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Off the northwest coast of Africa, the Canary Islands have for centuries been a crossroads between people, culture and history. In few places is that more evident than on Gran Canaria. After the islands were incorporated into the Castilian Crown in the 15th century, Gran Canaria became a hotbed of travellers going back and forth between continents. Many settled on the isle with their families and brought their own cultural traditions, creating a melting pot that has influences from all over but still maintains its own unique cultural identity. One way to dig deep into this culture is to explore the island’s museums, which have something to offer for all tastes and age groups. The hot spots aren’t far from each other, and Gran Canaria transfers make it easy to explore soon after touching down at the airport. Casa de Colón Casa de Colón, or Columbus House in English, is said to have hosted famed explorer Christopher Columbus while one of his ships was being repaired in Las Palmas in 1492. The building was rebuilt in 1777 and now is nearly as beautiful on the outside as within. A cobbled street off the Plaza del Pilar leads to a building of latticed balconies and elaborately decorated doorways. The exterior gives way to a museum with exhibitions about Columbus his journey across the Atlantic, complete with nautical maps, paintings, models and replicas of portions of Columbus’s ships. Not to be missed are the seminars and temporary exhibitions frequently on offer at the museum. Younger visitors and animal fans will appreciate the pair of parrots that now live in the courtyard. Elder Museum of Science and Technology The Elder Museum of Science and Technology is housed in a 4,000-square-meter building that once belonged to a British shipping company in central Las Palmas. Now, it opens daily to bring science to life for more than 140,000 visitors each year. Guests can explore the cosmos in the planetarium, be overwhelmed in a massive 3D cinema and learn about maths, physics, biology and art through a range of hands-on exhibits and workshops. Pérez Galdós Museum Benito Pérez Galdós was a famed novelist and playwright who helped to pioneer the 19th-century Realist movement. He became a titan among Spanish literati, rivaling Miguel de Cervantes and even turned to politics later in life. Long after his death in 1920 Galdós remains one of the most notable people to have come from the Canary Islands. The museum on Calle Cano in Las Palmas hosts some objects from the late writer’s life and offers a glimpse into the mind of one of Spain’s finest minds. How to Get There Nonstop flights run daily from the UK and clock in at just more than four hours. Once you land, any of the private companies offering Gran Canaria transfers can speed you along the 30-minute drive into Las Palmas and drop you at your hotel ready to hit the sights. Pre-booking one of the many Gran Canaria transfers will make it easy to hop off the plane and start exploring the isle’s wealth of information on history, science and art. Author Plate Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for affordable Gran Canaria transfers, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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