Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) · CC BY 3.0
From the fishermen's caves to the marina
In the nineteenth century the fishermen of Mogán lived in cave houses by the mouth of the ravine, from where they watched the shoals of tuna and bonito, and beached their boats on a pebble shore. A salting factory in 1911 and engines from the 1930s changed the trade. When tourism arrived, the place chose to set itself apart from the rest of the island with a 225-berth marina wrapped in an atmosphere of traditional cottages, bougainvillea, hibiscus and small canals; hence the Venice comparison. The fishermen still go out every day, and their catch ends up in the restaurants along the promenade.
What to see
Lose yourself in the maze of canals, passageways and bridges over the seawater, among colourful houses with windows buried in flowers; look for the Ermita de San Fernando, from 1935, where the sailors' wives prayed for their husbands' return, and the quay where fishing boats share pontoons with yachts. The beach is small, with fine sand and calm water thanks to a breakwater: perfect with children. From the harbour go kayaks, dive boats, paddle boards and big-game fishing charters, a local speciality with dozens of world records to its name.
When to go
On Friday mornings the village turns into a street market, with hundreds of stalls of clothes, shoes, crafts, seasonal fruit and local produce: it is the liveliest day and also the busiest, so arrive early. The rest of the week it is a quiet place to eat fish and wander, and its climate, among the sunniest in Europe, with calm water all year round, knows no seasons.
Tips
- The Friday market runs through the morning; if you drive, come early to park.
- Order the catch of the day on the promenade: it comes from the quay next door.
- Drive up the GC-200 to the village of Mogán, deep in the ravine, to see the other face of the municipality.
- Stay for sunset over the harbour before heading back to Maspalomas.
