Parks and the outdoors in Las Palmas

17 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Las Palmas.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
Auditorio Alfredo Kraus
The main venue for classical music and art, built in the 1990s after a design by Óscar Tusquets, next to Las Canteras beach. It's architecturally striking as well, with a huge window to the sea.
See
Castillo de la Luz
A 16th-century fortification that was built to fend off pirate attacks. Today it's surrounded by a rose garden and since the 1960s it houses a cultural centre - Fundación de Arte y Pensamiento Martín Chirino - and a shipping museum.
See
Catedral de Santa Ana
Embodying several centuries of history, the cathedral can be seen from almost any point in the city centre. Building began in 1497, and went on for several centuries and as such it's built in many different styles - gothic, baroque and classicism - and includes many works of art. The main part is open to the public during services, otherwise access is through the Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro (requires a €3 ticket). On the roof, between the towers there's a viewing platform, and you can walk up stairs to the right hand tower to have great views over the city.
Buy
Mercado del Puerto
Near Las Canteras beach, in a building from 1891 built in modernist style.
See
Parque Doramas
Named after the Guanche hero Doramas, it's regarded as the most beautiful park in the city. In the present day it's part of the villa district of Ciudad Jardin.
See
Parque Santa Catalina
This is where most of the hot nightlife spots can be found. It's also pretty during the day, although it consists of little more than a few palm trees. There are small cafés next to the park and you can see elderly locals playing domino and chess.
Do
Playa de Las Alcaravaneras
Beach right at the port, suitable for tanning rather than water activities.
Do
Playa de Las Canteras
Almost 4 km in length, this beach is the very symbol of the city and its citizens. The northern section has golden sand and is above water most of the time. It is good for swimming with low tide, when the barrier emerges, stopping the waves and creating a natural swimming pool. The central area is a natural aquarium, where you can see and feed the local shore-dwelling fish and occasionally turtles and is suitable for snorkelling. At low tide, children can hunt for crabs in the rock pools. Las Canteras is also very popular with surfers, with winds often coming in from the west. The two main spots are "La Cicer" (bigger waves as this part not protected by rocks) and "La Barra". Many schools and gear hiring shops, especially to the south, where the sand is black.
Do
Playa de la Laja
Beach with grey and brown-black fine sand surface to the southeast of the city, popular with surfers.
Do
Playa del Confital
Beach with volcanic rock surface, mostly used by locals. There are permanent beach chairs and a toilet.
See
Poema del Mar
Aquarium opened in 2018 with three different themes named jungle, reef-beach and deep ocean. The big aquarium can be watched from all sides and from the middle, and some of the highlights are big rays and sharks. There's a restaurant too, so you can sit down and watch the underwater life while having a meal.
See
Pueblo Canario
A reconstruction of a traditional village, designed by Néstor Martín Fernández de la Torre in 1937 and realized by his brother Miguel two years later. The village covering 3,500 m² is in the Doramas Park and is also a venue for different folkloristic shows. There's also a craft centre and a painting in bodegón style.
Eat
Sakura City
Good quality, well-priced Japanese & Asian cuisine. Great for a little something different. Perfect for group or family dinning out. Seated buffet all-you-can-eat menu when dinning in. Various dishes selection for take-away or delivery company order. Located below the San Telmo Park Hotel in San Telmo Park and Main Bus Station.
Do Not mapped
Christmas
Natale
Christmas is considerably warmer than where most visitors come from, and it's common to throw parties on Las Canteras beach. Sometimes a white Christmas tree is set up on the beach to simulate snow (that has never fallen in the city during recorded history), and a nativity scene is built in sand.
25 December
Do Not mapped
Romería de Vegueta
The Catholic festival celebrated in the Vegueta area of the city, celebrated as a pilgrimage walk along the streets accompanied with music.
First weekend in October
Do Not mapped
St John's night
St. John's night marking the beginning of the summer (and the foundation day of the city) is celebrated with fireworks on the Canteras beach and locals and tourists go swimming in the sea during the night. There are similar celebrations all around Gran Canaria.
23 - 24 June
Do Not mapped
WOMAD Music Festival
Celebrated in the Santa Catalina Park zone, this festival brings in thousands of spectators every year for quality music free of charge.
November

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Las Palmas (CC BY-SA 4.0).