History, cosmopolitanism and Spanish charm all commingle harmoniously in the buzzing capital of the Canary Islands, Las Palmas. Here, the colossal outlines of cruise ships drift past white-washed apartment rises, and the volcanic profiles of the Bandama Caldera tower over a busy port and bustling beach strips. At the point where the urban sprawl of Las Palmas meets the sea, sun-kissed promenades give way to thrumming open-air clubs worthy of Ibiza, and food joints aplenty serving Canarian fare and much more. Deeper in Vegueta, the 15^th century core of the town, Castillian architecture abut Andalusian plazas; tapas tavernas beckon with the fragrances of fresh herbs and seafood, and craft markets sell everything from African voodoo trinkets to Iberian souvenirs. For travellers eager to make the most of the city, Las Palmas tour guides often recommend splitting time between the sands and the city, taking in the surf of four-kilometre long Playa Las Canteras, before heading off to the majestic Catedral de Santa Ana and enthralling exhibition rooms such as those of the Casa de Colón Museum, where Columbus himself is said to have once resided!