Las Palmas
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, or just Las Palmas, is the capital of Gran Canaria, the largest city in the Canary Islands, and one of the largest cities in Spain.. Las Palmas is famous for its urban beaches, of which there are five. Until the late 1960s it was the main tourist center of Gran Canaria, after that it has been surpassed by the resorts popping up along the southern coast of the island. Unlike these, though, Las Palmas also has historical and cultural attractions.
- See
- 17
- Do
- 21
- Eat
- 23
- Drink
- 6
- Buy
- 5
21 places match
- 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.
- 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.
- Do
Teatro Guiniguada
Cine Avellaneda
Cultural venue in an impressive palace built in 1938. Theatre, dance and music shows and film screenings take place here.
- Do
Teatro Pérez Galdós
The main theatre named after author Benito Pérez Galdós (1843-1920), the main representative of the literary style Spanish realism, who was born in the city. On the adjacent square there's a large monument dedicated to him.
- Do
UD Las Palmas
They were relegated in 2025 and now play soccer in Segunda División, the second tier. The stadium seats 32,400.
- 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
Easter
Semana Santa
Easter is celebrated with processions similar to the ones in Seville. It's a good time to visit to see the folkloristic part of the city.
- Do Not mapped
Festival Internacional de Cine de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Film festival with the screenings and the award ceremony taking place in the Alfredo Kraus Hall.
March-April
- Do Not mapped
Festival Internacional de Música de Canarias
International classical music festival taking arranged jointly with Santa Cruz.
January-February
- Do Not mapped
Gran Canaria Maraton
The marathon of the island, sponsored by the city government.
Closed
- Do Not mapped
Lluvia de pétalos
Ascension Day is celebrated with the "rain of petals", a floral offering. A tradition since 1649, petals are dropped from the inner part of the cupola on the people attending the mass.
Ascension Day
- Do Not mapped
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
On Good Friday, the statue of Virgin Mary from the Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís church, is carried through the streets of Vegueta in a solemn procession.
Good Fri
- 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
- Do
Gran Canaria Arena
Basketball court and cultural venue.
- Do
Las Palmeras
Golf course with six tennis fields.
- Do
Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas
18-hole golf course.
11 of 21 places have map locations.