Yes, you can smoke at Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) — airside, after security, on the open-air rooftop terrace above the C-zone departure gates, overlooking the runway, plus at designated outdoor areas outside the terminal doors, landside. The terminal interior is smoke-free.
Gran Canaria Airport, also known as Las Palmas (Gando), is the Canary Islands’ busiest gateway and one of Spain’s top airports for UK and German winter-sun charter traffic, feeding the beach resorts of Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, and Puerto Rico. It runs from a single large terminal, with departure gates grouped into lettered zones, so once you are through security the rooftop terrace below is your option; landside, you smoke outside the building.
After Security (Airside)
The airside smoking spot is an open-air terrace on the roof level, reached from the main departures concourse. From the Duty Free shop, turn left and walk toward the C12 departure gate; just past it you will find a flight of stairs, with a lift alongside for step-free access. Head up to the terrace and the smoking area is on your left, set above the apron with a wide view over the runway — a pleasant place to wait out a connection in the Canary sun.
The C-zone gates handle many of the island’s UK, German, and Scandinavian departures, so the terrace is conveniently placed for most winter-sun flights. An O’Learys café sits on the same rooftop level, handy for a drink while you use the terrace. Because this is the only airside smoking area, allow a few extra minutes to walk back to gates in the A or B zones if your flight boards from the far end of the terminal.
Before Security (Landside)
Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the terminal, so before check-in and security you smoke outside the building. There are designated outdoor areas by the terminal doors on both the departures and arrivals sides, with ashtrays provided. Gran Canaria’s mild, year-round climate keeps these comfortable even in the winter months when the island fills with northern-European visitors.
Arriving passengers should note the same rule: wait until you have cleared passport control, collected your bags, and stepped outside the arrivals hall before lighting up.
Vaping
Vaping is treated the same as smoking at Gran Canaria. E-cigarettes are not allowed inside the terminal, so use the airside rooftop terrace or the outdoor areas outside the building for both cigarettes and vapes. Do not vape in the toilets — it can set off the smoke detectors.
Summary
| Area | Smoking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor terminal | No | Smoke-free throughout |
| After security / airside | Yes | Rooftop terrace above the C-zone gates (past C12), stairs or lift |
| Outdoor (landside) | Yes | Designated areas outside the terminal on departures and arrivals |
For Spain’s airport smoking rules and vaping law, see our Spain airport guide.