See History
Catedral de Santa Ana
Vegueta, 2.9 miles
This was the first church built in the Canary Islands, on Plaza Santa Ana. Entry is €8, open Monday to Saturday.
See Cathedral Hours (opens a new tab)
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page.
Canary Islands · Spain
Gran Canaria
Winter sun, a city beach and an old quarter, all from one pier.
Las Canteras, a city beach sheltered by a reef, is a short walk from your ship. The old quarter of Vegueta has the Cathedral of Santa Ana and the oldest produce market in the Canaries.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page.
Four Ways to Spend a Day in Las Palmas
Unwind Beach
Playa de Las Canteras
Las Canteras, 0.7 miles
About 2 miles of golden sand right in the city. The La Barra reef breaks the waves, so the water is calm.
Visit Las Canteras (opens a new tab)
Taste Market
Mercado de Vegueta
Vegueta, 2.8 miles
The city calls it the oldest produce market in the Canaries. It has stalls and places to eat, open Monday to Saturday mornings.
See Market Details (opens a new tab)
Explore Science
Museo Elder
Beside the pier, 0.2 miles
A science and technology museum on the Santa Catalina pier. Entry is €8, open Tuesday to Sunday.
Visit Museo Elder (opens a new tab)Skip the excursion desk
Tours & Tickets in Gran Canaria
Getting Around Las Palmas
Every ship berths at the Santa Catalina pier. The beach and the museums are a walk; Vegueta, the old quarter, needs a bus or taxi.
Getting to Las Palmas Cruise Port
Gran Canaria airport is about 12 miles from Las Palmas, a drive of about 20 minutes.
Parking
The port lists two car parks near the pier: Parking Puerto de Santa Catalina and Parking Saba Santa Catalina. It gives no prices.
If you do one thing here
Spend a Few Hours at Las Canteras
A promenade runs the full length of the beach, from the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus to La Puntilla. La Barra, a limestone reef more than 100,000 years old, shelters more than half of the beach, and at low tide the water inside it is calm for swimming.
The port operator puts the beach a 15-minute walk from the pier. Surf schools and board hire work from the sand, and the city lists a lifeguard service.
LPA Visit: Las Canteras (opens a new tab)Gran Canaria Tourism: Las Canteras (opens a new tab)
Safety and Weather
Las Palmas records about the same crime per resident as Spain as a whole, and the weather is mild all year.
- CrimeIn 2025 Las Palmas recorded about 4,169 conventional offences per 100,000 residents, about 3% more than Spain at 4,040.
- Walking to townYes, for the nearest sights. Parque Santa Catalina, the Museo Elder and the aquarium are all under 0.3 miles from the pier, and Las Canteras is about 0.66 miles. Vegueta is about 2.9 miles away, so take bus 12 or a taxi.
- The beachLas Canteras has a lifeguard service. A red flag means do not enter the water.
- WeatherHighs average 21°C (69°F) in January and 27.5°C (82°F) in August. Rain is rare: June to August are dry, and the wettest month, December, gets 31 mm (1.2 inches).
Crime figures: Spanish Ministry of the Interior, Balance de Criminalidad 2025 (provisional), with official population on 1 January 2025; per resident, our sums. Distances: OpenStreetMap points, straight line, our sums. Weather: AEMET averages 1981–2010, Gran Canaria airport station, about 15 miles from the port.
Make it part of your voyage
Cruises From Gran Canaria
MSC, Costa, P&O and Marella call here most often. Search sailings from Gran Canaria, or find cruises that visit.
Gran Canaria FAQ
Where do cruise ships dock in Gran Canaria?
Ships dock at the Santa Catalina pier in the Port of La Luz, in Las Palmas. It has four berths, and ships tie up alongside. The port does not use tenders.
How far is the cruise port from the city center?
The port operator puts the city center about 0.25 miles from the port. Parque Santa Catalina, with bus stops and a tourist office, sits beside the terminal.
Can I get from the cruise port to Vegueta?
Yes, by city bus line 12 from Parque Santa Catalina to the Mercado de Vegueta, every 8 to 9 minutes, or by metered taxi. Vegueta is about 2.9 miles away in a straight line.
Is there a free shuttle from the cruise port?
No. The port operator lists no shuttle service. The nearest sights are walkable, and city buses cost €1.40 a ride.
How much is the bus in Las Palmas?
A single ride is €1.40, paid to the driver. A tourist card costs €5 for one day or €12 for three days, with unlimited rides.
How do I get from the cruise port to Maspalomas?
Global bus line 30 runs direct from the Santa Catalina interchange to Faro de Maspalomas; the port operator estimates 1 to 1.5 hours by bus and 45 to 50 minutes by car or taxi. Maspalomas is about 29 miles from the pier in a straight line.
How far is the airport from the cruise port?
Gran Canaria airport is about 12 miles from Las Palmas, a drive of about 20 minutes. Global bus line 60 runs from the airport to Santa Catalina every 30 minutes for most of the day, or a taxi costs an estimated €30 to €35.
Is Gran Canaria safe for tourists?
Las Palmas recorded about 4,169 conventional offences per 100,000 residents in 2025, about 3% more than Spain as a whole (4,040). That is close to the national average.
What is the weather in Gran Canaria in November?
November averages 21°C (70°F), with 22 mm (0.9 inches) of rain. December is the wettest month, with 31 mm (1.2 inches).
What is there to do in Gran Canaria with kids near the cruise port?
The Poema del Mar aquarium is about 0.27 miles from the pier. It has 35 ecosystems and over 350 species, and it is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Las Canteras beach has calm water behind its reef.
Is there a beach near the Gran Canaria cruise port?
Yes. Las Canteras is about 0.66 miles from the pier, with about 2 miles of sand and a lifeguard service.
What currency does Gran Canaria use?
The euro. The city buses, the Cathedral and the Museo Elder all list their prices in euros.
Photos: Gran Canaria: Bengt Nyman (CC BY 2.0) · Catedral de Santa Ana: Bengt Nyman (CC BY 2.0) · La Barra reef: Pepelopex (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Vegueta Market: Odynny (public domain) · Museo Elder: Mike Peel (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Playa de las Canteras: Bengt Nyman (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Cruise ship in port: El Coleccionista de Instantes (CC BY-SA 2.0). Cropped for display.