Las Palmas Travel Guide

By itypemba | April 8, 2021

Las Palmas – City break in the Canary Islands. The capital of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, is one of the most classic resorts in the Canary Islands.

From the time of Columbus to the present day

Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria, one of the Canary Islands, is a classic of holiday towns and a popular travel destination for both city and beach holidaymakers.

Many of Gran Canaria’s most popular resorts are located in the south of the island, amidst sand dunes. However, the northern part of the island does not remain a little overshadowed as a resort: Las Palmas to the north has not only an excellent sandy beach, but also many attractions and hiking opportunities.

The city of Las Palmas was founded as early as 1478 and became a popular tourist destination a few decades ago. Originally, the city was an important trading post and port stage, and Columbus also stopped in Las Palmas during his voyage to repair the platform. The house where Columbus is said to have lived during his visit can still be found in Las Palmas Old Town.

Today, Las Palmas is a versatile and modern holiday destination, suitable for both city and beach holidays. Las Palmas has fun for families with children and nightlife, especially on weekends. The city is also a good base for a car holiday around Gran Canaria.

The most famous attractions of Las Palmas are its old part of Vegueta and the long beach of the city Las Canteras.

Colorful houses in Las Palmas.

Pleasant climate all year round

Gran Canaria is an island with a diverse climate and Las Palmas is located in the green north of the island. The Canary Islands have one of the most pleasant climates in all of Spain .

In Las Palmas you can enjoy long and warm summers, which are the most popular tourist time. The warmest months in the city are July-October, when daytime temperatures average 25 degrees and rise to a maximum of 30 degrees. During the summer months, Las Palmas hardly ever rains.

Although the highest temperatures of the day remain above 20 degrees even in winter, the weather is unstable and cool, especially in January-February. Nights, especially in mid-winter, can be chilly.

Beaches and activities

In the center of Las Palmas is the five-kilometer-long Las Canteras Beach. Las Canteras is a well-kept and clean strip of sand with lots of facilities from sun loungers to eateries nearby. For children, Las Canteras offers small playgrounds and a few amusement parks for a fee.

A lover of culture will enjoy Las Palmas, especially in the old town of Vegueta. There are many museums and famous sights along the cobbled streets of the Old Town. In Vagueta, for example, Santa Ana Cathedral and Columbus House are worth a visit.

Gran Canaria is a good destination for motoring, so you should leave Las Palmas for a rental car to explore the island’s scenery. The views to the south are very different from the greenery of the central parts, so it’s worth taking at least a day trip to the sand dunes. The distances between the resorts are not large, so during the day you have time to get around the whole island.

Shopping and entertainment

For the shopper, Las Plamas offers good shopping. In terms of price level, Gran Canaria is hardly cheaper than in Finland, but a shopping tourist can still make discoveries in the shopping streets and large department stores of Las Palmas.

Las Palmas is also popular with food travelers as there are many good restaurants in the city. You can choose from a small family restaurant as well as a top-class gourmet restaurant.

The nightlife in the city is lively, especially on weekends. Las Palmas is the entertainment center of Gran Canaria, where you can spend the evening in pubs, nightclubs and salsa clubs. Las Palmas also hosts many events from concerts to carnivals. For example, the Las Palmas Carnival is celebrated in February-March.

FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN LAS PALMA

Playa de las Canteras Beach is just outside the city center.

Good flight connections to the Canary Islands

From Finland there are good flight connections to Gran Canaria and Las Palmas. Gran Canaria Airport is one of the busiest airports in Spain and there are also direct leisure and low-cost flights.

Gran Canaria Airport is located in the east of the island, around 20 km from Las Palmas. Flights to the island cost about 200-800 euros and a direct flight takes 6-7 hours.

Las Palmas is a popular package holiday destination. Holiday trips to Las Palmas can be found in the selections of many travel agencies and it is also a popular destination for sudden departures.

Hotels and accommodation

Las Palmas is a popular tourist destination, which is why there are also many hotels in the city.

Las Palmas offers a variety of accommodation. If desired, the traveler can choose, for example, a high-quality apartment hotel or a modest and affordable hostel. There are also many family-friendly hotels in the city.

A hotel night in Las Palmas costs an average of 70-90 euros, but the cheapest accommodation is for twenty euros.

Getting around in the Canary Islands is easy

The city of Las Palmas can be reached on foot, by taxi or by local bus. A local bus trip costs 1-2 euros with a single ticket. A series ticket for ten trips costs 6-7 euros.

There are plenty of taxis in Las Palmas and taxi rides are especially cheap on short routes. However, for longer trips, you may want to use a bus.

The bus route network connecting the resorts and major villages of Gran Canaria is comprehensive and reasonably priced. A bus ride from the airport to Las Palmas, for example, costs a few euros.

Gran Canaria is a good destination for motoring, so if you feel like hiking outside Las Palmas, it’s worth taking a rental car from the airport. Many international car rental companies have an office at Gran Canaria Airport. However, it is worth booking the outing game before you go on a trip.

Las Palmas also offers excursions to the sea, as the city has ferry connections to neighboring islands. There are daily connections, for example, to Fuerteventura, a 3-hour ferry ride away, which costs around € 90 round trip. Tenerife can be reached from Las Palmas in a couple of hours and travel costs around € 50-100.

ATTRACTIONS OF LAS PALMAS

Santa Ana Cathedral is one of the most famous attractions in Las Palmas.

Casa de Colón

Casa de Colón, or Columbus House, is one of the most famous attractions in Las Palmas. According to the story, Kristoffer Columbus lived in this ornate house in 1492, from which the house takes its name. Since 1953, the house has served as a museum.

There is no entrance fee to Columbus House and its museums.

Catedral de Santa Ana

Construction of the Santa Ana Cathedral in the old town began as early as the 15th century, but it took almost 350 years to complete. Now the cathedral is a good masterpiece of Canarian architecture and the cathedral also features paintings by the archipelago’s most famous artist, Juan de Miranda. The Santa Ana Tower has great views of the coast.

The entrance fee is about 3 euros per adult. Children have free admission. An elevator ride to the lookout point of the tower costs a couple of euros.

7 Mares Diving Center

At the 7 Mares diving center, next to Las Canteras Beach, tourists can take a diving trip or course in the clear waters of Gran Canaria. Courses and excursions are organized for divers of all levels and equipment can be rented or purchased on site. Diving insurance is mandatory and can be obtained from the dive center.

The price of the diving trip with equipment rental is about 40 euros per dive.