21 Essentials: what to see and do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1, 2 or 3 days

The extraordinary meteorological warmth that the Canary Islands It is an obvious explanation of why, especially from autumn to spring, they are a priority tourism destination for Europeans.

And if you don't know them, compared to what you may think, these Atlantic islands have many more reasons to be visited that are not limited to enjoy the sun and the beach.

Furthermore, I have always considered that the Canary Islands They are so unknown to peninsular Spaniards that when we travel to visit them we are surprised by their great attractions from the point of view of the .

And one of those attractions is the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Indeed, in Canary IslandsBeyond the sun and the beach, you will find very interesting volcanic and subtropical landscapes, with corners that will be difficult to find in other places in the world.

But you also have the attractions of a big city like this. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the most populated on the island with about 400.000 inhabitants.

With a long history since it was founded in 1478 with the arrival of colonizers sent by the Castilla's crown, and a scale used several times by Christopher Columbus on his travels to America, Las Palmas stands out for its cultural attractions.

Therefore, although in the most recent decades the beginning of the arrival of visitors from Europe was due to the tourist development of the area of ​​the Canteras beach, now it has become an ideal city for take a cultural getaway.

And what better than to do it in the cold winter season...when in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria During your visit you will enjoy 20 degrees of temperature.

What to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Below you can see photos of 21 essential sites of this Canarian city, which will surely be an invitation to get to know it.

1. Vegueta neighborhood in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Vegueta is founding place of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and it is the essential visit on a cruise stopover or on a single day visit.

In your visit of the Vegueta neighborhood You will find historical corners, museums and essential places to visit such as the Colon House or the Las Palmas cathedral.

2. Plaza San Antonio Abad in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

One of the most outstanding corners of the Vegueta neighborhood is San Antonio Abad square, where you find the plaque that commemorates the founding of the city.

In this square there is a hermitage, a building that is one of the headquarters of the CAAM Atlantic Museum of Modern Art, and one of the facades of the building complex of the House of Columbus.

3. House of Columbus in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The word House of Columbus a museum established in the 50s dedicated to the expeditions of Colón to America and its stops in the city of origin of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

On your visit to this complex of four buildings you will see beautiful patios (don't be scared by the cries of the loud parrots), rooms with Mudejar coffered ceilings and many objects and reproductions of maps and documents.

4. Plaza de Santa Ana in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

This square is where the political and ecclesiastical power of the city has historically been concentrated.

Thus, in the great Santa Ana Square can you see her St. Anne's Cathedral, Town Halls, which can be visited on Sunday mornings, or on archiepiscopal palace.

5. Cathedral of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

La St. Anne's Cathedral It is a large building that mixes several architectural styles, from the late Gothic to the baroque and neoclassical of its façade.

During your visit, in addition to the Gothic-style naves, you can also see a beautiful courtyard and climb the bell towers.

6. Modernist buildings in the Triana neighborhood of Las Palmas

Triana is the other Historic neighborhood from the city of Las Palmas.

On your walk through the always very busy main street of the Triana neighborhood of Las Palmas you will be able to see several beautiful modernist style buildings.

7. Literary Cabinet in Triana in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

One of the most beautiful corners of the Neighborhood of Triana is Cairasco square, where you can see the building of the Gabinete literario, a cultural institution from the early 20th century.

The architectural complex is completed by the building of one of the most classic establishments in the city, the hotel Madrid.

8. Pérez Galdós Theater in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

The building of the Pérez Galdós Theater It is another of the iconic images of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

You find it very close to the Cairasco square, in Triana, and in front of the Vegueta market.

9. Vegueta Market in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

At Vegueta market, on the edges of the historic neighborhood, you also find beautiful images.

Specifically, in the fruit shops that show spectacular displays with tropical fruits.

10. San Telmo Park in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

El San Telmo Park It is another of the historical corners of the city ​​of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria because historically the limit of the original walls was in that place.

Now you can see some curious corner, like a clear modernist style kiosk.

11. Garden City in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

A less visited corner of the city is the residential area of ​​Ciudad Jardín, where it is worth taking a walk to see its colorful manor houses with pretty tropical gardens.

And you can also make a rationalist architecture route seeing several buildings of this architectural style.

12. Hotel Santa Catalina in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

One of the iconic hotels in Las Palmas is the Santa Catalina, which you can see near Garden City and next to Doramas park.

Now Santa Catalina hotel It is quite an icon, a building that shows a style of typical canarian architecture, whose viewing terrace you cannot miss.

13. Doramas Park in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

One of the hearts of life Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is Doramas Park.

Programs are developed throughout the year. outdoor concerts with the most varied musical styles, including performances of typical Canarian folklore.

14. Sports Pier in Las Palmas

El Sports Pier It is where the moorings are distributed. leisure boats and throughout the year nautical events take place, such as the concentration for the departure of the ARC International Regatta, in November.

15. Santa Catalina Park in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

 

Another of the axes of city life is Santa Catalina Park, where the celebrations of the Carnival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

From the nearby cafeteria AC Gran Canaria hotel You have the best panoramic views of this square and the city.

16. Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

El port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria It is one of the most important on the Atlantic coast, and it is where the numerous boats arrive. cruise that arrive with tourists throughout the year.

17. Castle of Light in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

One of the most important historical enclaves is the castle of light, which dates back to the time of the founding of Las Palmas.

After the last renovation carried out in this historic fortification, the castle of light currently houses the museum dedicated to the Canarian sculptor Martin Chirino.

18. Las Canteras Beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

La Canteras beach Not only is it one of the main poles of attraction for tourists who visit Las Palmas, but also the place where a good part of the life of the city's residents takes place.

There in winter you can see hundreds of tourists lying on beach hammocks sunbathing.

It is also an ideal place to practice maritime activities, and specifically snorkel, since the waters of the beach are a protected natural area where a wide variety of fish live.

19. Alfredo Kraus Auditorium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

One of the main axes of the cultural life of the city is the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, where throughout the year an extensive concert program in its main room.

This auditorium has other smaller rooms, such as the one dedicated to the jazz concerts.

20. Canary Garden in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

In your getaway to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria you also have the opportunity to see gardens with plants subtropical, as the so-called Canary Garden.

To highlight the restaurant located in the upper part of this natural corner, from where you have excellent views of this botanical garden.

21. Caldera de Bandama in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

To have the best panoramic views of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and its surroundings it's worth going up Bandama boiler, ancient volcano at the top of which stands a gazebo.

In addition, you can also see the aforementioned caldera and see the land of a golf course what was he first installed in Spain.