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» Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Travel Guide
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Travel Guide
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is known for being a beach city with good cultural proposals, large promenade areas and an important leisure offer for all tastes.
There are many places to visit, such as the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium, where a wide range of accommodation, entertainment and restaurants are located nearby. In the same way, this area is well known for the Puerto de la Luz, which receives tourist cruises and connects the capital with other islands of the archipelago.
If you love to shop, you're in the right place. This fabulous city has several shopping centres, which, together with the pleasant climate year-round, means that you can walk through the streets and enjoy the colour and variety.
It is the city with the largest population on the Canary Islands and the ninth most populous in the country.
Regarding its history, its origin dates back to the year 1478, specifically June 24 (San Juan's Day), when Juan Rejón, captain of the Crown of Castile, began the conquest of the island of Gran Canaria.
He began at the mouth of the Guiniguada ravine, now the Vegueta neighbourhood, where he placed the first fortified settlement, called Real de Las Palmas.
Regarding its history, its origin dates back to the year 1478, specifically June 24 (San Juan's Day), when Juan Rejón, captain of the Crown of Castile, began the conquest of the island of Gran Canaria.
He began at the mouth of the Guiniguada ravine, now the Vegueta neighbourhood, where he placed the first fortified settlement, called Real de Las Palmas.
Top 5 places to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Here, you can see a selection of the most outstanding places to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria:Old town: Vegueta
Vegueta is the old part of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Many of its streets are pedestrianized, so walking through them is a truly unforgettable experience for you and your family. Here, you will find the following places:
- Saint Anne Square and Cathedral of Saint Anne (Cathedral of the Canary Islands)
- Christopher Columbus House-Museum
- Holy Spirit Square
- Hermitage of Saint Anthony Abbot
- Vegeta Market
- New Pillar Square
- Square and Parish of Saint Dominic
- Streets like Montesdeoca, La Pelota, Colón and Los Balcones
Triana neighbourhood
This is one of the most beautiful places in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Triana is among the oldest neighbourhoods. In Triana or Mayor de Triana Street, you will find shops of all kinds. Also, in the surrounding streets, you will find a wide range of restaurants, bars, parks, etc.Among the places you can visit are:
- Literary Cabinet and Cairasco Square
- Alameda de Colón
- Perez Galdos Theatre
- Beautiful streets like Triana, Cano and Perez Galdos
- Perez Galdos House-Museum (Cano Street)
- Lagunetas Square and the mural in honour of women who have stood out throughout history
- Rodriguez Quegles Palace (Perez Galdos Street)
- San Telmo Park and its mythical kiosk
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria beaches
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has four urban beaches:
Las Canteras Beach: This is the most important and beautiful one. Along the beach is a promenade that goes from Alfredo Kraus Auditorium to La Puntilla. There, you can find many places to eat and drink.
If you go from Alfredo Kraus to Los Nidillos, you will see the whole panorama. You can take a guided tour so that you can admire the beautiful façade or visit the interior of Alfredo Kraus Auditorium. Similarly, if you plan to spend a few days in the city, you might be interested in learning about its program of performances.
If you go from Alfredo Kraus to Los Nidillos, you will see the whole panorama. You can take a guided tour so that you can admire the beautiful façade or visit the interior of Alfredo Kraus Auditorium. Similarly, if you plan to spend a few days in the city, you might be interested in learning about its program of performances.
Confital Beach: This offers spectacular views of the Bay of Las Canteras and a large part of the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Also, if you like sports, there are beautiful wooden walkways and jogging paths.
These trails take you to the Las Coloradas neighbourhood, which undoubtedly has the best views of the capital of Gran Canaria.
Also, if you like sports, there are beautiful wooden walkways and jogging paths.
These trails take you to the Las Coloradas neighbourhood, which undoubtedly has the best views of the capital of Gran Canaria.
Alcaravaneras Beach: This is in the centre of the city, next to the marina and opposite the entrance to the port of Las Palmas.
It is perfect for sports such as beach volleyball, canoeing and swimming. Also, many groups do their functional training here.
The walk begins on this beach and continues to the next urban beach.
It is perfect for sports such as beach volleyball, canoeing and swimming. Also, many groups do their functional training here.
The walk begins on this beach and continues to the next urban beach.
La Laja Beach: On the other side of the city, accessing from the south, is La Laja Beach. Unlike the previous three beaches, this one has darker sand and several natural pools.
There is a spectacular promenade to get here, about 10 kilometres from the centre.
We recommend renting a bicycle and approaching along the paths that run through the fishing district of San Cristóbal.
There is a spectacular promenade to get here, about 10 kilometres from the centre.
We recommend renting a bicycle and approaching along the paths that run through the fishing district of San Cristóbal.
San Cristóbal's Mariner Neighbourhood
Another place to visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the fishing district of San Cristóbal. It is a fishing neighbourhood characterized by colourful houses and local essence.
Here, you will find small beaches, stone coves and the Tower of San Pedro Mártir (Castle of San Cristóbal). It is better to go by bicycle because of its distance from the centre.
In San Cristóbal, you can eat delicious fresh fish and Canarian cuisine in famous restaurants.
Here, you will find small beaches, stone coves and the Tower of San Pedro Mártir (Castle of San Cristóbal). It is better to go by bicycle because of its distance from the centre.
In San Cristóbal, you can eat delicious fresh fish and Canarian cuisine in famous restaurants.
Museums
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria offers a great cultural attraction. We recommend that you visit the following museums:
Christopher Columbus House-Museum: This focuses on the history of Christopher Columbus. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the capital and is an important stop to learn about the history of Spain and its links with America.
Atlantic Centre of Modern Art (CAAM): This is the main contemporary art museum on the island of Gran Canaria. It has an office on Los Balcones Street and another next to the hermitage of Saint Anthony Abbot.
Atlantic Centre of Modern Art (CAAM): This is the main contemporary art museum on the island of Gran Canaria. It has an office on Los Balcones Street and another next to the hermitage of Saint Anthony Abbot.
Martín Chirino Foundation of Art and Thought: In the area of La Luz Pier is this foundation in honour of Canarian artists of the 20th century. In particular, it highlights the Canarian sculptor Martín Chirino.
It is located in the Castle of La Luz building, built in 1494 when Gran Canaria became part of the Crown of Castile.
Canarian Museum: Here, one can learn about how the Canarian aborigines lived and details of their culture.
How to get around in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
There are several ways to get around this wonderful city.One of them is by bus. In this city, everyone calls buses “guagua”. These public transport vehicles are yellow and travel throughout the city.
There is also the tourist bus that leaves every half hour from Santa Catalina Park and San Telmo Park. You can complete the entire itinerary, getting off and on when you want to visit museums, parks, and buildings or do some shopping. It is an excellent option.
Another way to get around is by taxi. This is very easy because there are 42 stops distributed throughout the city, or you can get the telephone numbers of the lines. Finally, you can travel by bike. There is a municipal bicycle loan service (Sítycleta), with which you can tour the city.
Accommodation in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
To find an ideal area to sleep in Las Palmas de la Gran Canaria, we recommend the surroundings of Las Canteras Beach, known as the best urban beach in the world. It is a wonderful beach with crystal clear waters, bathing sites and areas with waves for surf lovers.Isleta is the northernmost area of Las Palmas, with cliffs and a beach. However, it is mostly a residential neighbourhood, inhabited by local people. It is an area with little tourism but is close to the centre and the beach of Las Canteras.
Gastronomy in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
The food in Las Palmas is varied and has a great Latin American influence. Take note of these five dishes, which will make your mouth water:Watercress soup
This is one of the most traditional and best-known dishes of Canarian gastronomy. In fact, watercress is one of the most consumed vegetables in the archipelago. With it, you can make multiple salads, stews and creams.This stew is based on a first course made of watercress, corn, potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potato, zucchini, carrot, young beans, onion, green pepper, blood sausage, pork ribs, garlic, spices, salt and a good olive oil.
It can be prepared in many ways, as varied as the number of those who can prepare it. Once it is served, you can accompany it with a little cheese or gofio.
Fiesta meat or adobo pork
This is another typical dish of the area. It is a very rich meal that is prepared, above all, for popular celebrations and festivals. In any home restaurant on the island, you can order this dish, which is known as the most festive dish.It is a preparation based on marinated pork cut into small pieces, salt, garlic, spices (such as pepper, thyme, oregano, parsley and paprika), a dash of white wine and another of vinegar.
As if that were not enough, it is recommended that you accompany this dish with potatoes.
Canary pout
This is also known as Canarian stew and is one of the most complete dishes of traditional Canarian food.
It is made from meat, vegetables and chickpeas, though it should be noted that there have been variations over the years.
The ingredients are beef, pork, chicken, bacon, chickpeas, corn, pumpkins, beans, zucchini, leeks, carrots, cabbage, onion, potatoes, garlic, sweet potato and spices such as saffron and parsley.
It is made from meat, vegetables and chickpeas, though it should be noted that there have been variations over the years.
The ingredients are beef, pork, chicken, bacon, chickpeas, corn, pumpkins, beans, zucchini, leeks, carrots, cabbage, onion, potatoes, garlic, sweet potato and spices such as saffron and parsley.
Parrotfish with wrinkled potatoes
This is a dish made from a well-known fish in Canarian gastronomy. The Mediterranean parrotfish is a white fish native to the Canary Islands, where it lives in the rocky bottoms. It is widely consumed by the inhabitants of the islands for its texture, flavour and protein, as it is low in fat and rich in protein.It is very good to eat, even for children, as the spines are easy to locate. It can be prepared in various ways. Among the most common is parboiled, fried or baked.
Its ingredients are onion, tomato, garlic, olive oil and spices such as coriander, parsley, saffron, black pepper and salt. In addition, it is accompanied by wrinkled potatoes and green “mojo”.
Canarian sancocho
This is a typical dish and, moreover, traditional for Holy Week on the Canary Islands. However, it is also prepared throughout the year.It is prepared differently in each area, but the most traditional is with salted fish (mostly grouper), wrinkled potatoes, sweet potato, gofio pella and mojo sauce. It is, without a doubt, a strong and very nutritious dish.
Other information of interest
Among the information of interest about this wonderful place is the fact that it has the best climate in the world. It is located next to the Tropic of Cancer and is constantly crossed by the trade winds, which blocks the high temperatures of the neighbouring Sahara desert. The average annual temperature is 22 degrees. It is an area where spring reigns practically all year round.Las Palmas de la Gran Canaria is also home to the largest marina in the archipelago: the Port of La Luz, which is a large fishing and commercial platform. In addition to being a regular stopover for cruise ships that cross the Atlantic, it is home to the largest marina on the Canary Islands, with a capacity for 1,250 berths. The city also has an autochthonous sport, the so-called “vela latina”.
Agatha Christie, the British writer, spent a long time in the city in 1927. She stayed at the prestigious Metropol Hotel and enjoyed the benefits of bathing on Las Canteras Beach.
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