Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers something for everyone. With its rich history, lively cultural life and beautiful beaches, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is an ideal tourist destination for any traveller, regardless of their interests or budget.
The city is a mix of cultures, with Spanish, African and Caribbean influences. This is reflected in its architecture, gastronomy, and traditions.
We'll explore the main attractions of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. We'll start with a brief history of the city, followed by a description of its most important cultural sites. Then, we'll dive into its beautiful beaches, and finally we'll look at some accommodation options in Las Palmas.
We hope this will help you plan your trip to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Let the adventure begin!
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a city with a rich history dating back to the 15th century.
It was founded by Castilians in 1478 and quickly became an important commercial port. The city witnessed many significant historical events, such as the Battle of Las Palmas in 1595, in which the British attempted to take the city.
Although it's now the capital of the island, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria wasn't always the capital. Before 1822, the capital was Gáldar.
The first inhabitants
The first inhabitants of the area now occupied by Las Palmas de Gran Canaria were the aboriginal Canary Islanders, who arrived at the islands around 2,000 years ago. The aborigines lived in caves and built stone dwellings, as well as they cultivated the land and raised animals.
The Castilian conquest
In 1478, the Spanish conquered the island of Gran Canaria. The city of Las Palmas was founded by Juan Rejón and Pedro de Vera. The Spaniards built a fortress in the city to protect it from pirate attacks.
The Modern Age
During the Modern Age, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria became an important trading port. The city was a stopping point for ships travelling between Europe and America. Las Palmas also became a centre of the fishing industry.
The Contemporary Age
During the Contemporary Age, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria continued to grow and prosper. The city became an indispensable tourist centre. Las Palmas also became a cosmopolitan city, with a population of diverse origin.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is noted for its many important monuments. Its historic centre, Vegueta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to numerous monuments and places of interest, such as the Cathedral of Santa Ana, the Canarian Museum and the Castillo de la Luz.
The city also has a wide variety of museums, theatres, art galleries and cultural venues, which offer an extensive programme throughout the year.
It also has one of the most significant ports in the country, the Puerto de la Luz.
Puerto de la Luz is the most important port in the Canary Islands and the fourth most important in Spain.
Its history dates back to the 15th century, when it was used by Spanish sailors as a starting point for their voyages to America.
Puerto de la Luz covers an area of 2,000 hectares and has 13 quays. It's also an indispensable cruise port, with more than 400,000 passengers visiting each year.
The Cathedral of Santa Ana is a Roman Catholic cathedral, seat of the Diocese of Gran Canaria and one of the two cathedrals of the Canary Islands.
The construction of this monument began in 1500 and lasted for more than 300 years. It's a neoclassical building with elements of other styles, such as Gothic and Baroque.
The interior is spacious and bright, with a high altar, presided over by an image of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus. The cathedral also houses a collection of works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and tapestries.
The Castillo de la Luz is the oldest monument in the city and one of the most important in the Canary Islands.
It was built in 1494 by the Castilians to protect the city from pirate attacks. It's a square fortress with four towers at each corner. The walls are made of stone and are reinforced with buttresses.
The castle was renovated several times over the centuries. In the 16th century a new building was erected and in the 19th century a new tower was built on the north side.
The Casa de Colón is a museum located in the Vegueta neighbourhood in the historic centre of the capital. The museum is dedicated to the life and work of Christopher Columbus, the Genoese explorer who discovered America in 1492.
The house was built in the 16th century and belonged to the first governors of Gran Canaria. It's believed that Columbus stayed in the house on three occasions, in 1492, 1493 and 1498.
The museum houses a collection of objects related to Columbus and the exploration of America. The collection includes maps, documents, paintings, sculptures and other artefacts.
The Alfredo Kraus Auditorium is an auditorium located next to the Las Canteras promenade. It's a building of modern architectural style, with a truncated cone shape.
Inaugurated in 1997, it bears the name of the Canarian tenor Alfredo Kraus. It hosts an extensive programme of concerts, operas, ballets, theatre, and other cultural events.
It's an emblematic building of the city and an important place for culture and entertainment.
The Pérez Galdós Theatre is the city's main theatrical venue and the permanent home of the Las Palmas Opera Festival.
The theatre was built in 1889 and was originally called the Tirso de Molina Theatre. It was renamed the Pérez Galdós Theatre in 1921, in honour of the Canarian writer Benito Pérez Galdós.
With capacity for up to 1,520 spectators, it has a main hall, a chamber hall and a rehearsal room.
It has become an important cultural centre on the island.
Las Alcaravaneras beach is one of the urban beaches in the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It's located at the eastern end of the city, next to the marina.
It's a beach of fine golden sand, about 550 metres long and 40 metres wide on average. Las Alcaravaneras beach is a popular place to enjoy the sun and the sea.
Furthermore, the beach is surrounded by palm trees and has a wide range of services, such as showers, footbaths, sun loungers and parasols.
La Laja beach is a black volcanic sand beach, located at the southern entrance of the city, about 3 kilometres from the centre.
This dark sandy shore has a length of 1,200 metres and an average width of 30 metres. It's a popular spot for surfers, as its waves are perfect for this sport.
The beach has a parking area, showers, and toilets.
Las Canteras beach is one of the most important urban beaches in the world and one of the most popular in Spain.
It's protected by a lava reef that separates it from the open ocean, which makes its waters calm and safe for swimming. It's also an ideal place for snorkelling or scuba diving.
The beach is about 3 kilometres long and 100 metres wide. It's a popular place for various water sports, such as surfing, bodyboarding, and windsurfing.
The Hotel Bull Reina Isabel & Spa is a 4-star hotel located on the seafront of Las Canteras Beach, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Our spa, one of the best on the island, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a well-deserved rest.
We offer a wide range of rooms and suites, all with sea or city views. Our hotel also has a swimming pool, solarium, two bars, a buffet restaurant and four function rooms.
Looking for a place to relax and enjoy a luxury holiday? The Bull Reina Isabel Hotel & Spa is the perfect choice for you.
The Bull Astoria *** is a hotel located in the centre of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, just a few metres from the beach. With up to three different accommodation options: single room, double room and superior room (recently renovated).
The rooms are spacious and comfortable, designed to guarantee your rest and that of your loved ones. We also have a bar, solarium, sauna, swimming pool and gym on the top floor. In our buffet restaurant, we serve breakfast and dinner.
Are you going to miss it? Book now and benefit from the best price online guaranteed!
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