Learn Spanish in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Why learn Spanish in Learn Spanish in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Las Palmas is the largest city in the Canary Islands and serves as the capital of Gran Canaria, one of the archipelago's biggest islands. Known as "the miniature continent" for its diverse landscapes, Gran Canaria enjoys pleasant weather year-round, with temperatures rarely falling below 68°F, even in winter. The island averages just 22 rainy days each year! Visitors can explore stunning beaches, expansive sand dunes, rugged mountains, lush pine forests, and charming villages. By learning Spanish in Las Palmas, you can experience this incredible island firsthand and practice your language skills with local speakers.

Although people have settled in the area for over 2,000 years, modern Las Palmas began in the 15th century. The city's cathedral was one of its first structures and still dominates the skyline today. While few buildings from that era remain, the Old Town area of Vegueta is beautifully preserved. Here, you can stroll along picturesque cobblestone streets lined with galleries, cafés, restaurants, bars, and shops, all while admiring early colonial architecture. The city offers a variety of cultural attractions, including regular theater, music, and dance performances, as well as museums like the Canary Island Museum, Columbus House—named after Christopher Columbus, who stopped here on his first voyage to America—and the Atlantic Centre of Modern Art. Numerous green spaces provide opportunities for relaxation and sports, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Playa de las Canteras is the crown jewel of the city and one of Spain's most beautiful and popular beaches. Loved by both locals and tourists, its waters are sheltered by a coral reef that runs along the bay, easily accessible from the shore. Surfers will appreciate the stronger waves at nearby Confital Beach, where qualifying rounds for the surfing world championships are held annually. Further north lies the Isleta peninsula, half of which is a nature reserve offering some of the island's most breathtaking views.

For shopping enthusiasts, the southeastern district of Triana features top brands, Sunday markets, and live music events. If you plan to take a course in the spring, consider timing your visit with the city's Carnival celebrations—this lively, quintessentially Spanish festival is one of the country's most famous annual events. For a more tranquil experience, visit the Arucas district to explore its botanical gardens and tour the stunning Church of San Juan Bautista. Las Palmas is a safe city with excellent bus services, making it easy and affordable to visit these attractions and explore other areas of the island.

About our school in Las Palmas

If you’re a fan of sea and sun, you can learn Spanish in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria less than 100 metres from the beach! This beach, Playa de las Canteras, is one of the most famous on the island. Stretching almost 4 km along the north-eastern coast, its golden sands are popular with sunbathers whilst its waters are popular with swimmers and divers. The promenade along the seafront is packed with cafés, restaurants, shops, and bars, making it a great place to spend an afternoon! If you’re looking to understand the city a bit better, you can head to the Naval Museum, which is just a 10-minute walk from the school in the lively port area. Here you’ll find dynamic bars, modern shops and, usually, an open-air music event of some sort. Other attractions close to the school include the Poema del Mar aquarium, the 16th-century Castle of Light, and the beautiful Isleta nature reserve.

The Spanish language centre in Las Palmas is a small, cosy facility with just 7 classrooms, meaning all students will receive highly personalised attention from the staff and tutors throughout their programmes. On the ground floor is a comfortable seating area with sofas and tables where students can socialise or study in between lessons. All students have access to the library and computer room to supplement their studies, and the first floor’s open-air terrace is a lovely place to relax once classes have finished!

This school has been teaching Spanish to international students since 1964, so it is very well-versed in providing immersive tuition to participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Students also benefit from access to key online resources put together by the school, which will guarantee marked improvement in their language skills. The school is approved for Bildungsurlaub programmes and is an authorised SIELE exam centre. Its teachers are all examiners for the International Diploma of Spanish, which is authorised by the Foundation for the Research and Development of Spanish Culture (FIDESCU). Furthermore, the facility is a member of the Spanish Federation of Language Teaching Centres, which is committed to ensuring consistently high-quality language tuition. Since it’s surrounded by local amenities, including a bus stop within a few minutes’ walk of the front door, this school is an ideal base for your immersive Spanish experience.

Location of our school in Gran Canaria - Las Palmas

Accommodation options in Las Palmas

Available accommodation

One of the key benefits of this school’s Shared Apartment is that it is located just around the corner from the language centre! Offering double rooms (available to couples or students travelling alone) or single rooms, all with their own en-suite bathroom, television, and safety deposit box, the residence is a great option for students of any age (18+). By staying here you’ll be just a minute’s walk from the seafront and surrounded by shops, cafés, and bars, giving you ample opportunity to soak up the local culture. Bed linens and towels are provided as standard, and laundry can be paid for on-site. The building has its own communal kitchen area equipped with a fridge, a microwave, a toaster, a water heater, a coffee maker, and basic crockery. This type of lodging is available on a no-meal basis, though it is possible to arrange breakfast on class days (but not weekends or bank holidays) in the residence’s on-site canteen. Daily evening meals are also available (except on public holidays). Please contact us if you’d like to add meals to your lodging package.

For more independence, you can select to stay in a Studio Apartment, located just 10 minutes’ walk from the school. Each studio is suitable for one or two people and has a fully equipped kitchenette (microwave, fridge, coffee maker, toaster, kettle, and ceramic hob). Studios also have a television, a safety deposit box, a desk, and their own bathroom. Wi-Fi is available for free throughout the building, and bed linens and towels are provided as standard. The studio complex is located just 50 metres from the beach, so you’ll be ideally located for soaking up some afternoon sun! Since the studios have their own cooking equipment, they are offered on a self-catering basis; however, you are welcome to book meals in the school residence as per your preference. Please let us know if you would like to explore this option.

When you book lodging with our partner school, you’ll benefit from a 50% discount on the cost of weekly excursions and a free grammar book on your first day of class. You’ll also receive a free certificate of achievement upon completion of your course.

All accommodation is available for a week at a time, either Saturday - Saturday or Sunday - Sunday. Your room will be available from 12:00 midday on your arrival day until 10:00 on your departure day. We may be able to arrange extra nights in your accommodation for you if needed - please contact us about this prior to making your booking.

Available activities in Las Palmas

For a fully immersive experience, why not take part in the school’s social and cultural programme? These activities are designed to be entertaining and educational and to help you get to know your fellow students. Each activity is held in Spanish and therefore complements your classroom learning with experience in real-life scenarios.

Many activities will be offered free of charge, whilst others incur an additional fee to cover entrance and/or transportation costs. The exact schedule changes throughout the year but may include:

- A welcome meeting: held on the first Sunday, students receive information on the city, its highlights, its transport system, and its public services. Optional evening meal afterwards.
- Guided tours of the city
- Visits to local museums and/or art exhibits
- Tapas ‘caminas’ in the old quarter
- Hiking in the countryside
- Full-day excursions to local points of interest such as Agaete, Puerto de las Nieves, Cráter de Bandama, or Valleseco (offered at a discounted rate to students booking accommodation)
- Plus seasonal activities available in the local area

Please note that activities require a minimum number of participants in order to go ahead. Our colleagues at the school will be happy to advise you about other available activities offered by specialist local providers.

How to get to our school in Las Palmas

Gran Canaria Airport is located around a 30-minute drive from Las Palmas and is easily accessible from many European locations.

From here, you can either take public transport to your accommodation or we can arrange an airport transfer service for you for an additional charge. If you book this service, a driver will be waiting for you when you land and will take you directly to your accommodation. If you select this service on departure as well, you will be collected from your lodging on your last day and taken back to your chosen airport in time for your departing flight.

Regular taxi services and buses are available from the airport if you prefer to make your own way to your lodging.

If you arrive in Las Palmas on the Saturday before your course starts, you should arrange to depart on the Saturday after your course finishes. If you prefer, you can arrive on the Sunday before your course starts and depart on the Sunday after it finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights on arrival and/or departure for you if needed.