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Centro de Cultura Contemporánea San Martín

Centro de Cultura Contemporánea San Martín (Calle Ramón y Cajal, Las Palmas) — the Centro de Cultura Contemporánea San Martín is one of Las Palmas’ more convention-challenging art galleries. Along with exhibits, they also hold intimate night-time concerts. For a reduced cultural tour of Vegueta, you can do it all with a visit to San Martín. This museum is just around the corner from the cathedral and the Museo Canario, heading in the direction of the San José district. The museum’s building dates back to 1775. For that’s when, on the orders of the Obispo Fray Juan Bautista Servera, a military hospital was constructed. Taking its name, Nuevo Hospital de San Martín, from the old hospital which used to be on nearby Plaza de los Alamos. Nowadays, it’s been transformed into a center celebrating the finest in contemporary culture from around the world. Admission: free. Hours: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm (Tuesday – Saturday), 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Sunday). Closed on Mondays & public holidays.

Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno

Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno/CAAM (Calle los Balcones 11, Las Palmas) – since its opening in 1989, CAAM has become a major reference in the cultural and educational life of the islanders. Concealed behind a traditional façade, formerly belonging to a hotel, this centre is definitely worth visiting especially because of its spectacular interior design with white walls, marble stairs and acres of glass. CAAM organizes exhibitions, mainly of avant-garde art, and it has its own collection of works created by artists who had a substantial influence on the shaping of 20th-century Canarian art.

One other main objective of CAAM is to show the connection of Canarian art with that from Africa, the Americas and Europe, as the culture of the archipelago is largely determined by the influence of these three continents. CAAM also provides a venue for courses, lectures and seminars, allowing the visitors to study the exhibitions in depth and from different perspectives.

Admission: free. Hours: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm (Tuesday – Saturday), 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Sunday). Closed on Mondays & public holidays.

Castillo de la Luz

Castillo de la Luz (Plaza del Castillo de la Luz, Las Palmas) — The grandest fortress of Gran Canaria, Castillo de la Luz was built to defend the island from attacks by pirates. It was built around 1552, and for many years was the city’s last line of defense against formidable enemies such as Sir Francis Drake of Britain, and Van Der Goes of the Netherlands.

Castillo de La Luz is impressive but nevertheless is also quite simple in design, featuring just two cylindrical watchtowers, with additional battlements. For residents of the La Isleta neighborhood, the fortress remains an important symbol. Currently, Castillo de la Luz is not open to the public, although it is worth a look even if only from the outside. Discussions remain ongoing about whether or not to transform the fortress into a naval museum in future. Admission: €4 (adult), €2 (seniors), free for children. Hours: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm (Tuesday – Saturday), 11:00 am – 2:00 pm (Sundays & holidays). Closed on Mondays.

Castillo de la FortalezaCastillo de la Fortaleza (Calle de Tomás Arroyo Cardoso, 35280 Santa Lucía de Tirajana) – located an hour (53 km) southwest of Las Palmas, this is not so much a castle but an ornate 20th century folly, which was originally the home of local historian and writer, Vicente Sanchez Araña. Today, it serves primarily as an archaeological museum (displaying local finds such as pre-Columbian artifacts, agricultural tools, leather goods and skeletons).

Located just off the entrance to the town, you can’t miss this impressive building for its grey stone turrets. Within its walls, you will find 16 rooms displaying various aboriginal artifacts and water color paintings by local artists. Admission: €2.00 each. Hours: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm (weekdays), 11:30 am – 5:30 pm (weekends).

Catedral de Santa Ana

Catedral de Santa Ana (Plaza de Santa Ana 13, Las Palmas) — the Cathedral dominates Plaza de Santa Ana. Its construction began five centuries ago. In it, various architectonic styles converge, from late gothic to neoclassic and baroque. The tower can be visited in full and the views of the city from its top are amazing. Also available are visits to its Sacred Art Museum. Its interior homes many works of art, including the Christ by Luján Pérez, presiding over the Capitulary Hall, and the wooden carving of Our Lady of Los Dolores. Admission: €2.40 (adults), free for children. Hours: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (Monday – Friday), 10:00 am – 1:30 pm (Saturday). Closed on Sunday for church services.

Casa Museo de Pérez Galdós

Casa Museo de Pérez Galdós (Calle Cano 6, Las Palmas) – this is the house where Benito Pérez Galdós (the Canary Islands’ most famous writer) was born in 1843. Visitors to this museum will come across his upstairs rooms (including his study area and exhibits of his personal effects).

Inside this museum are many originals of the author’s most important works, plus an extensive part of his own Spanish literature collection, which includes many famous titles from the 19th and 20th centuries. Casa Museo Perez Galdos also displays notable exhibits such as a portrait of Pérez Galdós by the famed Joaquin Sorolla, a Valencian artist. The museum is also the venue of the bi-annual Congreso Internacional de Estudios Galdosianaos, which is attended by scholars from across the world.

Admission: €3 (adult), €1.50 (seniors, students ages 18-23), free for children under 18 years and the unemployed. Free entry for all during the first weekend of each month. Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm (Monday – Friday); 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (weekends); 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (holidays) .