Page 550 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

548  SP AIN ’ S ISLANDS

y Tafira
Las Palmas. * 23,000. @ n C/ Triana
93, Las Palmas, 928 21 96 00. _ San
Francisco (Oct). ∑ grancanaria.com
The hills southwest of Las Palmas
have long been desirable
residential locations. A colonial air
still wafts around Tafira’s patrician
villas. The Jardín Canario, a
botanical garden founded in
1952, is the main reason for
a visit. Plants from all of the
Canary Islands can be studied
in their own, re-created habitats. Palm trees in a natural setting in the Jardín Canario, Tafira
Near La Atalaya lies one of
Gran Canaria’s most impressive Las Palmas has faded somewhat the Parque Doramas and the
natural sights – the Caldera de from the days when wealthy con- traditional casino hotel of
la Bandama. This is a volcanic valescents flocked here in winter Santa Catalina.
crater 1,000 m (3,300 ft) wide, and glamorous liners called in The Pueblo Canario is a tourist
best seen from the Mirador de on transatlantic voyages. But it enclave where visitors can
Bandama where you gaze down remains a vibrant place to visit. watch folk dancing, and browse
into the green depression about Las Palmas is a sprawling city in the craft shops and the small
200 m (660 ft) deep. Some of the built around an isthmus. The art gallery. All this can be viewed
inhabit ed caves in the Barranco modern commercial shipping from above by walking uphill
de Guayadeque, a valley of red area, Puerto de la Luz, takes towards the Altavista district
rocks to the south, were dug in up the eastern side of the and the Paseo Cornisa.
the late 15th century. A few of isthmus, which leads to the At the end of town is
them have electricity. former island of La Isleta, a the Barrio Vegueta, an
sailors’ and military quarter. atmospheric quarter which
Y Jardín Canario On the other side of the dates back to the Spanish
Carretera de Dragonal, km 7, Tafira. isthmus is the crowded conquest. At its heart
Tel 928 21 95 80. Open daily. Playa de las Canteras, a 3-km- stands the Catedral
Closed 1 Jan, Good Fri, 25 Dec. (2-mile-) long stretch of de Santa Ana, begun
7 ∑ jardincanario.org golden beach. The in 1500. The adjacent
promenade behind has Museo Diocesano de
u Las Palmas de been built up with bars, Arte Sacro contains
works of religious art.
restaurants and hotels.
Gran Canaria The town centre The square in front is
stretches along the coast Bronze dog at Plaza guarded by Canarian
Las Palmas. * 378,000. @ g n C/
Triana 93, 928 21 96 00. _ Carnival from the isth mus. For a Santa Ana dogs in bronze.
(Feb/Mar). ∑ grancanaria.com scenic tour, begin in the Nearby, the Casa
Parque Santa Catalina, near the de Colón is a 15th-century
Las Palmas is the largest city in port. This is a popular, shady governor’s residence where
the Canary Islands. A bust ling square of cafés and newspaper Columbus stayed. A museum
seaport and industrial city, it sees kiosks. In the leafy residential dedicated to his voyages displays
1,000 ships docking each month. quarter of Ciudad Jardín are charts, models and diary extracts.
Early history can be seen
in the Museo Canario, which
contains Guanche mummies,
skulls, pottery and jewellery.
E Museo Diocesano de
Arte Sacro
Calle Espíritu Santo 20.
Tel 928 31 49 89. Open Mon–Sat. &
P Casa de Colón
Calle Colón 1. Tel 928 31 23 73. Open
daily. Closed 1 Jan, 24, 25 & 31 Dec. 8
E Museo Canario
Calle Doctor Verneau 2. Tel 928 33 68
00. Open daily. Closed 1 Jan, 25 Dec.
& 8 ∑ elmuseocanario.com
The Casa de Colón museum, Las Palmas, dedicated to Columbus
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p575 and pp604–5

548-549_EW_Spain.indd 548 26/09/17 11:03 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.1)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm