Do you think Gran Canaria is all about sandy beaches, sunbeds and sipping sangria? Think again.
North of the popular tourist resorts lies Las Palmas, the capital of the island and an easy day trip from the island’s main beach resorts. Vegueta, or Las Palmas Old Town, is the historic heart of this vibrant city.
Follow my lovingly-crafted guide to spend an unforgettable day in Las Palmas Old Town. From its awe-inspiring cathedral to achingly picturesque streets, there’s something for every traveller.
Some articles on this website contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.
How to Use My Guide
My list of the top attractions in Vegueta gives you a loose framework on which to hang your day. But if you find it easier, you can use this guide as a Las Palmas self-guided walking tour. Vegueta is a compact area and the distance from Mercado de Vegueta, the starting point of this itinerary, to Museo Canario, its endpoint, is around half a mile.
After seeing these sights, wind your way back through Triana to San Telmo Bus Station. Depending on how long you spend at each place, you may have time to catch the bus to Las Canteras Beach (recommended).
Here is your free Vegueta walking tour map. For step-by-step directions and to send to your phone, click here or on the image.
What to Do in Las Palmas Old Town in One Day
Within a day, you will visit a monumental cathedral steeped in history, explore the narrow streets that reveal the soul of local life, immerse yourself in Canarian history and traditions and stock up on local produce in Las Palmas Old Town’s famous market.
1. Get a flavour of local life at Mercado de Vegueta (Vegueta Market)
As the morning is the best time to visit Mercado de Vegueta, begin your day in Las Palmas Old Town at its market.
Selling fish, fruit, vegetables and flowers, there are few better places to experience a slice of local life. And if you need a caffeine shot and a sweet treat, there are several good cafes.
2. See where it all began at Plaza de San Antonio Abad
Gran Canaria was founded on the site of Plaza de San Antonio Abad.
The island’s first civil and religious institutions were in this small square. It’s also where you will find the hermitage dedicated to San Antonio Abad at the site of the first Cathedral of the Canary Islands.
Christopher Columbus prayed in the Ermitage de San Antonio Abad before sailing to the Americas. Although its door was firmly locked each time I passed, within its plain exterior is a beautiful Baroque altarpiece.
3. Learn more about Christopher Columbus at Casa de Colón
If you want to learn more about the journeys of Christopher Columbus across the Atlantic, and their impact on the Canary Islands, make Casa de Colón your next stop. Housed in a gorgeous resorted Canarian palace, which was the residence of the first governors of the island, this excellent museum also displays Pre-Columbian artefacts and explores the history of the Canaries.
The building takes its name from claims that Christopher Columbus stayed there in 1492 while one of his ships was repaired. Casa de Colón was rebuilt in 1777 and has housed a museum since 1952.
4. Pay your respects at Catedral de Santa Ana de Canaria (Santa Ana Cathedral)
With its twin towers rising over Vegueta’s skyline, Santa Ana Cathedral is Las Palmas’ most recognizable landmark.
Work began on this monumental cathedral in 1497, fourteen years after the Spanish conquest. However, construction continued until 1809 with the cathedral morphing through different architectural styles and employing numerous architects.
Its main nave is Isabelline Gothic and features an intricate ribbed vaulted ceiling. This blends seamlessly with the Neo-Classical extensions in the side chapels injected with a small dose of Renaissance. The result is a microcosm of Canadian architecture.
Walk through the Puerta del Aire into the Patio de los Naranjos. This leafy 17th-century courtyard, which connects the cathedral with the Museum of Sacred Art, takes its name from the orange trees planted there.
It shares its name with the patio of the Cathedral of Seville with which Santa Ana Cathedral has a close relationship (the Canary Islands diocese belongs to the archdiocese of Seville).
Your ticket for the cathedral includes entry to the Museum of Sacred Art (Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro). This houses a collection of religious sculptures, paintings and carvings from the 16th to the 20th Centuries.
Taking pride of place is a wooden crucifix by Luján Peréz. This plays a starring role in the Las Palmas Easter procession.
Opening hours: Las Palmas Cathedral is open from 10 and until 6 pm, Monday to Friday, and from 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday. On Sundays, only the tower is open.
Ticket price: There is a modest admission fee which includes the tower and Diocesan Museum.
Although the cathedral does not offer guided tours, I downloaded an excellent free audio tour on my phone when I visited.
5. Take in the view of Plaza de Santa Ana from the cathedral’s tower
As cathedral tower climbs go, this is a piece of cake. Take the lift to the main viewing platform and then climb a set of steps to the top of the bell tower.
From here, there are the best views of Plaza de Santa Ana, Vegueta’s beating heart, and of the ocean in the other direction. This immense square is lined with fine Canarian buildings, including Palacio Episcopal Bishop’s Palace and Casa Regente (residence of the president of Gran Canaria’s High Court of Law).
Eight cast iron figures of dogs painted in green bronze guard the cathedral’s entrance and the square itself. The Dogs of Plaza de Santa Ana have resided here since the end of the 19th Century, becoming a symbol of Las Palmas.
6. Join a tour of Casas Consitoriales (Old Town Hall)
Facing Santa Ana Cathedral across the plaza is the elegant 19th-century Neo-Classical Casas Consitoriales.
Built on the site of the original 16th-century Town Hall, the building is home to important works of art by Canarian artists, including César Manrique. But its most famous painting is Emnigrantes by Ventura Álvarez Sala, donated by El Prado Museum in 1909, which hangs above the main staircase.
Free guided tours are provided by the City of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria every Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm (check current arrangements at the Tourist Information Office in Plaza de Santa Ana).
7. Chill out in Plaza del Espíritu Santo
Behind the Old Town Hall is Plaza del Espíritu Santo, which has a small dragon tree and a gorgeous stone domed fountain, one of the few covered fountains in Hispanic architecture. It takes its name from the Espíritu Santo Church which dates to the 17th Century.
Plaza del Espíritu Santo is a popular local meeting point and hosts cultural events, concerts and festivals.
8. Admire Vegueta architecture and its prettiest streets
Plaza del Espíritu Santo is also notable for its stunning colonial-style buildings, a reflection of the Las Palmas Old Town’s rich architectural heritage.
But this is not the only place in Vegueta where you can admire these traditional houses. A quick stroll around Las Palmas’ oldest neighbourhood will reveal its varied architecture.
Although pirate attacks in the 16th Century laid waste to much of the post-Conquest hamlet, there is still plenty to see. There are balconies a-plenty, from typical Canarian wooden-box-like designs to Modernist wrought-iron varieties.
If you are looking for the most beautiful streets in Las Palmas Old Town, check out Calle Los Balcones, Calle Espiritu Santo, Calle Mendizábal (famous for its Thursday tapas nights) and Calle Pelota.
9. Dive into local history at Museo Canario
Museo Canario is my type of museum; informative and entertaining in equal measure and refreshingly old-fashioned.
This superb museum explores the life, work and death of the Canarii, the island’s Aboriginal people, up to the time of the Spanish conquest. If you plan to see any of the island’s Canarii sites – I recommend Cañada de los Gatos in Puerto de Mogán – visit Museo Canario first for context.
Its highlights include a room filled with hundreds of skeletal remains in glass cases, which were rich sources of anthropological studies.
The museum also houses ancient sculptures of women, the most famous of which is the Tara Idol.
Opening hours: Museo Canario is open from 10 am until 8 pm, Monday to Friday. On Saturday, Sunday and public holidays it is open from 10 am to 2 pm.
Check here for current opening times.
Ticket price: A modest admission fee applies
Although all of the display information is in Spanish, scan the QR codes for excellent overviews in English.
10. Stroll through the streets of Triana
Leave Vegueta and cross the busy main road into Triana.
Not long after the Conquest, Vegueta became too small for the island’s growing population. By the 19th Century, the neighbouring district of Triana was, in effect, an overflow of Las Palmas Old Town.
Highlights of this vibrant neighbourhood include the Gabinete Literario – make sure you take a peek inside – the Teatro Pérez Galdós and the Ermita de San Telmo.
Other Places to Visit in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
If you want to squeeze more into your day in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, I recommend visiting Playa de Las Canteras, its superb urban beach. Longer-term visitors should consider taking a short bus ride to Jardin Botanico Canario Viera & Clavijo, the island’s botanical garden.
Playa de Las Canteras
Playa de Las Canteras has two miles of fine sand sandwiched between a pleasant promenade and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the finest city beaches in Europe.
I loved watching the surfers ride the waves at the western end of the beach. The waters become calmer and the sand finer and more golden as you head east.
My tip is to catch a local bus to Auditorio Alfredo Kraus at the beach’s western end and work your way east along the promenade, ending up at Santa Catalina bus station.
Jardin Botanico Canario Viera & Clavijo
Vast and wild, Jardin Botanico Canario Viera & Clavijo is set across a deep ravine. This is not only the largest botanical garden in the Canary Islands but also the largest of its type in Spain.
From ornamental cacti to pine woods and a laurel forest, this serene oasis showcases a diverse collection of native and exotic plant species. I’m a sucker for Japanese gardens and there’s a wonderful ornamental garden here with a waterfall.
How to get to the botanical garden from Las Palmas
Jardin Botanico Canario Viera & Clavijo is a 15-minute bus journey from San Telmo Station. Take bus #301 towards Santa Brigida, which operates twice an hour, and alight at Jardin Canario.
Admission is free and it is open year-round.
Getting There
As Las Palmas is the main transport hub for Gran Canaria, services arrive at its bus stations from all corners of the island.
There are two stations in Las Palmas: San Telmo and Santa Catalina. San Telmo is close to Las Palmas Old Town; Santa Catalina is near Playa de Las Canteras.
To find out more about public transport, check out my guide to using buses in Gran Canaria.
Getting Around
Unless you visit Playa de Las Canteras, you won’t need to use local buses in Las Palmas. In 2023, city buses have a flat fare of €1.40 if you buy your ticket from the driver. This cost is reduced if you use a rechargeable buscard.
Where to Stay
Las Palmas is not only a superb destination in its own right but is also the best base for exploring Gran Canaria by public transport. After a relaxing stay in Puerto de Mogán in the south, I made the island’s capital my home base for five days, visiting the gorgeous town of Arucas, tasting rum in Agüimes and taking a day trip to Teror.
I opted to stay in the heart of Vegueta, which was the right choice for me. But if you want to be close to an excellent beach, look at properties near Las Canteras.
I stayed in this spacious apartment in the heart of Vegueta. This is perfect if you want to be close to Las Palmas Old Town and its restaurants and within easy walking distance of San Telmo Bus Station for trips further afield.
It was also very affordable considering its location, size and amenities.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS AND PRICES
Here are a few other places I have found that may suit other budgets and tastes:
Midrange – VEINTIUNO Emblematic Hotels
This would be my choice of a comfortable hotel in Vegueta. It is ideal if you want to stay in a good hotel in the heart of Las Palmas Old Town. It also has a rooftop terrace with views to die for.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND PRICES
Splurge – Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel
If I was looking to splash the cash on a gorgeous beach hotel in Las Palmas, this would be my first choice. Santa Catalina might be for you if you are looking for all the facilities, comfort and service you would expect in a 5-star hotel. Other travellers love it too.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS AND PRICES
Is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Safe for Solo Travellers?
As a whole, Spain is one of the best solo travel destinations in Europe, especially if you are a first-time solo traveller. In my view, it is also one of the best places to visit alone in the world.
Solo travel to Gran Canaria is no exception. I felt comfortable wandering the streets of Vegueta at night, even at night.
However, like any city, it is always advisable to take common travel safety precautions to ensure a trouble-free experience. Remain vigilant, keep your belongings close to you and use your in-room safe to store valuables.
DISCOVER MORE ABOUT GRAN CANARIA!
- Gran Canaria Solo Travel: Itinerary & Essential Guide
- How to Explore Gran Canaria by Bus
- Top 10 Things to Do in Puerto de Mogán: Gran Canaria’s Little Venice
- The Ultimate Guide to Agüimes, Gran Canaria: All You Need to Know!
- Top 10 Things to See in Arucas, Gran Canaria: The Ultimate Guide
- The Ultimate Guide to Teror, Gran Canaria: Nothing to Fear!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.