Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the largest city in the Canarian archipelago and one of its two capitals. Most often it is simply called Las Palmas. The city was founded by the Spaniards back in 1478 after the defeat of the local population ( Guanches ). Now it is a multinational bustling city with one of the busiest ports in the world, which receives more than a thousand ships a month.
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| Las Palmas de Gran Canaria |
The main advantage of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, thanks to which it has gained popularity among tourists from all over the world, is its wonderful mild climate, which has made this place an ideal resort town. The magnificent beaches on the coast of the city are famous for their excellent conditions for any type of recreation throughout the year. In addition, Las Palmas boasts a huge number of first-class hotels, modern entertainment facilities, trendy shops and a variety of restaurants. Moreover, the city is considered the center of the nightlife of the entire Canary archipelago. The historical heritage of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also interesting: there are remarkable monuments and museums with unique expositions. In general, life in Las Palmas is just in full swing, because there are various festivals, holidays and cultural events almost all year round.
Thus, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria can be safely called one of the best Canarian resorts, which will appeal to both lovers of an idle beach holiday and fans of a rich entertainment and cultural program.
Climate and Weather
The climatic conditions of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are recognized as the most comfortable in the world. The city is dominated by a subtropical climate, but the geographical position of the island has slightly changed it. So, in the summer, winds from northern Europe reach here, which bring cool and fresh air, and clouds coming from the mainland obscure the territory of the island from the scorching rays of the sun. As a result, the climate here is very mild and pleasant. Precipitation in Las Palmas is rare. The average temperature in winter is about +18 °C, and in summer - +25 °C. The average water temperature ranges from +17...+23 °C.
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| Las Palmas de Gran Canaria |
Thanks to the ideal climatic conditions, you can relax in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria throughout the year.
Attractions
Las Palmas boasts a large number of attractions and museums, so the excursion component of the holiday here is very rich. The historic center of the city consists of the districts of Vegueta and Triana. The main building of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is St. Anne 's Cathedral, which is located on the square of the same name. Its construction lasted about four hundred years, thanks to which the appearance and interior of the cathedral combine Gothic and neoclassical styles. In addition, Las Palmas City Hall, the Bishop's Palace (XVI century) and eight bronze dogs, which are depicted on the coat of arms of the Canary Islands, are located on St. Anne's Square.
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| Las Palmas de Gran Canaria |
Another important attraction of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the House Museum de Colon, or House of Columbus. It is a luxurious example of local architecture with magnificent wooden balconies. Previously, this building was the residence of the governor, and now it is a repository of historical relics of the Columbian era. Opposite the House of Columbus is the Church of Iglesia de San Antonio Abad, where, according to legend, Christopher Columbus prayed before his sailing to the New World.
The main museum of the city is the Museum of the Canary Islands, which houses a collection of Cro-Magnon skulls, as well as utensils and household items of Guanchos. No less interesting is the Diosesano Museum with a collection of religious art. Another notable place was the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art with a large exposition of paintings by old Dutch masters and Spanish sculptors. Also worth a visit is the Canary Center for Contemporary Art, which often hosts a variety of exhibitions.
Among other notable places, it is worth highlighting the old Santa Catalina Hotel (1890), the Church of Iglesia de San Telmo, the city theater Gabinete Literario, the luxurious Doramas Park and the museum of the writer P. Galdos.