Capital of the island of Gran Canaria and main city of the Canary archipelago, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a cosmopolitan, warm and welcoming city. With a history of more than five centuries, the strolls in its oldest neighborhoods are an opportunity to observe a remarkable heritage and to stroll through its museums. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also an Atlantic city, a seaside resort that enjoys ideal weather conditions for those who wish to reach it at any time of the year and enjoy the sun, the sea and outdoor activities. The city is vibrant, in motion, and at the crossroads of European, African and South American cultures. It has a lot to offer its visitors: culture, gastronomy and an ideal position to explore one of the most fascinating Spanish islands.
Stroll through the neighborhoods of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria can be said to have several faces. The first is that of a historic city of over 500 years. One of the first things to do once you have settled in the city is to go for a stroll in the historic district of La Vegueta. Here you can admire buildings with typical Canarian architecture, walking through picturesque streets and alleys and stopping in squares with ancient monuments. Santa Ana Square, one of the most emblematic squares, is home to the Episcopal Palace, the neoclassical Casas Consistoriales and the beautiful cathedral of the same name, with Renaissance, Gothic and neoclassical elements. A walk through the Vegueta neighborhood is also an opportunity to soak up the local atmosphere by visiting the market, and then to take an interest in the history of the city, the island and the art. This is how the Museo Canario opens its doors to reveal the largest collection of pre-Hispanic objects in the Canary Islands from 500 BC to the 15th century. Another highlight of the neighborhood is the Casa de Colón. A superb building of colonial architecture, it houses various exhibition rooms dedicated to the history of the Canary Islands and their relationship with America. It is also where Christopher Columbus stayed when he stopped over in the Canary Islands on his way to the American continent. Also worth mentioning is the incredible Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno. This contemporary art museum is unique in its kind, showing works that embrace the tricontinental nature of Gran Canaria and its European, African and American influences.
The discovery of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria continues with an exploration of the Triana neighborhood, another historical sector of the city. This area is home to some of the city's best known landmarks, including the Teatro Pérez Galdós, the colonial-style Iglesia de San Francisco de Asis, the elegant Plaza de Cairasco with the Hotel Madrid and the Gabinete Literario and the inevitable Calle Triana. This cobblestone street is a National Historic Monument and is the place to go for shopping and tapas breaks. There are old stores as well as international brands and chic boutiques.
Once you have enjoyed the historical part of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a tour of the port area allows you to discover another side of the city. It is a destination that makes sea and beach lovers happy. There are large hotels, bars and restaurants. A tour in this sector allows to go to the modern district of Canteras-Catalina. You can then go from a time at the beach to a time around the gastronomy in one of the restaurants of the Avenida Maritima. The culinary offer is remarkable with many recipes based on fish. Some meat dishes are not to be missed, such as puchero, a stew made with pork, sweet potatoes, chickpeas and zucchini, or conejo frito en salmorejo, rabbit marinated in oil. And then, we like to refresh ourselves during the day by enjoying some exotic fruits of quality.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, nature side
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, despite being a large city, is not without some spaces where to escape for a moment from the hectic pace that reigns in its various neighborhoods. A must-see place to visit a few kilometers from the center is the Canarian botanical garden Viera y Blavijo. 27 hectares of green spaces where you can stroll while keeping an eye on some of the countless plant species, including more than 500 endemic plants. Designed by the Swedish Eric Sventenius, the presence of cactus, dragon trees and other palm trees makes it a small paradise for lovers of exotic vegetation. In fact, you should not hesitate to reach it by taking the charming path of the Guiniguada. Starting from the historical center of Vegueta, the walk or bike ride is ideal to appreciate Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from a natural perspective. More centrally located, Doramas Park in Ciudad Jardín is a green lung in the middle of the city with large trees that offer shade for a picnic, but also small waterfalls and fountains that add to the charm of the place. There is also a large playground for children and an outdoor auditorium for regular live music shows.
Of course, a stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is an opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of the beach. For this, you can go to the beautiful stretch of golden sand of Las Alcaravaneras, where you can practice beach volleyball, canoeing and sailing. The beach in the fishermen's district of San Cristobal is a good place to swim with the colorful houses in the background. And then there is Las Canteras beach, without doubt one of the best urban beaches in Europe. Three kilometers long, it offers several possibilities of activities, between swimming, surfing, snorkeling and kayaking. The surrounding clubs offer other sports such as tennis. And the promenade welcomes those who want to take a gourmet break. From this large central beach, you can also take the blue trail to the more intimate and wild beach of El Confital, while marveling at the beauty of the coastline.
A cultural destination
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a city that lives all year round, with religious and traditional festivals. Therefore, you should not fail to take an interest in its dense cultural agenda. Other highlights of the year include the carnival in February-March, one of the oldest in the Canary Islands. In spring, the Alfredo Kraus Opera Festival is held in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with performances by the greatest composers. And since Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has hosted the shooting of films such as Moby Dick and Down a Dark Hall, the city also hosts the International Film Festival in the spring, a highlight that highlights independent cinema. As proof that the 7th art has a special place in the city, the tourist office offers thematic itineraries leading to the filming locations of many films
