Experience in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain by Qflats

What's it like to live in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria? Would you recommend it? What's the city like?

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is an ever-growing city. It's a comfortable city to live in, plus it has all the advantages a city could have, and it is all very close by. It has two central areas. The Port zone, where you can find the beach in the middle of the city, and the old town with beautiful streets and plazas.

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What's the student lifestyle like in Gran Canaria?

There is a very good student atmosphere. There are a lot of Erasmus students, and the majority are students from the coldest parts of Europe that come to Gran Canaria to study. It is always sunny.

How much does it cost to live in Gran Canaria?

It is a lot cheaper to live in Gran Canaria than it would be in Madrid or Barcelona, for example. Maybe the supermarket prices are a bit more expensive because of its isolation from other countries, but they always offer great deals. But strangely enough, the restaurants and the leisure ventures are the cheapest on the peninsula.

Also there are a lot of sports offers at a very good price. And of course many water sports. You can go surfing and kite-surfing right next to where you live.

Was it difficult for you to find accommodation in Gran Canaria? Can you give any advice?

The easiest way to find accommodation in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is to use "Qflats Pisos Compartidos" (www.qflats.com). Many students reserve flats from their home countries on Qflats and when they arrive they only have to move in. They pick you up from the airport and take you to your chosen rented flat, and there are also staff available to help you with whatever you need. They have numerous flats, above all in the beach zone: La Playa de Las Canteras.

What's the food like in Gran Canaria? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is very good and varied. Every day there are more restaurants and tapas spots (half a pint with an aperitif) at very good prices.

Every Wednesday in the area Triana, they offer half a pint and a tapas plate for just €2. (Those who don't know much about tapas, won't stop eating if when they come here; -)). There is a nice environment every day around the Port where they also have events such as the tapas night in Triana.

What places would you recommend visiting in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?

Towards the north and 10 minutes from the capital, Arucas, with its immense, beautiful Cathedral and very peaceful people. Towards the south and also 10 minutes from Las Palmas is Telde, a growing town, that has everything, a cinema, restaurants, massive parks you can wander through, promenades, a beach, places of entertainment, which are all very serene and calm.

La Garita, next to the beach, is a very windy area which means it's a great area for practising all sorts of water sports, 15 minutes from the capital. The most southern part of the island is the tourist zone (Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas... ), with massive beaches and beautiful sand dunes. Mogán, a town also in the south, is an enchanting little place. And, in the centre of the island, I cannot forget to mention, is Roque Nublo (the symbol of Gran Canaria). The vegetation and greenness of the area contrasts a lot with the image most people have of Gran Canaria, which is that they only have sun and sand.

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If you don't have a car, there are bus services every 5 minutes from wherever you need all across the island.

Is it good to eat out in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

In Triana and at the Port, there are very tasty tapas bars that are always full of people, (I'm talking specifically about places such as Perez, Allende... there are loads of places and all have outside seating along the promenade)...

On Saturday evenings after 5pm there is a specific "crawl" along the Avenida de la Playa de Las Canteras. It starts in La Guarida bar with live music, and ends in the bar Tiramisú in la Plaza de Pilar. There is live music in every bar. And finally, there is a concert in the Plaza del Pilar.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria?

The Port, Triana, the Cicer area of the beach along the Playa de Las Canteras...

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the future?

Enjoy your stay, and above all the weather and the very friendly people.

Many Erasmus students have left Gran Canaria and come back for some reason or another (a holiday, an internship, for work... ), they nearly always come back.

I know many Erasmus students that have ended up living in Gran Canaria.