Las Palmas is dominated by its port, which handily sits near the city's most famous beach and is within just a few kilometres of the old town of Vegueta. Most cruise ships dock at Santa Catalina quay, but if it's busy they use others nearby.
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Getting around. There is an efficient local bus network and taxis are available outside the cruise terminal. Independent travellers can walk to Las Canteras, though for the city centre and historic Vegueta, a taxi or bus is better than a stroll along a waterfront boulevard blighted by heavy traffic.
Can I come and go as I please between my ship and land? Yes, you can go back and forth between the ship and shore as often as you'd like, but if your ship is tendering passengers ashore, you might have to wait in line to catch a ride back to your vessel.
In most cases, you don't need to book a shore excursion in order to explore a port of call. You can simply walk off the ship and stroll into town or catch a cab to take you wherever you want to go. This rule has a few exceptions.
If you sail with Princess, Cunard, or Holland America you can go to your room as soon as you get on board your ship, but with the big 3 like Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival Cruise Line you will just have to enjoy walking around the ship for a while until your room is ready for you.
La Palma is also popular because of its beaches. Some people choose to just relax on the beautiful black sandy beaches and gaze at the turquoise ocean. Other visitors come to La Palma for adventure sports. They swim in the clear waters, surf the big waves and scuba dive close to the spectacular volcanic seabed.
Gran Canaria's spectacular natural beauty is a good enough reason why you should visit Las Palmas. An outdoor adventure is never too far away, and just on the doorstep of the city is Caldera de Bandama or the Cauldron of Bandama.
Las Palmas is a popular place to base a Canary Islands vacation. Not only is it the Canaries' largest city, it's also got a number of world-class attractions. Its beach — the 2½-mile Playa de las Canteras — is an attractive urban shoreline.