Las Palmas Holidays

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Set at the very top of the round island mini-continent that is Gran Canaria and a hemisphere away from the crowded and searing beaches of the southern coastline, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a spectacular mix of ancient and modern, culture and commerce and magnificent beauty. Many tourists who arrive on Gran Canaria never see Las Palmas as their tour buses take them directly down the coast to Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas, but they are missing a real treat. Las Palmas is a city that should be explored in order to get a true glimpse into the Canarian soul.

The city was founded in 1478 when Europeans still thought that the end of the world was just on the other side of the tiny Canarian island of El Hierro. The oldest quarter of the city is Vegueta and many of the buildings there date from the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The city stayed more or less in its walled-in location until the 19th century when it began an expansion programme that has yet to end, spreading out into the port Puerto de la Luz, and creating the new areas of Alcaravaneras, Arenales, Ciudad Jardin, Santa Catalina and La Isleta.

The modern Las Palmas is set on an eastwardly facing shore and includes a jutting peninsula named La Isleta although these days it is well connected to the city by wide boulevards. The city began its astounding growth curve when Puerto de la Luz became a major seaport and today handles more tonnage than many ports on the European continent itself. This amazing old and new city is home to well over 400,000 people so it has a bussling atmosphere.

Holidays to Las Palmas

The center of the city is built in a classical mainland European 19th century style, which means 6 and 7 storey buildings on fairly narrow streets. The hotels in Las Palmas are usually set in the more open areas of the city where you can enjoy magnificent views and lots of the sun you came to the Canaries to find!

Some of the more popular hotels in Las Palmas include the classy Reina Isabel Hotel or the Astoria Hotel. All our hotels in Las Palmas are available on self-catering, half board and all inclusive basis.

On The Beach specialise in holidays to Gran Canaria and have a range of Gran Canaria flights available at low prices round the year.