If you’re planning a trip to Gran Canaria, chances are you’ll be passing through Las Palmas. Take the opportunity to discover the Canario Museum. You’ll learn all about the Canary Islands’ pre-Hispanic past and the aborigines. Each object tells of the soul of the islands and their age-old heritage. Don’t miss this visit.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for the event and have a great time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Why visit the Canario Museum in Las Palmas?
Is the Canario Museum worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, the museum is well worth a visit for several reasons:
- The museum is home to an exceptional collection of skulls and human remains that will enthral visitors with a passion for anthropology and archaeology.
- It offers a fascinating insight into the culture and daily life of the Guanches, the original inhabitants of the archipelago.
- It also features an exhibition of mummies and other artifacts that reveal more about Aboriginal burial rites.
The museum is one of our favorite things to do in Las Palmas.
Why is the museum famous?
The Museo Canario houses the world’s largest collection of relics of Guanche culture. The Guanches were the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands archipelago before Spanish colonization. The museum plays a key role in the archaeological and anthropological study of this vanished civilization. Human skulls, mummies and everyday objects are among the most important pieces.
Our favorite moments
We loved it:
- The room where the skulls are displayed. They are very impressive and, above all, very numerous.
- The Guanche mummies lying in display cases are also particularly striking.
- We really enjoyed the collection of ceramics and the explanation of the techniques and materials used at the time.
WHERE TO STAY IN Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the old town, surrounded by charming alleyways.
Hotel Cordial Plaza Mayor de Santa Ana – see photos and availability
On the Playa de las Canteras side, a long sandy beach.
Hotel Maresía Canteras Urban – view photos and availability
Near Playa de la Alcaravaneras, a less touristy area.
Hotel Santa Catalina, historic – see photos and availability
See our selection of the best hotels in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
History in brief
The Canario Museum was founded in 1870 by local intellectuals. It was originally a private scientific society dedicated to the study and preservation of the natural and cultural history of the Canary Islands. Its collection gradually grew, to the point that in 1944, the museum was declared to be of public interest. Today, it is a major reference for the history of the archipelago.
Access: Canario Museum, Las Palmas
Where is the Canario Museum?
The Canario Museum is located at 2 Calle del Dr. Verneau in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (35001).
- In the old town, in the Vegueta district
- Close to Santa Ana Cathedral and Casa de Colón museum
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Gran Canaria
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
How to get there?
You have several options for accessing the Canario Museum:
- By car: the site is well signposted and easy to get to, but traffic can be very heavy (especially in summer).
- By public transport: the museum is located in the historic Vegueta district of Las Palmas. There are numerous bus stops nearby.
- On foot: Vegueta’s streets are narrow and many are pedestrianized. It’s best to walk here, especially in summer.
Parking
The Canario Museum is in the city center. There are several parking lots nearby:
- Parking Mercado de Vegueta, opposite the market on the seafront
- Parking Vegueta, the covered parking lot in the historic center
Out of season, it is also possible to find places in the adjacent streets.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
At the height of the summer season, we recommend visiting in the morning, as you’ll find it quieter. You can then enjoy the lively streets of the surrounding historic district. A visit to the Museo Canario can also be enjoyable on a hot day.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 1 to 2 hours on site, depending on your interest in the exhibits.
The museum’s exhibition rooms are distributed over 2 levels, and there is no elevator. Stairs lead up to the first floor. The floor is flat and parquet.
Advice on how to visit
There’s no particular way to visit, and the layout of the rooms allows you to move around freely, starting on the first floor.
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Visiting with children
We didn’t see any specific itineraries or activities for young visitors. Nevertheless, the museum regularly organizes family visits. Consult the calendar of activities here.
Schedules and rates
The museum is open:
- Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Full price: €5
Children under 12 free of charge
Check out the latest rates and the complete list of discount beneficiaries here.
Once a month, the Canario Museum organizes A Night at the Museum on a chosen theme. Find out more here.
Guided tours
Guided tours are available:
- Monday to Friday at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.
- In summer (except from August 16 to 31), Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10, 11 and 12 a.m.
Reservations by telephone on + 34 928 336 800. More info here.
The museum offers an immersive experience of the Aboriginal world. 3 QR code options from your smartphone:
- Audioguide: available in 3 languages (Spanish, English and German)
- 3D: for key museum pieces
- Augmented reality: via the “Ventanas al pasado” app
Catering
You’re downtown. There are plenty of restaurants nearby. See our article on our favorite restaurants in Las Palmas.
The tapas bar La Vegueta de Colón is a 5-minute walk from the museum, in the old town.
Discover the first inhabitants of the Canary Islands
Our visit to the museum was a real discovery for us, giving us a better understanding of the Canary Islands’ past. It’s a must-see dimension, even if you come here mainly to enjoy the beach.
An introduction to Guanche civilization
The Canario Museum traces thehistory of Gran Canaria before the Spanish conquest. Through numerous artefacts found during archaeological digs carried out on the island, we were able to discover and understand the way of life of the aboriginal inhabitants of the time.
Among other things, we learned that there are many natural caves on the island. They were the Guanches’main habitat before they began building shelters from stone, branches and animal skins. We were very intrigued by these round huts.
The Canario Museum offers a wealth of information and explanations on the techniques and resources used in these constructions. Volcanic stone was a key building material that is still used today.
Everyday tools and crafts
We saw a large number ofstone tools used, for example, for hunting, but also for working with materials. These include axes, arrowheads, knives and scrapers.
Grindstones and mortars are often beautiful objects. They were used to grind the cereal grains that formed the staple diet. This is the case for barley and wheat. They were also used for lentils, beans and figs.
We loved the pintaderas, emblematic of Guanche culture. These small objects, made of terracotta, stone or wood, were used toprint designs on all kinds of surfaces (skins, walls, pottery…). Found in large numbers and in very different contexts, they played an important role in everyday life.
Ancestral tree art and traditions
The Museo Canario boasts a rich collection of artefacts, offering a fascinating insight into the culture and practices of the ancient inhabitants of the Canary Islands. We particularly enjoyed the ceramics and textiles.
Unique ceramics and pottery
Guanche ceramics were mainly utilitarian. It applies to food preparation, cooking, storage and transport. We saw pots, jars, bowls and dishes of various shapes and sizes.
We really enjoyed studying the decorations on the ceramics. These are mostly simple, with geometric patterns such as lines, zigzags or chevrons. These patterns can be incised or applied in relief.
But above all, we loved the various Guanche statuettes and idols on display in the museum. They are often stylized, and their exaggerated proportions are intended to accentuate certain symbolic characteristics of the idol represented.
Textiles and vintage clothing
We were able to see many pieces of skins and plant fibers used by the aboriginal inhabitants for their clothing and housing. The sewing techniques, which vary according to the material and its use, are particularly well described.
We also spotted a collection of punches made from carvedgoat bone. They were used to pierce animal skins before sewing. Differences in shape and size attest to the technical sophistication of the men and women who used them.
An exceptional anthropological collection
This is probably the most spectacular part of the museum, and also the most intriguing. It’s mostly made up of human bones, which can be a little frightening.
Impressive collection of Guanche skulls
The skull room is just as it was when the museum was founded in 1870, with thousands of skulls (around 2,000 specimensin all) lined up in display cases. This is one of the largest collections of its kind. It gave us a unique insight into thephysical anthropology of the pre-Hispanic inhabitants of the Canary Islands.
The presentation allows you to take a close look at each skull, examining its anatomical details and special features. The explanatory panels gave us additional information on the discovery, dating and history of some of them.
The room also contains some extraordinarily well-preserved mummies. They are accompanied by X-ray images of the skeleton, which provide valuable new information.
Funeral rites and Guanche mummies
A final room is devoted to funeral rites. Here we learned about the mummification andburial practices of the Guanche people. Objects found in burial sites reveal a belief in life after death. They are also evidence of social differences within the community.
We also found the reconstitution of a Guanche burial cave. It clearly shows how the mummies were placed in rock cavities and surrounded by various objects. The importance of sacred places in the aboriginal culture of the Canary Islands is clear.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Gran Canaria
- Best of
Best things to do in Gran Canaria
Most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful towns and villages
Most beautiful beaches
Best natural pools
Archaeological sites
Best museums
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Secret places, off the beaten track
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Gran Canaria
When to go?
How to get around
How to rent a car in Gran Canaria
Driving tips
Best excursions (coming soon)
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 7 days – 10 days
- The must-dos
Las Palmas and its historic center
Dolphin watching in Gran Canaria (coming soon)
Maspalomas dunes
Puerto de Mogan (Little Venice)
Agaete and its natural pools
The magnificent town of Agüimes
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
