Las Palmas is located in the north-eastern part of the Gran Canaria Island and it is at the center of the island’s small motorway network. It is set in beautiful scenery composed of two bays and their magnificent beaches.
It is the largest city in the Canary Islands and together with Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is the joint capital of the Islands.
A Little Bit of History
The Guanches were the early inhabitants of the island and an invading Castilian army found Las Palmas in 1478, and claimed it for the Crown.
Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to the New World stopped off in Las Palmas in 1492.
A museum in this island, Casa Colon, is named after him. From the Castilian military encampment on the right hillside of the ravine Barranco de Guiniguada, the first settlers started to expand towards the banks of the ravine.
The view of Las Palmas bay, Canary Islands
These settlements developed into quarters of Vegueta and Triana, and it was during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries the town grew into the interior of the island.
Fishermen and immigrants were the main inhabitants of the city of Las Palmas.
Only after the construction of the port Puerto de la Luz, in the 19th century, did the city expand to the north along the coastal strip.
The historical and cultural heritage of Las Palmas can be found in Vegueta district, which is the oldest quarter of the town and it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in the year 1990.
The view of the hill in Las Palmas, Canary Islands
The big seaport of Las Palmas played an important role in the 70s and early 90s, and the closure of Suez Canal during the Arab-Israeli conflict, was very beneficial to this port.
The port profits mainly due to its location on a crossroads of main oceanic shipping routes and it has been the main cause for the city’s economical and physical development.
Along with Avenida Mesa Y Lopez and El Muelle, Puerto de la Luz has become another major shopping centre of the city.
Alfredo Kraus, Antonio San Juan, Carla Suarez Navarro, Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, Mateo Gil, Magui Serna are a few among the famous people from Las Palmas.
The Carnival is the main festival of Las Palmas and the Saint John festivals held to celebrate the birth of Las Palmas as a city is another major celebration.
WOMAD Music Festival and Romeria de Vegueta are the other popular events.
Where is Las Palmas?
- 35.3 miles/ 56.9 km from Maspalomas, Spain
- 69.5 miles/112 km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- 172.1 miles/277 km from Arrecife, Spain
- 15.6 miles/ 25.2 km from Gran Canaria Airport, Spain
Things to See
- Casa de Colon
- Church of San Antonio Abad
- El Museo Canario
- Catedral de Santa Ana
- Parque Santa Catalina
- Triana
Beaches
- Las Canteras
- Las Alcaravaneras
- El Confital
- La Laja
Excursions
- Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
- Agaete, Finca and Huerto
- Dolphins and Whales
- Hiking at Bandama Crater
- Panoramic Las Palmas
Las Palmas is a bustling city with Spanish ambiance, history and culture.
It is a must-see destination on your next trip to Canary Islands.
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!
