Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Attractions

Southwest of the Cathedral, at Calle Doctor Verneau 2, is the Museo Canario, the finest museum in the archipelago. The most important section of the museum is its collection of pre- Hispanic antiquities. Of particular interest are the mummies, skeleton and skulls of the ancient Canarians and the objects illustrating their culture and way of life.

On the west side of the Puerto de la Luz is the Castillo de la Luz, built in the 16th century to protect the town from pirate raids.

Beyond the east end of the Cathedral is the Casa de Colón. The house, rebuilt in typical Canarian style in 1777, was once the residence of the governor of the island. Columbus is believed to have lived here during a brief stay on Gran Canaria. The Casa de Colón now houses an exhibition on the theme "Columbus and his Times" and a collection of pictures.

The Playa de las Canteras, one of the longest city beaches in the world, extends for some 2.6km/1.5mi to the northwest of Las Palmas. Alongside the beach runs the Paseo de las Canteras, a seafront promenade with innumerable hotels, cafes and restaurants.

In terms of freight handled (6.9million tons annually) Puerto de la Luz takes sixth place among Spanish ports, but in terms of shipping movements it does considerably better, with some 14,000 vessels putting in every year.