Travel Guide > Europe > Spain > Canary Islands > Gran Canaria > Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, or Las Palmas for short, is the capital (together with Santa Cruz de Tenerife!) of the Canary Islands, an autonomous region of Spain, albeit a couple of hours by plane away from the mainland. It's the largest city of the Canary Islands and Spain's ninth largest. The city itself has about 400,000 inhabitants, while the total urban area has around 700,000 people living here. It's located along the northeastern coastline of the island of Gran Canaria.
Weather here is close to perfect, and a scientifcal survey even 'proved' this! Summers last from May to early October when it is generally between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius during the day and nights are between 16 and 20 degrees on average. Winters last from November to March but temperatures are still around or slightly above 20 degrees Celsius, nights around 15 degrees. This is also the wettest time of year while summers hardly see any rain at all.
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) is the busiest of the Canary Islands and dozens of airlines serve it.
Ryanair has flights to a number of cities in Europe, while German based Condor and Air Berlin have flights as well. TUIfly, Thomson Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines serve a significant number of destinations as well.
Few cities in Africa are served, though Mauritania Airways start flying to a number of Mauritanian cities from 2009 onwards.
Mainland Spain
Trasmediterránea provides ferries from Cadiz in Spain to and from Gran Canaria and oth Canary Islands.
Portugal/Madeira
Naviera Armas runs weekly services between Portimao in mainland Portugal to Madeira and on to Tenerife, with connections to other Canary Islands, like Gran Canaria.
Other Canary Islands
Trasmediterránea and Fred Olsen, are the main operators between Gran Canaria and the other Canary Islands of Lanzarote, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera.
The several Canary Islands are connected by a small airline called Binter Canarias.
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| AguycanBeach | Las Azucenas 1 | Guesthouse | - |
| Falow Hostel | C/Alfredo Calderon, 25 | Hostel | 71 |
| Hostal Alcaravaneras | Luis Antunez 22 Las Palmas de Gran Canarias | Hostel | 76 |
| Hostel Abanico 7 Soles | 71 La Naval | Guesthouse | 79 |
| Ocean Side Surf Camp | C/Secretario Padilla 128 | Apartment | 33 |
| Pension Plaza | Luis Morote 16 | Guesthouse | 69 |
See also International Telephone Calls
The emergency number for the police, fire brigade and ambulance is 112.
This is version 6. Last edited at 8:36 on Aug 24, 09 by Herr Bert (-51). 30 articles link to this page.

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