Las Palmas

The view over Las Palmas Las Palmas cathedral Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is one of the largest cities in Spain, and is the largest city in the Canary Islands. Get in By plane Gran Canaria International Airport (IATA: LPA) , 928 579 095, [1]. Gran Canaria has a modern international airport which receives flights from Madrid, about 2 and a half hours, and from Barcelona and Bilbao, both about 3 hours. UK flights takes about 4 or 4 and a half hours. It operates flights to different destinations, mainly trough Europe and northern Africa. To get into the city, take the bus number 60 from the airport to either bus station in the city. The bus runs every 30 minutes from 6:15am to 8:50pm and costs €2.70 By boat The Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria receives ships from all over the world. Because its strategic position it receives visitors every year from all over Europe, Africa and America. For business or for tourism the port remains as one of the most important ports today and there is a program of further expansion. It operates daily routes to other Canary Islands. To Cádiz on the Spanish mainland, a trip by boat takes about 2 days. Naviera Armas [2] operates to and from Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Portugal, Madeira, and several other islands. Acciona Transmediterránea [3] operates the Las Palmas-Cádiz line and some inter-island lines. Most of the inter-island connections are run by fast ferries. Residents of the Canary Islands receive discounted fares. [4]. Yacht charter and sailing - INTERNATIONAL YACHTING GROUP, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to crewed in Las Palmas and Wordwide. The Port of Las Nieves in Agaete, 50 km from Las Palmas, offers a connection to Santa Cruz de Tenerife through Fred.Olsen, [5]. By bus The only bus company operating interurban lines on Gran Canaria is Global, tel. 902 381 110, email: sugerencias@globalsu.net. Most of the company's lines have Las Palmas as either their origin or their destination. There are two bus stations in the city: San Telmo Station in the city center. Santa Catalina Interchange near the city's port. This station is serviced also by the municipal bus system and by taxis. By car GC-1 cuts through the city, connecting it with the airport and other important municipalities as far as Tauro (80 km). GC-2 connects the city with the North Zone, extending up to Agaete. GC-3 circles the city and connects the other three highways GC-4 connects Las Palmas with the communities in the center of the island. Get around By bus Las Palmas has the best quality bus system in the archipelago and one of the best in Spain. The service is provided by Guaguas Municipales, tel. 928 446 500, [6]. The bright yellow buses are known simply as guaguas. The simple fare, paid directly to the driver, is 1.10€. A ticket good for 10 rides is available for 5.80€ at official shops in the city. The Tarjeta Insular (Island Card) is good on both municipal buses and Global buses, offering a 20% discount on first validation and a 70% discount on the second. Sorry but as from 1 January 2011 - the Gran Canaria GLOBAL bus company no longer issue or sell these very popular with tourist and Canarians so-called 15 or 10 EURO Tarjeta Insular tickets through the local ticket agencies. For more information on this check or contact GLOBAL direct at: http://www.globalsu.net/ If you are over 70 and staying longer you can apply for a Senior Citzens Pass at the Bus Station in Telmo. This will give you a 50% discount on all bus trips over 11km here! You will need Passport Photos for this and 5 EUROS! The most important bus lines have frequencies of between 3 and 15 minutes during the day and between 10 and 40 minutes at night. Most lines have service throughout the night. Among the most useful lines are: Line 1 Teatro - Puerto Line 12 Hoya de la Plata - Puerto Line 30 Alameda de Colón - Santa Catalina By car Dense traffic on workdays and in certain commercial leisure zones mean that driving is really no fun here. The city street plan is not at all rectilinear, so the streets can confuse even experienced drivers. Parking is also pretty expensive in most places. On the upside, the price of gasoline is significantly cheaper that the rest of Spain and Europe, there are no toll roads, and entrances, exits, main streets and important zones are all well-signposted. See Inside the Catedral de Santa Ana Playa de Las Canteras - Almost 4 kilometers in length, this beach is the very symbol of the city and its citizens. Catedral de Santa Ana - Embodying several centuries of history, the cathedral can be seen from almost any point in the city center. Vegueta - Historical enclave of the city. Parque Santa Catalina - This is where most of the hot nightlife spots can be found. It's also pretty during the day, although it consist of little more than a few palm trees. Triana - One of the oldest districts in Las Palmas, and now the city's commercial center. Alfredo Kraus Auditorium - Concert and music hall with classical philharmonic performances and a building that's worth a visit on its own. Elder Museum of Science and Technology - Most exhibitions have information in both Spanish and English. When you're in, you can also use the internet computers there, so the entrance fee is pretty decent. Students and children have a lower entrance fee. Do A surfer takes a dive in Las Palmas As a beach town, Las Palmas is especially popular for oceanside activities. Catch a wave, grab your snorkel, or just soak up some sun (after applying sunscreen, of course!). Or if you feel like exploring terra firma, do as the locals do and make use of the public tourism bus, known affectionately as the guiriguagua. Events Carnaval - Almost as famous as that of the neighboring island of Tenerife, yet different and perhaps even better. It is without a doubt quite spectacular. WOMAD Music Festival - Celebrated in the Santa Catalina Park zone, this festival brings in thousands of spectators every year for quality music free of charge. Romería de Vegueta - The catholic festival celebrated in the Vegueta area of the city. Buy Shop in the city center or in one of the department stores like "El Corte Ingles". There are cheap electronic products and souvenirs for sale everywhere. For food items, Hiperdino is a chain of stores that has a good range of products and set prices. Some of these stores also have a decent selection of wine. Check out Mercadona too. Buy the local rum: Arehucas or Artemi or Armiche (and check out the local Honey Rum "ron miel"). Eat San Telmo Park ice cream kiosk Many restaurants have menus in an abundance of languages, and waiters often will also often be able to converse in your own language. Grab a snack at a park vendor or check out www.citygonow.com for up-to-date user reviews of local restaurants. Galia, Luis Morote, 49, ☎ +34 928 223 219. Great French food, well worth the price. It's not cheap, but if you feel like a small splurge and a little luxury, give Galia a try.  edit Rias Bajas, Simon Bolivar, 3, ☎ +34 928 271 316. Excellent Spanish food; very expensive, but well worth the cost.  edit Sakura I, Nestor de la Torre, 1, ☎ +34 928 248 221. Good quality, well-priced Japanese cuisine. Great for a little something different.  edit Pomodoro, Ruiz de Alda, 24, ☎ +34 928 227 488. Good quality, low-priced Italian cuisine; fast, attentive service in a comfortable atmosphere.  edit Samoa, Valencia, 46, ☎ +34 928 241 471. A favorite of the locals, for good solid Spanish food with appropriate (not too high) prices.  edit Drink Buy the local rum: Arehucas. Drink clean or with Cola. TROPICAL MUELLE DEPORTIVO, C.C. Sotavento - Muelle Deportivo de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.. Sip your tropical drink on the roof deck, looking out over the city.  edit Las Ranas, C.C. Monopol (Plaza Hurtado de Mendoza ó Plaza Las Ranas). A good spot for music and partying, but also a quiet place to have an afternoon drink. Outdoor seating available.  edit Pachichi, Martínez de Escobar, 51. A classic for cheap drinks, and a favorite with locals.  edit Sleep Some travelers have complained of travel agents reserving rooms for them with windows that provide little or no view. If this happens, check with the front desk of your hotel to see if they have another room available. Club Vista Serena, C/Capricornio, No 2 - 35100 Maspalomas, ☎ 0034.928.762336, [7]. Club Vista Serena is a hotel.  edit Residencia Ibiza, Nicolás Estévanez, 31, 85007 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ☎ +35 263123. Very basic, but clean and cheap. €22/€28.  edit Alcaravaneras Hostel, Calle Luis Antúnez 22 (At the junction of Calle Alfredo Calderón and Calle Luis Antúnez), [8]. A clean, safe place to sleep for not too much coin. €22/30.  edit Pension Falow, Calle Alfredo Calderón 25 (diagonally opposite the Hostel Alcaravaneras), ☎ +24 928230627, [9]. Very clean, friendly and particularly cheap. Has wifi. The staff aren't always around so you may need to hang around a while before you're checked in. €18.  edit NH Imperial Playa, Ferreras, 1, +34.92.8468854 [10]. Centrally located on the Paseo de Las Canteras, close to the beach of the same name. A resort and business hotel overlooking the ocean. There is one other NH Hotel in Las Palmas. Hotel Fataga, C/Néstor de la Torre, 21, Ph. +34928.290614 Fax +34 928.292786, [11]. Las Palmas city center. Hotel Apartamento Bajamar, Venezuela 34, ☎ 928276254, [12]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00. Hotel Apartment 70 m from las Canteras Beach, near commercial hub Mesa y Lopez Avenue; 19 complete apartments. 32/85.  edit Aparthotel Marina Suites, C/Juan Díaz Rodríguez, Puerto rico, Ph +34902996093, [13]. This 4 star hotel is located directly on the sea front in Puerto Rico, the sunniest area of Gran Canaria. It offers amazing panoramic views and superior service. Downtown House Las Palmas, Domingo J. Navarro 10, ☎ 0034 618 089 237, [14]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00. B&B / Hostel in the heart of Las Palmas, next to Triana St. and just two minutes from San Telmo Main Bus Station, conected with the City and whole island. Shared dorm for 17€/pax, individual rooms from 20 €, Double rooms for 36€. Towels, sheets and breakfast are included. 17€.  edit Big Fish Hostel, Sargento Llagas 34, ☎ +34622428830, [15]. checkin: 13.00; checkout: 11.00. Best hostel on the playa de Las Canteras in Las Palmas, real backpacker, events, sports, tours, good price, good company, you will feel at home. around 15.  edit Contact You can always get in touch the old-fashioned way Sailor's Bar - has free wifi. This can be found on Muelle Deportivo - Pantalán 10 (28° 07' 35" N. 15° 25' 40" W.). Safety If you have a veranda/patio on ground level -don't leave doors nor windows open unattended for any period of time. Stay away from anyone that offers you anything for free -like lottery tickets or a free meal. These are often salespeople who want you to buy potentially worthless "holiday club" memberships or dodgy time-shares. They may seem pleasant at first, but may turn hostile and start threatening you. Get out Gáldar: It used to be the capital of Gran Canaria before the Spanish conquered the island. La Cueva Pintada (The painted cave) represent a piece of history of the guanche population. Arucas: Famous for its rum and its Cathedral. The distillery is open to the public and it can be visited for free. The are samples of different alcoholic beverages that can be tested. Tejeda: Go up to the mountains where you can enjoy an spectacular view of the island. You can walk to the "Roque Nublo" by foot through stoned pathways builded centuries ago. El Roque Nublo is the symbol of Gran Canaria. This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!