Las Palmas

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital of Gran Canaria, the largest city in in the Canary Islands, and one of the largest cities in Spain.

It is worth noting that Las Palmas has a much windier climate than the southern parts of Gran Canaria, which makes it feel cooler.

City comprises of several districts:

• Vegueta - Historical enclave of the city.
• Triana - One of the oldest districts in Las Palmas, and now the city's commercial center.
• Isleta - The district bordering the northern art of the Las Canteras beach. Most hotels are here.

Vegueta - Historical enclave of the city.

Triana - One of the oldest districts in Las Palmas, and now the city's commercial center.

Isleta - The district bordering the northern art of the Las Canteras beach. Most hotels are here.

• Playa de Las Canteras. Almost 4 kilometers in length, this beach is the very symbol of the city and its citizens.
  • sunbathing and swimming: the northern section has golden sand and is above water most of the time. It is good for swimming with low tide, when the barrier emerges, stopping the waves and creating a natural swimming pool.
  • snorkeling: the central area is a natural acquarium, where you can see and feed the local shoredwelling fish. At low tide, children can hunt for crabs in the rock pools.
  • very popular with surfers, the two main spots are "La Cicer" and "La Barra". Many schools and gear hiring shops, especially to the south, where the sand is black.
• Catedral de Santa Ana. Embodying several centuries of history, the cathedral can be seen from almost any point in the city center.
• Parque Santa Catalina. This is where most of the hot nightlife spots can be found. It's also pretty during the day, although it consist of little more than a few palm trees.
• Alfredo Kraus Auditorium. Concert and music hall with classical philharmonic performances and a building that's worth a visit on its own.
• Elder Museum of Science and Technology. Most exhibitions have information in both Spanish and English. When you're in, you can also use the internet computers there, so the entrance fee is pretty decent. Students and children have a lower entrance fee.
• Poema del Mar. A brand new (2018) aquarium near Parque Santa Catalina and Las Canteras. Stiffly priced.

Playa de Las Canteras. Almost 4 kilometers in length, this beach is the very symbol of the city and its citizens.

• sunbathing and swimming: the northern section has golden sand and is above water most of the time. It is good for swimming with low tide, when the barrier emerges, stopping the waves and creating a natural swimming pool.
• snorkeling: the central area is a natural acquarium, where you can see and feed the local shoredwelling fish. At low tide, children can hunt for crabs in the rock pools.
• very popular with surfers, the two main spots are "La Cicer" and "La Barra". Many schools and gear hiring shops, especially to the south, where the sand is black.

Catedral de Santa Ana. Embodying several centuries of history, the cathedral can be seen from almost any point in the city center.

Parque Santa Catalina. This is where most of the hot nightlife spots can be found. It's also pretty during the day, although it consist of little more than a few palm trees.

Alfredo Kraus Auditorium. Concert and music hall with classical philharmonic performances and a building that's worth a visit on its own.

Elder Museum of Science and Technology. Most exhibitions have information in both Spanish and English. When you're in, you can also use the internet computers there, so the entrance fee is pretty decent. Students and children have a lower entrance fee.

Poema del Mar. A brand new (2018) aquarium near Parque Santa Catalina and Las Canteras. Stiffly priced.

As a beach town, Las Palmas is especially popular for oceanside activities. Catch a wave, grab your snorkel, or just soak up some sun (after applying sunscreen, of course!). Or if you feel like exploring terra firma, do as the locals do and make use of the public tourism bus, known affectionately as the guiriguagua.

• Carnaval - Almost as famous as that of the neighboring island of Tenerife, yet different and perhaps even better. It is without a doubt quite spectacular.
• WOMAD Music Festival - Celebrated in the Santa Catalina Park zone, this festival brings in thousands of spectators every year for quality music free of charge.
• Romería de Vegueta - The catholic festival celebrated in the Vegueta area of the city.

Carnaval - Almost as famous as that of the neighboring island of Tenerife, yet different and perhaps even better. It is without a doubt quite spectacular.

WOMAD Music Festival - Celebrated in the Santa Catalina Park zone, this festival brings in thousands of spectators every year for quality music free of charge.

Romería de Vegueta - The catholic festival celebrated in the Vegueta area of the city.

Shop in the city center or in one of the department stores like "El Corte Ingles". There are cheap electronic products and souvenirs for sale everywhere.

For food items, Hiperdino is a chain of stores that has a good range of products and set prices. Some of these stores also have a decent selection of wine. Check out Mercadona too.

Buy the local rum: Arehucas or Artemi or Armiche (and check out the local Honey Rum "ron miel").

Many restaurants have menus in an abundance of languages, and waiters often will also often be able to converse in your own language.

• Galia, Luis Morote, 49, +34 928 223 219. Great French food, well worth the price. It's not cheap, but if you feel like a small splurge and a little luxury, give Galia a try.
• Rias Bajas, Simon Bolivar, 3, +34 928 271 316. Excellent Spanish food; very expensive, but well worth the cost.
• Sakura I, Nestor de la Torre, 1, +34 928 248 221. Good quality, well-priced Japanese cuisine. Great for a little something different.
• Pomodoro, Ruiz de Alda, 24, +34 928 227 488. Good quality, low-priced Italian cuisine; fast, attentive service in a comfortable atmosphere.
• Samoa, Valencia, 46, +34 928 241 471. A favorite of the locals, for good solid Spanish food with appropriate (not too high) prices.

Galia, Luis Morote, 49, +34 928 223 219. Great French food, well worth the price. It's not cheap, but if you feel like a small splurge and a little luxury, give Galia a try.

Rias Bajas, Simon Bolivar, 3, +34 928 271 316. Excellent Spanish food; very expensive, but well worth the cost.

Sakura I, Nestor de la Torre, 1, +34 928 248 221. Good quality, well-priced Japanese cuisine. Great for a little something different.

Pomodoro, Ruiz de Alda, 24, +34 928 227 488. Good quality, low-priced Italian cuisine; fast, attentive service in a comfortable atmosphere.

Samoa, Valencia, 46, +34 928 241 471. A favorite of the locals, for good solid Spanish food with appropriate (not too high) prices.

Buy the local rum: Arehucas. Drink straight or with cola.

And the local beer: Tropical.

• Tropical Muelle Deportivo, C.C. Sotavento - Muelle Deportivo de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.. Sip your tropical drink on the roof deck, looking out over the city.
• Las Ranas, C.C. Monopol (Plaza Hurtado de Mendoza ó Plaza Las Ranas). A good spot for music and partying, but also a quiet place to have an afternoon drink. Outdoor seating available.
• Bodegón Pachichi, Calle los Martínez de Escobar, 51, +34 646 62 18 42. A classic for cheap drinks, and a favorite with locals.

Tropical Muelle Deportivo, C.C. Sotavento - Muelle Deportivo de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.. Sip your tropical drink on the roof deck, looking out over the city.

Las Ranas, C.C. Monopol (Plaza Hurtado de Mendoza ó Plaza Las Ranas). A good spot for music and partying, but also a quiet place to have an afternoon drink. Outdoor seating available.

Bodegón Pachichi, Calle los Martínez de Escobar, 51, +34 646 62 18 42. A classic for cheap drinks, and a favorite with locals.

• Sailor's Bar, Muelle Deportivo - Pantalán 10. It has free wifi.

Sailor's Bar, Muelle Deportivo - Pantalán 10. It has free wifi.

If you have a veranda/patio on ground level - don't leave doors nor windows open unattended for any period of time.

Stay away from anyone that offers you anything for free -like lottery tickets or a free meal. These are often salespeople who want you to buy potentially worthless "holiday club" memberships or dodgy time-shares. They may seem pleasant at first, but may turn hostile and start threatening you.

• Gáldar — it used to be the capital of Gran Canaria before the Spanish conquered the island. La Cueva Pintada (The painted cave) represent a piece of history of the guanche population.
• Arucas — famous for its rum and its Cathedral. The distillery is open to the public and it can be visited for free. There are samples of different alcoholic beverages that can be tested.
• Tejeda — go up to the mountains where you can enjoy an spectacular view of the island. You can walk to the "Roque Nublo" by foot through stoned pathways built centuries ago. El Roque Nublo is the symbol of Gran Canaria.