Las Palmas - Introduction

Cosmopolitan, buzzing Las Palmas is the biggest city in the Canaries with a life independent of tourism. It features a historic district rich in Spanish-Colonial architecture, a beautiful golden beach and excellent shopping facilities. In bars and restaurants, visitors and locals brush shoulders and there is a lively nightlife scene.

Who Goes There
Las Palmas attracts a mixed bag of travellers and holidaymakers from all over Europe, including Spaniards and Canarios from other islands.

Where in the World
Las Palmas is on the northeast corner of Gran Canaria, 20km (12.5 miles) north of Gran Canaria Airport (Gando) (LPA).

When to go
Gran Canaria enjoys year-round sunshine with average daytime temperatures varying between 15°C (59°F) in January/February and 24°C (75°F) during July and August.

Beach
The broad, soft golden sands of Playa de las Canteras stretch for around 2.5km (1.5 miles) around a sheltered bay, its promenade lined with shops and cafes. A reef keeps the waters warm, calm and excellent for bathing, while conditions beyond the reef are perfect for windsurfing.

There is another stretch of golden sands, Playa Las Alcaravaneras, on the other side of the headland, next to the sailing club.

Beyond the Beach
The Pueblo Canario (Parque Doramas) is a very picturesque recreation of an idyllic island village, featuring several whitewashed houses around a plaza where folklore shows are staged. Shops sell handicrafts, island produce and there is a wine bar for tastings. Also here is the Museo Néstor, dedicated to the modernist island artist, Néstor de la Torre.

Las Palmas is home to two intriguing museums. The Museo Canario (Calle Dr Verneau 2) is devoted to the Guanche people, who inhabited the archipelago before the arrival of the Spaniards. It contains a fascinating collection of Guanche mummies, idols and many skulls that have been trepanned (surgically bored with holes). The other must-see museum is the Casa de Colón (Christopher Columbus's House) at Calle Colón 1. It is known that the great explorer called at Las Palmas en route to the New World in 1492, and it is conjectured that he may have stayed in this grand Spanish-Colonial military governor's residence, built in 1478. It is now an atmospheric shrine to Columbus's voyages, with many period pieces.

Boat excursions, including round-the-harbour and deep-sea fishing trips, depart from the Muelle Deportivo marina.

Family Fun
The Museo Elder (Parque Santa Catalina) is a first-class hands-on science museum with an IMAX cinema showing films in English.

Retail Therapy
Las Palmas has the best shopping on Gran Canaria, if not the archipelago. Calle Mayor de Triana is a lovely shopping street, declared a National Monument. Its shops range from tiny old-fashioned independents to international franchise outlets. The other main shopping street is Avenida Mesa y Lopéz (‘La Zona Comercial'), devoted mostly to fashion boutiques, where you can also find two branches of the famous El Corte Inglés department store. Important indoor malls include Las Arenas (near Playa de las Canteras) and the glitzy dockside La Ballena (Muelle Santa Catalina). Both malls also feature restaurants, cafes, cinemas and nightlife.

For a touch of local colour, a visit to the Mercado de Vegueta (Plaza El Mercado) - the oldest market in Las Palmas, is essential. Enjoy the hustle and bustle, the displays of fresh fish, meat, fruit and veg, and tuck into churros (deep-fried dough fritters) dipped in hot chocolate!

As elsewhere in the Canary Islands, you can purchase ‘duty-free' goods including alcohol, tobacco, perfume, jewellery and electronic goods cheaply, typically from small independent shops owned by Asian shopkeepers. Many of these are located on and around Parque Santa Catalina. Haggling is expected.

A Night on the Town
There are several places to catch la movida (‘the scene'). Plaza de España on Avenida Mesa y Lopéz buzzes until the early morning. There are some atmospheric local bars and cafes including La Floridita (Remedios 10-12), which is very popular for its music and rum cocktails. The Parque Santa Catalina also has numerous bars, restaurants, discos and nightclubs.

If you're feeling lucky, the Casino Las Palmas is situated inside the Hotel Santa Catalina (Avenida León y Castillo 227). The Auditorio Alfredo Kraus (Playa de las Canteras), is not only a stunning piece of modern architecture, but also an important performing arts venue and home to the Las Palmas Philharmonic Orchestra.

Eating Out
You are spoiled for choice in Las Palmas, with a full range of cuisines from authentic local tapas to exotic tastes from around the world. The Playa de las Canteras includes English pubs, German bier kellers, Chinese restaurants and the like, but elsewhere in the city Spanish restaurants predominate, authentic Canarian food can be found, and fish is a speciality.

Getting Around
Las Palmas is big and much too spread out to cover on foot. The Guagua (‘wah-wah') Turísitica is an open-top bus designed specifically for visitors, which offers a hop-on, hop-off service around the main sights. Driving around the city is not recommended due to congestion and parking difficulties, though you'll need to hire a car to explore the rest of the island.

Exploring Further Afield
Founded in 1891, the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas (Carretera de Bandama, 11km/7 miles south of the city), is the oldest golf course in Spain. It enjoys a magnificent location with spectacular views over the Caldera de Bandama volcanic crater. The club also boasts a very good restaurant, two tennis courts, a horse-riding school and a swimming pool. It is worth calling in here just for a drink.

Close by on the C81, 7km (4.5 miles) from Las Palmas, the Jardín Canario is a botanic refuge for around 500 species of endemic plants plus many more exotic species from around the world.

Splashing Out
Book a table in the exquisite patio restaurant of the Casa Montesdeoca (Calle Montesdeoca 10). Just a few yards from the Casa de Colón (see Beyond the Beach), and almost as venerable, this Spanish-Colonial gem dates from the 16th century. King Juan Carlos dines here when in Las Palmas and the menu features both Spanish and Canarian specialities.

Flying In
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA)

Las Palmas > Search

I'm looking for a...

Flight Only
Hotel Only
Flight & Hotel

Travelling from:

Travelling to:

Flying out:

Returning:

Book a hotel for only part of my trip.

Number of Rooms:

Room 1

Children: age 2-11, infants: age 0-1

Submit this guide to...
	Del.icio.us
	Digg
	Facebook
	Reddit
	Stumbleupon

For all pre-booked travel arrangements bought from ASDA Travel, Wefly.co.uk acts as an authorised travel agent.
Wefly.co.uk is a trading name of P&P Associates Ltd. Registered in England No. 2124920. Registered Office: Patteson Court, Nutfield Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 4ED