El Muelle – Shopping Center at the Port of Las Palmas
Fashion, Dining and Cinema Right by the Cruise Terminal Santa Catalina
Centro Comercial El Muelle sits right at the Santa Catalina cruise terminal and combines fashion chains, a well-stocked Hiper Dino supermarket and numerous restaurants with terraces. Since opening in 2003, demolition has repeatedly been debated – instead, a multi-million euro renovation has been underway since 2024, bringing a new cinema and rooftop lounge.
Right on the Muelle Santa Catalina cruise pier, El Muelle Shopping Center is one of the best-known shopping destinations in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Passengers stepping off a cruise ship reach the entrance within a few minutes — no coincidence, since that exact crowd was the mall's original target audience. Alongside the fashion chains found in almost every Spanish mall, El Muelle stands out for a well-stocked Hiper Dino supermarket — reportedly the largest of its kind in the Santa Catalina district — and for its upper-floor dining terraces, which offer sweeping views over the harbour and Parque Santa Catalina. Business hasn't always run smoothly, though: half-empty floors have repeatedly made headlines, and the building's future has been a political talking point for years.
History: From Cruise-Shopping Concept to "Mamotreto"
El Muelle opened on 14 February 2003, developed by the real-estate company Riofisa together with Procam (Caixa Catalunya) and under concession from the Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas, which owns the land. The architecture, with its two distinctive towers, was deliberately designed to echo the decks of a cruise ship — a concept that earned the center international recognition in its very first year with an ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) design award.
But as the building aged, criticism grew louder. The environmental group Ben Magec publicly labelled El Muelle a "mamotreto" — a monstrosity on the harbourfront — and called for it to be demolished, arguing among other things that the operator pays too little in concession fees for the port land. Instead of tearing it down, the port authority did the opposite in 2023: the concession was extended until 2043, officially to prevent the building from falling into disrepair or standing empty once the permit expired. The demolish-and-rebuild idea keeps resurfacing, but so far it hasn't materialised.
The Major Renovation Since 2024
Rather than a rebuild, a comprehensive renovation has been underway since July 2024, funded by the investment fund Divarian at a cost of roughly €7.5 million. The redesign comes from architecture firms Martín y Mazza and Cabana Partners together with Aguiar Ingenieros, with construction carried out by the Canarian builder Urban. The stated goal: to "strip down" the building — removing the cladding from the two main towers, enlarging the terraces on the second and third floors, and opening up a more spacious ground-floor entrance hall, even at the cost of some retail space.
The overhaul has brought in new brands such as Xtep, Guaw, Koala Bay, Perfumería Primor and Uki Uki, the cinema is returning under the Odeon group, and 2025 saw the rooftop lounge Limbo open on top of the building — a soundproofed club with an outdoor terrace, taking the place of the former nightclub Kahlua and the club Liquid.
Shops, Fashion and the Hiper Dino Supermarket
The lower floors are dedicated to classic shopping: shoes, fashion, perfumery and jewellery, dominated by Spanish chains alongside internationally known names like Jack & Jones, Benetton and C&A. Prices range from mid-market to upmarket. For everyday errands, the Hiper Dino supermarket is particularly handy — well-stocked and, by most locals' accounts, the largest of its kind in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood.
Dining and Rooftop Terraces with Harbour Views
Beyond shopping, the upper floors offer plenty of dining options — from Canarian specialities to fast-food chains like McDonald's and Burger King, plus pizzerias. The real draw, though, is outside: the open-air terraces provide sweeping views over Puerto de la Luz harbour and Parque Santa Catalina, making them one of the city's most pleasant spots for a coffee or a sundowner.
Cinema, Entertainment and Nightlife
Alongside the Odeon cinema, the center has historically offered a bowling alley and arcade for entertainment. With the new rooftop lounge Limbo, nightlife has returned too — live music, cocktails and cultural events under the open sky, developed in close coordination with the city's noise regulations for nearby residents.
Getting There
El Muelle is within walking distance of the city centre and well connected via the Guaguas Municipales bus network, with numerous lines stopping at the nearby Santa Catalina bus station. Cruise passengers can reach the center on foot in just a few minutes straight from the pier. By rental car or taxi, the mall is also easily reached via the waterfront road, with parking available inside the building.
Nearby Attractions
| Attraction | Distance | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Parque Santa Catalina | right across the street | Central city park with cafés and events |
| Museo Elder | approx. 5 min walk | Science and technology museum for the whole family |
| Poema del Mar Aquarium | approx. 3 min walk | Large seawater aquarium by the harbour |
| Mercado del Puerto | approx. 5 min walk | Historic market hall with local stalls |
| Castillo de la Luz | approx. 10 min walk | Historic fortress with exhibitions |
| Playa de Las Canteras | approx. 10 min walk | One of Europe's finest city beaches |