Things to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the island’s capital and a city best explored on foot: an old town founded in the 15th century, shopping streets lined with modernist buildings, a great city beach and one of the best-known carnivals in Spain. This guide covers the highlights, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

Vegueta, the old town

Vegueta is where the city was founded in 1478. Its cobbled streets, colourful houses with wooden balconies and quiet squares hold much of the island’s history.

Santa Ana Cathedral

The cathedral looks out over Plaza de Santa Ana, a square lined with historic buildings and famous for its bronze dog statues. It took centuries to build, which is why it mixes styles: Gothic inside and neoclassical on the façade. From the top of its tower you can see Vegueta’s rooftops and the sea.

Casa de Colón

Next to the cathedral, on Plaza del Pilar Nuevo, the Casa de Colón stands out for its carved stone doorway and wooden balconies. It’s a museum about Columbus’s voyages and the Canary Islands’ ties with the Americas.

A wander through its streets

A cobbled street in Vegueta with colourful façades and wooden balconies — Vegueta · Las Palmas

It’s worth getting lost along streets such as Los Balcones and Colón. The district is also home to the Atlantic Centre of Modern Art (CAAM), the Museo Canario, devoted to the island’s first inhabitants, and Vegueta Market, great for browsing local produce.

On Google Maps: Santa Ana Cathedral (opens in a new tab)Casa de Colón (opens in a new tab)Calle de Los Balcones, Las Palmas (opens in a new tab)Museo Canario (opens in a new tab)Vegueta Market (opens in a new tab)

Triana, shopping and modernism

Across the main road lies Triana, the city’s traditional shopping district, with pedestrian streets and modernist façades.

Calle Mayor de Triana and the Gabinete Literario

The white Gabinete Literario building with its dome, and a bust in Plaza de Cairasco — Gabinete Literario · Triana

Calle Mayor de Triana is a pedestrianised street full of shops and early 20th-century façades. Close by, on Plaza de Cairasco, stands the Gabinete Literario, one of the most elegant buildings in the city.

San Telmo park

At the end of Triana, San Telmo park is a lovely place for a break in the shade of its trees, beside its modernist kiosk and the small San Telmo chapel.

On Google Maps: Calle Mayor de Triana (opens in a new tab)Gabinete Literario (opens in a new tab)Parque de San Telmo (opens in a new tab)

Las Canteras and Santa Catalina

Las Canteras beach

Small boats in the bay at Las Canteras, with the city behind — Las Canteras · Las Palmas

At the other end of the city is Las Canteras, a city beach around three kilometres long, sheltered by a natural rock reef known as La Barra. Its promenade links the old fishing quarter of La Puntilla with the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, and is perfect for a sunset stroll. Find out more in our guide to the best beaches in Gran Canaria.

Santa Catalina park and Mercado del Puerto

Between Las Canteras and the port, Santa Catalina park is one of the liveliest squares in the city. Nearby, the Mercado del Puerto has food stalls for a bite to eat.

On Google Maps: Las Canteras beach (opens in a new tab)Parque de Santa Catalina (opens in a new tab)Mercado del Puerto, Las Palmas (opens in a new tab)

At Christmas: a Sand Nativity (Belén de Arena) is built on Las Canteras beach, with huge sand sculptures you can visit over the festive season.

Sand sculptures at the Las Canteras Sand Nativity — Sand Nativity · Las Canteras

The Las Palmas Carnival

If you can choose your dates, the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Carnival is one of the best times to visit. It’s one of the most famous carnivals in Spain: for several weeks there are galas, contests, parades and street parties, and Santa Catalina park becomes the festival’s main stage. One of its best-known events is the Drag Queen Gala. Dates change every year, usually between February and March, so check them before you book.

Tips for exploring the city

A signpost in Vegueta pointing to the Casa de Colón, Santa Ana Cathedral, the CAAM and other sights — Vegueta · Las Palmas

On foot: Vegueta and Triana sit side by side and are easy to explore on foot, with signposts pointing to the main sights.
By bus: to get from Vegueta to Las Canteras, the easiest option is a city bus (guagua) or a taxi.
Where to eat: Vegueta Market and the Mercado del Puerto are two good stops. For more ideas, see what to eat in Gran Canaria.
Where to stay: if city life appeals, read our guide North or south: where to stay in Gran Canaria.