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Did you know that Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has its very own Garden City? Well, it does and it’s as green as Welwyn. Come on in and discover what you can do in Ciudad Jardín.
There are 124 neighbourhoods within Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Arguably one of the Gran Canaria capital’s most beautiful barrios is Ciudad Jardín. And you’ll find out everything you need to know about what to do here in our latest area guide.
1. Enter Ciudad Jardín
When it comes to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Vegueta‘s the first must-see area if travelling up from Gran Canaria airport and Las Canteras the last. Ciudad Jardín lies somewhere inbetween the two, and is a mere 20-minute drive from LPA.
Well served by the Gran Canaria capital’s yellow municipal buses, there are stops on the likes of Pio II if you’re taking the 2, 25, or 81. Alternatively, get off on León y Castillo if using the 1. Or, if travelling on the 12, depart on the Avenida Marítima.
2. Eat and drink in Ciudad Jardín
Despite being a largely residental area, you can eat out in some style in Ciudad Jardín. Especially if you visit one of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s best eateries, Restaurante Churchill. Open from 12:00pm to 11:00pm Monday to Saturday (until 5:00pm on Sunday), we recommend the cocktails, Salmón de Uga (17,50€), and Tarta de la abuela (3,50€).
If you’re looking for breakfast, brunch, or indeed a later night in Ciudad Jardín, head to El Ayuntamiento. Similarly open every day of the week, its hours extend from 8:00am to 1:00am Monday to Thursday (stretching to 1:30am on Friday and Saturday) and from 11:30am to 10:00pm. Go native with sandwiches filled with the classically Canarian combo of berros con queso (watercress and cheese).
3. Travel back in time in Ciudad Jardín
Ciudad Jardín dates back to the 19th century when it was occupied by English merchants which earned it the nickname: barrio de los ingleses. Although the current neighbourhood was redesigned by celebrated architect Miguel Martín Fernandez de la Torre in 1922 following a commission by the city council to apply some much-needed urban planning to the Gran Canaria capital. And so Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s first housing estate was built with an-Englishman’s-house-is-his-castle-style abodes surrounded by gardens.
Later, Martín Fernandez de la Torre would bring to life the utopian dreams of his artist brother, Nestór, who wanted to create the facsimile of a traditional Canarian village in the heart of the city. And so the Pueblo Canario was born, which also houses the art gallery: Museo Nestór. Today, you can watch local ensembles play Canarian folk music at weekends.
Nearby, you’ll find the Atis Tirma monument which was unveiled in 1981. Sculpted by Manuel Bethencourt Santana (1931-2012), many mistake it as some sort of Olympic tribute. It instead references the descendants of the amazing Amazigh who occupied the island before the arrival of the Spanish in the 15h century; the likes of Bentejui and Tasarte who preferred to leap to their deaths from their mountain hideaway rather than surrender to Castilian rule.
Heading from this monument along Léon y Castillo in the direction of the neighbouring Alcaravaneras, you’ll soon encounter the British Club. Like the Holy Trinity Church further down the way, this is a place where Las Palmas de Gran Canaria’s Brit community come to meet up. As their ancestors both actual and spiritual used to do in times gone by.
4. Stay the night and more in Ciudad Jardín
Miguel Martínez Fernandez de la Torre was also charged with making the five-star Hotel Santa Catalina more Canarian. Opening in 1890, it more recently put up the Allied cast including Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard. Ciudad Jardín’s only other hotel, the boutique Casa Mozart, has accommodated celebrities rather less stellar such as Mr Gran Canaria Local.
Located in a similarly emblematic building dating back to 1920, you’ll find Guesthouse Katanka. If you have the budget to buy in the area, check out the villas one imagines are snapped up by moneyed footballers, available at the likes of IZADI® Luxury Realty. Calle Chopin, for example, is one of the most expensive streets to rent in the capital.
The area also makes a great base if you want to enrol your children in one of the island’s more exclusive schools. With establishments such as Anita Conrad trilingual school, Brains, Canterbury, and Hispano Inglés on your doorstep. As well as nurseries like First Steps, Garabato, and Mis Peques.
5. Work(out) and play in Ciudad Jardín
Keep fit by running around the circuit in front of Parque Romano. There’s also a free outside gym you can utilize here. Other ways you can keep in shape are by signing up at Club Natacíon Metropole or Club Natacíon Las Palmas, home to outdoor swimming pools open all year round.
In Ciudad Jardín, you’ll encounter arguably the Gran Canaria capital’s prettiest parque: Parque Doramas. Then there’s the aforementioned Parque Romano, where the cafe’s rather nearer the playground. Along with Parque Insular, UD Las Palmas‘ former stadium reimagined as urban green space.