Puerto de Mogán, nicknamed the Venice of the Canaries, is the warmest and least windy place on Gran Canaria. Canals of seawater, white houses with colourful trim, a profusion of bougainvillea and a famous Friday market.
Puerto de Mogán is undoubtedly one of the most photogenic and sought-after places on Gran Canaria. Nicknamed the “Venice of the Canaries” thanks to its network of seawater canals, it offers a unique combination of traditional architecture, a calm atmosphere and a special climate.
The resort also has a beautiful beach with golden sand. Thanks to the breakwaters, the sea in the bay is very calm, which families with children and less confident swimmers will especially appreciate. The ideal way to end the day is a swim or a meal in one of the many restaurants serving fresh fish right on the promenade.
The most stable on the island, almost no wind
Every Friday, roughly 9:00–14:00
20–30 minutes by car, bus or boat
If you want to be sure of sunny weather, Puerto de Mogán is a safe bet. It is in the south-west of the island, which is considered the warmest zone of Gran Canaria.
The massive rock walls surrounding the town form a perfect shield against cloud and the trade winds. It has the most stable weather on the whole island and, unlike windier resorts, there is practically no wind here at all.
Where it is warmest on the island in winter and where to stay, I describe in the article Gran Canaria in winter.
From Mogán it is also a short trip to the colourful rocks of Fuente de los Azulejos, where a waterfall flows in winter.
An ideal refuge for those who want to warm up even when it is cooler or very windy elsewhere on the island.
Every Friday the quiet lanes turn into a busy marketplace, one of the most popular on the island. The stalls stretch from the harbour pier into the centre of the town and offer a wide range of goods – from local food and fruit to leather goods, souvenirs and clothes.
The market takes place every Friday from the morning until early afternoon, roughly from 9:00 to 14:00.
For more relaxed shopping, arrive first thing in the morning – around midday the lanes are at their busiest.
What makes Puerto de Mogán exceptional is its strict building regulations. You will not find any giant hotel complexes spoiling the skyline. Buildings are limited to a maximum of two storeys, which gives the town a cosy, exclusive feel.
White houses with colourful trim, a profusion of flowering bougainvillea and the iconic bridges over the canals create a scene that simply invites you to take photos.
The best shots are from the bridges over the canals and the lanes overgrown with bougainvillea.
From the main tourist centres in the south of the island, Puerto de Mogán is very easy to reach. The journey takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on how you travel.
By car: the fastest route is the GC-1 motorway, which ends right in Mogán. You can park for free in a car park, from which it is a slightly longer walk to the centre, or more conveniently in the paid underground car parks right by the harbour.
Direct, frequent lines run from Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés (for example line 32 or 1). The stop is just a few minutes’ walk from the historic centre.
Regular boat services between Arguineguín, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán – transport and an experience, with a view of the coast from the ocean.
In Puerto de Mogán itself you will find smaller hotels and apartments without high-rise complexes. You will find hotel tips for the south of the island in the article on Gran Canaria resorts.
Because of its network of seawater canals and the bridges that cross them.
Every Friday, roughly from 9:00 to 14:00. It is best to arrive first thing in the morning.
By car on the GC-1 motorway, by Guaguas Global bus (for example line 32 or 1) or by the Líneas Salmón water taxi. The journey takes about 20–30 minutes.
Yes, a beach with golden sand. Thanks to the breakwaters the sea is calm and suitable for children.
It lies in the warmest, south-western part of the island, and the rock walls protect it from cloud and the trade winds.
Puerto de Mogán combines stable, sunny weather without wind, unique Canarian architecture and the atmosphere of the Friday market – and thanks to its excellent accessibility it is an absolute must for every visitor to Gran Canaria.