Reminiscent of a Mediterranean port town with a North-African flavour, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the largest city in Spain’s Canary Islands. With a mix of Modernist, Bauhaus and Spanish colonial architecture, sandy beaches, and winter daytime temperatures often reaching the mid-seventies, there is no better time to go.
Founded in 1478, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria boasts an important historical and cultural heritage, much of which can be found in the district of Vegueta, the oldest quarter of the town, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.
Why Book Student Accommodation in Las Palmas?
Las Palmas is one of the most modern and cosmopolitan cities; it’s an open and tolerant city with the best climate in the world. Living there, you will experience a wide range of cultural, commercial, and leisure options. The city is also home to The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where you will be open to a wide range of academic options and a diverse university life. The ULPGC is a modern institution with a long academic track record, committed to quality, efficiency and modernity. It offers a wide range of degrees in all the major fields of knowledge. ULPGC students receive support for on-site classes through an e-training platform. So if you’re looking for the best climate for your university career, Las Palmas is definitely your place.
Universities in Las Palmas
University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Casita has 3 accommodation options within walking distance to the university.
More than 4 bus stops surround the campus; Ctra. del Centro (Colegio S. Juan Bosco) is just a 5-minute walk away.
Museo Canario is just a 6-minute car ride away; Mata Castle Museum is a 10-minute car ride away.
Student Life
Is Las Palmas a good place to live in?
Las Palmas is a cosmopolitan city, even though it’s viewed as small in comparison to big cities. This means you will have all the best advantages of a city in the best location possible. You can travel around the whole place on foot and you will be surprised by the city's amazing infrastructure. It's a luxury having a kilometre-long beach and sunshine all year round. In the city centre, you´ll find surfers and beach lovers, as well as an abundance of shopping centres and small shops which are well worth discovering.
Is Las Palmas expensive?
In terms of buying necessities, there are certain things which are more expensive or cheaper in comparison with Peninsular Spain due to the fact you are living on an island. However, the total cost continues to be lower than in Peninsular Spain since taxes cancel out the insularity. Within the city, a one-way trip costs 1.30 euros on the yellow buses, however, you will get discounts if you show your student ID card.
Must-Visit Places in Las Palmas
For a historical tour of Las Palmas, start in Vegueta. There, you can follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus at his house Casa de Colón. You can visit the now turned museum to look at replicas of his diary; you can also compare old maps of the world to our modern world maps.
Visit one of the city's neighbourhoods such as Arenales, which is home to both the El Obelisco monument and the inspiring institution, Casa África. Climb up to the colourful barrios of San Nicolas and San Juan. Sitting at the top of a cliff, this area was one of the first to be inhabited on the island. The irregularity of house shapes is due to the fact that the vast majority were self-constructed homes. Formerly more disadvantaged neighbourhoods, they are now an iconic image of the city. Wander down narrow streets and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Another neighbourhood worth checking out is La Isleta, which is one of the most historic areas in the city. Here you'll be able to meet the descendants of those who stood up to the naval attack of the fearsome pirate, Sir Francis Drake. This admiral, who is a hero in England, was considered more of a villain in Spanish waters.
Las Palmas is home to the Pueblo Canario, a facsimile of a traditional Canarian village in the heart of the capital. There are free live performances of Canarian folk music here every Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning which you can watch from the comfort of a table on the outdoor terrace, although you'll need to arrive early to secure a seat. The Pueblo Canario also houses the Museo Néstor, one of the city's art galleries.
Make your way to the Ciudad Jardín or "City Garden" to see Anglo-Saxon influences in Gran Canaria's capital. An oasis in the bustling city, this neighbourhood was established by British residents who dominated the economic life of the region during the late 19th century. In this part of town, you will find many embassies and elegant residential houses set in small gardens, displaying various architectural styles.
Transportation in Las Palmas
The bus company Guaguas Municipales provides public transport in Las Palmas. With an extensive network of 40 bus routes and 3 lines at night, get daily accurately organized and conducted with 242 modern buses. The network is divided into colours that will help you recognize the frequency of the buses. Red numbers buses are the ones with a high frequency; they depart from the port of Las Palmas. The dark blue numbers buses run only during the night (lineas luna) from 22:45 until 05:30. The fare can be paid directly to the bus driver. You can pay in cash with coins or euros for a maximum of 10 euros. The fare is €1.40 (one way, for one person).
Taking a taxi is also a good alternative. Finding one should not be so difficult as they drive around constantly; you can simply hail one off of the street. The official taxi services are always provided with a trip meter that indicates the amount during the ride. The indicated rates are per taxi and trip, according to the official rates approved by the Government of the Canary Islands.
Nearby Student Accommodation In Spain
Besides having facilities for student accommodation in Las Palmas, Casita offers student accommodation in other cities in Spain as well. Some of these cities are: