A walk through the neighborhood of Vegueta old town, the old quarter of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is undoubtedly one of the essential things to do in Gran Canaria. The visit can easily be done on foot, since practically all its streets are cobbled and, therefore, pedestrian. Below we detail our top 10 places to see in the old town of the capital of Gran Canaria. Let’s go!
Places to visit in Vegueta old town: the 10 must-sees
1. Casa de Colón, Vegueta old town
The Casa de Colón or Cristopher Columbus house is one of the most beautiful and emblematic buildings from Gran Canaria. It has more than 500 years old and nowadays it is a museum. It is focused on studying and divulge the history from the city and its relationship with America. The museum also has a section with some recreations from the expeditions which Cristopher Columbus did. Moreover, they invite you to discover everything about Cristopher Columbus visit to the Canary Islands. Finally, there is a painting collection from the centuries between the XVI and XIX.
In front of the Casa de Colón we have the back side from the Catedral de Canarias (Canary Islands Cathedral) and the Pilar Nuevo square, a place where the women usually met to collect water. At the Pilar Nuevo square there are some nice terraces to have a drink.
2. Catedral de Canarias and Santa Ana square
The Canary Islands Cathedral started to be built the year 1497 and until the end of the century XX it wasn’t finished. It combines the neoclassic (facade), gothic and renaissance style because of the different times when it was built. So that it was in charge of different architects. It is considered the most important building from the Canarian religious architecture. We recommend you to visit the top of the Cathedral to have a panoramic view of Vegueta. The cost is € 1.50 per person.
On the other hand, the Santa Ana square is from the century XVI and it was the first planned major square from Spain. In it you will be able to appreciate the following historical buildings of the Vegueta neighborhood: the Cathedral, the Bishopric, the Consistorial Houses, the Regental House, the High Court of Justice from the Canary Islands and the Provincial Historic Archive. At the Santa Ana square, in front of the Cathedral, you can also see some Canarian dog statues, so as a line of palm trees and some benches to have a break.
3. San Antonio Abad hermitage and its small square
This hermitage is located at its square with the same name and it is well known because Cristopher Columbus prayed here in his stop at Gran Canaria in 1492, before starting its way to the discovery of America. It was the first church in the town.
4. Espíritu Santo Square and hermitage
The Espíritu Santo square is located next to the Consistorial Houses, old headquarter from the municipal offices until 1979. It is one of the noblest areas from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Therefore, around it we can appreciate some stately constructions. There is a fountain covered with a stone cupola. It is one of the few covered fountains from the hispanic architecture. Next to the fountain there is a drago and an araucaria tree and it represents the twinning between the Canary Islands and America. In the same square we will find the hermitage Espíritu Santo which was built in 1540.
5. Santo Domingo square and Church
The Santo Domingo square and church are the focus from the Rosario pilgrimage which goes across Vegueta and Triana in October, since from here it starts. This square has a fountain from the century XVIII and the church with the same name.
6. Vegueta market
The Vegueta Market opened in 1863, so it is one of the oldest from the island. Here you will find all kind of fresh products of Gran Canaria and mix with the resident people.
7. Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM)
The CAAM museum is a contemporary art centre located at the awesome street Los Balcones (the balconies) and it opened its doors in 1989. The building still keeps its facade, neoclassic style and its main courtyard. Its exhibitions have the last trends from the art world.
8. Canarian Museum
This museum tell us how the Canarian indigenous lived, so it is mainly dedicated to the Canary Islands history and prehistory.
9. The most beautiful pedestrian streets of Vegueta
We love some Vegueta old town streets. One is the Pelota street because of its gastronomic offer and beautiful buildings as the one we can see below. We have also Los Balcones street, because of the different balconies that it has. Finally we recommend you the Mendizábal street because of the festive atmosphere that you will find here every Thursday with the tapas night.
10. Triana neighborhood
Finally, if you have time, we recommend you visit the Triana neighborhood, another of the most beautiful and oldest in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It is only five minutes away on foot, crossing the Guiniguada ravine. Currently, through this area of the Guiniguada ravine, there is a road that connects the district of Vegueta, Cono Sur and Tafira. It is also the exit from this part of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria towards the south of the island or towards the port.
✔ Free tour through Vegueta old town
If you prefer to be accompanied by a guide on your visit to the neighborhoods of Triana and Vegueta, we recommend that you hire a walking tour of the city.
✔ Restaurants in Vegueta old town
There are some yummy restaurants in Vegueta. If you really want to mix with the locals, you have also the option of visiting the ruta de los pinchos or tapas route which takes place every Thursday evening at the Mendizábal street and streets around it. We will mention our favorite restaurants in Vegueta old town below.
- Triciclo and Manuela Jimena. These are two restaurants with creative cuisine located on Pelota Street. Both are from the same owner, the Triciclo has a more daring and current cuisine with a mixture of flavors that will amaze you. Concerning Manuela Jimena, they try to imitate the typical Madrid bar with tapas, calamari sandwich and even churros with chocolate for dessert. Both have very good service.
- Tapas route. As we explained you, every Thursday evening, mainly at the Mendizabal street, it takes place the “pinchos” night at Vegueta. Normally you will pay 2€ for one beer and a Spanish tapa. This night we recommend you the restaurants La Barbería and La Champiñonería.
✔ Hotels in Vegueta old town
The old town is a very good option to stay in the capital. In addition, they have recently opened several boutique hotels. We leave you below with a link if you want to check the different options of hotels in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Vegueta.
✔ Video about the places to visit in Vegueta old town
We hope you find it interesting to know more about the Canarian culture and encourage you to take this walk through the 10 most important things to do in Vegueta in video. Do not miss this entire video route and subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Finally, we present our guides of Gran Canaria. The solution to your lack of time to organize your visit to Gran Canaria made by a resident!
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