Las Palmas

Located in the northeast of the island, Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria. Set among stunning scenery, the city is made up of two bays and their beautiful beaches.

The city was founded in 1478 and therefore possess important cultural and historical heritage. Much of this can be found in the district of Vegueta, the oldest quarter of the town. Vegueta was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990 and is home to numerous monuments and museums.

Gran Canaria’s part in the discovery of America is now the subject for Christopher Columbus’ house-museum, which was built on the grounds of his original house dating back to the 15^th century. The museum describes the discovery of America and tries to recreate the atmosphere of the time.

The Chapel of San Antonio Abad in Vegueta is where Christopher Columbus prayed. The building dates back to 1757 and was built to replace the original parish church of San Anton at the end of the 15^th century.

Hiring a car is the easiest way to see the island and nowhere on the island takes longer than an hour to get to from Las Palmas. On the southern tip lies the Maspalomas dunes. These are long, white beaches that have been sculpted into dunes by the wind. For a fun family day out, visit Aquasur, the biggest water park on the island.

For those who prefer to shop, Parque Santa Catalina in Las Palmas is perfect. With excellent lunchtime cafés and bars, it is a popular meeting point for tourists and locals alike. Throughout the year, pop concerts and sporting events are held here. During the evening, this is one of the main meeting areas in the city and there are very good bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

Las Palmas Airport is located in the middle of the east coast of Gran Canaria, a 20-minute drive along the motorway from Las Palmas. It is considered to be one of the most advanced airports in Europe for charter flights and the airport handles daily flights to Europe. It is estimated that six million passengers pass through the facility each year. The best way to see the island is by hiring a car, which can be hired from the airport.