Puerto de Mogán

Introducing Puerto de Mogán

After Taurito, a couple of kilometres of rugged coastline recall what this whole southern stretch of the island must have been like 40 years ago, before mass tourism descended on the Canaries.

Finally you round a bend; below you is a smallish crescent of sandy beach and next to it, a busy little yacht harbour and fishing port. Puerto de Mogán, although now largely given over to the tourist trade, is light years from its garish counterparts to the east. Thankfully, even the recent construction inland is more aesthetically pleasing, including the luxury new Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa.

Although its nickname, ‘Venice of the Canaries’, may be a tad of an exaggeration, the architecture and bridged waterways are as pretty as a chocolate box and the whole place exudes an air of opulence and charm. In the heart of the port, low-rise apartments have wrought-iron balconies, brightly coloured trim and are covered in dazzling ­bougainvillea.

On the downside, the place gets packed with envious tourists from the other resorts during the day, particularly on Friday morning when a street market takes over most of the town. Stalls sell the usual overpriced belts, bags and shell jewellery and, if you are staying here, it’s a good day to leave.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009