Booking the right hire car

Even in the interior of the island, many roads are quite narrow and winding. Better choose a small and manoeuvrable hire car to get through everywhere.

But before booking, think about how much luggage you want to take on the trip. This way, you avoid having another suitcase in front of the hire car even though the trunk is already full.

Insurance

Even in the mountainous interior of the island, but also in the turbulent Las Palmas, an accident can happen quickly. Protect yourself and book a car with comprehensive insurance without excess. With the third party liability you should pay attention to the sum insured. It should be at least one million euros.

Such a sum is namely quickly reached if people are injured in an accident or several vehicles are involved. If the sum insured of your rental company is too low, you can provide additional protection with a so-called Mallorca policy. Of course, you must take out this insurance before the trip.

Tank control

See before booking also, what fuel regulation the lender offers. Often, the hire car is handed over in Las Palmas namely with almost empty tank. You then bring the car back with the same level. In this case, you should be sure to confirm the level of the car in writing when taking over the vehicle.

Other rental companies oblige you to buy the first tank of fuel. In return, you can then return the car with an empty tank. This option is the worst for you, because the price at which the lender fills the tank is usually significantly higher than normal gasoline prices. In addition, you will never manage to roll into the parking lot of the hire car company with the last drop of gasoline, so always pay the remaining gasoline.

Language barrier

In Las Palmas, you may find that the staff at the hire car station speak poor English. In this case, it can be helpful to write down the phone number of the Spanish head office of your rental company. There you can ask for translation assistance.

Bail

If you book with a rental company that actually charges the deposit to your credit card and then transfers it back after you return the vehicle, it can sometimes take a long time to get the money back in your account. Rather book with a rental company that just blocks the amount.

Safety rental vehicles

Most rental vehicles in Las Palmas are safe. However, you should still do a brake test before your first drive in the hire car company’s parking lot. And check your vehicle’s lights, too.

Find a good hotel in Las Palmas

There are many hotels in Las Palmas, including some gems. We recommend the Hotel Santa Catalina. It was built in 1890 and offers the glamour of days gone by. Still, visitors don’t have to sacrifice any amenities.

Sights in the surrounding area

Teror: tranquil pilgrimage town
Just a little over half an hour’s drive separates Las Palmas from Teror. Despite the short distance, you’ll end up in a different world here. If it is hectic and almost South American in Las Palmas, you will find the rather contemplative life in Teror. In 1481, the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared here, and since then Teror has been the island’s place of pilgrimage. Consequently, you should first visit the basilica.

Here you will find an effigy of the statue of the Virgin Mary, which remained intact when much of the church fell victim to an explosion in 1718. Another miracle commemorated by the faithful with hundreds of candles. Afterwards, take a stroll through the picturesque old town with its cobblestone streets. The Pilgrims’ Museum, housed in a 300-year-old building, is also worth a visit.

Vega de San Mateo: Show Mill
Continue your journey to Vega de San Mateo. Again, expect only a half-hour drive. In Vega de San Mateo, you can watch grain being turned into flour at the Gofio Mill. It’s worth strolling around the old town a bit more, sitting down in one of the cosy cafés and planning which destinations you’d like to see over the next few days. If you’re in town on Saturday or Sunday morning, don’t miss the colourful farmers’ market.