Why go?
Las Palmas is the only true city in the Canary Islands, with the benefits of fine weather and an urban beach that elicits positive comparisons with Rio de Janeiro. Cruise ship passengers can chill on the sands, explore the picture-postcard old town and enjoy superb cuisine in this Gran Canarian city’s excellent tapas bars.
Cruise port location
Las Palmas is dominated by its port, which handily sits near the city’s most famous beach and is within just a few kilometres of the old town of Vegueta. Most cruise ships dock at Santa Catalina quay, but if it’s busy they use others nearby.
Can I walk to any places of interest?
The city’s most famous beach lies just a 20-minute stroll away at Las Canteras, which sports a beachfront boulevard awash with cafés, bars and restaurants. Even closer to the cruise ship berths is Poema del Mar, a colossal building that houses one of the world’s best aquariums.
Getting around
There is an efficient local bus network and taxis are available outside the cruise terminal. Independent travellers can walk to Las Canteras, though for the city centre and historic Vegueta, a taxi or bus is better than a stroll along a waterfront boulevard blighted by heavy traffic. Car hire is available at the terminal if booked in advance.
What to see and do
Beach lovers need look no further than Las Canteras, which lies within walking distance of the cruise terminal. Venture further and the charm of the old quarter, Vegueta, awaits. Not for nothing is Gran Canaria known as the ‘Continent in Miniature’ – you can push beyond the capital to discover more treasures.
What can I do in four hours or less?
Independent exploration is the way to go in Las Palmas. At the port you can ease into Poema del Mar, a world class aquarium that opened in 2018. Or find out why the Canaries are such a popular beach destination by making a beeline for Las Canteras. You could easily while away all your time here. Make sure to stroll along the 3km-long waterfront boulevard whose cafés, bars and restaurants are refreshingly free of international brands.
For a splash more history grab a bus or taxi to Vegueta, the city’s remarkable old core. Cobbled lanes swirl around a sprinkling of churches and deeply historic buildings, more than one with Christopher Columbus connections. Vegueta is pedestrian-friendly too. Its highlight is a vaulting cathedral. Climb up for the best views of the city, but also leave time to explore its lavish interior. Another must see is the Ilustrisimo Gabinete Literario. Head here for a coffee and ask about the illuminating guided tours of this 19th century masterpiece. For more information on activities and sightseeing in the hinterland check out the local tourism website.
Want to venture beyond Las Palmas? Royal Caribbean’s ‘Gran Canaria City Highlights’ gives a four-hour island snapshot that includes a visit to Las Canteras, the epic gothic cathedral in Arucas, the pretty mountain town of Teror and the Bandama volcano, which offers a window into an island forged from volcanic activity. This is an easy self-drive itinerary.
What can I do in eight hours or less?
Las Palmas has more than enough charm to detain you for a day split between the beach of Las Canteras and the old quarter of Vegueta. If you hire a car the rest of this glorious island beckons. If you don’t mind much of the day at the wheel cut south through the spectacular mountainous spine of the island in search of the famed sand dunes at Maspalomas. En route are a slew of pretty villages and rugged peaks. Maspalomas itself is a stunner, more Arabian Nights than Macaronesia. You can then return north on the highway. Alternatively drive the highway in both directions and spend more time on the sands at Maspalomas, factoring in lunch on the town's waterfront.
Marella’s ‘Southern Delights’ excursion is handy if you don’t want to drive. Its target is Maspalomas and those remarkable sand dunes. After time for a photo it’s on westwards to Puerto Mogan, a charming resort blessed with a sprinkling of cobbled streets, canals and bougainvillea-clad whitewashed houses. Lunch overlooking the marina here is a real pleasure and it’s easy to see why people flock here for a much longer holiday.
Eat and drink
Boat-fresh seafood and seriously underrated Canarian wines tempt across this food obsessed city. Handily located for cruise passengers is Mercado del Puerto. A flurry of tempting tapas bars pull in locals as well as savvy tourists to this foodie oasis. It really comes into its own at night when the food stalls close and the tapas bars fill up. Make sure to try the local goat’s cheese, the famous wrinkly potatoes and bone-dry Malvasia wine.
Don’t leave without…
Shopping. The Mercado de Vegueta offers an atmospheric retail experience in the heart of the tourist city. Locals still come here to stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables, but these days you can also pick up souvenirs in the grand surrounds.
Need to know
Flight time
Ryanair and easyJet fly direct to Las Palmas from London with a flight time of around four hours.
Safety
Most visits are trouble free. Las Palmas is, though, a busy port city with the seedy element that can entail so beware around the port area at night and in crowded places for pickpockets during the day too.
Best time to go
This is the land of eternal spring where there is no bad time to visit. Saying that the biggest crowds descend in European summer and around Christmas, so if you want a more relaxed experience plan to visit outside these peak periods.
Closures
Shops tend to open at around 9am and then close at either 5pm or 6pm, though many more traditional businesses still observe the afternoon siesta (between around 2pm and 5pm), then stay open later. Malls tend to keep longer hours, while many businesses tend to operate reduced hours or close on Sundays.
Please check the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before travelling, and be aware that government advice can change suddenly. Always check your operator's cancellation policy before booking.
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