Paul's guide to Gran Canaria
Gastronomía
Tapas and spanish cuisine in the Triana area. Fast service. Outdoor terrace on pedestrian street. Can get busy, so book/arrive early.
46 locals recommend
Allende Triana
16 C. Domingo J NavarroTapas and spanish cuisine in the Triana area. Fast service. Outdoor terrace on pedestrian street. Can get busy, so book/arrive early.
Best spanish tortillas on the island. Good place for a coffee and breakfast. Outdoor terrace on pedestrian street in the Triana district.
6 locals recommend
Midway
9 C. Domingo J NavarroBest spanish tortillas on the island. Good place for a coffee and breakfast. Outdoor terrace on pedestrian street in the Triana district.
Restaurante MAjUGA
41 C. Escritor Benito Pérez GaldósExcellent restaurant with creative cuisine.
La Pepa de Triana
11 C. ConstantinoSpanish cuisine and tapas in the Triana area.
Outdoor bar in cul de sac in Las Lagunetas (Triana area). Favourite with the locals.
Cervecería La Gamba
26 C. LagunetasOutdoor bar in cul de sac in Las Lagunetas (Triana area). Favourite with the locals.
Spanish cuisine and tapas in the yacht marina. Can get busy so book or arrive early.
17 locals recommend
Allende muelle
2 Avenida MarítimaSpanish cuisine and tapas in the yacht marina. Can get busy so book or arrive early.
Favourite drinking hole for sailors (and non-sailors), right in the marina. Also have pizza, pasta and tapas.
Sailor's Bay Bar
89 C. Joaquín Blanco TorrentFavourite drinking hole for sailors (and non-sailors), right in the marina. Also have pizza, pasta and tapas.
Excellent spanish cuisine and tapas in the Triana area. A favourite with the locals.
14 locals recommend
La Travesia de Triana
11 C. LagunetasExcellent spanish cuisine and tapas in the Triana area. A favourite with the locals.
Drinks and tapas in a quaint cul de sac in Triana with other bars/restaurants nearby.
La Brava Restaurant
9 C. LagunetasDrinks and tapas in a quaint cul de sac in Triana with other bars/restaurants nearby.
Excellent basque/spanish restaurant on pedestrian street, Outdoor terrace.
8 locals recommend
Restaurante La Perrachica
8 C. CanoExcellent basque/spanish restaurant on pedestrian street, Outdoor terrace.
Restaurante Que leche!
22 C. TorresVery good creative cuisine in the Triana district.
Tapas and very extensive wine list, in Tafira, just outside of Las Palmas.
22 locals recommend
Enoteca El Zarcillo
n°33 C. Dr. Vicente Navarro MarcoTapas and very extensive wine list, in Tafira, just outside of Las Palmas.
Japanese restaurant in an indoor alleyin Vegueta (near the cathedral). Food is good despite appearances.
Kome Kome Sushi
4 C. Mesa de LeónJapanese restaurant in an indoor alleyin Vegueta (near the cathedral). Food is good despite appearances.
Spanish/canarian cuisine, good for tapas (ask for pata, pork slices). Outside terrace on pedestrian streetn the Triana district. Lots of locals.
7 locals recommend
Restaurante Bodegón las Lagunetas
16 C. ConstantinoSpanish/canarian cuisine, good for tapas (ask for pata, pork slices). Outside terrace on pedestrian streetn the Triana district. Lots of locals.
La Brava Restaurant
9 C. LagunetasTapas and drinks in pedestrian cul de sac. Outside terrace. Right next to Triana
Hotel Madrid
4 Pl. de CairascoBar and restaurant with a bohemian/antique flavour on Cairasco square.
Very close to the Basílica del Pino, decent canarian cuisine and tapas. Can get packed on holidays and weekends.
La Alacena
6 C. de la DiputaciónVery close to the Basílica del Pino, decent canarian cuisine and tapas. Can get packed on holidays and weekends.
Good paella, seafood and tapas in the San Cristobal district. Upstairs floor is open with views.
Miramar San Cristobal
86 C. MarinaGood paella, seafood and tapas in the San Cristobal district. Upstairs floor is open with views.
Right on Las Canteras beachfront. Good quality tapas and spanish/fusion cuisine.
38 locals recommend
BASAL GRILL & BEACH
41 P.º las CanterasRight on Las Canteras beachfront. Good quality tapas and spanish/fusion cuisine.
Expensive but very good spanish cuisine next to Parque Santa Catalina.
6 locals recommend
Restaurante Marisquería Rías Bajas
3 C. Simón BolívarExpensive but very good spanish cuisine next to Parque Santa Catalina.
Very good local "gourmet" burger chain next to Mesa y Lopez. Outdoor terrace.
8 locals recommend
200 Gr. Burger
3 Pl. de CairascoVery good local "gourmet" burger chain next to Mesa y Lopez. Outdoor terrace.
200 gramos Cicer
esquina C. CovadongaVery good local "gourmet" burger chain next to Las Canteras beach.
Excellent canarian food at reasonable prices, slightly off the beaten track, in Carrizal.
Restaurante El Guachinche
Excellent canarian food at reasonable prices, slightly off the beaten track, in Carrizal.
Burgers, salads and vegetarian options right on Las Canteras beach promenade.
69 locals recommend
La Bikina Cantina
63 P.º las CanterasBurgers, salads and vegetarian options right on Las Canteras beach promenade.
La Coqueta de Cano
30 C. CanoOutside terrace with tapas and drinks in the Triana district.
Very good italian restaurant, pizzas and pastas, right next to Las Canteras beach. Inside and outside tables.
26 locals recommend
Il Segreto Di Pulcinella
Very good italian restaurant, pizzas and pastas, right next to Las Canteras beach. Inside and outside tables.
Restaurante aramara
5 Calle Joaquín Blanco TorrentTapas and rice dishes in the yacht marina (Muelle Deportivo) in Las Palmas.
Typical canarian food, very good quality, not touristy. Slightly off the beaten track. Outdoor terrace. Definitely book ahead.
El Rincon de Marcos, Firgas
54 Carretera las MadresTypical canarian food, very good quality, not touristy. Slightly off the beaten track. Outdoor terrace. Definitely book ahead.
Bit awkward to get to but worth the visit. Definitely not touristy but excelent tapas and very reasonable prices.
Bar El Campesino "Colacho"
43 Calle Monte QuemadoBit awkward to get to but worth the visit. Definitely not touristy but excelent tapas and very reasonable prices.
Local burger chain, one up from the fast food chains, on Plaza Cairasco next to Triana.
8 locals recommend
200 Gr. Burger
3 Pl. de CairascoLocal burger chain, one up from the fast food chains, on Plaza Cairasco next to Triana.
Excellent restaurant right on the plaza (indoor and outdoor terrace). Modern canarian/fusion cuisine. Excellent desserts.
La Colonial de Fontanales
8 Plaza San BartoloméExcellent restaurant right on the plaza (indoor and outdoor terrace). Modern canarian/fusion cuisine. Excellent desserts.
Amal
3 Calle TrianaVery good morrocan cuisine. Indoor and outdoor terrace.
Bar Imperial
27 C. Eusebio NavarroExcellent Spanish cuisine. Few tables so book ahead. Don't be out off by the decor.
Excellent tapas (try the calamari bocadillo) with indoor and outdoor terrace on pedestrian street. Reasonable prices. Worth the visit.
Dorotea Las Palmas
Excellent tapas (try the calamari bocadillo) with indoor and outdoor terrace on pedestrian street. Reasonable prices. Worth the visit.
Various bars serving tapas in this market (very close to Las Canteras beach). Busy on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
100 locals recommend
Mercado del Puerto de la Luz
76 Calle AlbaredaVarious bars serving tapas in this market (very close to Las Canteras beach). Busy on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Vinófilos Triana
Excellent restaurant with a large wine list. Not cheap but good value for money,
Lugares emblemáticos
Beautiful botanic gardens with lots of varieties, ponds and paths. Well maintained, open 09:00 - 18:00 every day. Free admission.
Access by bus or car (15 minutes from Las Palmas city).
156 locals recommend
Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo
Beautiful botanic gardens with lots of varieties, ponds and paths. Well maintained, open 09:00 - 18:00 every day. Free admission.
Access by bus or car (15 minutes from Las Palmas city).
The best city beach by far, with natural reef which keeps the beach safe and easy to swim in. Lots of bars and restaurants around.
Can see Tenerife (and El Teide, highest mountain in Spain) on good days.
467 locals recommend
Las Canteras Beach
The best city beach by far, with natural reef which keeps the beach safe and easy to swim in. Lots of bars and restaurants around.
Can see Tenerife (and El Teide, highest mountain in Spain) on good days.
The other local beach (Las Canteras is more popular and bigger). Great views of the port, right next to the marina.
11 locals recommend
Playa de las Alcaravaneras
The other local beach (Las Canteras is more popular and bigger). Great views of the port, right next to the marina.
Lovely local market, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish. Well worth the visit. Lots of cafeterías and restaurants nearby.
17 locals recommend
Mercado de Vegueta
Lovely local market, fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish. Well worth the visit. Lots of cafeterías and restaurants nearby.
Fishing quarter with bars and restaurants and seafront promenade. Castillo de San Cristóbal (Torreón de San Pedro Mártir), just a few metres offshore, built in 1578.
18 locals recommend
San Cristóbal
Fishing quarter with bars and restaurants and seafront promenade. Castillo de San Cristóbal (Torreón de San Pedro Mártir), just a few metres offshore, built in 1578.
Lesser known, a kilometre or so south along the sea promenade from San Cristobal. Never too busy.
16 locals recommend
Playa de La Laja
Lesser known, a kilometre or so south along the sea promenade from San Cristobal. Never too busy.
One of the highest points on the island, easily accessible by car/bus. Fabulous views. Can eat/drink at the Parador or the two restaurants opposite.
55 locals recommend
Cruz de Tejeda
One of the highest points on the island, easily accessible by car/bus. Fabulous views. Can eat/drink at the Parador or the two restaurants opposite.
Impressive rock formation, one of the highest points of the island. 1.5K, or 30 minutes walk from the parking. Worth it just for the views.
452 locals recommend
Roque Nublo
Impressive rock formation, one of the highest points of the island. 1.5K, or 30 minutes walk from the parking. Worth it just for the views.
The highest point of the island, Pico de Las Nieves (1949 metres high). Excellent views of gran Canaria and also of Tenerife (on a good day). Easily accessible by road. No buses available but there are tours.
147 locals recommend
Pico de las Nieves
The highest point of the island, Pico de Las Nieves (1949 metres high). Excellent views of gran Canaria and also of Tenerife (on a good day). Easily accessible by road. No buses available but there are tours.
Yacht marina. Boats from all over the world. Bars and restaurants.
20 locals recommend
Muelle Deportivo de Las Palmas
46 Calle Joaquín Blanco TorrentYacht marina. Boats from all over the world. Bars and restaurants.
Poema del Mar
s/n Av. de Los ConsignatariosVery modern aquarium in port/Santa Catalina zone.
Casa de Colon
1 C. ColónWell worth a visit. Permanent and temporary exhibitions.
The longest beach on the island, stretches from Playa del Inglés all the way to the Maspalomas lighthouse. The Maspalomas dunes protected area are impressive. Easy to get to by bus from the San Telmo bus station.
Playa del Ingles
The longest beach on the island, stretches from Playa del Inglés all the way to the Maspalomas lighthouse. The Maspalomas dunes protected area are impressive. Easy to get to by bus from the San Telmo bus station.
Small beach on the northern coast, just locals Few restaurants and bars nearby.
25 locals recommend
North Beach Sardina
67A Av. Alcalde Antonio RosasSmall beach on the northern coast, just locals Few restaurants and bars nearby.
Holiday World
Bars, restaurants, fairground in the Maspalomas area,.
Bars and discos
Very close to Las Canteras beach. Historical non touristy bar, very basic.
18 locals recommend
Bodegón Pachichi
51 C. los Martínez de EscobarVery close to Las Canteras beach. Historical non touristy bar, very basic.
Chester Club & Lounge
3 C. Simón BolívarTrendy club for the 18 - 35 crowd. Very local.
Chester Meloneras Club & Lounge
1 C. Mar MediterráneoPopular with tourists and locals.
Rooftop lounge bar. Popular with the locals. Great views of Vegueta and Triana area.
90 locals recommend
BENITO ROOF Cocktail Bar
s/n Pl. Hurtado de MendozaRooftop lounge bar. Popular with the locals. Great views of Vegueta and Triana area.
Lovely quaint old traditional bar (with tapas) on the main square in Agaete.
11 locals recommend
Bar El Perola
19 Pl. de la ConstituciónLovely quaint old traditional bar (with tapas) on the main square in Agaete.
Large bar right on the Meloneras promenade. Decent musical shows and reaonably priced drinks. They also serve food.
49 locals recommend
Café del Mar Meloneras
3D Pl. del FaroLarge bar right on the Meloneras promenade. Decent musical shows and reaonably priced drinks. They also serve food.
Alboroto Las Palmas
Younger crowd.
Medical
Centro de Salud Canalejas
36-44 Trasera Luis Doreste SilvaNearest walk in public medical centre.
City advice
Getting around
Buses around the island
Very regular and cheap. Routes and timetable at https://www.guaguasglobal.com/en/
Getting around
Buses in Las Palmas
Local city buses. Easy to use from San Telmo bus station to Las Canteras beach, Mesa y Lopez, San Cristobal, etc. Timetable and routes at https://www.guaguas.com/
Getting around
Bicycle rentals
Citywide bicycle rentals https://www.sitycleta.com/en/
Getting around
Electric scooter rental
Another way of getting around the city https://www.lovesharing.com/motosharing/