Sights in Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas is the big smoke, the only place in the Canary Islands, apart from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with an unmistakable big-city feel. While it oozes the kind of sunny languor you'd associate with the Mediterranean or North Africa, its snarled traffic, bustling shopping districts, chatty bars and thriving port all give off the energy of a city, Spain's seventh largest.
The historic centre, though small, is rich in interest and undergoing a rebirth as an entertainment precinct. Combined with Playa de las Canteras, it could keep the average hedonist busy for days. The flavour is Spanish, with a heavy international overlay. You'll find a lively mix of Chinese, African, In…
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Parque Nacional de Garajonay
Covering 10% of La Gomera's surface, this 4000-hectare (9884-acre) park forms a knot in the island's centre and is a haven for some of the planet's most ancient forest. Over 400 species of flora, including its famous laurel, can be found here. Most trails running through the park were once used by the Gomeros. The majority of the hikes are relatively light, and you can get a solid view of the landscape without venturing too far.
Many independent visitors make for Alto de Garajonay (1487m/4879ft), the island's tallest peak. From here, clouds permitting, you can see the islands of Tenerife, La Palma, El Hierro and sometimes even Gran Canaria. Another favourite stop is La La…
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Casa/Museo de Colón
The Casa/Museo de Colón is a superb example of Canarian architecture, built around two balconied patios, complete with fountains, palm trees and parrots. The exterior is a work of art itself, with some showy plateresque (silversmith-like) elements combined with traditional heavy wooden balconies.
Although called Columbus' House (it's possible he stopped here to present his credentials to the governor in 1492), most of what you see dates from the time this was the opulent residence of Las Palmas' early governors.
The museum's four sections include fascinating accounts of Columbus' voyages, the Canary Islands role as a staging post for transatlantic shipping, pre-Columbian …
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Catedral de Santa Ana
The city's brooding, grey Catedral de Santa Ana was begun in the early 15th century, soon after the Spanish conquest, but took 350 years to complete. The neoclassical facade contrasts with the interior, which is a fine example of what some art historians have denominated Atlantic Gothic. The retable above the high altar comes from Catalunya (mainland Spain) and the exquisite lamp hanging before the altar was made in Genoa (Italy).
The cathedral also displays several paintings by Juan de Miranda, the islands' most respected 18th-century artist.
You can access the cathedral's tower if you fancy a stunning and wide-ranging view of the surrounds from the city to the coast.
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Casa/Museo de Pérez Galdós
In 1843 the Canary Islands' most famous writer, Benito Pérez Galdós, was born in this house in the heart of old Las Palmas. He spent the first 19 years of his life here before moving on to Madrid and literary greatness.
The house contains a reconstruction of the author's study, various personal effects and other objects related to his life. It is a delightful place with a pretty central courtyard. Guided tours take place hourly, but only in Spanish.
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Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología
This 21st-century Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnología is full of things that whirr, clank and hum. It occupies a revamped docks' warehouse to the east of Parque Santa Catalina and is a great space to spend a few hours. Children will be rapt at some of the displays - a space pod, interactive chromakey screen and graphic depiction of a baby's birth - while adults may be equally fascinated by the 'how the internet functions' exhibit.
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Pueblo Canario
Designed by artist Néstor Martín Fernández de la Torre, and built by his brother Miguel, the Pueblo Canario borders the gardens of the Parque Doramas. With a restaurant, central plaza, handicraft shops and children's playground, it is designed as a pleasant bit of escapism in a quasitraditional Canarian village.
You can enjoy free performances of Canarian folk music in the every Sunday morning from about 11:30.
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Playa de las Canteras
The fine 3km stretch of yellow, sandy beach lies a few hundred metres west of the centre, creating a holiday-resort border to the city. There's an attractive paseo marítimo (seaside promenade) - the Paseo Canteras - which allows walkers, cyclists, joggers and rollerbladers to cover the entire length of the beach, free from traffic. The whole area hums with the activity of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and shops.
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Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo
About 9km southwest of the city, just before the village of Tafira Alta, this vast botanical garden - Spain's largest, encompassing 27 hectares - hosts a broad range of Macronesian flora from all seven Canary Islands, including many species on the verge of extinction.
Buses 301, 302 and 303 all pass by the garden's upper entrance. By car, take the C-811 road from Las Palmas.
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Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno
The city's main museum of modern art hosts some superb temporary exhibitions, while its permanent collection focuses on 20th-century art from both Canarian and international artists. The museum is housed in a tastefully rejuvenated 18th-century building, which is flooded with natural light. Local artists include Eduardo Gregorio, Santiago Santana and César Manrique.
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Gabinete Literario
This sumptuously ornate historical building was the island's first theatre and is a national monument. It's an old-world display of faded elegance, with a gracious interior patio and rooms lined with bookcases crammed with learned-looking volumes. The place now functions as a private club, although the pricey French restaurant (La Galeria) is open to all.
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Museo Canario
The island's main museum chronicles Gran Canaria's preconquest history. It claims the heady boast of having the largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls in the world. There are also several mummies, plus a collection of pottery and other Guanche implements from across the island. The gift shop stocks some excellent children's educational material.
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Parque San Telmo
The Iglesia de San Telmo, on the southwestern side, was one of the first religious buildings in town. Beside it is a tourist information kiosk and, in the northwestern corner, a beautiful modernist kiosk, which these days functions as an ice-cream stall and open-air terraza (terrace).
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Museo Diocesano
The Museo Diocesano is set on two levels around the Patio de los Naranjos, once home to The Inquisition. It contains a fairly standard collection of religious art and memorabilia, including centuries-old manuscripts, wooden sculptures and other ornaments.
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Iglesia de San Antonio Abad
Just behind the Casa/Museo de Colón, heading towards the waterfront, the small Iglesia de San Antonio Abad of modest Romanesque-Canarian design is where, according to tradition, Columbus prayed for divine help before sailing for the Americas.
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Calle Mayor de Triana
This street, now pedestrianised, has long been the main shopping street in Las Palmas. In between window shopping, look skyward to enjoy some real architectural gems, including several striking examples of modernism.
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Parque Doramas
The lovely Parque Doramas , with its fine dragos (dragon trees), was designed by the British towards the end of the 19th century, when the UK dominated the economic life of Las Palmas.
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Museo Néstor
This art gallery is dedicated to the works of symbolist painter Néstor, who died in 1938, and includes a modest collection of works by fellow Canarian artists.
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Estadio Insular
The Union Deportiva de Las Palmas is Gran Canaria's premier football team. To see it in action, join the throng heading for the 20,000-seat Estadio Insular .
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Castillo de la Luz
Built in the 16th century to ward off pirate attacks, this castle is a venue for art exhibitions, but was closed for restoration at the time of research.
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