Draped in sunshine with over 60km of sandy beaches surrounded by the Atlantic and mild temperatures, it is no wonder Gran Canaria is considered by many to be a slice of paradise. Situated just 150km from Morocco and the Western Sahara, Gran Canaria is the third largest of Spain’s eight Canary Islands.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Founded in 1478, the seaside resort of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the enchanting capital of the Canary Islands. With a historic Old Town, a seaside Promenade and world-renowned beaches, the charming city of Las Palmas has much to offer.

Enjoy Life On Playa de Las Canteras

Considered one of the best beaches in the world, Playa de Las Canteras stretches 4km along the Las Palmas coastline.

After waking up early and having a cup of coffee, we took a morning stroll along the sandy beach. The cool temperatures, breathtaking views of the Atlantic and watching Las Palmas coming to life is not to be missed!

In the afternoon, we decided to catch a wave and soak up some sun! Unlike many beachside towns that are heavily commercialized, Las Palmas exudes a true ‘resort vibe’. No heavy traffic, no horns blaring … just lay back and relax.

As the day ended, we enjoyed an aperitif and tapas while sitting on the beach watching the sun set over the Atlantic and reminiscing about our day in paradise.

Stroll Along The Las Canteras Promenade

Lined with quaint tapa bars, restaurants and colorful store fronts, the Las Canteras Promenade is one of the most popular meeting places for locals. Following along the coastline of Playa de Las Canteras, it affords an enjoyable daytime or evening stroll.

Be Intrigued At The Casa de Colón Museum

The Casa de Colón Museum (Columbus House) is located in a grand mansion once belonging to the Governors of Gran Canaria. Here you will find exhibits showcasing the history of the Canary Islands. It is reported that Christopher Columbus stayed in the casa while anchored in Gran Canaria on his journey to discovering the Americas.

The interior courtyard of the Casa de Colón overflows with beautifully landscaped foliage.

Plaza de Santa Ana

Constructed at the beginning of the 16th century, Plaza de Santa Ana is the main square and heart of Las Palmas. The rectangular plaza is anchored on one end by the Catedral de Santa Ana, from where the plaza’s name derives, and the Casas Consistoriales de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the other. Notable religious, municipal and judicial buildings frame both sides of the Plaza as palm trees sway gracefully in the breeze.

Catedral de Santa Ana

The oldest basilica in the Canary Islands, the Roman Catholic Catedral de Santa Ana is one of the most important religious – as well as visited – sites on Gran Canaria. Construction began in 1497 and was completed 350 years later. Situated opposite the Casas Consistoriales de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, it is a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical architecture.

Take the lift to the top of the Cathedral’s South Tower for an awesome panoramic view of Las Palmas!

Entering the Cathedral, you are met with an awe-inspiring interior. The vaulted ceilings featuring ribs opening like palm trees are supported by ten free-standing columns. At the front is the High Alter with a magnificent fresco depicting the Virgin of Antiqua, the patron saint of Gran Canaria.

Shop Along Calle Triana

The main shopping street in Las Palmas is Calle Triana. Pedestrian friendly, it is located in the center of the historic quarter. Home to some of Spain’s top fashion houses, department stores, small boutiques and restaurants it is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Explore The Side Streets of Las Palmas

Don’t forget to explore the side streets to find quaint boutiques, inviting outdoor cafes and Canarian artisan shops. Turning each corner can expose a new treasure!

Delve Into Canarian Architecture

Las Palmas is filled with a wealth of architectural styles, but rather than create a completely new style, Canarian Modernism simply borrows from the stylistic features of European Art Nouveau.

Casa de las Almenas, designed by the Spanish architect Laureano Arroyo y Velasco, is an example of residential Las Palmas Modernism which is distinguished by its Canarian balconies.

The Clínica San José, another design by architect Laureano Arroyo y Velasco, overlooks Playa de Las Canteras. Constructed in 1891, it remains a fully functional hospital today.

Join In The Festival Fun

Experience The Las Palmas de Gran Carnival

For over five centuries, the Las Palmas de Gran Carnival has been one of the most deeply rooted and unique festivals in Gran Canaria. Colorful costumes, floats and people dancing to the salsa beats fill the streets of Las Palmas each February.

Attend The WOMAD Festival

The WOMAD (World of Music, Arts & Dance) Festival brings together a wide array of artists from all over the world. Held each year since 1980, it is the perfect time and place to capture the full spirit of Gran Canaria!

Take A Day Trip T0 Maspalomis & Playa del Inglés

Maspalomis and Playa del Inglés, two towns situated next to each other are virtually intertwined. While Playa del Inglés has more of an urban feel, Maspalomis is an oasis created hundreds of years ago. Famous for its immense expanse of sand dunes ever-changing by the wind whipping from the sea, the landscape is so unique it could be called the Sahara Desert of the Canary Islands.

A true paradise for sun worshippers, Maspalomis has over 17km of sandy coastline stretching along the pristine waters of the Atlantic. Offering something for everyone, it has everything from a family-friendly area to a nudist section (clearly marked by signage). The dunes are so large and vast, it is actually possible to become disoriented.

On the other hand, Playa del Inglés is filled with hotels, small bungalows, a vast shopping area, and winding streets lined with palm trees. The Yumbo Centrum is the town’s busiest with a food court to rival any food court. Here you will find cuisine from just about every corner of the world. From luxury brands to a lively bazaar, shoppers can indulge while taking advantage one of the the best taxation systems in Europe. At night, the Yumbo Centrum turns into party capital with liquor flowing freely among the beat of loud music.

How To Get To Playa del Inglés & Maspalomis

There are a number of ways to get to Playa del Inglés from Las Palmas including by car, taxi or bus. The cheapest by far is by bus. Fares range from €2 to €8 and takes just under 40 minutes making it a popular day excursion.

Flying Into Las Palmas

A number of airlines fly into the Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) including Air Europa, easyJet, Ryanair, Vueling and many more. Located 18km from Las Palmas, getting to and from the airport is easy with taxi, bus, and car rentals available.