The Canary Islands - Gran Canaria
Click on the name of the island below to reach the destination page :
CANARY ISLANDS Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro
From the Ferry Boat to La Vegueta
1. Here you will find some basic Spanish vocabulary for your journey and Information on Spanish food and wine.
2. Restaurants in Las Palmas
3. Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Gran Canaria
4. Bars in Las Palmas
Port of Call -Arriving or leaving by cruise ship
Arriving or leaving by cruiseship
(Muelle Sta. Catalina, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria)
The cruise ships dock at Muelle (Pier) Santa Catalina. About 5 cruise ships can dock here at the same time. The dock has no terminal building and facilities are limited. A tourist information representative comes to the pier. You will find a car rental and taxi stand at the cruise port. Other taxis and the hop-on hop-off bus are waiting on the end of the shopping mall "El Muelle". The mall is just outside the port entrance and it has many shops and places with wi-fi. A little bit further you will see the actual tourist information booth.
What to do in Las Palmas
Our Tip: Take a taxi and drive to Cathedral of Santa Ana, Plaza Sta. Ana in La Vegueta and discover from there this barrio (district).
The Cathedral of Santa Ana is a Roman Catholic church located in Las Palmas, Canary Islands. The cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of the Canaries. It is situated within the Vegueta neighborhood, next to the Plaza Mayor of Santa Ana.
La Vegueta
a good source of information about the oldest historic district is this link (La Vegueta Route Podcast).
A detailed description of La Vegueta's sights are below in the day trip option 1 below
Museum's in La Vegueta:
“Casa de Colon” (Columbus House)
Open everyday from 10:00 to 18:00 except on Sundays and bank holidays when it closes at 15:00. Entrance fee is 4€ for adults and 2€ for people over 65 or students between 18 and 23 years old. Minors and unemployed people go in for free. First weekend of the month is for free as well.
El Museo Canario (Calle del Dr. Verneau, close to Santa Ana Square)
Open: Monday to Friday (except public holidays), 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
For more Information on museums click on Museum above.
Impressions of La Vegueta
Three Suggestions for one day tours in or out of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
If you come by ship, check with you destination desk if it offers you an excursion you like. Time might be a problem and missing the ship is not an option!
If you like to be independent and do your own thing, if you are used to drive on mountainous, winding and small roads we have provided for you 3 trips. It is possible to do just parts of it, just to your liking. Advice: Usa a Navi!
When you arrive by cruise ship, ferry, or plane to Gran Canaria and your destination is Spain’s 9th largest city, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, there are many options how to spend a great day in the city or around the island. We have worked out and tested three very different options and they can all be done in a full day.
1. Explore Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Yes, Las Palmas has one of the most attractive city beaches you can possibly ask for: Playa de las Canteras. This treasure is just a few blocks away from the cruise terminal and you may like to keep it for your afternoon in town.
First of all, we suggest to take a taxi and go to La Vegueta, the cultural and historical heart of Las Palmas and the spot where the city was founded by the Spanish back in 1478. Its beginnings and later attacks by British pirates and the Dutch navy, and Columbus' unplanned visit in 1492 make it a fascinating spot to explore. ........read more
2. Explore the North and the wild Western Coast of Gran Canaria
This excursion can be done with a rental car or a taxi which you rent at a fixed price for the day. This program is a perfect day for visitors who are more into smaller charming urban places and breathtaking nature.
In order to use the course of the sunlight ideally this trip should take you first to the wild, rugged West Coast of Gran Canaria. From Puerto de la Luz (where cruise ships dock) you follow state route GC 2 from Las Palmas along the North Coast. Right after passing a white suspension bridge at the outskirts of the city of Las Palmas, you will reach the impressive cliffs of “El Rincon” with a great view point (Mirador) – you can’t miss it as its rock monument “El Atlante” (the Atlas) will guide you unmistakably. Enjoy the beautiful view back to the city of Las Palmas before you continue your trip along the northern coast. .......read more
3. Touring around the island to get an idea of the many faces of Gran Canaria
The third suggestion for a full day excursion from Las Palmas will take you around the island and will give you an idea why Gran Canaria is called a “miniature continent”. You will see the diversity of the island’s climate and vegetation. It will take you to the majestic sand dunes of Maspalomas and to the Canary Pines and other endemic flora in an altitude of over 1500 m above sea level. You will see the many famous “cumbres” (mountain peaks) – truly amazing!
This trip should be done in a rental car and with at least 8 – 10 hours’ time (depending on how much time you want to spend in each stop).
The trip takes you first on the highway from Las Palmas (GC 1) on an easy drive down south, passing by the airport, to the famous big sand dunes of Maspalomas. The Maspalomas Dune system is a unique place in the Canary Islands due to its beauty and range of ecosystems. Its 400 hectares, protected by the Canarian government as a Nature Reserve of special value, include a dynamic sand dune system, palm grove, a brackish lagoon and a fantastic beach. The dunes were formed by sand from the bottom of the ocean during the last ice age. To learn more about the area visit the information center and lookout point in the Hotel Riu Palace in Playa del Inglés in northeast Maspalomas. You can enter the natural park by foot or with one of the offered guided tours on camel. ......read more
and MORE IMPRESSIONS from places around the island:
Near the Marina by M&W 2017
Beach Gran Canaria By M&W 2017
by M&W 2017
Near the Marina by M&W 2017
