Weather Lowdown:
Las Palmas has a subtropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year. Located just southwest of Morocco, this Spanish island city has an average daily temperature of 18°C during February, with the lows dropping down to 15°C and highs reaching as much as 21°C. Compared to the rest of Spain, the weather on the island offers a great European escape from winter.
While plenty warm for visiting, February is still the second coldest month for Las Palmas, coming very close to January's temperatures. However temperatures remain moderate throughout the year with the warmest month, August, reaching 25°C on average, only 7°C higher than the daily February average.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has a mostly dry climate. Even though it's winter, February stays mostly dry. Compared to other months, it is only moderately rainy, with about 7 days of rain, and a monthly average of 22 mm of rain. There are approximately 9 hours of sunshine during the day in February, allowing for plenty of time outdoors and in the sun for visitors from further north looking to escape winter.
The sea temperature during February stays around 18°C, which may be a bit cool but still warm enough to enjoy the water on a sunny day. There is a 59% chance of a windy day in Las Palmas in February, with wind speeds averaging around 20 kilometers per hour, without gusts. Checking the forecast for wind is important when planning some beach activities such as parasailing.
One of the peak months for traveling in Las Palmas, many visitors, particularly those coming from Europe, have realized that February offers excellent weather for exploring all the city has to offer without the peak summer prices or crowds.
Where to Stay:
Located near the Santa Catalina Park and just a short walk from Playa de las Canters, AC Hotel Gran Canaria by Marriott is located in the heart of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The location is an excellent spot for tourists who plan to do it all from shopping to museum hopping to relaxing on the beach. This stately hotel can be seen from most of the city, and the outdoor swimming pool at the top of the building has an incredible panoramic view. The Suite Bar, the highest bar in the city, is a new space with panoramic views and Mediterranean dishes. Rooms include balconies, mini-bars, plasmas televisions and a full bathroom. There are also several event rooms for conferences and meetings.
Hotel Cristina is as close to Playa de las Canteras as hotels can get. The modern designs in this hotel feature large windows that let the rooms take full advantage of a gorgeous beachfront view. The rooms without an ocean view feature an equally enchanting city view of the skyline. Each room has a mini-bar, full bathroom, air conditioning, and safe. With free Wi-Fi and a work desk in each room, Hotel Cristina is also a great option for business travelers. A swimming pool lets guests enjoy an ocean view while taking a break from the waves. The hotel also boasts a variety of dining options, with a breakfast buffet, cafeteria, restaurant and nightclub.
NH Las Palmas Playa las Canteras is at the north end of the most popular beach in the city. Just steps from the sands of Playa de las Canteras, this hotel doesn't have its own restaurant, but it partners with the NH Imperial Playa nearby to provide a variety of dishes. With some rooms offering up to 3 beds, this hotel is great for families. Services include baby kits and baby cribs, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, television and a mini-bar.
Things to Do:
Las Palmas offers a glimpse into the history of the Gran Canary Islands with many great outdoor sites to visit. History buffs interested in the British past of the area can visit the Cuidad Jardin, a British park established in the 19th century. This city-center garden is filled with statues, a swimming pool and beautiful examples of local botany.
To enjoy more local culture, the Pueblo Canario is a recreation of a traditional Canarian Island village. You can visit any time during the week, however there is live music and dancing on Thursdays and Sundays. They encourage participation; so feel free to learn a new dance step to the traditional Spanish guitar.
Hit the Beach:
Playa de las Canteras is one of the most popular beaches on the island, and certainly a favorite for Las Palmas. With more than 3 km of bright yellow sand, this beach is also considered one of the world's best urban beaches. Surrounded by hotels, shopping, bars and restaurants, you'll find joggers on the Paseo de las Canteras promenade, snorkelers in the calm waters protected by the nearby La Barra reef, and surfers on the waves further south along the beach.
Eating and Drinking Out:
One of the most highly rated restaurants in Las Palmas, Deliciosa Marta features a Spanish and Mediterranean menu with ingredients like scallops, pork belly and truffles. The restaurant has an exposed stonewall and soft lighting that makes for a relaxing yet upscale vibe. It's still a fairly new restaurant, so visitors flock to it and reservations are recommended.
The roaring waves make the perfect background sounds at La Marinera. This classic seafront restaurant serves fresh fish sold by the kilo and a variety of seafood and meat dishes. The view of the ocean makes for a fantastic dining experience at this seafarer-themed spot. Popular dishes include grilled prawns, lobster with rice, and soft-shell clams.
