Cathedral Basilica of St. Ann

The Cathedral of Canarias (Catedral de Canarias, also called Santa Ana Cathedral) is the principal church of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the spiritual anchor of the whole archipelago. It rises in the heart of Vegueta, the city's oldest quarter, its twin towers still shaping the skyline of the old town.

How do you get there?

The cathedral sits inside Vegueta, the historic district of Las Palmas, which is best explored on foot rather than by car — the narrow lanes and colonial-era buildings leave little room for traffic. It anchors one end of a natural walking route through the old town, standing directly on Plaza de Santa Ana alongside the City Hall and the Bishop's Palace. If you're driving in, look for parking on the edges of Vegueta rather than inside it, since the quarter itself is largely pedestrian.

What will you see?

Construction was ordered by the Catholic Monarchs after the conquest of Gran Canaria in 1478, with actual building work beginning around 1500 and dragging on, in fits and starts, for nearly four centuries. That long timeline is exactly why the building reads like a timeline of Canarian architecture in itself: Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical elements sit side by side under one roof. The floor plan follows a Latin cross, with three naves, a transept, a presbytery and seven side chapels.

One of the most distinctive interior details is the columns and vaulted ceilings shaped like palm fronds, a design nod to the island's own vegetation. In the south wing, opening onto the Patio de los Naranjos (the Orange Tree Courtyard), the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art displays paintings, sculptures and liturgical objects the cathedral has accumulated over the centuries.

Entry to the church itself is free, while a separate ticket is required to climb the towers — arguably the best reason to visit. From the upper terraces you get sweeping views over the rooftops of Vegueta, the surrounding old-town streets and the ocean beyond. Down at street level, the square in front of the cathedral, Plaza de Santa Ana, is watched over by eight cast-iron dogs finished in bronze paint, installed back in the 19th century and now an informal emblem of the neighborhood.

The building was elevated to the rank of basilica (Basilicae Canariensis) by Pope Leo XIII in 1894, and in 1974 it was declared a Spanish national historic-artistic monument. Until 1819, when a separate diocese was created in San Cristóbal de La Laguna on Tenerife, Santa Ana was the only cathedral in the entire archipelago — which explains why it's still commonly referred to as the Cathedral of Canarias.

When should you visit?

The cathedral welcomes visitors every day of the week, though opening hours shift depending on the day — Fridays and Saturdays tend to have the longest access, while Sundays and Mondays are shorter. Morning visits work best: Vegueta is quieter before midday, and the light falls well on both the facade and the square outside. Thanks to Gran Canaria's mild climate, the cathedral can be visited year-round, though spring and autumn make walking around the old town more comfortable than the height of summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it free to visit the cathedral? Entry to the main body of the church is free. Climbing the towers requires a separate paid ticket.

What else is worth seeing nearby? The same square holds the City Hall and the Bishop's Palace, and the whole historic quarter of Vegueta, with its stone streets and colonial houses, spreads out just beyond it.

Can you climb the cathedral's towers? Yes, with an additional ticket you can go up the towers for views over the old town's rooftops and the ocean.

Which architectural styles does the building combine? Because it took nearly four centuries to complete, the cathedral blends Gothic, Renaissance and Neoclassical elements.