In the mouth of a valley on Gran Canaria’s southwestern coast, the beautiful Puerto de Mogan is perfect for families. Here, we’ll introduce the town, talk about some of its best attractions and recommend some great accommodation. Read on for more!
The Town
With the Canary Islands becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination, it’s worth exploring why you should pick Puerto de Mogan for your next family holiday. The first plus is that it’s well located, close to Playa del Ingles and Maspalomas, letting visitors experience the best the island has to offer while staying somewhere a little quieter.
Traditional Meets Touristic
Since the motorway extension to Mogan only opened in 2013, the town still retains its historic charm. Originally a fishing village, its streets take you past whitewashed, traditional homes to a beautiful harbour.
Did You Know? The village’s canals have earned it the nicknames ‘Little Venice’ and ‘Venice of the Canaries’.
A Submarine Adventure
Who doesn’t want to live on a yellow submarine? Okay, it might get a little cramped long-term, but stunning underwater sights make riding in this brightly coloured vessel an essential experience.
Also called the ‘golden shark’, the sub dives to a depth of 25 feet, with the 40-minute journey allowing passengers to see exotic marine life and mysterious shipwrecks.
Top Tip: This is the perfect alternative to scuba diving for young children, older relatives or pregnant travellers: automatic pressure regulation means anyone can ride!
Wet and Wild in Aqualand
Located in nearby Maspalomas, Aqualand is a must for any summer family holiday. Easily accessible by road, it’s one of Spain’s best water parks. Affordable Gran Canaria transfersare always available, so it’s worth heading straight there and taking a full day to sample the range of attractions. There’s something for every guest, including …
- The twisting Tornado slide
- Rough rapids and a lazy river
- A minipark for little ones
- The death-defying adrenaline rush of the Boomerang and Kamikaze slides
Wildlife at Palmitos Park
Since it’s such a small island, it’s unsurprising that so many of Gran Canaria’s attractions are based around water, from the fun of water slides and wave machines to the sublime beauty of the seabed.
For something a little different, why not try Palmitos Park? It’s the perfect place to see wildlife of all sorts, from the 51 varieties of palm trees to beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds. There’s a lot to experience here, including, of course, some aquatic adventures. Admire the various tropical fish and snappy crocodiles – also make sure to catch one of the unmissable dolphin shows.
A Taste of the West in Sioux City
A little off-brand, maybe, but no less fun, Sioux City evokes the Wild West of classic movies. It’s a little out of the way, but it’s still a lot easier to organise Gran Canaria transfershere than to the American West.
This is perhaps the best place outside the States for an immersive Western experience. The island’s rugged beauty makes it a perfect stand-in for the scrublands of Arizona, transporting visitors far away and back in time.
In addition to wandering around the perfectly realised town, guests can also see spectacular shows, including …
- Buffalo and cow performances
- Horse tricks
- Staged duels, bar brawls and more …
Learn About Traditional Life at Mundo Aborigen
Before Europeans arrived, the Canaries were inhabited by the aboriginal Guanches. Sadly, not much of their culture remains – so this makes Mundo Aborigen just as important as it is fun. This reconstructed village overlooking Barranco de Fataga is dedicated to Guanche history, culture and customs.
Fun and Excitement at Holiday World
Back to the more traditionally touristic, this huge Maspalomas funfair will be the perfect addition to your Gran Canaria family holiday. Known as the biggest funfair on any of the islands, Holiday World is a must-see.
Activities and Fun
With a rollercoaster, dodgems, shooting stalls and a 27m-high ferris wheel, the fun never stops. Additional activities include pony rides, bowling and even an accessible boating lake – you’ll be almost overwhelmed with choice!
On top of this, there’s also a spa, wellness centre and gym, leaving adults who need to rest, work out or let off some steam just as well catered-for as the younger visitors.
Where to Stay
Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa – A huge complex designed to look like a traditional island village, the Hotel Cordial boasts two outdoor pools, a spa with hot tub and sauna, several bars and a beautiful terrace. Tamarona restaurant provides a buffet, while a la carte meals are served at Los Guayres.
Blue Explorers Resort – With an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, restaurant, bar and barbecue, this well-located hotel promises a comfortable and fun-filled place to stay. Sea views are available, and all rooms come with a private bathroom, free toiletries and a coffee machine.
How to Get There
Flights from London to Gran Canaria Las Palmas Airport (LPA) are affordable in even the busiest months. Ten airlines offer an average of 28 direct flights a week. Upon arrival, take a Gran Canaria transfers to travel the 65km into town in comfort and style. Car seats are available on request for families with young children.
Overview
- UK to LPA Flight Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- LPA to Puerto de Mogan Distance: 65 kilometres
- Shuttle Direct Transfer Time: 1 hour
About Shuttle Direct
As Europe and North Africa’s most popular airport transfer operator, Shuttle Direct is proud to offer affordable and comfortable rides with friendly, experienced drivers, getting you where you need to go quickly and without fuss.
