Do you think Gran Canaria is all about sandy beaches, sunbeds and sangria? Think again.
North of the popular tourist resorts lies Las Palmas, the island’s capital and an easy day trip from the main resort areas. Vegueta, or Las Palmas Old Town, is its historic heart, a compact UNESCO-listed neighbourhood of colonial architecture, Christopher Columbus connections and one of the finest cathedrals in the Atlantic islands.
This guide covers the best things to do in Vegueta in one day, laid out as a self-guided walking tour. You can cover the highlights in 3–4 hours, leaving time to finish at Las Canteras beach before heading back.
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Self-guided Walking Tour of Vegueta, Las Palmas Old Town
For step-by-step directions and to send to your phone, click here or on the image.
1. Start the morning at Mercado de Vegueta
The market is at its liveliest in the morning, so begin here. Fish, fruit, vegetables and flowers fill the covered stalls, and there are several good cafes for a coffee before you tackle the rest of the walking tour.
2. See where Gran Canaria began: Plaza de San Antonio Abad
This small square marks the founding site of Gran Canaria. The island’s first civil and religious institutions were established here, and the Ermita de San Antonio Abad occupies the site of the original Cathedral of the Canary Islands.
Christopher Columbus prayed in this hermitage before sailing to the Americas in 1492. The door was firmly locked each time I passed, but within its plain exterior is a Baroque altarpiece.
3. Learn more about Christopher Columbus at Casa de Colón
If you want to learn more about the journeys of Christopher Columbus across the Atlantic, and their impact on the Canary Islands, make Casa de Colón your next stop. Housed in a gorgeous resorted Canarian palace, which was the residence of the first governors of the island, this excellent museum also displays Pre-Columbian artefacts and explores the history of the Canaries.
The building takes its name from claims that Christopher Columbus stayed there in 1492 while one of his ships was repaired. Casa de Colón was rebuilt in 1777 and has housed a museum since 1952.
Open daily. Check times on its website. A small admission fee applies.
4. Catedral de Santa Ana de Canaria (Santa Ana Cathedral)
With its twin towers rising over Vegueta’s skyline, Santa Ana Cathedral is Las Palmas’ most recognizable landmark.
Work began on this monumental cathedral in 1497, fourteen years after the Spanish conquest. However, construction continued until 1809 with the cathedral morphing through different architectural styles and employing numerous architects.
Its main nave is Isabelline Gothic and features an intricate ribbed vaulted ceiling. This blends seamlessly with the Neo-Classical extensions in the side chapels injected with a small dose of Renaissance. The result is a microcosm of Canadian architecture.
Walk through the Puerta del Aire into the Patio de los Naranjos. This leafy 17th-century courtyard, which connects the cathedral with the Museum of Sacred Art, takes its name from the orange trees planted there.
It shares its name with the patio of the Cathedral of Seville with which Santa Ana Cathedral has a close relationship (the Canary Islands diocese belongs to the archdiocese of Seville).
Your ticket for the cathedral includes entry to the Museum of Sacred Art (Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro). This houses a collection of religious sculptures, paintings and carvings from the 16th to the 20th centuries.
The star piece is a wooden crucifix by Luján Peréz, which plays a central role in the Las Palmas Easter procession.
5. Views from the cathedral tower: Plaza de Santa Ana
As cathedral tower climbs go, this is a piece of cake. Take the lift to the main viewing platform and then climb a set of steps to the top of the bell tower.
From here, there are the best views of Plaza de Santa Ana, Vegueta’s beating heart, and of the ocean in the other direction. This immense square is lined with fine Canarian buildings, including Palacio Episcopal Bishop’s Palace and Casa Regente (residence of the president of Gran Canaria’s High Court of Law).
Eight cast iron figures of dogs painted in green bronze guard the cathedral’s entrance and the square itself. The Dogs of Plaza de Santa Ana have resided here since the end of the 19th century, becoming a symbol of Las Palmas.
If you’re visiting on a Sunday, the Mercado de Artesanía y Cultura de Vegueta takes place at nearby Plaza del Pilar Nuevo.
6. Casas Consitoriales (Old Town Hall)
The elegant 19th-century Neo-Classical Casas Consistoriales faces the cathedral across the plaza.
Built on the site of the original 16th-century town hall, it houses important works by Canarian artists including César Manrique. The most famous is Emigrantes by Ventura Álvarez Sala, donated by El Prado in 1909, which hangs above the main staircase.
Free guided tours are provided by the City of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria every Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm (check current arrangements at the Tourist Information Office in Plaza de Santa Ana).
7. Plaza del Espíritu Santo
Behind the Old Town Hall is this small square, a popular local meeting point that hosts concerts and festivals throughout the year. It has a beautiful stone domed fountain — one of the few covered fountains in Hispanic architecture — and a dragon tree.
The square takes its name from the 17th-century Espíritu Santo Church.
8. Vegueta’s most beautiful streets
A wander around Las Palmas’ oldest neighbourhood turns up some lovely architecture. Although pirate attacks in the 16th century destroyed much of the post-Conquest hamlet, there is still plenty to admire: balconies range from traditional Canarian wooden box designs to ornate Modernist wrought iron.
The streets worth seeking out are Calle Los Balcones, Calle Espiritu Santo, Calle Mendizábal (known for Thursday tapas nights) and Calle Pelota.
9. Dive into local history at Museo Canario
Museo Canario is my type of museum; informative and entertaining in equal measure and refreshingly old-fashioned.
This superb museum explores the life, work and death of the Canarii, the island’s Aboriginal people, up to the time of the Spanish conquest. If you plan to see any of the island’s Canarii sites – I recommend Cañada de los Gatos in Puerto de Mogán – visit Museo Canario first for context.
Its highlights include a room filled with hundreds of skeletal remains in glass cases, which were rich sources of anthropological studies. The museum also houses ancient sculptures of women, the most famous of which is the Tara Idol.
10. Walk through Triana
Cross the main road out of Vegueta into Triana, which by the 19th century had become a natural extension of the old town as the population grew. It is a pleasant area to walk through on your way back to San Telmo Bus Station.
Look out for the Gabinete Literario (peek inside — the interior is magnificent), the Teatro Pérez Galdós and the Ermita de San Telmo.
Also Worth Doing: Playa de Las Canteras
If you have time after Vegueta, catch a bus to Playa de Las Canteras. It is, quite simply, one of the finest city beaches in Europe: two miles of sand between a pleasant promenade and the Atlantic, with surf at the western end and calmer, more sheltered waters as you head east.
My tip: take the bus to Auditorio Alfredo Kraus at the western end and walk east along the promenade to Santa Catalina bus station.
More time on your hands? I enjoyed my afternoon Jardin Botanico Canario Viera & Clavijo, the largest botanical garden in the Canary Islands. It’s an easy 15-minute journey on bus #301 (towards Santa Brigida).
Getting There & Getting Around
As Las Palmas is the main transport hub for Gran Canaria, so buses arrive from all over the island. There are two bus stations: San Telmo, which is closest to Vegueta, and Santa Catalina, near Las Canteras beach.
For full details on getting around by public transport, see my guide to buses in Gran Canaria.
Unless you visit Playa de Las Canteras, you won’t need to use local buses in Las Palmas. In 2026, city buses have a flat fare of €1.40 if you buy your ticket from the driver. This cost is reduced if you use a rechargeable buscard.
Where to Stay in Las Palmas Old Town
Las Palmas is the best base for exploring Gran Canaria by public transport. After a relaxing stay in Puerto de Mogán in the south, I made the island’s capital my home base for five days, visiting the gorgeous town of Arucas, tasting rum in Agüimes and taking a day trip to Teror.
I opted to stay in the heart of Vegueta, which I’d recommend for anyone wanting to be close to the old town and within easy walking distance of San Telmo Bus Station
Apartments Vegueta Suite – I stayed in this spacious apartment in the heart of Vegueta. It is perfect if you want to be close to Las Palmas Old Town and its restaurants and within easy walking distance of San Telmo Bus Station for trips further afield.
It was also very affordable considering its location, size and amenities.
Midrange – VEINTIUNO Emblematic Hotels – This would be my choice of a comfortable hotel in Vegueta. It is ideal if you want to stay in a good hotel in the heart of Las Palmas Old Town. It also has a rooftop terrace with views to die for.
Splurge – Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel – a five-star option near Las Canteras if you want beach access and full hotel facilities. Santa Catalina might be for you if you are looking for all the facilities, comfort and service you would expect in a 5-star hotel.
FAQ: Las Palmas Old Town
What is Vegueta in Las Palmas?
Vegueta is the historic old town of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It is the oldest neighbourhood on the island, founded after the Spanish Conquest in 1478, and is home to Santa Ana Cathedral, the Casa de Colón and several small museums.
How long do you need in Las Palmas Old Town?
Three to four hours is enough to walk the main sites at a comfortable pace, including the cathedral and Museo Canario. Add an extra hour or two if you plan to visit Las Canteras beach afterwards.
Is Las Palmas Old Town easy to get to from the south of Gran Canaria?
Yes. Regular bus services run from the southern resorts to San Telmo Bus Station in Las Palmas, which is a short walk from Vegueta. Journey times vary depending on where you’re coming from. See my Gran Canaria bus guide for details.
What is the best time to visit Vegueta?
Mornings are best, when the market is in full swing and the main sites are quieter. Aim to arrive by 9–10am if you’re making a day trip, as it gets busier through the afternoon.
Is Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Safe for Solo Travellers?
Solo travel to Gran Canaria is safe and its capital is no exception. I felt comfortable wandering the streets of Vegueta at night, even at night.
Like any city, it is always advisable to take common travel safety precautions to ensure a trouble-free experience. Remain vigilant, keep your belongings close to you and use your in-room safe to store valuables.
Enjoy your day in Las Palmas Old Town!
It far exceeded my expectations. If you need more help with planning your Gran Canaria vacation, check out my other travel guides:
- Gran Canaria Solo Travel: Itinerary & Essential Guide
- How to Explore Gran Canaria by Bus
- Top 10 Things to Do in Puerto de Mogán: Gran Canaria’s Little Venice
- The Ultimate Guide to Agüimes, Gran Canaria: All You Need to Know!
- Top 10 Things to See in Arucas, Gran Canaria: The Ultimate Guide
- The Ultimate Guide to Teror, Gran Canaria: Nothing to Fear!
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.