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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a proper city, with a port, offices and neighbourhood life, as well as three kilometres of beach right in the centre. This isn’t a place to shut yourself away in a resort: come to stroll around Vegueta, swim before breakfast and have dinner on a terrace by the sea.
Choosing where to stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria depends above all on what matters most on your trip: the beach, history or peace and quiet. In this guide, we explain each area and suggest places to stay that we hand-pick one by one, along with their strengths and limitations.
How to choose an area
The capital stretches along the coast, from La Isleta in the north to Vegueta and San Cristóbal in the south. These are the areas that make the most sense for travellers:
- Las Canteras, Santa Catalina and Guanarteme: the beach, the seafront promenade, Santa Catalina Park and the widest choice of restaurants. It’s the most convenient option for a first visit.
- Triana and Vegueta: the historic centre, Santa Ana Cathedral, Casa de Colón and the pedestrianised, shopping-lined Calle Mayor de Triana. Ideal if you’re interested in museums and architecture.
- Ciudad Jardín and Alcaravaneras: tree-lined streets, early 20th-century houses and a quiet beach beside the marina.
- The upper area, towards Tafira and Bandama: villas with gardens and views, more peace and quiet, and almost certainly a need for a car.
For a short break without a car, Las Canteras is hard to beat; for families looking for space, a villa in the upper area is worth the journey. See all the options on our page for places to stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
Where to stay near Las Canteras
Las Canteras beach is about three kilometres long and sheltered by La Barra, a natural reef that calms the water along much of the shore. This is where most of the accommodation is concentrated, especially apartments and houses with kitchens; here are our suggestions, either on the seafront or just a few streets away.
ART en Las Palmas - Viviendas Vacacionales
An apartment building about 300 metres from the sand, with a full kitchen, washing machine and dishwasher, designed for guests staying several days who want to live like a local. It has a lift and wheelchair-accessible units, which is unusual in this area. Private parking is free, but must be reserved before arrival.
Sunset views over the sea By CanariasGetaway
Right on the seafront: step outside and you’re straight onto the promenade, with the beach in front of you and views of the sea and mountains from the windows. It’s a one-bedroom apartment for two, with a kitchen and washing machine, perfect for a couple. Bear in mind that free Wi-Fi is available in the communal areas and there’s no parking.
Fahana Las Canteras
A three-bedroom, three-bathroom house about 50 metres from the beach, with a patio, terrace, washing machine and tumble dryer—a rare find so close to the sea and very practical for families or groups of up to six. Private parking is free and doesn’t need to be reserved, and pets are allowed. There are quiet hours at night, so it’s not suitable for parties.
Canteras Aqua Essence - Private Pool & Beach
Its standout feature is the private pool, with a terrace overlooking it, just 250 metres from Las Canteras: you can switch between the sea and fresh water without leaving the neighbourhood. There’s 110 m² of space for six people, with a fully equipped kitchen and dishwasher. There’s no parking, and quiet hours begin at 10 pm.
Acogedora vivienda con parking en la Playa de Las Canteras
A whole house with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a patio and a location about 150 metres from the beach. Its fast internet connection is suitable for remote working or video calls without interruptions. If you’re arriving by car, there’s private paid parking, which must be booked in advance. You’ll be asked to let them know your arrival time.
Where to stay in Triana and Ciudad Jardín
If you’d rather wake up near the museums or in a leafy residential neighbourhood, these two options put you away from the beach crowds without sacrificing the convenience of exploring the city on foot.
Triana Rooms EH
A simple guesthouse just steps from Calle Mayor de Triana, with the Pérez Galdós House-Museum and Casa de Colón just a few minutes’ walk away. It has single, double and triple rooms, making it a good option if you’re travelling alone or with friends. The bathroom is shared, and there’s no lift or parking.
Casa Boissier Ciudad Jardín
A house with a garden, terrace and outdoor pool in one of the city’s quietest neighbourhoods, about 400 metres from Las Alcaravaneras beach. The double rooms have private bathrooms and air conditioning, and there’s a shared kitchen for preparing something simple. It’s not suitable for groups or for anyone who needs on-site parking.
Spacious villas in the upper area
If you’re travelling as a family, want your own garden and don’t mind driving down to the beach, these two villas offer a lot more space.
Villa Enora
A 135 m² villa for five people, with a garden, patio, terrace and barbecue, in the Bandama area: the Pico de Bandama viewpoint is just over a kilometre away. The kitchen has an oven and coffee maker, and private parking is free. Check-in starts at 16:00 and parties are not allowed.
Villa Alpispa
A 150 m² house with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garden and a terrace with sea and mountain views, comfortable for a family of up to five. The kitchen is well equipped and Wi-Fi reaches throughout the villa. The upper floors are accessible only by stairs, and the free parking is public, on the street.
What to see in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Start in Vegueta, the neighbourhood where the city was founded in 1478. Here you’ll find Santa Ana Cathedral, with its square watched over by bronze dogs, Casa de Colón, the Canary Museum and the Atlantic Center of Modern Art. Cross the Guiniguada and you’ll reach Triana, with its pedestrianised Calle Mayor, the Pérez Galdós Theatre and San Telmo Park.
To the north, Las Canteras is worth a whole morning: the promenade runs from the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium to La Puntilla, and at low tide you can snorkel alongside La Barra. Nearby are Santa Catalina Park, the Elder Museum of Science and Puerto Market, ideal for tapas.
In Ciudad Jardín, you can stroll through Doramas Park and Pueblo Canario. And if you have a car, head up to the higher ground to see the Bandama Caldera and the Viera y Clavijo Canarian Botanical Garden in Tafira.
When to visit
With mild temperatures all year round, there’s no bad season to visit. In summer, cloudy mornings are common; locals call this weather «panza de burro». Winters tend to be sunny and are when more travellers from northern Europe arrive.
If you enjoy festivals, make a note of Carnival 2027, which will run from 22 January to 28 February and be dedicated to music. Shrove Tuesday, 9 February 2027, is a local public holiday, as is 24 June, the anniversary of the city’s founding and the feast of St John. It’s best to book well in advance for these dates.
The city also made the Spanish shortlist to be European Capital of Culture in 2031, alongside Cáceres, Granada and Oviedo—a sign of the cultural life you’ll find in its neighbourhoods.
Getting there and getting around
Gran Canaria Airport is in Gando, about 20 km to the south, and you can reach it via the GC-1 motorway by car or on interurban guaguas, which stop at the San Telmo and Santa Catalina bus stations. The Port of La Luz has ferry connections to Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
Within the city, the yellow municipal guaguas serve all neighbourhoods, and the journey between Las Canteras and Vegueta is short. A car is only worthwhile if you’re exploring the island or staying in the upper area, as parking near the beach is difficult.
Las Palmas is one of the stops in our guide to where to stay in Gran Canaria, part of our guide to where to stay in the Canary Islands. If you’re looking for guaranteed sunshine and dunes, also see where to stay in Maspalomas and where to stay in Playa del Inglés; and to plan your trip, how to get to Gran Canaria.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to the most common questions when planning a stay in the Gran Canarian capital.
What is the best area to stay in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?
For most travellers, the Las Canteras, Santa Catalina and Guanarteme area is the most convenient: the urban beach is just steps away, along with the seafront promenade, plenty of restaurants and guaguas to all the neighbourhoods. If you’re more interested in museums and architecture, Triana and Vegueta put you right by the historic centre. Those looking for peace and quiet tend to prefer Ciudad Jardín, while families travelling by car can find garden villas in the upper area, towards Tafira and Bandama.
Can you swim at Las Canteras all year round?
Yes. The water temperature in Gran Canaria is mild all year round, and at Las Canteras the La Barra reef breaks much of the swell, so the central area is usually calm. At low tide, pools form where it’s easy to snorkel. At the southern end, towards La Cícer, the waves are bigger and the area is popular with surfers. Always follow the flags and lifeguards’ instructions.
Do I need a car if I’m staying in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?
No, if you’re staying in the city. From Las Canteras or Triana, you can get around on foot or on the municipal guaguas, and parking in the centre and near the beach is limited and often paid. A car is useful if you’re staying in one of the villas in the upper area, visiting the Bandama Caldera or taking trips inland and to the south of the island. If so, choose accommodation with parking included or reserved.
How do you get from the airport to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria Airport is in Gando, about 20 km south of the capital. The drive is short via the GC-1 motorway, which enters the city along the coast. Interurban guaguas connect the airport with San Telmo station, near Triana, and Santa Catalina station, near Las Canteras. Taxis are also available outside the terminal, a convenient option if you arrive late or have a lot of luggage.
When is Carnival in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 2027?
Carnival 2027 will run from 22 January to 28 February and be dedicated to music. Shrove Tuesday, which falls on 9 February 2027, is a local public holiday in the city. Accommodation demand is extremely high during these weeks, especially on the weekends of the major galas and the parade, so it’s best to book several months in advance and check the cancellation terms.
