The Little Venice of Gran Canaria

The island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, is one of the year-round destinations we can jet off to once travel is back in our lives.  One of the prettiest resorts in Gran Canaria is Puerto Mogan on the southwest coast.  You’ll see below why Puerto Mogán is known as ‘Little Venice’, and is probably one of the most photographed resorts on the island.

The birth of the resort

Until around 1980, Puerto Mogán was a small fishing village. It was home to a community of hippies, bohemians, as well as the local residents. The hippies eventually moved on when it was decided to develop the village into a small tourist resort.

At first, the development was unpopular with the locals, but this soon changed when the houses were kept small with attractive painted doors and window surrounds. Canals and bridges began to appear, and streets were pedestrianised. Bougainvillea and hibiscus plants became abundant, and roof gardens flourished.

Puerto Mogán today

Today, the charming and picturesque resort offers visitors traditional whitewashed houses, palm-lined avenues, cobbled streets, and floral lanes. Spend a while looking in the boutique shops, and then head down to the marina for something to eat in one of the many waterside restaurants.  You’ll walk across many Italian-style bridges crossing over the sea water inlets around the resort.

Mogán beach and marina

If you enjoy a beach, you’ll find a wide, sheltered, sandy beach here with calm water. Relax on the sunbeds beneath an umbrella, or select your spot on the sand. Of course, there are ample bars and restaurants for you to enjoy a drink, or meal.

Puerto Mogán market

Pick up a souvenir of your holiday here at the local market held here every Friday.  Stalls sell traditional Canarian crafts including leather items, textiles and ceramics. You’ll also be able to select some fruit and food from the market that will make an ideal lunch.

Temperatures

The island of Gran Canaria is a year-round destination.  Take a look at the average temperatures below you can expect to experience in the resort, and you’ll see you can have a lovely stay here even during the winter months.

January 21°C
February 21°C
March 23°C
April 23°C
May 24°C
June 25°C
July 27°C
August 28°C
September 27°C
October 26°C
November 24°C
December 22°C

Things to do in Puerto Mogán

Take a boat ride from the marina out to sea where you can see schools of whales and dolphins – a common sight in the area.

If you prefer, you can have a trip in a yellow submarine and get a glimpse of the underwater world of the Atlantic. Experience the undersea world from your own porthole and spot different fish and even an old shipwreck. The trip lasts for about 45 minutes and you’ll go down to around 20 metres.  You may even be lucky enough to see a stingray.

If you enjoy fishing, then you’ll not be disappointed. Deep-sea fishing is available where you have the opportunity to catch tuna and marlin. Indeed, the renowned “Blue Marlin” angling competition takes place in Puerto Mogán every July.

The evenings are the perfect time for a stroll at the marina.  Catch the sounds of jazz music in the plaza, or relax in one of the piano bars and sip on a cocktail.  Nightlife is fairly quiet in Puerto Mogán. If you’re looking for something a little more lively, then nearly Puerto Rico is worth visiting, and just a 15 minute taxi ride away.

Where to stay

Being a smaller resort, there are just a few luxury hotels available including the following :

Radisson Blu Resort & Spa

This 5-star hotel is towards to back of the resort, but still just a 15 minute walk to the beach and resort centre.  Ideal for families, couples, or solo travellers, this hotel has a stylish modern interior.  With 3 outdoor swimming pools to choose from, you’ll soon be relaxing, and soaking up some welcome sunshine. You can even enjoy the heated whirlpool.

You can stay here on bed and breakfast, or half board. Restaurants at the hotel include an a la carte Italian, buffet restaurant, poolside snack bar, pool bar and for the evening a disco bar.

Spa facilities are available to adult guests for which local charges apply. These include a sauna, steam room, Turkish bath, whirlpool, and massage/beauty treatments.  The hotel also has an air conditioned gym with cardio and strength equipment, and a weights area. You can also enjoy the aerobics, aqua aerobics, badminton, basketball, climbing, petanque, pilates, tennis, volleyball, table tennis, and yoga. There’s also a 800m running track.

For the children, they have their own pool and a splash park with tipping water bucket, jets, sprinklers and spouts. They can also enjoy the children’s club (for 4-12 years), and a playground.

Cordial Mogán Playa

This 4-star hotel is just a 10 minute walk from the centre and beach. A more traditional style hotel, the Cordial Mogán Playa is set amongst a lush botanical garden.

There are 3 outdoor swimming pools including one for children, and you can even enjoy the heated whirlpool.  Stay here on bed and breakfast, or half board.  You can choose to eat in an a la carte restaurant serving international cuisine. Also available is 2 buffet restaurants, another a la carte Michelin starred Spanish restaurant, a lobby bar, disco bar, and 2 pool bars.

For children, they have a pool, bowling alley, children’s club (4-12 years) and a playground including climbing frame and slides.

If you’re looking for spa treatments, the Cordial Mogán Playa has a sauna, steam room, whirlpool, massage treatments for which local charges will apply.  Feeling more active? Then take advantage of the air conditioned gym with cardo fitness equipment, weights and strength equipment.  There’s aerobics (including aqua), table tennis and tennis.  There’s a daytime and evening entertainment programme.

Of course, for some hotels facilities wherever you stay, it is very much dependent upon the Covid situation as to whether they are available, or at reduced capacity.  Hopefully you can see that Gran Canaria’s ‘Little Venice’ – Puerto Mogán – is a very picturesque resort to choose.

Gail Hewitt is Owner and Director of Corona Holidays. Corona Holidays are specialists in tailor-made holidays to the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, and European city breaks.

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