. In the same way, it is an ideal destination for shopping due to its wide range of outdoor shopping areas, markets and shopping centers. Next, we make a list of everything you should visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
1. Old town: Vegueta
Vegueta is the old part of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Many of its streets are pedestrians, so a walk on foot through Vegueta is one of the things to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Here you have to visit the Plaza de Santa Ana, the Canary Islands Cathedral, the Colon House-Museum, the Espíritu Santo square, the hermitage of San Antonio Abad, etc. We recommend our post about 10 things to see and do in Vegueta for more information.
Anyway, the most important thing to discover in your visit is the link between Christopher Columbus and the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. And, specifically, in this area of the city.
2. Beaches of Las Palmas de GC
In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria there are four urban beaches. We mention them below:
✔ Las Canteras beach
The most important and incredible one is the famous beach of Las Canteras. Along it there is a promenade that goes from the Alfredo Kraus auditorium to La Puntilla full of restaurants. In the previous link you can you can have a look at all the relevant information about it. As we see it, it is one of the best beaches of Gran Canaria.
✔ El Confital beach and promenade
From El Confital you will have spectacular views of Las Canteras and part of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Also, if you like sports, it has a beautiful wooden walk and mountains to run by land.
✔ Las Alcaravaneras beach
In the heart of the city we find the beach of Las Alcaravaneras. The smallest one in Las Palmas de G.C. It is located next to the sports marina and in front of the entrance to the port of Las Palmas. So we would not recommend it so much for swimming. More for sunbathing or playing sports. More than anything because sometimes there are petrol and oil stains on the shore. Something normal, considering its location.
✔ La Laja beach
Last, at the other side of the city, in the access from the south, we find La Laja beach. Unlike the previous three, this is dark sand and has several pools with sea water. To get here there is a spectacular sea promenade, but there are about 10 kilometers from the city center. Better by bike in the lane that is enabled.
3. Triana neighborhood
It is one of the most beautiful parts of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Also, together with Vegueta, Triana is one of the oldest neighborhoods. Here you will find shops of all kinds in its different pedestrian streets, restaurants, bars, parks, etc. So that, this part of the city is a must within the different things of what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
In Triana you have to visit the Gabinete Literario, the Pérez Galdós Theater, the Calle Mayor de Triana, the Cano street, the Pérez Galdós street, the Benito Pérez Galdós House-Museum, the Rodríguez Quegles Palace, the San Telmo Park, etc. If you are around Triana during lunch or dinner time, this post concerning the best places to eat in Triana might interest you.
4. San Cristóbal neighborhood
You still need tips about what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria? Other place is the fishermen’s district of San Cristóbal. It is a fisher’s district that is characterized by its colorful houses and local essence. Here there are also small beaches and stone coves, but without surveillance. In San Cristóbal you will find a wide range of fish restaurants.
5. Markets in Las Palmas de GC
In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria there are 3 main markets: Vegueta market, Central market and the Port Market. Both the Vegueta market and the central market are focused purely on the sale of fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, fish, flowers, etc. However, the Port Market (Mercado del Puerto) has become a space of restoration composed of different stalls. A few time ago it operated like the rest of the markets in the city.
6. Shopping in Las Palmas de GC
Concerning to shopping, we recommend the area of Triana for its beauty and offer exclusive shops on the island. We love Cano street and some of their shops, such us Regaliz Funwear.
You also have the area of Avenida José Mesa y López where El Corte Inglés department store and other stores are concentrated. In addition, there is next to Las Canteras Beach a large shopping center, Las Arenas. Here are all the shops you will find wherever you travel, including Primark. Finally, if you are interested in the outlets, in the outskirts of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria you should visit the Las Terrazas shopping center.
7. Museums in Las Palmas de GC
If you are one of the travelers who loves culture and likes to visit the museums of the cities you visit, we will mention the most important ones:
- House-Museum of Christopher Columbus. It is the house where Christopher Columbus lived during his time in the Canary Islands. Currently it is a museum that deals with the history of the Admiral, as well as the links between Gran Canaria and America.
- Canary Museum, Vegueta. Here they will let you know everything you need to know how the Canarian aborigines lived.
- Atlantic Center of Modern Art (CAAM museum), Vegueta. It is the main museum of contemporary art on the island and the Canary Islands.
- Museum Elder, Puerto-Canteras. This is the reference museum of science and technology on the island.
- House-Museum Pérez Galdós, 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 house from the XIX century.
8. Places to eat in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
An important part of what to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also what or where to eat 🙂 We suggest you to have a look at our 10 favorite restaurants in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Moreover, you can check the ones that we would recommend you in Las Canteras beach.
9. Hotels in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Without any doubt, one of the best places to stay in Gran Canaria is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Do your search for hotels in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria now and stay where the local life is!
10. Video: things to do in Las Palmas de GC
We have also prepared a video of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with everything you can not miss in the city and that you can do in a day. Remember that you can activate the English subtitles and join our YouTube channel to enjoy more videos about things to do in Gran Canaria.
Other info about Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
✔ Best dates to visit Las Palmas de GC
The best dates to visit the city are during the months of May and June or September and October. Why? Well, because they are the months when the weather is usually sunnier and it is not very hot. During the months of July and August, the famous donkey belly settles in the city. That is, a layer of clouds that forms thanks to the trade winds. From November to April the weather is also pleasant, never below 17 degrees. However, it is cooler and it can rain. Have a look at our post concerning the weather in Gran Canaria for more details.
✔ How to get around Las Palmas de GC
In recent years, the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has clearly changed the mobility strategy in order that that citizens move by bike. In other words, the number of kilometers of bike lanes has increased. You can perfectly visit the tourist areas by bicycle, we even have a tourist route so you can follow it on your own. Another option is to move by bus or guagua (as we say in the Canary Islands). The company that operates is called Guaguas Municipales. Here is the track of the bike route through Las Palmas in case you are interested in following it from your mobile or GPS.
If you want to rent a bike in Las Palmas, the best option is SityCleta, since you can drop it off and pick it up in many places in the city and only pay for the time you use it.
✔ Festivals in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The most important festivals in the city are the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnivals, which are mostly held in the surroundings of Parque Santa Catalina. In this setting the famous Drag Gala takes place, the election of the Carnival Queen and the best murga (parody singers). On the other hand, in the Triana and Vegueta neighborhood, the Day Carnival and Los Indianos are celebrated. They are usually celebrated during the month of February, everything will depend on when will be the Easter. If you want to know the program of each year, the ideal is that you consult the website of the Las Palmas City Council.
On the other hand, during the month of June the founding festivals of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria take place. With which, for approximately two weeks the City Council schedules 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. This night the residents meet at the beach and many of them even bathe to the sound of fireworks.
Gran Canaria Travel Guides
Finally, if you want to know more about the most authentic side of Gran Canaria, as well as about the restaurants we frequent, you can not miss our local guides of the island. Stop wasting your time looking for information here and there, we have all you need here!
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