Gran Canaria was the first of the Canary Islands which I visited a few years ago together with a friend. We had our hotel in Playa del Inglés, a location full of tourists from all over the world. There we enjoyed relaxing in the sandy beach, and after the sun had gone down we spent some time in pubs like Turbo (very cool for fans of rock music) in the nights.

However, a Gran Canaria vacation does not mean that you have to go to the beach every day. I would recommend every tourist to see as many sights as possible. One day we took a taxi to the Palmitos Park, a botanical garden in the southern part of the island. There we saw many different kinds of animals and plants we had never seen before. The greatest attraction was the so-called Exotic Bird Exhibition Show, a real highlight.

Another day we decided to check-out a camel ride in the Camel Safari Park which is situated near the village of Fataga. Afterwards we had the chance to take a picture together with the animals and to enjoy a tasty typcial Canarian lunch.

It was also very interesting to get to know a few other parts of Gran Canaria. Puerto de Mogán is a fishing village on the southwest coast and a real attraction for every tourist. Because of the harbour it is often called „Venice of the Canaries“, and all of those beautiful buildings are really a picturesque sight.

Watching the sun going down in the Maspalomas Dunes was one of the most wonderful evenings during our vacation. We also had the possibility to see that rock in the ocean called El Dedo de Dios before it was knocked off by a tropical storm in 2005.

The mountains of Gran Canaria in the central part of the island are really fascinating. One day we went on a bus trip to Pico de las Nieves, the highest mountain of the island. That famous monolith called Roque Nublo is also to find in those mountains. However, do not forget to put on a jacket. It might be coolish and not as warm as in Playa del Inglés.

There’s a wide range of accommodation ranging from luxury air-conditioned apartments in Puerto Mogan with a swimming pool to economical self-catering apartments in Puerto Rico or perhaps you’d like or somewhere with a stunning sea-view in Playa del Cura.

Apart from basking in the sun on one of the beaches, there are lots of other things to do on the Costa Mogan. For the energetic there are activities such as sport-fishing and diving, hiking in the mountains, golf, tennis and other sports. Visit local attractions and galleries, take a trip along the coast by ferry or see the underwater world by submarine – you’ll find plenty to occupy your time. And of course, shopping – there are lots of facilities for your regular dose of retail therapy, including markets in Arguineguin and Puerto Mogan.

If you like to relax over a meal and a drink you’ll find a vast array of bars and restaurants. With such a choice the question is where to go? There are restauramnts serving Spanish dishes and Canarian specialities, traditional English fare, a Indian curries, a Chinese, Italian, German or Greek food or French cuisine – the choice is yours!

There’s plenty of nightlife – shows, karaoke and discos, especially in Puerto Rico. You can enjoy a wide range of live music including traditional Canarian and Spanish folk, blues and rock, and we’re pleased to be able to tell you that Elvis has NOT left the island!

If you are a fitness fanatic then there are several gyms and fitness centres so that you don’t slip behind with your training schedule.
There is a whole range of complementary therapies available in the locality, including reiki, thalasotherapy, acupuncture and various kinds of massage, and if you require herbal or homoeopathic remedies there are several health food shops (herbolarios).

Arguineguín

Arguineguin is the main commercial and residential town of the Costa Mogan. It has a busy fishing port and two beaches with the local sand. Market day here is on a Tuesday.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is the largest holiday resort on the Costa Mogan. It has a sheltered beach, two marinas and excellent facilities for water-sports and other activities. The two main centres have shops, supermarkets, restaurants and there is live entertainment at numerous bars, clubs and discotheques.

Taurito

Taurito, with its beach of native sand, is in a spectacularly steep-sided and narrow barranco (valley) and has an excellent lido and a recreation area.

Veneguera

It’s a long way to the beach at Veneguera, but worth the journey if you don’t mind driving down the long unmade road past banana and papaya plantations. The track is pretty rough in places but once you arrive, this undeveloped beach is ideal for a picnic and a quiet lazy time. Take everything you’ll need with you – it’s a long way back to the shops!

Playa Amadores – “Lovers’ Beach”

Amadores beach, with its white sand and beautiful blue water is one of the most popular beaches in the area. There are plenty of bars and restaurants and pedaloes can be hired hire.
There are showering facilities, lots of parking and a frequent bus service.

Tauro

The beach-front at Tauro is relatively undeveloped, though big changes are on their way as the new golf resort just inland is developed. Currently there are just two beach-side bars serving seafood and local specialities.

Mogán

This typical small Canarian town, in a spectacular setting with a backdrop of mountains is the administrative centre for the municipality of Mogan and is less touristy than the resorts on the coast. There are several bars and some excellent restaurants, serving mainly traditional Spanish and Canarian dishes.

Patalavaca – “Foot of the Cow”

Patalavaca is a resort linked to Arguineguín, many of whose hotels are built on the face of the cliff below the costa road, and so one enters many of them on the top floor.

Puerto de Mogan

Puerto de Mogan, on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria is the most picturesque resort on the island.

The original fishing village of Playa Mogán with its narrow passageways and steps is a jumble of houses and apartments clinging to the cliff and the Mirador at the very top has one of the best views of the resort.

The harbour area, known as the "Venice of the Canaries", is a pedestrianised development of two-storey apartment blocks with roof terraces bursting with bougainvillea and other gloriously colourful plants and is dotted with gardens of banana and papaya trees, palms and bird-of-paradise plants.

The new development on the beach-front and stretching back up the valley includes new hotels and luxury apartment complexes, some with great views up the valley or over the beach and of the sea, cliffs and marina.

Puerto de Mogan is packed with excellent restaurants serving local fish landed at the fishing harbour and other Canarian and international specialities. It has several banks and supermarkets, and shops selling clothes, souvenirs, jewellery and much more. If you want a haircut or a tattoo, there is a choice of salons or studios, and if you need to send an email or surf the web, there are several places where you can get connected.

The golden beach, of sand imported from the Sahara, faces south and is protected by a rocky mole, which makes it ideal for safe and easy swimming, and there are sunloungers, parasols, pedaloes and canoes for hire. Outside the enclosed area is good for those who are more adventurous and like to snorkel.

For those who want a bit more excitement, there are jet skis for hire, parascending, scuba diving lessons, sport fishing excursions. And if you’re not feeling so energetic you could try a submarine trip round a local wreck, a dolphin spotting trip or taker the ferry to Puerto Rico, Anfi del Mar or Arguineguín.

On Fridays there is a large open-air market which fills the two plazas on the marina side of Puerto Mogan and the area behind the beach. There are stalls selling shoes, clothes, leather goods and watches, many bearing designer logos – try your hand at getting a real bargain. You can buy African carvings and drums, cheap and cheerful jewellery, second hand books, fruit and vegetables, beach towels, sarongs and swimwear.

Several beaches are visited everyday by hundreds of tourists. You can either sit in the sun, have a nice bath in the very clean water or one can do all kinds of watersport activities.

Because of the channels that reach from the port towards the village, Puerto Mogan is called Venice of the south.

Even though there is a huge frequency of tourists comin to Puerto Mogan every year, the village kept its typical fisher-village-identy. One reason might be that it is not allowed to build houses that are higher then two levels.

It is beautifully situated on the southwest of the island and has retained much of its original charm. You wont find rambling hotel complexes here, as the government has forbidden any new buildings which are over two storeys tall. You will find a much cozier ambiance than in lots of similar villages.

Puerto de Mogán boasts a very nice fishing harbor which is connected to the lively marina through a number of canals.

Fridays are especially lively with a weekly market that attracts people from all over the island.

Additionally, it’s the perfect starting place for ferry rides to Puerto Rico and Arguineguin.

And the hills surrounding the village offer a wonderful opportunity for hikers and for those who like trekking.