Things To Do in Las Palmas

Standing at over 3,000-feet high, the Caldera de Bandama is one of Gran Canaria’s top attractions. Drive up to the peak for unrivalled views of the area. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see as far as neighbour, Fuerteventura. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can take a half-hour hike down into the crater, which will bring you up close to an abandoned farmhouse, overgrown fields and orange trees.

With three kilometres’ worth of amber-coloured sand, Las Canteras beach makes an ideal sunbathing spot. But, at low tide it shows off its trump card. The pool-calm waters begin to reveal a shallow reef – perfect for snorkelling. Take a peek underneath to see parrotfish, flounders and stargazers all dotting around the coral.

The food scene here is all about variety. You’ve got everything from al fresco dining on the seafront promenade to Italians in cobblestone streets and modern sushi places. Most of the restaurants by the beach offer seafood-focussed menus. In some, you can even order the catch of the day by weight. Then, there are the tucked-away tapas bars, where cured ham, cheese and Canarian wrinkly potatoes are all must-try dishes.

Las Palmas has its fair share of shopping centres, so you can pick up most things under one roof. El Mirador, for example, serves up all the usual high-street names, like Primark and H&M, alongside endless ocean views. If you want something less mainstream, head to Triana, the city’s main shopping street, and slip down one of the side streets for tiny food places and off-the-wall boutiques.