Guided walking tour: Discover the old town of Las Palmas

The Vegueta Historic Quarter, a designated Historic Artistic Site since 1973, is a jewel best explored on a delightful 90-minute walking tour led by our expert guides.

As the founding nucleus of Las Palmas, Vegueta marks the spot where conquistador Juan Rejón's troops established their initial military encampment in 1478, naming it Real de las Palmas after the prominent palm trees – the very origin of the city's name. Notably, it was the first Castilian settlement in the Atlantic, subsequently becoming the political, religious, and administrative heart of the island and the springboard for the Crown of Castile's conquest of the Canary Islands.

Our stroll will take us along the picturesque Calle de los Balcones, the vibrant Plaza de San Martín, and the charming Plaza de Pilar Nuevo. We'll wander through the historic Rua dos Portugueses, admiring the 15th-century San Martín Hospital, and navigate winding alleys to discover the earliest noble houses erected after the conquest. Our exploration culminates in the magnificent Plaza de Santa Ana, a monumental ensemble of emblematic buildings reflecting our society, before concluding at the Casa del Gobernador, famously known as the Columbus Museum (admission not included in our tour).