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Things to Do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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Plan language: EnglishLas Palmas de Gran Canaria is the #12 most LGBTQ+ friendly city in the world, based on our data across hundreds of destinations.
Most popular attractions in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
When considering things to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, start with Playa de Las Canteras, a three-kilometer stretch of golden sand with a natural reef. Explore the historic Catedral de Santa Ana, whose construction began in 1497, and visit the Museo Casa de Colón, where Christopher Columbus supposedly stayed during his voyages.
1. Catedral de Santa Ana
Gran Canaria's spiritual heart mixes Gothic spires with Saharan sunlight. Wander past 44 stained glass windows as the midday sun turns stone columns into a kaleidoscope of color.
Quick facts: The church sits on a site that's been sacred for over 500 years, with the current building rising after the original 16th-century structure was demolished. Its neo-Gothic facade features 44 stained glass windows that flood the interior with jewel-toned light throughout the day.
Highlights: Step inside and look up: the wooden Mudéjar ceiling in the main nave is painted with intricate geometric patterns, a rare Canarian fusion of Gothic structure and Islamic-inspired art. The church's pipe organ, with over 1,200 pipes, was built in the 1850s and still rattles the pews during Sunday mass.
2. Playa de Las Canteras
A golden city beach with a volcanic reef that turns the shoreline into a giant natural swimming pool. Wade, swim, or join a volleyball game as the Atlantic laps at your feet.
Quick facts: The kilometer-long golden beach is shielded by a natural reef called La Barra, creating a calm lagoon perfect for swimming at any tide. More than 50 volleyball nets are set up daily along the shore, drawing locals and tourists into spirited games as the sun sets.
Highlights: La Barra, the rocky reef that runs parallel to the shore, isn't just a wave breaker; it creates a shallow, aquarium-like lagoon where you can spot seabream, mullet, and even rays without snorkeling gear. At low tide, you can walk out onto exposed volcanic rock pools that feel like a secret natural playground, completely cut off from the city behind you.
3. Museo Casa de Colón
Step into the 15th-century house where Columbus prepared for his Atlantic crossing. Explore rooms filled with pre-Columbian artifacts, period furniture, and tropical gardens that transport you to the age of exploration.
Quick facts: Columbus stopped here before his first voyage to the Americas in 1492, and the house sits in the historic Vegueta district. The building combines Gothic, Mudéjar, and Renaissance architectural styles, with a stunning inner courtyard featuring a carved Canarian stone staircase.
Highlights: One of the museum's most prized possessions is a first edition of Christopher Columbus's letter announcing his discovery of the New World, printed in Barcelona in 1493. Visitors can also stand in the exact room where the navigator supposedly stayed, with original 15th-century wooden ceilings and Canary Island dragon tree beams still overhead.
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4. Auditorio Alfredo Kraus
Watch the sunset paint the Atlantic through a wall of glass before the first note sounds. You will sit inside a futuristic seashell while the ocean practically joins the orchestra through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Quick facts: The shell-shaped concert hall seats 1,658 people and was named after the legendary Spanish tenor Alfredo Kraus, who was born in Las Palmas. Its crystalline glass curtain wall offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, making the auditorium feel like it's floating between sea and sky.
Highlights: The auditorium's 40-meter-high glass facade reflects the shifting colors of the ocean throughout the day, turning the building itself into a performance of light and water. On windy days, the curved concrete shell actually channels the Atlantic breeze through carefully designed acoustical vents, creating a natural cooling system that engineers called a "sound-wind sculpture."
5. Parque de Santa Catalina
Escape into a lush botanical wonder where centuries-old dragon trees shade lively plazas and spontaneous salsa breaks out on Sunday mornings. Wander winding paths past tropical blooms, fountain courtyards, and locals playing dominoes at weathered stone tables.
Quick facts: Two giant dragon trees, each over 300 years old, anchor the park's main plaza. More than 80 species of tropical and subtropical plants thrive here, creating a dense urban oasis.
Highlights: On Sunday mornings, the park transforms into an open-air dance floor where locals of all ages gather for spontaneous salsa and timba sessions under the ficus trees. The best spot is near the old wooden bandstand, where the raised stone benches offer front-row views of couples spinning to live conga drums.
6. Barrio de Vegueta
Wander the oldest quarter of Las Palmas where cobblestone streets whisper five centuries of stories. You'll stumble upon leafy plazas, colonial mansions painted in sherbet colors, and the colossal Santa Ana Cathedral anchoring it all.
Quick facts: Calle Mayor de Triana, the neighborhood's main artery, was the first street in the Canary Islands to get electric lighting back in 1893. The district's cobblestone lanes hide over 500 years of continuous history, with Columbus himself stopping here in 1492 to repair the Pinta before continuing west.
Highlights: On the corner of Calle Colón and Calle Mendizábal, you'll spot a bright blue ceramic plaque marking where Columbus supposedly prayed before his transatlantic voyage, though locals still debate whether the story is fact or folklore. The air here smells of sea salt mingled with fried churros from a tiny corner stall that has been operating since 1927, using the same century-old recipe passed down through four generations.
7. Museo Canario
Step face-to-face with the actual Guanche people who lived here before Columbus ever set sail. You'll examine their mummies, pottery, and obsidian blades in a moody 19th-century building that feels like a cabinet of curiosities.
Quick facts: Home to some 1,200 skulls from pre-colonial Guanche mummies, the collection offers an eerie window into how these indigenous people treated their dead. More than 5,000 artifacts trace over 1,500 years of Canarian history before Spanish conquest.
Highlights: One room holds dozens of carefully arranged Guanche skulls, each with distinct dental wear patterns from chewing a particular plant resin, telling stories no written record can. You can stand inches from a desiccated mummy's hand, the fingernails still intact after 800 years, preserved by nothing more than animal fats and island volcanic minerals.
8. Plaza de Santo Domingo
Step into a living room where locals gather under the shade of a 200-year-old dragon tree. Sip coffee at a sidewalk terrace while street musicians strum traditional Canarian melodies.
Quick facts: A pair of black dogs carved from volcanic stone has guarded the central fountain since 1894, silently watching over locals and visitors alike. The plaza holds one of the most photographed trees on the island, a towering dragon laurel that spreads its canopy like a green umbrella across the square.
Highlights: Carved into the plaza's pavement, a giant bronze compass rose sits right at the spot where the old city walls once had their main gate, pointing toward the sea that brought ships from the Americas centuries ago. On Sunday mornings, local artisans and musicians gather around the fountain, filling the air with the sound of timple strings while elderly Canarians play dominoes at the shaded stone tables.
9. Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo
Wander through a volcanic canyon filled with prehistoric plants surviving nowhere else on Earth. You'll cross suspension bridges over a lush ravine, pass 200-year-old dragon trees, and spot rare lizards darting across ancient lava rock.
Quick facts: The garden spans 10 hectares on a volcanic hillside with more than 500 species of native Canary Island flora, including 10 endangered plant types found nowhere else on Earth. Dragon trees, some over 200 years old, tower above sculpture-like cacti and a network of bridges crossing a lush ravine.
Highlights: A hidden corner called the "Jardín de los Dragos" holds a collection of ancient dragon trees whose sap was historically used by the indigenous Guanches to mummify their dead. Stand near the suspension bridge at golden hour and watch wild Atlantic lizards sunbathe on volcanic stone while the entire valley below turns amber.
Where to Stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
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Traditional Sweet Dishes
Bienmesabe
Bienmesabe literally means "tastes good to me" in Spanish. This creamy almond dessert is made with ground almonds, eggs, sugar, and lemon zest, often served with ice cream or as a cake filling.
Truchas de Batata
These sweet potato filled pastries are a Christmas tradition in the Canary Islands. The dough is made with flour, olive oil, and anise, while the filling uses local sweet potato mixed with almonds and spices.
Quesillo
Quesillo is the Canarian version of flan, made with condensed milk, eggs, and caramel. Unlike traditional flan, it gets its name from its slightly porous, cheese-like texture.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Papas Arrugadas con Mojo
This iconic Canarian dish features small potatoes boiled in heavily salted water until wrinkled, then served with mojo sauce. The two classic mojo varieties are mojo rojo, made with red peppers and cumin, and mojo verde, made with fresh cilantro or parsley.
Ropa Vieja Canaria
Unlike its Cuban namesake, Ropa Vieja Canaria is made with shredded beef, chickpeas, and potatoes cooked together in a flavorful broth. The name means "old clothes" in Spanish, referring to the shredded appearance of the meat.
Sancocho Canario
This traditional fish stew is made with salted local fish such as cherne or vieja, served with sweet potatoes, gofio (toasted corn flour), and mojo sauce. It is a beloved Sunday meal in Las Palmas homes.
Traditional Beverages
Barraquito
Barraquito is a layered coffee drink unique to the Canary Islands, containing espresso, condensed milk, milk, cinnamon, and lemon zest. It is also known as "Cafe Barraquito" and is a staple of local cafes in Las Palmas.
Ron de Miel
Ron de Miel is a honey rum produced in the Canary Islands, often served as a digestif or used in cocktails. It blends local rum with honey from the island's unique flora, creating a sweet and aromatic liqueur.
Poleo
Poleo is a traditional Canarian herbal tea made from the leaves of the poleo mint plant, which grows wild on the islands. It is commonly enjoyed after meals for its digestive properties and refreshing flavor.
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Most popular day trips
Maspalomas
Famous for its stunning sand dunes and Maspalomas lighthouse beach area.
Teror
Charming mountain town with traditional Canarian architecture and basilica.
Agaete
Coastal town known for natural pools, cliffs, and coffee plantations.
Tejeda
Scenic village in the mountains with almond trees and Roque Nublo views.
Puerto de Mogan
Picturesque fishing port called 'Little Venice' with canals and beaches.
Rent a car in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Getting there
Airports
Train stations
Global bus lines to all parts of the island and airport connections
Regional and intercity bus lines connecting Las Palmas to south resorts
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) is 21 km south of the city. Take the Global bus No. 60 or a taxi (25 min) to reach the center.
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