Las Palmas

It’s definitely worth visiting Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. Wander around the district of La Vegueta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can see the cathedral and the house of Christopher Columbus. There’s also lots to do in the Triana district. The botanic gardens, for instance, are perfect for a relaxing walk.

The painted cave in Gáldar is one of the archipelago’s best-kept archaeological secrets. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of years ago, the island’s inhabitants painted patterns on the walls of the cave. To access the cave, you have to walk through the remains of a prehistoric village. The museum provides interesting information on excavations at the site.

Gran Canaria is peppered with unbelievably charming towns and villages. The historic villages and traditional architecture tell you a lot about the island’s past. Some of the most beautiful places to explore include Puerto de Mogán, Teror, Arucas, Telde or Agüimes. Whether by the sea or inland, each one has its own individual identity.

If you’re passionate about the universe, you’ll love it here! At night, you can go stargazing at the Temisas astronomical observatory or the Roque Saucillo astronomical centre. The two sites are located far from sources of light pollution, providing the perfect setting for observing the night sky. Use special glasses to locate constellations, or try a naked-eye astronomy session.

Canarian markets attract swarms of visitors. But if we had to choose just one to visit, it would have to be La Vegueta market in Las Palmas. On Sundays, locals and tourists flock to Pilar Nuevo square, where you’ll find stalls selling exotic produce alongside stands displaying locally crafted items. Here, you can sample some local Canarian food and find gifts to take home too. Perfect!

Ropa vieja literally means “old clothes”. However, it’s actually a traditional Hispanic dish that’s very popular in the Canary Islands. Ropa vieja is a chickpea stew with shredded meat (chicken, beef, etc.), peppers and tomatoes. The stew is flavoured with herbs and spices.

In the Canary Islands, a dessert called polvito uruguayo was renamed polvito canario because it was so popular on the archipelago.  It has several layers and looks rather like a tiramisu. Alternating layers of biscuit, meringue and cream made from condensed milk make for a true taste sensation!