Vegueta

The basics

The pastel-painted townhouses, grand baroque churches, and palm-fringed plazas of Vegueta make an enchanting backdrop for a walking tour, and most tours of Las Palmas pass through the historic quarter. Explore the cobbled lanes on foot, by bike, or by tuk-tuk, stopping to stroll around Plaza de Santa Ana, admire the Gothic and Renaissance-style buildings, and visit the Canarian Museum (Museo Canario) to learn more about the island’s cultural heritage.

Things to know before you go

• Vegueta isn’t only known for its history and architecture—it’s also a popular spot to drink, dine, and party.

• Vegueta has plenty of shops and accommodation options.

• The neighborhood is largely accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, although some the cobbled lanes can be tricky to navigate.

How to get there

The Vegueta quarter is located along the southeast coast of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of the cruise port. Local buses run south along Avenida de Canarias to Vegueta from the port and take about 30 minutes, and hop-on hop-off tourist buses will also drop you close to Plaza de Santa Ana.

When to get there

Visit Vegueta before 2pm to browse the local market (daily except Sunday) or come in the evening hours to experience the neighborhood’s nightlife. Opening hours vary for the different museums and churches, and many have limited opening hours on weekends, so check ahead. Foodies won’t want to miss tapas night every Thursday in Vengueta, where the district’s tapas bars are packed with locals.

Architectural highlights of Vegueta

Vegueta’s most impressive monument is the ornate, twin-spired Santa Ana Cathedral (Catedral de Santa Ana), the island’s first church, which sits on Plaza de Santa Ana. Other architectural highlights include the ocher-colored Casa de Colón (Columbus House), where Christopher Columbus reportedly stayed on his way to discover the New World in 1492; the Pérez Galdós Theater; and the Town Hall (Casas Consistoriales).