You wouldn’t expect to find a slice of northern Italy on a Spanish island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, but the town of Puerto de Mogán on Gran Canaria is just that. Known as “Little Venice” for its quaint footbridges and canals, the village boasts whitewashed houses with colorful trim dripping in vivid bougainvillea and a quiet marina with crystal-clear water.
After three months on the island, Puerto de Mogán is one of my favorite towns in Gran Canaria, and it’s an easy day trip from Las Palmas or other southern coast resort destinations like Puerto Rico or Maspalomas. If you’re headed on a Canary Islands vacation, add this seaside gem to the itinerary.
The best time to visit Puerto de Mogán
Fortunately, you can almost always expect the sun to be shining here, as Gran Canaria boasts some of the best weather in Europe. In addition to the island’s already mild climate, the mountains protect the southern shore from the northern winds and clouds, meaning you’re almost guaranteed blue skies and sunshine in Puerto de Mogán.
Pro tip: Skip the summer (and winter) crowds for the shoulder seasons of autumn and spring for comfortable weather and fewer people. I visited several times during October and November, and the weather was flawless with no crowds.
Explore the historic district — "LIttle Venice"
Puerto de Mogán’s biggest draw is its charming historic district, likened to a “Little Venice” with a small canal and several blue footbridges. Once across the river, rows of white buildings with red, yellow, and blue trim fill the streets, adorned with pink and salmon-colored bougainvillea.
I spent a good bit of time strolling the streets and snapping photo after photo, attempting to capture this enchanting neighborhood. The promenade along the marina is equally captivating, lined with harborside restaurants covered by ruffled awnings, shading patrons dining on fresh seafood over cocktails.
Hike up to the Puerto de Mogán Overlook
To get your heart rate up, hike up the hill towards the Mirador de Puerto de Mogán (Puerto de Mogán Lookout). The path begins at Calle la Corriente, following a winding staircase past whitewashed houses set into the hillside.
Once at the top, the overlook features a glass wall and semi-covered seating with panoramic views over the town and beach. Catch your breath and take in epic views from the mirador.
sunbathe and snorkel on Playa de Mogán
Opposite the marina is the local beach, Playa de Mogán. This golden crescent of sand is the perfect afternoon lounge spot. The swimming area is shallow and protected by a breakwater, making its tranquil lagoon accessible for all abilities to enjoy a dip in the ocean. The beach also has sun beds and umbrellas available to rent.
There’s also a spot here for snorkeling, with crystalline waters that have excellent visibility for spotting marine life. Opposite the sand beach, on the other side of the promenade, is a small rocky cove, Caleta de Mogán. Don a mask, snorkel, and fins to spot schools of fish roaming the rocky ocean floor. Snorkelers can enter the water right from the shore or the concrete steps that lead into the sea from the pier.
Puerto de Mogán's Friday market
Puerto de Mogan comes to life on Fridays, when the streets are lined with vendors selling local crafts, clothing, and art. While many of the items are knick-knacks and knock-off designer wear, I did find a few worthwhile souvenirs, including silver jewelry, ceramics, and local art prints.
Vendors start showing up around 8 a.m., and the market is over by 3 p.m. If you’re not interested in browsing the market, I’d recommend timing your visit for late afternoon or avoiding Fridays altogether.
Where to eat
Ahul
This waterfront restaurant serves up Mediterranean classics in an intimate open-air dining area overlooking the marina. I highly recommend asking about the fish of the day — we had succulent roasted red scorpionfish, accompanied by Canarian staples like papas arrugadas (potatoes with mojo sauce).
Heladería Martonela
This little shop serves the best ice cream I’ve had in Gran Canaria. With a dozen different flavors displayed in cylindrical stainless steel tins, their ice creams are rich and creamy, closer to an Italian gelato. I highly recommend the hazelnut. Apart from ice cream, Heladería Martonela also serves coffee, crepes, and smoothies.
How to get to Puerto de Mogán
Puerto de Mogán is less than an hour’s drive from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria along GC-1, with public parking behind the beach.
It’s just as easy to take the bus (called guaguas in the Canary Islands). Catch the blue Global L91 guagua from the Santa Catalina Station in Las Palmas. The journey takes about 90 minutes, and tickets cost €9.40, paid by cash or card to the driver.
If you’re coming from Maspalomas, the journey takes about 20 minutes by car, or an hour by guagua (L70 or L1), as there are many stops along the coast.
From Puerto Rico, it’s 15 minutes driving and 30 minutes on the bus (L1 or L91).
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