Spanish is spoken in the city, with the distinctive island accent that softens the pronunciation of the letters “zetas” and “ces”.
As an integral part of the Spanish and European territory, the legal tender is the Euro.
Currency exchange can be done, upon presentation of the passport, at exchange offices and at the airport.
In the Canary Islands, VAT (IVA) does not apply, so VAT refunds cannot be requested. This means that many products are cheaper than on the mainland, as the local tax applied—the IGIC—is significantly lower.
The Canary Islands share the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) time zone, the same as the United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal—one hour behind the rest of Spain, Germany, France, Austria, Italy and Sweden.
The traditional business hours are mornings and afternoons. Usually, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00. Shopping centers have a continuous schedule until 22:00.
In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the climate is mild all year round. It is advisable to pack a light layer—a cardigan or a lightweight jacket—for the evenings, which are always cooler due to the proximity of the sea. Temperatures can sometimes vary significantly within just a few kilometres, something to bear in mind when leaving the city to explore the island. Sunscreen is also essential.
Operational 24 hours a day, it answers calls in five languages: Spanish, English, German, French and Italian.