Every Tuesday morning a large and colourful market is held in the former fishermen’s village Arguineguin.

Besides a variety of products manufactured and grown on the island (aloe vera, mangos, cacti fruits, potatoes, the famous “mojo” sauces etc.), one can also find cheap clothes, second – hand goods, everyday objects, watches, sun glasses, African handicraft and a lot more.

Basically everything you can expect of such a diverse market place.

The market area is situated just at the entrance to the town, only meters away from the first big roundabout when coming from Maspalomas.

The bright sun and the restaurants surrounding the market are the reasons for all the happy people there. A soft breeze carries the scent of the sea, which can be seen sparkling behind the market stands. Street musicians and artists entertain the visitors.

Dozens of different languages can be heard in the alleys and streets.

The market has become a must see not only for tourists from all over the world, but for the locals too.

Around noon the market place starts to fill with visitors. After we satisfied our curiosity and desire to buy, a walk along the sea front of Aguineguin presents itself to be the perfect option.

The warm air and the crystal clear water of the Atlantic Ocean give us a wonderful idea: swimming in the sea.

It’s in the middle of January but everything seems to be different here.

Gran Canary has everything one can wish for. One just feels comfortable here…even on a very normal Tuesday in the middle of January.

This heavenly beach covering miles and miles of the south-east coast of Gran Canary is no longer an insider’s tip.

But despite of mass tourism and all of its implications, this gem of nature situated near the Maspalomas sand dunes has not lost any of its charm.

The team of Cárdenas Real Estate walked along this sea front for you, enjoying the enchanting view of the Malpalomas sand dunes.

Early in the morning, we ventured to the beach, where for thousands of years the waves of the Atlantic Ocean have thundered against the golden sandy shores.

Sunset Gran Canaria, taken by myself with an Iphone

View over Arguineguin, Gran Canaria, taken by brother of Lucy

Maspalomas has an annual football tournament that attracts the European football, this year on 9 January the first game will take place at 8.30pm between FC Twente of Holland  and Lausanne of Switzerland at the San Fernando stadium. The next day matches up Brondby of Denmark with Aalesunds of Norway, the two winners will meet in a grand final on 12 January at 9pm, after a third place decider at 6.30pm.

Many people who invest in a new property in Gran Canaria are drawn by the outdoor life and sporting and active ways to relax. Some take advantage of the sea while others enjoy walking and hiking, there are plenty of challenging trails across the island. Cardenas Real Estate know island life well and can point you in the right direction to enjoy your favourite past time.

Cycling is another way to explore Gran Canaria, some explore in a slow relaxing way but top professional teams are attracted by the chance to pit themselves against nature. Team Saxo Bank from Denmark are saddling up for a January visit, this professional team includes three of the country’s top young prospects who are aiming to impress the national team selectors at time trials and road racing.

So whether you choose Gran Canaria for the beaches, the sun, or the keenly priced properties, it’s good to know there is a rich heritage of sport to enjoy as you discover the wonders of the island.

Nenoteca, Puerto de Mogan

For nearly 24 years I have come to Mogan-Playa regularly more than once a year to spend some time with my sister who’s been living on the island for all those years. I really thought that I had seen it all, especially regarding the restaurants. This November however we got really surprised.

We had a meal at a restaurant which just opened some months ago, situated in a quieted corner of a little back-alley of Puerto Mogan. They serve Italian food – NO – don’t think: “Oh, another of these”. It’s called “N’enoteca” and the owners, Greta and Alessandro, come from the region of Le Marche in Italy. They are authentic as well as the food they serve. Everything is homemade and gets prepared after you have placed your order. The prosciutto is divine,the tagliatelle are just perfectly “al dente”, the sauces are pure heaven and the meat is absolutely delicious. If you wish, Alessandro will serve you every wine he’s got on the menu per glass. To finish it’s a big “MUST” to have dessert. As desserts are homemade as well you think you are in heaven. I live in Switzerland and we have got very good Italian restaurants, but believe me, Alessandro’s and Greta’s “N’noteca” is just superb, also regarding the prices, as they are really very reasonable, too.

So, then in Mogan, go there and you’ll have a wonderful meal while spending some quality-time in this little quiet alley.

By Marianne, Theresas sister

Barranco de los Cernicalos

Barranco de los Cernicalos

A Hidden beauty inland

Nearly all visitors to our island will no doubt have visited many of the beautiful beaches and coastal areas in Gran Canaria but how many know about the hidden beauties inland?

One of my favourite places on the island is “Barranco de Los Cernícalos” translated to “Ravine of the kestrels”.  For those who love walking this is a route that will become a firm favourite thanks to the stunning natural beauty of the area.

The ravine is a forest composed of wild olives, willow trees and plenty of unique flora that thrive thanks to the year-round running water in forms of streams and waterfalls. The walk takes you up along the stream, under the shade of huge trees and lush vegetation passing smaller waterfalls before finally reaching a spectacular 10m fall.

The route is approximately 6 km long and a return journey will take you approximately 3 hours taking time out to sit and enjoy the surroundings. A picnic area can be found at the start of the walk next to the parking areas or you can sit down along the way in the midst of the Forest.

This really is a magical place where the young, old and even the four legged furry friends can all enjoy a memorable day out.

Directions from the south:

-Take the motorway direction Las Palmas

- Take the GC10 off to your right (sign posted “Telde todas direcciones”)

-Continue along the GC10 through the main town of Telde until you see sign posts to “Lomo Magullo”

-Follow directions to Lomo Magullo, approx. 10 minutes drive

-Continue until you see a sign post for “Barranco de los Cernícalos”

-At the bottom of the Valley you will see parking spaces next to a picnic area; a small track will   take you to the beginning of the walk.

Maybe this beach is one of he less known beaches in the south of Gran Canaria . Its located in a very dry area between Maspalomas and Arguineguin. No buildings, no mass tourism – only the sound of the ocean and the sea gulls.

Its a totally untouched beach – popular in the summer months – above all for locals.

If you are looking for a relaxing day at a wonderful beach, just a few minutes car drive away from the tourism centers of Maspalomas, Arguineguin and Puerto Rico – for sure this is your place to be.

We know that pictures say more than a thousand words – so we would like to leave you with some pictures of the austrian photographer Thomas Borstner.

Veneguera Beach ist located in the south-west of Gran Canaria. This beach looks more like those typical beaches of Lanzarote. Black volcanic stones, fine dark sand and nothing more than silence.

The reason for this silence ist that there is not any building in the area. Above all because you can reach this beach only on a gravel and stone trail. Its possible to go there by car but be sure to have one with a  good suspension

To reach Venguera Beach just take the road Gc-200 from Mogan, then turn left towards San Nicolás and after a few kilometers again turn left towards Veneguera. You will pass by an idyllic valley full of mango trees, banana farms and huge palm trees.

This corner of the island is one of the last nearly untouched areas of the island. Really worth a visit for all nature-lovers!

We trust this measure will help to pusth the market of main residence, quite stagnant because of lack of bank finance.

Source: http://www.canarias7.es/articulo.cfm?id=227080