Friday, 09 December 2016 09:26

Las Palmas De Gran Canaria Voted The Coolest Destination In Europe

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Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City is Tripadvisor's top European emerging destination Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City is Tripadvisor's top European emerging destination www.photosgrancanaria.com

The travel world is catching up with what we've known for years: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria city is cool. And now, it's Number 1º on Tripadvisor's list of Europe's Top Emerging Destinations.

Las Palmas tops the authoritative list ahead of other funky spots like Tbilisi in Georgia, Malaga in Spain, and cities such as Bologna, Faro and Bucharest. It's also at Number 8º on Tripadvisor's global list of emerging destinations.

Already famous as the city with the best weather in the world, Europe's top city beach (at least), and as one of the world's top digital nomads hangouts, Las Palmas is now getting the recognition that it deserves as a cool city with a unique atmosphere with Canarian, Spanish and Latino influences

Locals already know that Gran Canaria's capital city, and the largest city in the Canary Islands, has been buzzing for several years now thanks to new rooftop bars, a thriving coworking and digital nomad scene, boutique hotels, a busy cruise ship port, and the rise of surf tourism

Combined with the exceptional Las Canteras city beach, plus four other urban beaches, and its authentic atmosphere, Las Palmas city is fast getting the recognition it deserves as a city break destination that is completely different from the island's resorts. 

And people don't just come to Las Palmas for a few days on the beach. Las Palmas has a growing Spanish language learning industry, lots of surf schools and beachside hostels, a thriving tapas scene, and dozens of quality restaurants. 

More Gran Canaria Info articles on Las Palmas city

See our Las Palmas section for loads of useful information about the city.

For more information about living and working in Gran Canaria, see our super-useful resident's website Gran Canaria Guru

Las Canteras Beach Snorkelling Guide And Photo Map

Icons Of Las Palmas City That Most Visitors Miss

The Truth About Christopher Columbus In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

11 Really Useful Bus Routes To And From Las Palmas City

Eat The World In Las Palmas City

The Top Ten Must Visit Las Palmas Museums And Galleries

 

 

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Surfing at El Confital beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria city www.photosgrancanaria.com
Read 18711 times Last modified on Friday, 09 December 2016 10:33
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  • How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer
    How To Choose A Legal Gran Canaria Airport Transfer

    Gran Canaria's hotels have to be licensed and offer a quality level of service as well as having insurance and complying with fire regulations. The same goes for the boats that take people out to watch dolphins, the companies offering jeep safaris, and even the holiday let apartments. 

    However, not everybody in Gran Canaria follows the rules. For example, there is a significant industry running illegal and uninsured transfers between Gran Canaria airport and the island's resorts. These cars, driven by locals and foreign-residents, are just private vehicles and the drivers are unregulated and uninsured. They don't pay tax and there is no way to hold them responsible if something goes wrong. 

     At Gran Canaria Info we believe that all people and all companies offering services to tourists should legal and above board.

    So, how do you know that your airport transfer service is legal and registered with the Gran Canaria authorities?

     Using legal Gran Canaria airport transfers

    It is quite easy to know if your airport transfer service is operating in a legal way because all registered transfers have the following...

     A blue license plate: Taxis and other public service vehicles in Gran Canaria all have blue plates.

    A VTC sticker in the window: This stands for Vehículo de Transporte con Conductor, the official designation for licensed transfer drivers ans chauffeurs.

    An SP sticker on the car: This indicates that the car offer a Servicio Publico or public service and is therefore allowed to pick up and transfer members of the public. 

    Parked in the transport zone: Official airport transfer vehicles don't park in the public car park of the airport. Instead they have their own parking zone right by the arrivals gates at the airport (next to the taxis and package tour buses). Your transfer driver therefore should not have to pay a parking fee before leaving the aiport. 

    How to spot an unlicensed transfer service

    Unlicensed drivers get away with offerring their service because they claim that they are just members of the public picking up a friend. They are allowed to stand at arrivals with a sign (just like any member of the public can).

    However, they also have to park their car in the public car park and will walk you there with your luggage, stopping to pay the parking fee at the meter. A licensed transfer driver does not need to do this because they have their own parking zone right by arrivals.

    Some unlicensed drivers don't even wait at the arrival gate because the official drivers recognise them and get annoyed. Instead they have to stand further away (often by the Spar supermarket or the car rental desks). 

    When an unlicensed driver drops you at the airport they will not want to be paid in a public area because this proves that they are charging rather than "transporting a friend" for free. 

    An unlicensed car will not have a blue license plate, or a SP or VTC sticker, and will often look like a private car (because it is a private car). 

    What's the problem with unlicensed airport transfers?

    Some people use unlicensed cars because they are the cheapest option and don't realise that they are unlicensed. 

    There are several problems with unlicensed services. The most obvious is that they are uninsured so if something goes wrong or there is an accident, you are not protected. The price that unlicensed drivers offer is only low because they cut corners (hopefully not literally). You have no way of even knowing if your unlicensed driver has a Spanish driving license, insurance and a good driving record. Licensed drivers are vetted regularly and must be fully insured and licensed to work.

    Another problem is that unlicensed transfers undermine the legitimate transfer drivers and businesses in Gran Canaria. Local drivers make a living from transfers and offer a legal, regulated service with minimum standards. Every time an unlicensed service undercuts them, it is effectively stealing from local people and the island economy.

    We believe that everybody in Gran Canaria deserves better!

    Gran Canaria Airport Transfer Services

    To find out more about the Gran Canaria airport transfer, see our Gran Canaria airport transfer article which explains the three different models; man/woman from pub with car, online transfer websites, and local transfer services.

    Or you can book a legitimate Gran Canaria airport transfer at a great price right here. Our service uses local drivers and supprts the island economy because all the money you spend stays in Gran Canaria.

    Alex Says: Using our service also helps the Gran Canaria Info team to keep providing quality local information here and in our Facebook Group

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