Vegueta is where the capital of Gran Canaria began. The quarter, on the south side of Las Palmas, grew up around the first settlement of the late fifteenth century, and it keeps the look of a Spanish colonial town: narrow streets, pastel façades, carved wooden balconies and shaded patios, with the cathedral of Santa Ana on Plaza de Santa Ana as its centrepiece. A short walk away, the Casa de Colón is a museum in a historic house on Calle de Colón, with a library and study centre, in the area where Columbus is said to have stopped on his way to the Americas. Other museums, theatres and market halls fill the surrounding streets. The tour we link to is a short walking tour of the old town, about an hour, which is an easy way to get your bearings before you wander on your own.
How it works
You book a dated walking tour online and meet your guide at the starting point named on your voucher. The tour covers the main squares and streets of the old town in about an hour, with the guide explaining the history of the settlement and pointing out buildings and details you would otherwise walk past. Afterwards you are free to go into the cathedral and the museums at your own pace.
What to expect
Vegueta is a quiet, walkable quarter and a very different side of Gran Canaria from the beach resorts. Most of it is pedestrian-friendly and flat, with cobbles in places. Cafés and tapas bars cluster around the squares and the market halls, and the Casa de Colón and other museums have their own opening hours and entry fees, so check them before you go. Many places close for part of the afternoon or on Sundays and Mondays.
Making the most of it
Go in the morning, when the light is soft and the streets are calm, and plan to stay for lunch. A day in Las Palmas combines naturally with the city beach of Las Canteras and the Poema del Mar aquarium. If you are staying in the south, the capital is roughly an hour away by road, and a hotel in the city lets you see Vegueta in the evening, when the old houses are lit and the squares fill with locals.
What to expect
The experience
A guided one-hour walk through the colonial streets and squares of Las Palmas’ old quarter, with free time to visit the cathedral and museums.
Best time
Morning, when the streets are calm and the light is soft, and before the midday break when some places close.
How long
The tour takes about an hour; add two hours if you also visit the Casa de Colón and the cathedral.
Tips
Wear comfortable shoes for cobbles, and check opening days for museums, as many close on Sundays or Mondays.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want history and architecture alongside their beach days.
- Families
- Older children enjoy the Columbus story and the cathedral square, though there is less here for toddlers than at the parks.
- Couples
- An evening stroll and tapas in the old quarter makes a good change from resort dining.
- Pair with
- Las Canteras beach, the Poema del Mar aquarium or a night in a city hotel.
- Time needed
- A morning, including the walking tour, a museum and lunch.
Good questions
What is Vegueta known for?+
Vegueta is the old colonial quarter where Las Palmas began, with the cathedral of Santa Ana, the Casa de Colón and narrow streets of historic houses. It is the best place in the city for architecture and history.
What is the Casa de Colón?+
It is a museum in a historic house on Calle de Colón in Vegueta, with a library and study centre. Check the museum’s website for hours and entry before you go.
How long does the Vegueta walking tour take?+
The tour lasts about an hour and covers the main squares and streets of the old town. You can then continue on your own.
How far is Vegueta from Las Canteras beach?+
Las Canteras is on the other side of the city, a short taxi, bus or bike ride away. Many visitors combine the old town in the morning with the beach in the afternoon.
Is Vegueta worth visiting if I am staying in the south?+
Yes, it is a good day trip and shows a very different side of the island from the resorts. It takes roughly an hour to reach Las Palmas by road from the south coast.
