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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Sunburns, Street Art, and Seriously Good Coffee

@Sebastian Blair3/4/2026blog

okay, so i just landed back home and my brain feels like it’s been through a washing machine. gran canaria was…a lot. i’m a *street artist, right? always chasing that perfect light, that gritty wall, that vibe. and las palmas? it delivered.


first off, the weather. i just peeked at the forecast and it’s…basically a permanent state of “warmish” right now, which honestly, i’m not complaining about. it’s not scorching, not humid, just…pleasant. the air feels different, kinda dry and salty. it’s a good kind of dry, though, not the kind that makes your nostrils bleed. the data said 18.23 degrees, feels like 16.58, pressure at 1022… honestly, who cares when you’re staring at turquoise water?


i spent most of my time wandering vegueta, the old town. it’s a maze of tiny streets, all cobblestones and crumbling buildings covered in the most incredible graffiti. seriously, the street art scene there is thriving. i met a few local artists - super chill people, really passionate about their work. one guy, raul, told me about this hidden courtyard where they have impromptu jam sessions. i missed it by a day, naturally.

someone told me that the best tapas are found in the back alleys of Triana, but you have to know who to ask. Apparently, old man Mateo knows everything.


i did a ton of sketching, obviously. my moleskine is now filled with half-finished ideas and scribbled notes. i’m thinking of doing a whole series inspired by the textures of the city - the peeling paint, the rusted metal, the way the light hits the sandstone walls.


food-wise, it’s pretty amazing. i ate way too many papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) with mojo sauce. it’s addictive, i swear. and the coffee! oh, the coffee. i’m a bit of a snob, i admit it. i need my fix. i found this tiny little cafe, ‘el café del artista’ (super original, i know), and the barista made me the most perfect cortado. it was a religious experience. you can find more cafes on Yelp.


i overheard someone complaining about the tourists in maspalomas, saying it’s all “british breakfasts and sunburned skin.” i haven’t been myself, but i can imagine. las palmas feels a bit more…authentic, a bit less polished. if you get bored, tenerife is just a short ferry ride away, i think.

i also checked out the canarian museum (Museo Canario) - it’s surprisingly good. i’m a sucker for local history, and they have a fascinating collection of artifacts from the indigenous guanche people. you can find more info on TripAdvisor.

apparently, the best place to find vintage clothes is in a tiny shop near the market, but you have to go on a wednesday morning. And don’t haggle too much, the owner is a bit of a character.


honestly, i could have stayed for months. it’s a city that gets under your skin. it’s messy, it’s chaotic, it’s beautiful. and it’s definitely worth a visit. check out this local forum for more tips: Gran Canaria Forum. i’m already planning my return trip. maybe i’ll finally catch that jam session… or just eat more papas arrugadas. either way, i’m in.

oh, and the humidity was 18%, sea level 1022, ground level 971. see? i remembered some* of the data.

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About the author: Sebastian Blair

Writing with intent and a dash of humor.

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