Hello everyone. How are you? We hope all is good and we hope that you are full of energy because today we are heading to a very interesting destination in terms of culture and fun (especially in the summer!). After this small but great clue you have surely understood that there is some sea in this area where we are about to land… well, the island of Las Palmas De Gran Canaria is ready to welcome us with open arms and we with her. So it’s time for presentations!!

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the main city of the island of Gran Canaria but also one of the most important in Spain as a great judicial and commercial center. Also the culture is very important here, the city offers a wide range of libraries (The Library Island, The Library Simón Benitez Padilla, The Archives Joaquín Blanco…). It is full of vitality and there are lots of events to take part, some of the festivals held in Las Palmas are: Festival Internacional de Cine de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, WOMAD Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (art festival and dance), Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (main tourist attraction). We have two curiosities about the city for you. According to the results of a study the city appears to be the place with the best climate in the world, exceptionally mild (due to the influence with the proximity of the coast of Morocco); two districts of Las Palmas (which we will visit later), are included in the provisional list of UNESCO world heritage sites. All this information about the city made us want to start the exploration just right now and you?

To know more (what to eat, where to eat, where to have fun, things to visit…) continue to read.

How much is there to discover? Lots. Where do we start? Surely starting to discover the history of the city, when everything started (well maybe we will not go that far eheh!)

 

PLACES TO VISIT (MUSEUMS/THEATERS…)

Catedral de Santa Ana

  • Catedral de Santa Ana: the cathedral is located in the historic city center next to the Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana. The architectural structure is very special and beautiful as it is a mix of styles, Gothic and neoclassical, that creates a nice contrast with all that it’s around it. Internally it houses several works of art, including the Christ of Luján Pérez and the Virgen de los Dolores de Vegueta.
  • Casa Museo de Colón: it is a museum located in the neighborhood of Vegueta, one of the most important in the city that shows the history of the Canaries. The structure despite the restoration preserves some original parts that are still intact. The building has assumed its historical weight mainly because it hosted Christopher Columbus during his first trip to the Americas when he made his stopover here in the Canaries. So the museum is divided into five thematic areas (the America before the discovery, Colombo and his travels, painting from the sixteenth century to the beginning of the 20th and so on).
  • Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología: it is a museum of technology sciences. It is a very interesting place (the modern look of the museum will surprise you!) where the visitor is invited to interact with the many models of physics, technological instruments… It is possible to admire some original historical machinery such as the steam locomotive or steamed ship. The museum consists of four exhibition floors in which temporary exhibition rooms, a digital planetarium, a 3D cinema hall and several exhibitions about technology, physics, mathematics, biology, geology and so on. After the visit you will be all a font of knowledge!!
  • Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno-CAAM: is a museum of contemporary art located in the Vegueta district. This has a permanent collection of works that come from America, Africa and Europe. It is also home to various exhibitions and shows as well and it hosts the research observatory too, which organizes seminars.
  • Casa-Museo Pérez Galdós: it is the house where the famous writer Benito Pérez Galdós was born and lived part of his life. The building is located in the Vegueta district (we think you have understood that most of the monuments are concentrated right here). Fortunately the structure has managed to keep some parts intact so you can admire the traditional architecture of the nineteenth century. Anyway inside of it there is the furniture chosen by the writer, an interesting collection of musical instruments, works of art, photographs and other decorative objects. Later the house-museum was extended to the next building where there are safeguarded the documentary collection and the bibliographic collections, both personal and artistic, of the writer; there are some exhibitions too. A perfect opportunity to start learning the artistic life of the island.
  • Castillo de Mata: this is one of the various castles in Las Palmas. What you will see on the outside you will also see on the inside, the outside is a reflection of what you are going to explore. The building has a great historical weight as the English influence has been the protagonist (you will know all the detail during the visit). The museum deals with two main themes: “the history of the castle and its archeology” and “the history of the city and its relationship with the sea”. It is located on the top of Bravo Murillo (that overlooks the city). It seems to be transported into another century… Such an exciting experience!
  • Centro de Arte La Regenta: it is a museum of modern and contemporary art focused on different floors and each of which has incredible works of art by local authors and a gallery of photos and paintings.
  • San Martin Centro de Cultura Contemporanea: it is an artistic and cultural center, it is worth visiting not only for its beautiful structure (it is really wonderful) but because of its cultural importance and all the many stories that it has to tell. It has so much to offer this place (and these also include a collection of wine bottles ehe!), it’s worth a visit.
  •  Museo Néstor (it is mora a picture gallery) is such a beautiful to visit, it is almost like entering an old house where you have the freedom to browse around and admire the great and important works for the history of the island.

Let’s take a look at the theaters: Teatro Cuyas, Teatro Guiniguada, Auditorio Alfredo Kraus (where you can watch the performances of the Tuna de Distrito de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, an association composed of male students of the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria).

San Martin Centro de Cultura Contemporanea

 

ENTERTAINMENT (PUB/DISCO/PARKS…)

Caldera de Bandama

Like culture, here in Las Palmas, there is so much fun. Let’s see how!

  • Let’s start with the strong point of the city, the sea. Emblem of Las Palmas, this is home to the best beaches of spain: Playa de Las Canteras is the main beach of Las Palmas being the most central and therefore the most frequented by the inhabitants, Cícer, Bahía del Confital, Playa de las Alcaravaneras… there are so many beaches but these are the ones that excel between all them.
  • Parque de Santa Catalina: this park is located in the heart of Las Palmas (near the port) and is lined with bars, shops and it is often home to markets and festivals. The large palm trees and flower animate the already beautiful square. At night it is a center of nightlife thanks to its surrounding locals; it is also a meeting point where city tours used to start. A place that offers relax but also fun.
  • Doramas Park: is a park with the most luxuriant vegetation of the city as it is full of plants, flowers, fountains and beautiful waterfalls. This place is perfect especially for those who want to relax or take a healthy walk breathing the wonderful atmosphere (in the modern Las Palmas) around there and enjoying the wonderful view from the harbor.
  • Parque de San Telmo: it is park (but it doesn’t seem like it), almost a fenced-in little square with lots of green. Something that will catch your eye is its cureness and cleanliness. Around there, there are streets where you can do shopping (and after a long walk here is the lifesaver park to enjoy a little bit of rest!). Another park worth visiting is the Parque Juan Pablo II, which looks like a residential park that makes you feel like you’re at home eheh!
  • Caldera de Bandama: this place is spectacular, it is the result of a huge explosion that happened in the Bandama volcanic cone so many years ago. The caldera is located about 569 meters above sea level and is one of the largest caldera of the Canary Islands with a great scientific value. The crater is a natural monument that is part of the Protected Landscape of Tafira and can be reached thanks to the “guaguas”, the typical public transport of the island. The descent into the caldera is possible to make it on foot. Magnificent!!
  • Other beautiful places to explore are: Puerto de la Luz is the commercial and tourist port of Las Palmas (one of the most important in Spain). Vegueta the well known neighborhood, a place full of history. Triana a shopping street with a great historical value too as it contains one of the most interesting architectural elements of the city, the Quegles building. La Isleta is a small peninsula that offers streets full of street vendors, small shops, bars and an important Spanish naval base. The peninsula is separated from the modern part of Las Palmas by a narrow inlet. To the south there is the port of Puerto de la Luz and Castillo de la Luz, the oldest fortress on the island of Gran Canaria. Plaza De Las Ranas, a cute little square. Poema De Mar, a scenic and spectacular aquarium-gallery. If you have still time, in the province of Las Palmas there are three magnificent and characteristic places to visit, Teror, Guayadeque Ravine, Maspalomas (a wonderful beach with dunes where you can go for a ride on the camel, for an alternative experience)… One word: wow!
  • And then you can also choose to do tours, Excursions Gran Canaria, Green Trip Canarias (scooter tours), Trip Gran Canaria, 7 Mares Las Canteras (for diving and snorkeling, to watch the local marine life that is spectacular).

Playa de Las Canteras

The nightlife here is the top of the top (did you have doubts?!) among boat parties, discos, “terrazas”… Let’s see the exact places where it takes place: Plaza de España, quartiere Mesa Y Lopez, Maspalomas, zona del Porto, Vegueta-Triana.

Well, but what about the nightclubs protagonist of nightlife? Here they are!

  • Claudia Lounge Club
  • Hoock Las Palmas: nightclub.
  • Tao Club & Garden in Las Palmas: nightclub.
  • Sotavento Club: nightclub.
  • Neon Dancing: nightclub.
  • Tresxuno: disco.

 

TYPICAL FOODS

Sancocho canario

Let’s eat! Ready to browse among the typical dishes of Las Palmas ?? Let’s go!

Being it an island what we can find on the tables is the fish. However the cuisine is not influenced only by the sea but also by its geographical proximity to Africa. Also the climate plays its part giving to the dishes a right mix of exotic/tropical and Western tastes. Other local specialities are rum and fruit liqueurs, so good!

  • Gofio escaldado: is a typical food made up of different ingredients such as cereals, legumes and in these areas the recipe also includes the fish broth. The consistency is very similar to that of potato puree. Yum!
  • Sancocho canario: it is a typical Canarian dish based on fish, salted grouper that is accompanied by boiled potatoes and gofio. Everything is served by a local sauce, the “mojo” (the next delicacy we’re going to get to know).
  • Mojo is a typical sauce that accompanies many dishes of the Canary Islands. It is based on olive oil, garlic, salt and vinegar in addition to cumin, coriander, parsley, paprika, tomato and saffron.There are also some variations depending on the dish that must accompany; is the case of the green mojo (with parsley to accompany fish dishes) or mojo rojo (with paprika to accompany meat dishes).
  • Bienmesale: a very tasty dessert made with honey and almond cream.
  • Truchas de Batata: these are fritter made up of stuffed sweet potato. It is useless to emphasize its goodness thanks to the use of this sweet tuber.

Truchas de Batata

 

WHERE TO EAT (RESTAURANTS/CAFE’..)

And now it’s time to browse through the different restaurants that the city has to offer.

  • Restaurante El Lentiscal en Tafira: Spanish, European and vegetarian cuisine.
  • El Rincón Aragonés: bar with Mediterranean, European, Spanish, vegetarian cuisine, vegan options, gluten-free options.
  • Aramara Restaurante: Mediterranean, Spanish, European, vegetarian cuisine, vegan options, gluten-free options.
  • Restaurante La Perrachica: wine bar with Mediterranean, European, Spanish, contemporary, vegetarian cuisine, vegan options, gluten-free options.
  • Allende Triana: Mediterranean, European, Spanish, vegetarian cuisine, vegan options, gluten-free options.
  • Allende Muelle: Mediterranean, European, Spanish, vegetarian cuisine, vegan options, gluten-free options.
  • Amigo Camilo: Mediterranean, Spanish cuisine, gluten-free options.
  • Buddies Bar: bar/pub with European, British, international, vegetarian, vegan options.
  • El Travieso: Mediterranean, Spanish and vegetarian cuisine.
  • La Vegueta de Colón: Mediterranean, European, vegetarian cuisine, vegan options.
  • The Couple: cafe with Mediterranean, European, Spanish, international, vegetarian, vegan options.
  • Bochinche El Chato: bar/pub with Spanish cuisine, vegetarian, vegan options, gluten-free options.
  • Restaurante La Esquina: Spanish cuisine.

 

The desire to go to the beach and have fun here is so much, and we know, but also give space to the culture that we assure you that is not far behind. You just need to find the right balance because the city still offers something to learn in a fun way. So we conclude our trip to Las Palmas ready for the next adventure!

Let us know your opinions about this place. If you liked it or not, if you’ve been there or you’re going to go there? What  you liked the most or least? We’re curious to read your opinions.

A big kiss to everyone.

 

Below we will list the accommodations that you can find in Las Palmas.

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?iata=LPA&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 – accommodation near Gran Canaria airport.

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?city=-388528&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1 – accommodation in the city.

http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?district=4233&aid=960457&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1– accommodation in Playa de las Canteras district.

 

Booking.com

50 thoughts on “Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

  1. Catedral de Santa Ana looks mindblowing. Never heard of it before though, but looks like a lovely place to visit. All pics are so amazing. Thanks for sharing.

  2. You have penned down every detail that one will need before going here. Catedral de Santa Ana looks gorgeous. I love any beach destination and it sets that party mode 🙂

  3. I know this city very well and I did the marathon here a few years ago on a coldish January Sunday morning. I remember running pass that cathedral, looks nice but I did like running down the coastline. I prefer to leave the city and last time I hired a car and hit the centre plus north-west of the island, such beauty, amazing views and unspoilt towns and villages. Gran Canaria is amazing. Great advice on the city here .

    1. Gran Canaria is a wonderful island and it should be explored in all its beauty. Las Palmas offers an overview of what you can find here but like you said there are also unspoilt towns and villages around the island.

  4. We have yet to explore Spain in detail. Just the one trip that we did was certainly not enough to get a complete taste of this lovely country. You have helped me add one more fascinating Spanish destination to my list and I look forward to exploring it. The list of the foods and restaurants is so useful.

  5. I have been wanting to travel to Las Palmas for two years now (I live in Spain!) -and winter is a great time to go since the weather is still so much better than most other places in Spain! Looks like you got to see a lot and do a lot while there-lucky you!

  6. Such a lovely guide to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, overall! Great to know there are a lot of outdoor experiences and indoor attractions that you can enjoy when you visit the city.. The museums sounds pretty interesting especially the Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología. I remember visiting a Science Museum before when I was young and I totally loved it!

  7. Lots of people I know visit Gran Canaria for the beach life, so it’s wonderful to read about the history, culture and food of this island. I’d love to visit some of the nature parks, and I wouldn’t turn down a boat party or two 🙂

    1. When you are here is easy to get distracted by the lifestyle of people who arrive here to enjoy the beaches and parties… What matters is that you have to be conscious that Las Palmas offers lots of other interesting things, from culture to the food!

  8. I got your kiss, . I’ll like to visit the multi-purpose Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. There’s so much to eat, see and do in this beautiful city. I’m also a fan of learning about new culture and traditions, and I’ll like to submerge myself in the rich culture of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

  9. I’ve got the feeling that Las Palmas has a mainland-Spain feel, spiced up with an eclectic mix of other cultures, such as African, Chinese and Indian. It seems that Las Palmas’s cultural attractions have a flavour all of their own, but the chance to combine them with a bit of sea and sand make it a destination with something for everyone, right ?

  10. I was reading a piece about Grand Canaria in an inflight magazine yesterday and after your article today, I think I will start to think about it. Very thoroughly written by the way, thanks for sharing.

  11. What a pretty cities! We love cities like these where its rustic charm is preserved and practiced all through the years.

    The Truchas de Batata looks very much like our empanadas here in the Philippines; it wouldn’t be a surprised if it turns out that our empanadas are pattered after these truchas.

  12. You have penned down every detail that one will need before going here, which is something that I look a lot in my research when I plan a trip. Honestly, I was thinking to buy a house in Spain and retire there. Do you think Las Palmas will be friendly with old people?

  13. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria looks like a destination with lots of promise. It is indeed a fresh perspective of Spain beyond the usual places on a travelers bucket list. There seems to be so much to see and experience in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, I am sure there can never be a dull moment. For me the Caldera de Bandama sounds really intriguing and a place I would love to visit.

    1. One thing is sure, you will never get bored here! Las Palmas is a vibrant city all the year even if Gran Canaria is an island not so near to Spain.
      There are lots of wanderful places to visit in Spain, not only Madrid or Barcelona.

  14. Grand Canaria was my first trip abroad – not that i can remember anything, i was 2 but i do have a cute picture of me on the beach. Seeing this i’d actually love to go back and visit – for the things to see but also for the food- it sounds super tasty!!

  15. This is a wonderful and helpful guide for those who’ve never been there! Amazing place, delicious food and great people – there’s nothing better than that!

  16. Catedral de Santa Ana is simply gorgeous, would love to see more pics of this place. And the Truchas de Batata reminds me of our Indian Gujiya sweetmeat. The scooter tour seems very inviting, can imagine buzzing off to different places on the island.

  17. The city looks beautiful with those magnificent views. Love the fascinating architecture of Catedral de Santa Ana. Caldera de Bandama has an interesting history and breathtaking views. The cuisine looks yummy too. Great to know there are a variety of eating options.

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