Beaches
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has one of the nicest beaches in Gran Canaria. The Playa Las Canteras is a fantastic beach that you would not expect in such a big city. The first time I walked out of the city and found this beach, I was amazed. One nice thing is that even though Las Palmas is pretty big and busy being the capital, there is no traffic next to the beach. There are also other beaches in Las Palmas like the Playa de Las Alcaravaneras, but this is far less popular, mainly because it is located next to such a busy road.
Hotels
When visiting Las Palmas, you have to watch out a bit with hotels. Some look like they are close to the beach on a map. But because of the road layout and the big hill in the centre of town, it might take much longer than you would expect. Also, many of the hotels are located right next to the highway in Las Palmas or close to the industrial harbour, so watch out for this.
The hotels I can advise are:
- Bull Reina Isabel for a beach holiday right next to the beach.
- Bed&Chic Las Palmas for a small and compact boutique hotel with very personal service for the best of the city but still close to the beach.
Nightlife
When it comes to nightlife in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, you will find a pretty wide selection as this is the capital. Most of it you will find next to the harbour area of the Las Canteras beach and near the city centre. Most of it is pretty relaxed and chilled out, but there are clubs also.
If you are not sure, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the right place for you to go on holiday, then look at my where to stay in Gran Canaria guide.
Restaurants & bars
There are loads of places to eat in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and many of them are much cheaper than in the more popular holiday resorts in Gran Canaria. Especially next to the beach you will find many restaurants but also spread all over the city. The ones next to the beach are somewhat more pricey, but the difference isn’t that much. I appreciated there are no “pr-people” or salespeople who constantly hassle you to go into their restaurants. Simply look for the places where you see many locals eating, and you will get a great price and great food.
Shopping & markets
There are many large shopping centres in Las Palmas. El Muelle, next to where the cruise ships arrive and the Las Arenas shopping centre on the other side of town are the biggest. You will find everything here much cheaper than in the rest of the more touristy areas of Gran Canaria.
The Mercado Central De Las Palmas (Central Market of Las Palmas) is worth having a look around. This one is open most days, except Sunday and has lots of fresh produce and many typical local products from Gran Canaria.
How to get to Las Palmas
From the Gran Canaria airport (LPA) to Las Palmas is about 25km and 20 minutes drive.
- Public transport: 2.95 euro and 30 minutes, you may need to transfer to another bus in Palma depending on where you need to be.
- Shuttle bus: Only available to certain hotels, dropped off at your hotel, 15 euro per person.
- Taxi: 25 euro in daytime or 34 euro
in weekends and nighttime.
You can find the companies I booked with and would advise, as well as more information about taxis, shuttles and buses here.
Things to do near Las Palmas
Las Palmas is located far away from the other holiday destinations in Gran Canaria, basically entirely on the other side of the island. And while there are some fun things to do in Las Palmas, I would still definitely advise you to rent a car. The Canary Islands is one of the cheapest places in Spain to rent a car.
If you are not renting a car, you have many markets, a fantastic beach, and large shopping centres and streets to explore in the city and the old town of Vegueta. If you want to see a lot of the city, then the City Sightseeing bus trip is the best way to get your bearings. The new aquarium Poema de Mar is also worth a visit near the harbour area of Las Palmas.
Here you can find a complete list of things I would advise you to do in Gran Canaria.
