Gran Canaria cruise port is a stop on just about every Canary Islands cruise itinerary, partly because the port is so bloomin’ large, and partly because of its direct flight connections to mainland Europe. There’s also no shortage of things to do within the immediate vicinity of the harbour, so whether you’re after a beach day on the sand, or want to discover a bit of culture and cuisine, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to finding things to do.
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Where is Gran Canaria cruise port?
Gran Canaria cruise port is located in Las Palmas, the cosmopolitan capital city of the island. The port is super easy to spot- just look out for the massive cruise ships- and it’s also within easy walking distance of the city. Here it is on Google Maps.
How to get from the airport to Gran Canaria cruise port
Taxis can drive right through the port gates, and there also tend to be plenty of taxis waiting at the port when ships arrive. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from the airport to the cruise port, and a taxi will set you back around €35-40.
About a five minute walk away from Gran Canaria cruise port is the Santa Catalina bus terminal, from where you can easily catch a bus directly to the airport. Take Line 60; tickets cost €3-4 and buses accept contactless card payments. The journey takes around 25 minutes. Find bus routes and timetables here.
If you’d rather book a private transfer ahead of time, this is a great option which includes a tour of Telde, the ancient capital of Gran Canaria.
Facilities at Gran Canaria cruise port
Gran Canaria cruise port has just opened a new cruise terminal building with much better facilities for visitors including restaurants, restrooms and shops.
However, just outside the terminal gates there’s also a shopping mall- here is it’s exact location– containing the usual Spanish high street stores and coffee shops, but more importantly (for crew members in particular), a supermarket. Look out for HiperDino, it’s on the ground floor.
A very brief introduction to Gran Canaria
Like its Canary Island neighbours, Gran Canaria is known for having year-round extremely pleasant temperatures; in fact, the Canaries are otherwise known as the islands of eternal springtime. This archipelago of Spanish islands is actually much closer to the coast of Africa than Europe, so freezing cold weather is practically unheard of, (hallelujah!) and Gran Canaria is one of the most popular islands of the whole group for visiting year-round.
Gran Canaria’s indigenous people were the Guanches, who came from North Africa, but the island was colonised by the Spanish in the 1400s, founding Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1478. With that, pals, the Guanches were gone.
Nowadays, almost half of the entire island’s population live in Las Palmas. The city is big, although the centre is still very walkable for anyone arriving by cruise ship. The island is known for its sandy beaches, and since the 1970s it’s been known as one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe.
Where to stay near Gran Canaria cruise port
If your’e embarking (or disembarking) at Gran Canaria cruise port, there are hundreds of hotel options in the city for you to choose from. As a crew member I’ve stayed at the NH Imperial Playa several times, and this is a great option which is directly on the beach but also only about a ten minute taxi ride to the port. (It’s not far to walk either, but you might not want to do that with a suitcase in tow.) The rooms are roomy, and the breakfast buffet is extensive, with a stunning beach view while you eat.
I’ve recommended it to family who have had great stays as well; it’s a great choice if you’re setting off to embark your ship the next morning but still want to soak in the beach vibes.
The best things to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Every single one of these ideas for things to do in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are right in the heart of the city, within easy walking distance of Gran Canaria cruise terminal. (As long as you’re a fit and healthy human.)
Hit the beach
Playa de Las Canteras is an urban beach with a small-town vibe, and although parts of it can get crowded, it’s still a spot I’d recommend. Even Agatha Christie was charmed by this spot back in the day, and surely she was a lady with taste. The sea is clean and tends to be very calm thanks to a lava reef offshore which acts as a rather lovely natural barrier. (Good one, lava reef.) There are lifeguards on duty during the day and the lengthy stretch of sand that curves around the bay is accompanied by a promenade lined with restaurants, bars and shops.
What more could you need from a city beach, pals?
Location of Playa de Las Canteras.
If you’re not up for such a crowded beach experience- or aren’t overly fussed about being somewhere filled with restaurants and bars- you could head instead to Playa de la Alcaravaneras. This is much more of a local spot which tends to be far quieter, although the view from the sandy shore is generally ships going in and out of port rather than the far-off mountains you can see from Las Canteras.
Try your hand at surfing
Maybe you’re a seasoned surfer, or maybe (like me), you are not. Either way, you can find plenty of surf shops at the far end of Playa de Las Canteras offering surfboards and wetsuits for hire. Much to the surprise of not just myself, but everyone I know, I actually tried surfing here back in the day. It does not come naturally to me, but I can understand why people are into it, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a great place to give it a go whether or not you’re a beginner.
This is a 2 hour beginners surfing lesson at Playa de Las Canteras, which is the perfect length for an introduction to the water.
Admire the architecture
Pals. This is a niche one, as I know not everyone is as into just wandering around as I am. But the architecture in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is truly intriguing. There’s a whole mixture of old and new, with some modernist vibes thrown in for luck as well. (If you’ve been to Barcelona, Mallorca or València, you’ll have seen this kind of thing before.)
Do not- I repeat, do not- roam around Las Palmas without keeping your eyes open on what’s around and above you.
Shop till you drop
There are plenty of places to shop in Las Palmas, whether you’re after big mainstream shops or teeny-tiny boutiques. If you don’t have much time on your hands, there’s a mall right next to Gran Canaria cruise port; you can’t miss it, because you have to walk right past it to exit the port.
If you’re trying to find souvenirs specific to Gran Canaria, look for volcanic stone jewellery, mojo sauces, and aloe vera products.
Enjoy Canarian cuisine
Of course there are the standard Spanish tapas dishes to sample in Gran Canaria (preferably whilst sitting outside on the boardwalk by the beach), but there are several other unique dishes to try while you’re here as well.
You’ll find mojo sauce- either red mojo or green mojo- on just about every menu. In fact, you’ll also see this delectable sauce on each and every one of the Canary Islands. It’s made with red or green peppers and a selection of herbs and spices, and it’s downright delicious. Then of course there’s papas arrugadas- or wrinkly potatoes- another staple dish of the Canary Islands.
Ropa vieja is the chickpea dish pictured below, which is a chickpea stew made with beef and chicken. You’ll find plenty of goats meat and rabbit used in traditional dishes as well, and then of course there’s sancocho. This is made with salted fish cooked with potatoes, sweet potatoes and often served with mojo sauce.
Explore the Poema del Mar Aquarium
If you’re a crew member reading this, then good news pals! The Poema del Mar aquarium is mere footsteps away from Gran Canaria cruise port, and it’s free for crew! Just show your crew ID at the door and they’ll wave you on through.
The aquarium is one of the top attractions in Gran Canaria and it’s a great way to spend a few hours, especially if the weather isn’t quite cutting it for you (or you don’t fancy another beach day).
Normal entry is €29 for adults and €19 for children. Book skip-the-line tickets here to ensure entry.
Grab a Canarian coffee
I’m a sucker for a local variety of coffee, and in the Canary Islands they like it extra sweet and often with alcohol. Order a barraquito for the full works: espresso, milk, condensed milk, Liqor 43 and a foam lid topped with cinnamon and a swathe of lime or lemon peel. If you’re not in an alcoholic mood, go for the leche leche– which is simply espresso, milk and condensed milk.
Check out the beach nativity
If you happen to arrive into Gran Canaria cruise port at Christmas, you absolutely cannot miss Belen de Arena at Playa de Las Canteras. These beautiful sand sculptures depict the Nativity every year. They appear around the start of December and stay until after the Kings Festival- La Fiesta de los Reyes– which takes place on the 5th and 6th of January.
Wondering what the Kings Festival is? Don’t worry pals- I’ve got you! The Spanish celebrate the Three Wise Men (or the Three Kings, as they’re also known), with a huge parade in just about every town and city across the country. The Kings appear in brightly coloured costumes and throw sweets to all the festival’s attendees, and overnight they leave gifts for children to receive on the morning of the 6th January.
Back to the sand sculptures; entrance is completely free, although donations are very much accepted- 100% of the money raised is donated to charity.
Have fun at a fiesta
We all know the Spanish love a fiesta- remember my crazy Semana Santa experience in Cádiz? So it goes without saying that there’s plenty of fun to be found in Las Palmas. In fact, Las Palmas Carnaval is one of Spain’s most famous carnivals of them all. Each year the carnival has a theme (the theme for 2026 is Las Vegas), and it takes place from the end of January until the beginning of March. The list of events and parades is extensive, but you can check the schedule on the official website.
For those arriving by cruise ship, it couldn’t be more conveniently located: a huge temporary stage is put up in Santa Catalina park, which is only about five minutes on foot from the terminal.
My favourite place to eat in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
I’m telling you now, the food at Chiwawa is a mouthwatering masterpiece of Mexican flavours. There are actually several Chiwawa restaurants in Las Palmas now, and it’s easy to see how this place is so popular. Not only are the dishes on offer incredible, but the vibe is a colourful, welcoming kind of chaos that I love to see. And I cannot recommend the fresh pineapple juice enough.
My Chiwawa of choice is at Juan Manuel Durán 17- it’s not far from the cruise port- although there’s a second location at the far end of Las Canteras.
Check the website and menu here.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a city which has really grown on me over the years, and it’s fair to say that once upon a time I underestimated its charm. These days I look forward to any day that we can dock here and soak up the chilled out seaside vibes of this calm but cosmopolitan spot.
More Canarian cruise ports:
The Complete Guide to Docking in Arrecife, Lanzarote
Tenerife Cruise Port • The complete guide to Santa Cruz de Tenerife
A Boutique Stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
La Palma: The Real Isla Bonita