Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. The cruise port is close to the city centre. Playa de Las Canteras, one of Spain's best urban beaches, stretches for about 3km along the northern edge of town, with a wide promenade and good surf at the southern end. The reef offshore creates a natural swimming area at the central stretch. Vegueta, the old quarter, has cobbled streets, colonial architecture, and the Casa de Colón museum where Columbus reportedly stayed before crossing the Atlantic. The cathedral is a mix of Gothic and Neoclassical styles. The Mercado de Vegueta sells local cheese, mojo sauces, and tropical fruit. For getting out of the city, Maspalomas sand dunes on the southern tip of the island are about 45 minutes by bus. The currency is the euro, and Spanish is the main language, though English is common in tourist areas.