Flights to Las Palmas

Touch down with SAS at Las Palmas Airport and you’ll be raring to begin your holiday feeling relaxed and well rested.

Gran Canaria Airport

If you want to soak up all things Spanish while enjoying a beach break, look no further than Las Palmas.

MARCH 2023

Gran Canaria is often referred to as a mini continent as it’s so diverse. The same goes for the capital Las Palmas. Here is a mixed bag of must-visit spots.

Get inspired at CAAM modern art gallery

Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderno

Las Palmas’ key art establishment CAAM (Atlantic Center of Modern Art) celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. A well-established affair, it has three galleries in the old town of Vegueta. The larger of the trio, which spreads across four floors, is a particular draw for the local art set, who congregate here in the evenings to soak up the creative energy and attend regularly held events, seminars and concerts.

San Cristóbal fishing village – a colorful dream locale

San Cristóbal

A visit to the little San Cristóbal fishing village, located a few kilometers south of the city along the coast, is a must when in Las Palmas. It’s by no means sprawling, yet high on impact – particularly for the color enthusiast. Each house is painted in a different hue, creating a kaleidoscope of saturated color. Don’t forget to avert your gaze to the shoreline, where you’ll spot the historic San Pedro Fortress. There are a number of fish restaurants such as Los Botes, which a favorite among locals.

Views in a garden setting – refuel at Restaurante Jardin Canario

Restaurante Jardin Canario

Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo is the tongue-twisty full name of Las Palmas’ botanical garden. We can’t recommend this beautifully rugged wonderland enough – it’s free to get in and features over 500 plant species across 10 hectares of amazing ravine terrain. It also has an excellent restaurant with sweeping views and partly botany-themed interior. Having explored the vast garden, involving plenty of climbing steep steps, you deserve a break, be it for coffee or something more substantial.

Mingle with the locals at Bochince los Jamones

Bochince los Jamones

Just north of Las Canteras beach, in the neighborhood of Las Isleta, you’ll find Bochince los Jamones, a neighborhood favorite since the 1960s. Take a seat among the strung-up hams in this cozy, bar-style place, and chat away with the friendly regulars (one of whom speaks fluent Swedish). The menu is small but satisfying, offering Canarian fare such as the delicious “wrinkly potato” dish papas arrugadas. Alongside this, we sampled a heady mix of snails, serrano ham, a medley of local cheeses and prawns cooked with garlic and chili. (Be sure to state which portion-size you’d like when ordering – these are not tapas-style servings!)

Pick up edible souvenirs at El Corte Inglés’ supermarket

El Corte Inglés

hose on a mission to pick up some Canarian specialties will be pleasantly overwhelmed at the variety on offer at Spanish department store El Corte Inglés’ bountiful supermarket. In this gigantic place, locally made honey and olive oil jostle for space with internationally sourced goods. The charcuterie and fishmonger brim with fresh produce, including whole Serrano ham legs. You’ll also find a high-end, deli-style cafe within, serving bocadillos (filled baguettes) packed with cuts of your choice, including top quality 100% Iberico ham.The supermarket is located in the basement of the branch that sells cosmetics on the ground floor (there are two branches on either side of the road).

Lose yourself in Vegueta – Las Palmas’ beautiful old town

Vegueta

This is the original settlement, giving birth to Las Palmas towards the end of the 15th century. In essence, it’s a charming collection of cobbled streets and architectural styles (from late Gothic, through to Renaissance), with a huge choice of outdoor terraces from which to soak it all up. Those wishing to participate more actively in their pursuit of culture can visit the Santa Ana cathedral and the fascinating Museo Canario historical museum.

Las Canteras Beach – more than sun and golden sand

Playa de Las Canteras

Las Palmas’ city beach, a 2km-long haven of golden sand, needs little introduction, but it’s worth a mention due to its multifaceted appeal. There’s space for both sun-seekers and adventurous surfers, and it’s also an excellent snorkeling location – the beach’s natural offshore reef serves as a wave-break, providing a calm environment for marine life and human beach-dwellers alike.

MAY 2022

The Canary Islands may be better known for their temperate climate and stunning scenery, but they also represent a paradise for hikers with trails to suit every level and spectacular views from wherever you are. A cliché maybe, but there really is something for everyone in this archipelago of contrasts.

A view to a thrill

Valle de Agaete

hey say ”no pain, no gain” which is a perfect way to describe the hike up to the top of the Era de Berbique on the 10km-long Valle de Agaete trail. The dramatic cliffside drops, deep ravines and breathtaking views both over the mountainous region inland and out to sea make all the effort worthwhile though. From the plateau the 4.5 hour walk gradually leads you down to the pretty village of Agaete and you can reward yourself for all that effort with a meal at one of the seafood restaurants dotted around the port.

The hidden gem

Playa Guigui

Deserted remote beaches may not be the first thing you associate with Gran Canaria, but if you’re after a hike out of the ordinary, head for Playa Guigui (also called Playa de Güigüí) on the west coast of the island. Only accessible by boat or on foot, you can choose to reach this beautiful hidden gem by way of a shorter three-hour round trip walk from the town of Tasartico, or for those in search of a challenge, then start at La Aldea de San Nicolás. In both cases the views are wonderful and what better way to treat yourself than taking a dip in the crystal blue waters?

Ready to rock!

Roque Nublo

Considered to be one of the biggest natural crags in the world, Roque Nublo in the municipality of Tejeda is an 80m-high piece of volcanic rock jutting out some 1,813m above sea level. The third highest peak on the island, the area around the rock was declared a national park in 1987. There is choice of trails you can take, the shortest at just 1.5km, but it’s worth following the 5km long hike that winds around the park taking in the Las Niñas, Chira and Soria dams and the quaint towns of Artenara and Acusa. And see whether you agree with the much-held belief that the small rock next to Nublo looks like a frog!

Go green to the beach

Taganana – Tamadite

If plant life is your thing, you’ll love this moderate difficulty trail near Santa Cruz de Tenerife in one of the wildest and greenest parts of the island. The 9.3km route brings you down from the Taganana mountain and ends at the picturesque Tamadite Beach and along it you will come across an array of beautiful wildflowers, vineyards and great views over the cliffs, the sea and the surrounding mountains. To make the most of the views try to do this walk in the morning.

Head in the clouds

Punta del Hidalgo – Chinamada

Like many of the best hikes around the Canary Islands the further up you climb the greater are the views you will be rewarded with. This is certainly the case with the trail from Punta del Hidalgo to Chinamada in Tenerife. You start on the coast in Punta del Hidalgo and gradually climb up, enjoying views of the surrounding mountains and plunging coastal cliffs as you hike above the Barranco del Rio. Finally, you reach Chinamada, a small cave village where one or two people still inhabit the dwellings carved into the rock. The whole area around Chinamada is included in the protected Anaga Nature Park.

A lagoon out of the ordinary

El Golfo – Charco de los Clicos

Famed for its ”other-worldly” appearance, Lanzarote has something for all walkers, although the most popular trails usually cover volcano craters and/or coastal caves. If you’re fascinated by volcanos and favor a medium-to-tough hike, the 10.6km stretch from El Golfo to Charco de los Clicos should fit the bill nicely. One of the islands most popular – and beautiful – trails, you will follow actual lava flows as you gap at the awesome landscape. Perhaps even more surreal is the endpoint, Charco de los Clicos, where the crater of a dormant volcano drops to the sea forming a lagoon, who’s piercing color formed by algae contrasts starkly with the blackness around it.

The long and winding road

GR131

Measuring some 160km over nine stages, the GR131 is the longest trail of the Canary Islands. On Fuerteventura you start at Isla de Lobos in the north of the island before making your way across to Corralejo and then heading south. Along the way you’ll climb high, discover lunar-like landscapes and lush valleys, traverse across busy tourist regions and feel like you’re in the desert. Each day brings new wonders and signs along the way tell you all about the terrain, the history of the region and its fauna. Should you wish, you can follow the GR131 right the way across the archipelago of islands.

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