If you’re visiting Gran Canaria, you should definitely plan to spend at least 24 hours in Las Palmas, the capital city of the Canary island. You’ll find the majority of the destination’s cultural attractions in Las Palmas and the city also has some excellent restaurants so if you’re a foodie like me, it’s a must!
We spent four days in Las Palmas on a little pre-wedding city break in May and we had a great time. It has the perks of a big city (great shopping, cool eateries, plus plenty of museums and galleries if that’s your thing) combined with a beachy atmosphere along Playa de las Canteras.
Here, I’ve created the perfect 24 hours in Las Palmas itinerary. If you’re exploring more of the island, check out my guide to the best things to do in Gran Canaria for more inspiration.
What to do if you have one day in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Eat breakfast at Mr Kale
Our favourite spot for breakfast in Las Palmas was Mr Kale. This edgy eatery has an extensive menu of healthy brunch options such as eggs, avo, sandwiches and more. They also serve a variety of juices and smoothies that will fuel you up for a day exploring Las Palmas.
Spend your morning seeing Las Palmas’ big attractions
After breakfast, you should be ready to delve into the city. Las Palmas’ historic area is called Vegueta, and I’d recommend heading over there. It’s UNESCO protected and is home to Casa de Colon, where Christopher Columbus took shelter during a visit to the island, and the grand cathedral.
If you’d like to see Las Palmas’ best places to visit outside of Vegueta, I recommend booking a half-day tour to tick off the main tourist attractions. Otherwise, you may find yourself spending a lot of time walking!
If you’re visiting Las Palmas in a small group, this guided taxi and walking tour of Las Palmas is a great option.
Alternatively, buy a hop-on-hop-off bus ticket to see you through the length of your stay in Gran Canaria (or at least the duration you want to spend having adventures). You can buy a 24-hour ticket here. We used this bus and it saved our legs.
Have a coffee break at Café Regina
After all that sightseeing, you’ll be ready for a cafe hit. Head over to the beating heart of Las Palmas and grab a table at Café Regina. Their coffee is delicious and their baked sweet treats are even better.
Hit the beach
One of the major draws of Las Palmas is the fact it’s a city with not just one but two beaches. As the afternoon rolls in, head over to Playa de las Canteras and spend some time enjoying Gran Canaria’s famous year-round sunshine.
Have a lazy lunch
When hunger strikes, find a spot outside one of the many bars and restaurants lining the beach and order a jug of sangria along with some tapas. When in Spain, eh?
I recommend ordering papas arrugadas, which are wrinkly Canarian potatoes served with mojo sauce. They shouldn’t be as good as they are!
Sip rooftop drinks
Take some time to freshen up back at your hotel, then head back out for sunset. You absolutely have to book a table at Santa Catalina’s rooftop bar for sundowners. It’s the best hotel in the city and also the best place in Las Palmas to watch the sunset. There was live music when we were there and the cocktails went down a treat.
Experience fine dining in Las Palmas
After a few drinks, head to one of the best restaurants in Las Palmas for a relaxed late dinner. A meal at Triciclo is a very memorable experience. We had crawfish croquettes followed by a tantalising seafood curry for me and steak for Tom. It was like nothing I’ve tasted before!
Sleep in style
We got cheap flights to Las Palmas so I decided to go big on the hotel. I can’t recommend Santa Catalina Hotel enough. The five-star Royal Hideaway hotel oozes glamour and is every bit as luxurious as you might expect.
In addition to absolutely stunning grounds and an outrageously elegant living room on the ground floor, our room had a huge balcony and the bed was insanely comfortable. Life goal attained.
Check prices and availability for Santa Catalina here or use booking.com to find a place to stay in Las Palmas in your budget.
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