Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

After a leisurely breakfast on our terrace, we set off for the capital, Las Palmas.

As always, we parked in the San Telmo car park; of course you pay for parking there, but it is secure. From there, you can easily reach every part of the city. Next to the car park is the bus station of Las Palmas. Here not only do all the island buses meet, but also the city’s local transport.

First, we wanted to see the old town. So we strolled through Parque San Telmo to Calle Mayor de Triana, the city’s main shopping street, which we had already visited briefly on the first day.

This time, however, we took more time to explore the shops and soak up the lively atmosphere of this street.

It is also worthwhile to explore the side streets of this exciting quarter that give the street its name. Here you find numerous bars, cafés, bistros and smaller shops.

Spanish people and tourists alike stroll through the streets of the Triana quarter; here you get a sense of everyday life on this enchanting island.

Next, we headed for Vegueta, the city’s oldest district. You instantly feel as if you have stepped back into another time. Old half‑timbered houses with their famous wooden balconies characterize the scene. Cobblestones wind through the narrow alleys of this picturesque quarter.

The Cathedral of Santa Ana is the most important landmark of this area.

Each year, it impresses thousands of tourists with its extraordinary architecture. The oldest parts date back to the 16th century, while the towers were only completed last century. This mixture of different styles gives the cathedral its special appearance.

The climb up to the church tower is especially rewarding, offering a wonderful panoramic view over the city.

On the large square in front of the cathedral, you can linger wonderfully. Cafés and restaurants invite you in, though prices in this area are higher than in other districts.

Also in Vegueta is the Columbus Museum (Casa de Colón). On his way to America, Columbus spent a few days in Las Palmas. The museum commemorates this significant journey.

There you will find replicas of the three ships with which he crossed the Atlantic—Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria. You get a good insight into this historic voyage, and one section is also devoted to the history of Las Palmas.

Our next destination was Parque Doramas. This park is named after the last Guanche leader, who had no chance against the Spanish conquerors and ultimately fell from a cliff. This moment is immortalized in a monument at the center of the park.

Also located in the park is the “Pueblo Canario,” which recalls the lifestyle of the Canary Islands’ indigenous inhabitants. You stroll past the typical houses of this now‑extinct civilization.
After the park, we continued toward the beach.

Behind the famous “Playa de las Canteras” lies a very interesting district. In narrow, winding streets you’ll find countless restaurants, bars and shops of every kind. Prices are lower than in the old town, despite the proximity to the popular beach.

In one of these restaurants, we ordered delicious tapas. There is nothing better than these little Spanish delights.

Our favorites include jamón serrano, queso, albóndigas, papas arrugadas and ensaladilla rusa. But usually we let ourselves be inspired by what the bar offers, always trying something new alongside our favorites.

Well‑fed, we then walked to the beach. It lay there beautifully, the water sparkling in the afternoon sunshine. It is not called one of the most beautiful city beaches in the world without reason.

Along the endlessly long promenade there are once again the usual restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. People stroll by, the cafés with a sea view are well‑visited, children play on the beach. The atmosphere is relaxed.

We, too, walked along the beach, treated ourselves to a Café con leche and dipped our feet into the refreshing water.

Later, we also visited Avenida Mesa y López, another shopping street in Las Palmas, running parallel to the beach and leaving nothing to be desired.

From here we continued to Parque de Santa Catalina, a very beautiful park located between the beach promenade and the harbor, right next to Santa Catalina bus station.

This park is more like a big square. There is a lively atmosphere around the clock. In the mornings, locals grab a quick coffee on their way to work; throughout the morning, one sees tourists having breakfast; in the early afternoon, people come by for some tapas; and in the evenings, life is in full swing. I prefer to sit in one of the cafés in the late afternoon and simply watch the bustling activity.

Near the square is the Las Murallas shopping center, which also has a branch of my favorite fashion chain.

From the various floors you always have a wonderful view of the harbor, where huge ocean liners often lie.

After shopping, we returned to one of the bars with a beautiful view over the harbor. We ordered tapas and Tinto de Verano. It was wonderful.

By the time we left the bar, it was already dark.

We took the bus back to San Telmo, retrieved our car and finally drove back to the hotel, where we soon fell into a deep sleep.