Teatro Cuyás

Teatro Cuyás is one of the leading theatres in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the capital of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. The building stands in the historic Triana district, on Calle Viera y Clavijo, and has served as the city's main cultural stage for more than a century.

How do you get to Teatro Cuyás?

The theatre sits right in the centre of Las Palmas, inside Triana - one of the oldest and most attractive parts of the city. The address is Calle Viera y Clavijo, s/n, 35002 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Triana is known for its Art Nouveau and modernist facades along a lively shopping street, so reaching the theatre on foot from nearby hotels or the port area is straightforward. Local buses (Guaguas Municipales) run a dense network through this part of town, with stops just a few minutes' walk from the entrance.

What is the history behind the building?

The site dates back to the late 19th century, when businessman Salvador Cuyás built the Circo Cuyás here - a multipurpose venue that hosted circus shows, cockfights, theatre performances and variety acts. Over time the building was converted into a cinema, the Cine Cuyás, and rationalist architect Miguel Martín Fernández de la Torre later designed the current theatre structure around that earlier shell. Today's Teatro Cuyás, run by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria (the island's governing council), opened its doors in the late 1990s, pairing the building's historic core with modern stage technology.

What will you find inside?

The main hall seats around 940-943 people across the stalls and two tiers, with stage equipment matching top European venues. The whole complex covers roughly 3,300 m² and, besides the main auditorium, includes four additional rooms, a spacious courtyard and a restaurant with a terrace where visitors can eat before or after a show. A smaller rehearsal and alternative-performance space for about 100 people is also part of the site.

What is on the programme?

Teatro Cuyás hosts leading national productions alongside international performances spanning every discipline of the performing arts - drama, dance, music and experimental formats. The schedule changes seasonally, so it is worth checking the current programme before planning a visit.

When is the best time to visit?

Gran Canaria's theatre season typically runs from autumn through spring, when the programme is at its richest, though individual events take place year-round. Visitors in Las Palmas during summer can still catch concerts and special events, while the full seasonal line-up is available outside the peak tourist months.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Teatro Cuyás located? In the Triana district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, on Calle Viera y Clavijo, s/n.

How many seats does the theatre have? The main hall seats around 940-943 people across the stalls and two tiers.

Who runs the theatre? The venue belongs to the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, the island's governing council, which oversees its operation.

Is there anywhere to eat on site? Yes, the complex includes a restaurant with a terrace, open before and after performances.

Does the building have a longer history than the theatre itself? Yes, the site began as the 19th-century Circo Cuyás and later operated as a cinema before being rebuilt into today's theatre.