Puerto de Mogán in Gran Canaria has been voted the best Canary Islands resort by Which? readers, with regular 25°C days in November and direct flights from Liverpool available for £34.
The resort, nicknamed “Little Venice” for its canals, white cottages with blue and yellow trim, wrought-iron balconies and flower-covered lanes, sits at the mouth of a steep valley on Gran Canaria. Its sheltered horseshoe beach is protected by a small harbour where fishing boats and yachts shelter.
Why Puerto de Mogán won
Which? praised the resort’s scenery, giving it four stars. The publication wrote: “If any single destination sums up the evergreen appeal of the Canary Islands, it’s Puerto de Mogán. Andalusian-style sugar-cube houses jostle around a marina, and bougainvillea scrambles over arches above canals.”
Development in the resort has been described as sensitive, with the Radisson Blu opening a low-rise five-star hotel in a ravine behind the town in 2017. The traditional Hotel Cordial Mogán Playa sits nearby, and its restaurant Los Guayres holds a Michelin star.
Winter sun and travel details
While the UK faces stormy weather, Puerto de Mogán enjoys sunshine and warm seas for most of the winter. In December, daytime temperatures average around 22°C, with nighttime lows of 17°C and a sea temperature of 21°C.
Both Jet2 and easyJet fly directly from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Gran Canaria Airport, with £34 flights available this December. The resort is about an hour’s drive from the airport, and tickets for the Global Bus Line 91 cost less than £10.
Local highlights
TUI guide Maria recommends the Friday market, saying: “Mogan's Friday market is a classic in Gran Canaria, known all over the island. And to arrive in the town by boat gives you that spine-tingling sensation you get in anticipation of a special experience.” The market runs from around 9am to 2pm and sells Canarian crafts, leather goods, textiles, food, fruit and veg, and plants.
December marks the start of high season on the islands, bringing Christmas lights and festivities. The Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Symphony Orchestra performs Christmas carols, Teror holds a traditional Christmas market, and the sand nativity scene in Las Palmas has become one of the island’s most important Christmas events.
