Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria and lies in the north-east of the island. It is a vibrant city with many wonderful old buildings. The island’s first tourist resort was Las Palmas and its long sandy beach is considered to be one of the best.
A Las Palmas holiday offers warm sunshine in both summer and winter. Its old quarter has many fine historic buildings including the Santa Ana Cathedral. Las Palmas has two large sandy beaches and offers a wide variety of sports both in and out of the water. The multitude of bars and restaurants provide entertainment to suit all tastes.
Las Palmas 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 Palmas 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 Palmas is a bustling city by both day and night. 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.
The sandy beaches of Las Palmas curve around two wide bays. The sand shelves fairly gently into the sea but care should be taken when swimming as there can be strong undercurrents. At the southern end of Las Canteras beach there is a landscaped promenade leading to 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.
The waters around Las Palmas are particularly good for sailing, wind surfing and deep sea fishing as well as a host of other sports.
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 Palmas has nightlife to suit everyone. Parque Santa Catalina, a large square lined with bars, clubs and restaurants is the place to go for all night entertainment. Here you can dance and drink until daybreak.
There are almost limitless opportunities for eating and drinking in Las Palmas. The old town provides many opportunities for a romantic evening in an authentic Canarian atmosphere.
One of the attractions of shopping in Gran Canaria is that goods are virtually tax free and Las Palmas is probably the best city for shopping in the whole of the islands. 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.
There are many high quality restaurants in Las Palmas serving international cuisine ranging from tapas to Chinese, from pizzas to Indian and from burger joints to traditional fish restaurants. Whatever you fancy for lunch or dinner you will find it in Las Palmas.
