Free walking tours in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and what to see

Must-sees

Vegueta is the district where the city was born. Here you will find Santa Ana cathedral, with views from its tower, and the Casa de Colón, a museum about the voyages to the Americas. The Museo Canario explains the life of the island's ancient inhabitants. Next door, the Triana district has the pedestrianised Calle Mayor, with shops and modernista buildings, and the Gabinete Literario.

To the north is Las Canteras beach, one of Spain's great city beaches, protected by a natural rock reef. It has a long promenade ending at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium. Nearby are Santa Catalina park and the Castillo de la Luz, a fortress next to the port. In Ciudad Jardín, the Pueblo Canario shows off traditional architecture.

Free tours and guided visits

Free tours usually cover Vegueta and Triana: the cathedral, the Casa de Colón and the squares of the old town. They explain the founding of the city and its ties with the Americas, and you pay what you think it is worth at the end. Climbing the cathedral tower and visiting the museums round off the walk nicely. Excursions around the island are highly recommended. The most common go to Roque Nublo and Tejeda in the interior, Teror and Arucas, the Bandama caldera and the Maspalomas dunes.

How long to spend

Two days are enough for the city. On the first, explore Vegueta and Triana at a relaxed pace and visit a museum. On the second, spend the morning at Las Canteras and the afternoon in Santa Catalina and the Castillo de la Luz. If you have a week, use the city as a base and spend several days exploring the island's interior and coast.

Where to stay

For sightseeing, Vegueta and Triana are the best choice, with the old town and plenty of restaurants on foot. If you prefer the beach, the Las Canteras and Santa Catalina area is livelier and well connected by bus to the historic centre. Buses to other parts of the island also leave from the Santa Catalina bus station.