Welcome to Puerto de Mogán, one of my favourite spots in Gran Canaria. This small resort town on the island’s sunny south-west coast has somehow managed to hold onto the character of its fishing village roots, while the sea-filled channels running between its houses have earned it the nickname Little Venice.
I spent five nights here as part of a Gran Canaria solo itinerary, staying at the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, using it as a base to explore the south and west of the island. It was an excellent choice.
Here are my favourite things to do in Puerto de Mogán.
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Things to Do in Puerto de Mogán
1. Fill up your camera’s memory card around the harbour
Puerto de Mogán is a photographer’s dream. The narrow streets of the Spanish Quarter and Little Venice are wall-to-wall Instagram gold.
Sporting red, green, beige or ochre doors, the whitewashed houses near the harbour are draped with magenta and amber bougainvillaea. Many are guesthouses or rental properties, some with roof terraces.
Puerto de Mogán’s marina is a stopping point for yachts en route to the Caribbean. From here, you can also pick up one of the excursions on offer, from diving to fishing trips.
And if you’re hungry, the restaurants lining the water serve fish straight off the town’s boats. Try the seabass.
2. Explore the old village
Head beyond Explanade de Castillete for Puerto de Mogán’s roots.
Clinging to the cliff face are the narrow alleyways and whitewashed houses of Los Ricos, the original fishing village. Before land was reclaimed from the sea to form the marina, the fishermen launched their boats from a simple pebble beach.
It’s a quiet, evocative corner that most day-trippers miss.
3. Climb to the mirador
From the old village, follow the signs through the labyrinth of streets in Las Ricos to reach the mirador, 50 metres above sea level. It’s 257 steps, but worth every one.
The views over Puerto de Mogán and the beach beyond are exceptional. Come at golden hour or sunset for the best light.
4. Watch the sun go down
As the most westerly resort on the island’s south coast, Puerto de Mogán is one of the best places in Gran Canaria for sunsets.
The popular local choice is the rocky foreshore past the shipyard, at the foot of the cliff crowned by two antennae. You can perch on the narrow ledge on the cliff face or find a comfortable rock. But personally, I preferred watching the light fall across the marina.
5. Visit the Cañada de los Gatos archaeological site
As a history nerd, I was delighted to discover that Puerto de Mogán has an archaeological site. Dating back over 1600 years, Cañada de los Gatos contains the remains of a large settlement inhabited by the Canarii people, complete with circular houses, burial pits and caves.
A clearly signposted route takes you around the site, with information boards in multiple languages, before leading to a mirador with fine views over the harbour. A second path from there passes caves in the cliff face used as burial sites, continuing to Las Crucecitas, the settlement’s cemetery.
There is a small admission fee, and your ticket is valid for one year (I bumped into another visitor from the UK who visited the site daily!). Opening hours are seasonal. Click here for up-to-date information.
6. Visit the Ermita de San Fernando
A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it stop, but worth a brief pause. This simple whitewashed chapel is Puerto de Mogán’s spiritual centre, built by a local family in 1935 so that fishermen’s families had somewhere to pray for safe returns from the sea.
7. Bag a bargain at Puerto de Mogán’s Friday market
Or not, as the case may be.
The tour groups filling the streets of the town every Friday bear testament to the popularity of Puerto de Mogán’s weekly market. But manage your expectations.
If you’re looking for knock-off sunglasses and bags, or cheap clothes, you’ve come to the right place. There’s even the mandatory Peruvian panpipe player (he was one of the best things there).
There are stalls all over town, but the main concentration is on the half-mile stretch on Av. los Marrero between Pl. las Gañanías and the shopping centre.
Quite frankly, if you’re just spending a day in Puerto de Mogán, don’t choose Friday. You’ll spend half your time slaloming past slow-moving crowds.
8. Top up your tan on Playa de Mogán
Puerto de Mogán’s small and sheltered public beach has golden sand imported from the Sahara.
As it has a gently sloping waterfront and calm currents, Playa de Mogán is a good family beach. There are the facilities you might expect, including sunbeds and umbrellas for hire.
9. Take a submarine tour
One of the more unusual things to do in Puerto de Mogán. Board The Golden Shark for a 40-minute trip to 25 metres below the surface, watching marine life pass the large windows. It’s good fun and a memorable photo opportunity. Find out more and book here.
10. Go whale and dolphin spotting
A glass-bottomed boat trip for dolphin and whale spotting is one of the most popular activities here, and rightly so. Some 29 species of cetaceans are said to live in the warm coastal waters off Puerto de Mogán, including bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales.
Boats depart daily from nearby Puerto Rico (not Fridays or Sundays). If you don’t spot any dolphins or whales, you get a free return ticket. Find out more here.
Getting There
I had a lot of fun exploring Gran Canaria by bus, and Puerto de Mogán is well-connected. Fast, frequent services run to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (#91) and Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés (#32). Check timetables at guaguasglobal.com.
If you’re driving, there are public car parks in town
Getting to Puerto de Mogán from the airport
- By public bus: Bus 91 runs hourly between Las Palmas Airport and Puerto de Mogán. The journey time is around an hour.
- By shuttle bus: Another cost-effective option for getting to Puerto de Mogán from Las Palmas airport, especially as a solo traveller, is a shared shuttle. This typically costs only slightly more than the public bus. However, this may take longer as you’ll need to wait until the bus is full before leaving, as you may be the last person to be dropped off.
- By taxi: I had to reluctantly rule out a taxi transfer from the airport as this was not cost-effective as a solo traveller. When I last checked prices, a taxi from the airport to Puerto de Mogán cost upwards of €70.
Where to Stay
Puerto de Mogán is compact, so most hotels put you within easy reach of the beach, marina and restaurants.
Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Gran Canaria Mogán – I stayed at this high-end hotel, a ten-minute walk from the beach. It has all the bells and whistles you would associate with a 5-star resort hotel, impeccable service, and was surprisingly affordable for the quality of accommodation.
Mid-range: Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa – A highly-rated 4-star hotel set in extensive tropical gardens, a 5-minute walk to the beach.
HD Mogán Coral Apartments – If you prefer a self-catering option, take a look at these sunny apartments, a stone’s throw from the beach and marina.
Where to Eat
Here are a few restaurants that I tried and liked:
N44 – CC Plaza, Av. Los Marrero, 29. Don’t be put off by the location above a shopping centre. The pork fillet in truffle sauce is worth the trip.
Porto Allegre – C. Alcalde Miguel Marrero, 9. A no-frills beachfront spot serving fresh fish with a smile.
El Capuchino 501 – Pto de Mogán, 2º Fase Local 325 Bis. A friendly and popular place in the heart of Little Venice.
Spain is a great destination for solo travellers, and Gran Canaria is no exception. I travelled the island entirely by public transport and felt safe throughout, including in Las Palmas at night. Read my full Gran Canaria solo travel guide for more.
Planning a wider trip? See my guide to Las Palmas, or visit Agüimes, Arucas and Teror, inland towns well worth visiting.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.