'''Las Palmas de Gran Canaria''' is one of the largest cities in Spain, and is the largest city in the Canary Islands.
Get in
By plane
'''Las Palmas Airport''', 928 579 095, [http://www.aena.es].
Las Palmas has a modern international airport which receives flights from Madrid, about 2 and a half hours, and from Barcelona and Bilbao, both about 3 hours. To get into the city, hop on bus number 60 from the airport to either bus station in the city. The bus runs every 30 minutes from 6:15am to 8:50pm and costs ?2.70
By boat
The '''Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria''' receives ships coming to the island from Cadiz and Portimao on mainland Europe, and from the other islands. Naviera Armas [http://www.naviera-armas.com] operates the Portugal and Madeira routes, as well as several inter-island lines, while Acciona Transmediterranea [http://www.trasmediterranea.es/trasmeweb/inicio.do] operates the a Las Palmas - Cadiz line and also some inter-island lines as well. Most of the inter island connections are run by fast ferries, and residents of the Canary Islands receive discounted fares.
The '''Port of Las Nieves''' in Agaete, 50 km from the city, offers a connection to Santa Cruz de Tenerife at an acceptable price through Fred.Olsen, [http://www.fredolsen.es/lineas/ingles/index.asp].
By bus
The only bus company operating interurban lines on Gran Canaria is '''Global''', tel. 902 381 110, email: sugerencias@globalsu.net. Most of the company's lines have Las Palmas as either their origin or their destination. There are two bus stations in the city:
'''San Telmo Station''' in the city center.
'''Santa Catalina Interchange''' near the city's port. This station is serviced also by the municipal bus system and by taxis.
By car
'''GC-1''' cuts through the city, connecting it with the airport and other important municipalities as far as Tauro (80 km).
'''GC-2''' connects the city with the North Zone, extending up to Agaete.
'''GC-3''' circles the city and connects the other three highways
'''GC-4''' connects Las Palmas with the communities in the center of the island.
Get around
By bus
Las Palmas has the best quality bus system in the archipelago and one of the best in Spain. The service is provided by '''Guaguas Municipales''', tel. 928 446 500, [http://www.guaguas.com/en/index.htm]. The bright yellow buses are known simply as ''guaguas''. The simple fare, paid directly to the driver, is 1.10?. A ticket good for 10 rides is available for 5.80? at official shops in the city. The '''Tarjeta Insular''' (Island Card) is good on both municipal buses and Global buses, offering a 20% discount on first validation and a 70% discount on the second.
The most important bus lines have frequencies of between 3 and 15 minutes during the day and between 10 and 40 minutes at night. Most lines have service throughout the night. Among the most useful lines are:
'''Line 1''' Teatro - Puerto
'''Line 12''' Hoya de la Plata - Puerto
'''Line 30''' Alameda de Colon - Santa Catalina
By car
Dense traffic on workdays and in certain commercial leisure zones mean that driving is really no fun here. The city street plan is not at all rectilinear, so the streets can confuse even experienced drivers. Parking is also pretty expensive in most places. On the upside, the price of gasoline is significantly cheaper that the rest of Spain and Europe, there are no toll roads, and entrances, exits, main streets and important zones are all well-signposted.
See
'''Playa de Las Canteras''' - Almost 4 kilometers in length, this beach is the very symbol of the city and its citizens.
'''Catedral de Santa Ana''' - Embodying several centuries of history, the cathedral can be seen from almost any point in the city center.
'''Vegueta''' - Historical enclave of the city.
'''Parque Santa Catalina''' - This is where most of the hot nightlife spots can be found. It's also pretty during the day, although it consist of little more than a few palm trees.
'''Triana''' - One of the oldest districts in Las Palmas, and now the city's commercial center.
'''Alfredo Kraus Auditorium''' - Concert and music hall with classical philharmonic performances and a building that's worth a visit on its own.
'''Elder Museum of Science and Technology''' - Most exhibitions have information in both Spanish and English. When you're in, you can also use the internet computers there, so the entrance fee is pretty decent.
Do
As a beach town, Las Palmas is especially popular for oceanside activities. Catch a wave, grab your snorkel, or just soak up some sun (after applying sunscreen, of course!). Or if you feel like exploring terra firma, do as the locals do and make use of the public tourism bus, known affectionately as the ''guiriguagua''.
Events
'''Carnaval''' - Almost as famous as that of the neighboring island of Tenerife, yet different and perhaps even better. It is without a doubt quite spectacular.
'''WOMAD Music Festival''' - Celebrated in the Santa Catalina Park zone, this festival brings in thousands of spectators every year for quality music free of charge.
'''Romeria de Vegueta''' - The catholic festival celebrated in the Vegueta area of the city.
Buy
Shop in the city center or in one of the malls like "El Corte Ingles". There are cheap electronic products and souvenirs for sale everywhere.
For food items, Dino is a chain of stores that has a good range of products and set prices. Some of these stores also have a decent selection of wine. Check out Mercadona too.
Buy the local rum: Arehucas or Artemi or Armiche (and check out the local Honey Rum "ron miel").
Eat
Many restaurants have menus in an abundance of languages, and waiters often will also often be able to converse in your own language. Grab a snack at a park vendor or check out www.citygonow.com for up-to-date user reviews of local restaurants.
Galia. uis Morote, 49. +34 928 223 219 . Great French food, well worth the price. It's not cheap, but if you feel like a small splurge and a little luxury, give Galia a try.
Rias Bajas. imon Bolivar, 3. +34 928 271 316 . Excellent Spanish food; very expensive, but well worth the cost.
Sakura I. estor de la Torre, 1. +34 928 248 221 . Good quality, well-priced Japanese cuisine. Great for a little something different.
Pomodoro. uiz de Alda, 24. +34 928 227 488 . Good quality, low-priced Italian cuisine; fast, attentive service in a comfortable atmosphere.
Samoa. alencia, 46. +34 928 241 471 . A favorite of the locals, for good solid Spanish food with appropriate (not too high) prices.
Drink
Buy the local rum: Arehucas. Drink clean or with Cola.
TROPICAL MUELLE DEPORTIVO. .C. Sotavento - Muelle Deportivo de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.. Sip your tropical drink on the roof deck, looking out over the city.
Las Ranas. .C. Monopol (Plaza Hurtado de Mendoza o Plaza Las Ranas). A good spot for music and partying, but also a quiet place to have an afternoon drink. Outdoor seating available.
Pachichi. artinez de Escobar, 51. A classic for cheap drinks, and a favorite with locals.
Sleep
Some travelers have complained of travel agents reserving rooms for them with windows that provide little or no view. If this happens, check with the front desk of your hotel to see if they have another room available.
Club Vista Serena. /Capricornio, No 2 - 35100 Maspalomas. 034.928.762336. ttp://www.clubvistaserena.com/. Club Vista Serena is an International Award winning resort with Hotel Services located in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria. Situated in serene and stunning surroundings, Club Vista Serena is a friendly and relaxed self catering resort with hotel services, where you will feel at home the moment you walk through the doors.
Residencia Ibiza. icolas Estevanez, 31, 85007 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. 35 263123. 22/?28. Very basic, but clean and cheap.
Alcaravaneras Hostel. alle Luis Antunez 22. t the junction of Calle Alfredo Calderon and Calle Luis Antunez. ttp://www.canaryhostel.com. 22/30. A clean, safe place to sleep for not too much coin.
Pension Falow. alle Alfredo Calderon 25. iagonally opposite the Hostel Alcaravaneras. 24 928230627. ttp://www.hostalfalow.com. 18. Very clean, friendly and particularly cheap. Has wifi. The staff aren't always around so you may need to hang around a while before you're checked in.
'''NH Imperial Playa''', Ferreras, 1, +34.92.8468854 [http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/spain/palmas,-las/nh-imperial-playa.html?action=search]. Centrally located on the Paseo de Las Canteras, close to the beach of the same name. A resort and business hotel overlooking the ocean. There is one other NH Hotel in Las Palmas.[http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/spain/palmas,-las.html?action=search&event=1&stype=1&country=ES&city=1350&hotel=0&stext=&nrooms=1&nadults=2&nchilds=0&webrate=1&fini=&fout=&searchEngine=1]
'''Hotel Fataga''', C/Nestor de la Torre, 21, Ph. +34928.290614 Fax +34 928.292786, [http://www.hotelfataga.com]. Las Palmas city center.
Contact
'''Sailor's Bar''' - has free wifi. This can be found on Muelle Deportivo - Pantalan 10 (28__ 07' 35" N. 15__ 25' 40" W.).
Safety
If you have a veranda/patio on ground level -don't leave doors nor windows open unattended for any period of time.
Stay away from '''anyone''' that offers you '''anything''' for free -like lottery tickets or a free meal. These are often salespeople who want you to buy potentially worthless "holiday club" memberships or dodgy time-shares. They may seem pleasant at first, but may turn hostile and start threatening you.
==Get out!!!!!!!!!!!!Mofo
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