Las Canteras, close to Las Palmas, has an excellent sandy beach stretching for over four kilometres along the coast. It lies to the north-west of the city and has a transfer time from the airport of forty-five minutes. Being the island’s first holiday resort there are an enormous array of hotels, restaurants and shops. At Las Canteras, and in the surrounding area, you will find every facility that the modern holidaymaker has come to expect.
Las Canteras holidays offers warm sunshine in both summer and winter. Its beach is one of the finest on Gran Canaria and offers a range of water sports. Being so close to Las Palmas, visitors can combine cultural sightseeing with lazy days on the beach. The multitude of bars and restaurants provide entertainment to suit all tastes.
Las Canteras has widespread appeal. It is the ideal holiday for sun lovers, water sport enthusiasts and couples of all ages. The lively nightlife also attracts many young people. Although there is an excellent beach, families with young children may prefer resorts in the south which are closer to the many child-centred attractions.
Las Canteras is a year round holiday destination having pleasantly hot summers and warm winters. February and March are very pretty months when the trees are in blossom.
Las Canteras is well placed for those holidaymakers who wish to combine days on the beach with good shopping and sightseeing opportunities. The beach, said to be one of the best in Gran Canaria, is comprised of soft sand. It has Blue Flag status. The warm, shallow waters are protected by a natural reef which provides safe bathing for children and less confident swimmers. The waters around Las Palmas are particularly good for sailing, wind surfing and deep sea fishing as well as a host of other sports.
A promenade, filled with bars, small restaurants and shops, frames the beach providing daylong refreshments. At the southern end of the promenade is the stone built Auditorio, Alfredo Kraus, named after the famous tenor. It is a remarkable structure and is home to the island’s philharmonic orchestra.
Las Palmas is a bustling city with many fine buildings. Vegueta is the oldest area and here you will find the twin towered Cathedral of Santa Ana which was begun around 1500. It was completed four hundred years later and is a combination of gothic, renaissance and neo-classical styles. It is most impressive when illuminated at night.
Sightseeing by horse-drawn taxi is a pleasant and relaxing way to explore the beauty of the city.
Take a stroll around the Doramus Park in the Ciudad Jardin district with its many statues and fountains and wide variety of trees, shrubs and flowers. There is also a public swimming pool where you can take a welcome dip on a hot day.
There are six golf courses on the island with three in the north and three in the south. The El Cortijo course near Las Palmas is where the Spanish Open was held in 2002.
Many attractions enjoyed by children are found in the south of Gran Canaria including water parks, a Wild West park, Holiday World and a crocodile park.
Las Canteras nightlife has something for everyone. There are some lively venues where entertainment continues into the early hours of the morning, as well as many secluded restaurants providing opportunities for a romantic evening in an authentic Canarian atmosphere. With Las Palmas close by, there are endless venues where you can drink and dance until daybreak.
The long promenade along the beach is filled with shops of every description. Since one of the attractions of shopping in Gran Canaria is that goods are virtually tax free and since Las Palmas is on the doorstep, serious shoppers should take a trip to the capital. Perfume, alcohol, cigarettes, cameras and electronic goods are all considerably cheaper. The Santa Catalina district has large department stores, specialist shops and many fine boutiques. There is also a large shopping centre in Las Arenas.
Las Canteras has many fine restaurants serving a wide choice of menu that cater for even the most pernickety of palates. Fish features prominently on menus often accompanied by mojo, a spicy pepper salsa and salted potatoes. A good way to sample Spanish food is to order a plate of tapas which consists of a medley of bite-sized dishes. Tapas are also ideal for filling the sometimes long gap between lunch and dinner, which is served later in the Canaries than at home.
Children are always made very welcome in restaurants and their tastes and portion sizes are usually accommodated.
