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Coliving in Las Palmas

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is Europe's OG digital nomad city — year-round 22-24°C, a 3km city beach with surf, established coworking scene, and a timezone that bridges Europe and the Americas.

26 colivings 100-300 Mbps (fiber widely available) WiFi Best: Year-round — that's the entire point

Las Palmas has a claim to being Europe’s first true digital nomad city. The combination was obvious once someone pointed it out: spring weather every day of the year, a city beach with actual surf, Spanish food prices, fiber internet, and a timezone that lets you work with both London and New York. Nomads started showing up around 2014 and the infrastructure has built up around them — coworking spaces, coliving houses, community events, and a social scene that makes integration effortless.

The maturity of the scene is both a strength and a weakness. The infrastructure is excellent and you’ll meet people fast. But rents have climbed (beachfront apartments that were €500 in 2016 are now €900+), the community can feel insular, and long-timers sometimes describe a Groundhog Day effect — same faces, same bars, same conversations. Fresh blood and personal initiative keep it interesting.

Why Las Palmas for coliving

The consistency is unmatched. No seasonal planning required — just show up whenever and the weather, the waves, and the community are there. The coliving scene offers furnished rooms with coworking, surfboard storage, community events, and ocean views for €500-900/month. The practical infrastructure (fiber internet, EU healthcare, euro currency, direct flights to Europe) removes the friction that more exotic destinations create.

The Canary Islands’ special economic zone (ZEC) also offers potential tax advantages for businesses registered there, which has attracted a small community of entrepreneur-nomads beyond the typical freelancer crowd.

The nomad scene

One of the strongest in Europe. The community is well-organized with regular meetups, sport groups (surf, hiking, running, volleyball), coworking events, and seasonal conferences. The demographic skews European (Germans, Dutch, Scandinavians, British) with growing representation from the Americas and Eastern Europe. Peak season (November-March) brings the largest community as Northern Europeans escape winter. Summer is quieter but never dead. The social infrastructure means you can go from stranger to connected in under a week.

Written byFabio DeriuCo-founder of Casa Basilico — hosted 180+ remote workers across 14 coliving chapters in 8 countries

Where to stay in Las Palmas

Las Canteras

The main beach strip and nomad HQ. Three kilometers of golden sand with a reef that creates consistent surf. Coworking spaces, cafes, and restaurants line the streets behind the promenade. Walk out your door, surf, work, repeat. The most expensive area but the most convenient.

Triana

Historic pedestrian shopping district inland from Las Canteras. Beautiful architecture, the main market, and a mix of local shops and international brands. More affordable than beachfront, 10-minute walk to the sand.

Vegueta

The old town with colonial architecture, the Cathedral, and Columbus Museum. Quieter, more residential, characterful apartments. Sunday morning market is excellent. Less nomad infrastructure but more cultural depth.

Guanarteme

Between Las Canteras and the port. Growing food scene, more local feel, and lower rents than the beach strip. Several coworking spaces have opened here. A solid practical choice.

Monthly expenses in Las Palmas

Private room (coliving) €500-900/month
Studio apartment €600-1,100/month
Coworking membership €80-180/month
Meal at local restaurant €7-13
Coffee €1.20-2
Beer at a bar €2-3.50
Monthly groceries €200-320
Monthly transport pass €30

Quick facts

CurrencyEUR
LanguageSpanish (English spoken in nomad/tourist circles but limited in local life)
TimezoneWET (UTC+0, UTC+1 in summer) — same as UK, 1 hour behind mainland Spain
Best monthsYear-round — that's the entire point. Average 22-24°C in any month. Winter (November-March) is peak nomad season as Europeans escape the cold. Summer adds a few degrees but ocean breezes keep it comfortable.
Visa Spain's Digital Nomad Visa applies. EU freedom of movement. Schengen 90/180 for non-EU. The Canary Islands have a special economic zone (ZEC) with some tax benefits. Read our visa guide →

Last verified: April 2026. Prices and availability change — always check with operators directly.

Common Questions

How established is the nomad community?

Very. Las Palmas has been a nomad destination since around 2014-2015. The infrastructure is mature: multiple coworking spaces (Restation, The House, and others), weekly community meetups, sport groups, language exchanges, and the annual Nomad City conference. You can have a social life within 48 hours of arriving.

Is it possible to surf and work?

This is the Las Palmas lifestyle. Las Canteras beach has consistent, beginner-to-intermediate waves right in the city. Dawn patrol surf, then walk to a coworking space by 9am. Or work mornings and surf the afternoon swell. Board rentals and lessons are cheap. The combination of city beach + work infrastructure is rare globally.

Isn't it just a small island?

Las Palmas is a city of 380,000 — bigger than you'd expect. It has everything: hospitals, international airport, shopping malls, cultural venues, and a full restaurant scene. The rest of Gran Canaria (mountain villages, desert dunes, smaller coastal towns) is 30-60 minutes by car. It doesn't feel limiting.

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