Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Guide
Image by Bengt Nyman via wikipedia

Spain

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Guide

Canary Islands

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria offers a blend of urban life, historic charm, and beach relaxation. It's known for its warm climate and vibrant cultural scene, attracting both travelers and remote workers. The city's historic Vegueta district and the popular Las Canteras beach are big draws.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Great for trying local dishes like papas arrugadas and diverse international cuisines. Many late-night options.

Local Dishes:
papas arrugadas con mojo, sancocho canario
International Cuisine:
Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

Vibrant nightlife around Vegueta and Las Canteras with bars, clubs, and live music.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Good mix of traditional cafes and modern spots, known for local specialties like barraquito.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping isn't expected but appreciated, usually a small amount for good service.

Top Attractions
Las Canteras Beach
Beach
A long stretch of urban beach with calm waters and a lively promenade.
Vegueta
Culture
Historic quarter with colonial architecture.
Poema del Mar Aquarium
Family
A large aquarium showcasing marine life.
SIM Cards

Buy SIMs from major providers like Movistar and Vodafone. ID required for purchase.

Available at:
Movistar
Vodafone
Orange
Yoigo
Recommended Apps
Guaguas Municipales(Transportation)
Cabify(Transportation)
Glovo(Food Delivery)
Google Maps(Navigation)
WhatsApp(Communication)
AllTrails(Outdoor)
ElTiempo.es(Weather)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Generally clean with regular waste management and recycling.

24/7 Services
Good
6

Limited 24/7 options; some late-night pharmacies, minimarts, and eateries are available.

Groceries
Mercadona
HiperDino
Spar
Carrefour

Supermarkets offer international and local goods. Fresh produce markets are vibrant and well-stocked.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Card payments are common in most places, though cash is handy for small local spots.

ATMs

ATMs are easy to find, usually near banks and shopping areas. Fees depend on your bank and the ATM operator.

Schools
International

International schools available, teaching primarily in English.

Available Schools:
The British School of Gran Canaria
Canterbury School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
8
Available Spaces:
CoworkingC
Flexible workspace with meeting rooms and community events.
24/7 Access
CoWorking Nomad
Catering to nomads with flexible desk options.
Work & Co
Modern office spaces with private and shared options.
Talleres Palermo
Offers quiet coworking spaces with a cafe atmosphere upstairs.
The House
Combines co-living and co-working in one location.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Café Regina
Offers good Wi-Fi and a relaxed atmosphere.
Un Lugar Café
Popular for working with plenty of power outlets.
Cool Beans
Specialty coffee shop with strong Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Biblioteca Pública del Estado
Quiet public library with Wi-Fi.
Hotel lobbies
Often have Wi-Fi and comfortable seating.
Digital Nomad Community
Excellent
9

Strong nomad community with regular meetups, co-living spaces, and events.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Multiple parks offer green space for leisure and outdoor activities.

Running
Excellent
8

Scenic routes along Las Canteras and ample green spaces for running.

Gyms
Available

Well-equipped gyms with various membership options.

Available Gyms:
Go Fit Las Palmas
DreamFit
Isleta Fitness Center
Tennis
Excellent
8

Several clubs offer courts, classes, and equipment rental.

Padel
Excellent
8

Padel tennis is widely played with plenty of clubs and courts.

Yoga
Excellent
8

Numerous studios offer classes in various styles, catering to all levels.

Martial Arts
Good
7

Various martial arts schools offer classes in disciplines like BJJ and Muay Thai.

Skiing
Poor
0

Not available; the island's climate doesn't allow for snow sports.

Water Sports
Excellent
9

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are popular along Las Canteras.

Surfing
Excellent
8

Las Palmas offers good surfing both for beginners and experts, with nearby rentals.

Diving
Good
7

Divers enjoy varied sites with rich marine life and clear waters. Gear rental is easy.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Good public health service and private clinics with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies are easy to find.

Hospitals:
Hospital Universitario Insular de Gran Canaria
Hospital Universitario Doctor Negrín
Pharmacies:
Farmacia Perpetuo Socorro
Farmacia El Corte Inglés
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Safe to drink but may taste different due to desalination; many prefer bottled water.

Common Scams
Pickpocketing in busy areas, Overcharging by unofficial taxis, ATM skimming

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

Plenty of parks, family attractions, and kid-friendly dining.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
9

High acceptance with many inclusive venues and events. Legal protections are strong.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Pets welcome in many areas. Check policies for accommodations and dining.

Communities
Digital Nomads Gran Canaria (Digital Nomad)
Expats in Gran Canaria (Expat Community)

Quick Facts

Population
378,027
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power is stable with rare outages.

Beach Access
Available

Las Canteras is a top city beach with great sand, calm waters, and many amenities.

Mountains
Available

Central Gran Canaria is mountainous, offering many hiking options.

Languages
Spanish(100%)
English(50%)
Emergency
112
General Emergencies
061
Medical Emergencies

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Low Risk
3
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Calima
Winter, Spring
Saharan dust can reduce air quality temporarily.

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