First time in Arguineguín: 15 things to know before you go

By Terje Moy, editor · Published 25 October 2026

Arguineguín is a working fishing town on Gran Canaria's south-west coast, not a purpose-built resort. Here are the fifteen things worth knowing before you land, from the bus fare to the sun.

Arguineguín is a working fishing town in the municipality of Mogán, on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria, about 42 km and a little over half an hour by road from the airport. It has a harbour, a seafront promenade, a Tuesday market and a handful of good restaurants, and it sits between the quieter strip of Patalavaca and the big resort of Anfi del Mar. If you expect a purpose-built holiday complex you will be pleasantly surprised; if you expect nightlife on the Playa del Inglés scale you will not find it.

These fifteen points are the ones that catch first-timers out. Each has a short answer here and, where it needs more, a page of its own. For the town itself, why Arguineguín explains the appeal in more detail.

Getting here and moving about

1. The airport is closer than you think, and the bus runs from the terminal

Gran Canaria airport is about 42 km from Arguineguín by road, roughly 33 minutes without traffic. The Global bus lines 90 and 91 both stop in Arguineguín, and AENA lists the airport fare at €4.95. Taxis use the meter; there is no published fixed fare to Arguineguín. The airport transfer guide compares taxi, bus and hire car, and the buses page covers lines and payment.

2. You do not need a car for the coast

Between Arguineguín, Patalavaca, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán, buses and the passenger boats do most of the job. Líneas Salmón and Líneas Blue Bird both link Arguineguín, Anfi, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán; Salmón's own single fare to Puerto de Mogán is €15 for an adult, so check the current timetable and price. A car earns its keep for the mountains. Fuel on the Canaries is cheaper than in the UK or on the Spanish mainland.

3. The clock is the same as at home

The Canary Islands keep the same clock time as the UK all year, so a British visitor never changes a watch. Mainland Spain is one hour ahead. More on this in the practicalities page.

Money and everyday life

4. The currency is the euro, and tax is IGIC, not VAT

Prices are in euros. The Canaries sit outside the EU VAT area, so the sales tax you see is IGIC, with a general rate of 7 % rather than Spain's 21 % VAT. Restaurant and shop prices already include it. Card payment is normal in the supermarkets and most restaurants; keep some coins and a €10 or €20 note for the market stalls and small bars.

5. Tuesday is market day, and the town changes shape

Arguineguín's market runs on Tuesday from 08:30 to 15:00 around Plaza Negra and Plaza de las Marañuelas. It fills the middle of town, so arrive early and expect streets to be busy. The Tuesday market page has the detail.

6. Most people drink bottled water

There is no current official statement saying the tap water in Arguineguín is drinkable, and the tap water is treated desalinated water. The usual habit is to buy bottled water; supermarkets sell large bottles cheaply. Ask your accommodation about the water in your building, and use the tap for washing and teeth as everyone does. See plugs, tap water and time zone.

7. Phones and data: check your roaming before you land

Roaming terms differ by UK operator and contract, so check yours rather than assume. An eSIM or local data plan is often cheaper; the mobile and internet guide compares them.

8. A little Spanish goes a long way

English is widely understood in hotels and tourist restaurants, but Spanish is what you will hear in the street. Greetings and «una cerveza, por favor» win goodwill everywhere. Pronunciations are on the Spanish phrases page.

Sun, sea and weather

9. The sun is stronger than the temperature suggests

The Canary health authorities say the Canaries have the highest UV levels of any region in Spain all year, and forecasts for Gran Canaria have reached «extremely high» in summer. A breeze and a mild 21 °C in January can still burn fair skin. Shade in the middle of the day, a hat, and SPF 50+ are the official advice at very high levels. The sun and heat page goes further.

10. Read the beach flag before you swim

The FCDO's advice is blunt: people drown in Spanish seas every year, some island beaches have strong undercurrents, and a red flag means do not enter the water. Take extra care where there is no flag, lifeguard or sign. Lifeguards are seasonal and at the main beaches, so look for the tower. For where the swimming is easiest, the best beaches near Arguineguín is the next step.

11. None of the local beaches has a Blue Flag

For 2026–27 only the marinas at Puerto de Mogán and Pasito Blanco hold a Blue Flag in the area; no beach in Mogán does. That does not mean the water is poor, only that the award is not on offer here, and you should not expect the sign.

12. Winter is mild, but not guaranteed sunny

The nearest official climate station with published normals is Gran Canaria airport on the east coast, which shows mean daily maxima of about 21 °C in January and about 27.5 °C in August; the south-west is usually sunnier and calmer than that station. In winter, from December to March, Saharan dust (calima) is most frequent and can reduce visibility and bother asthma sufferers. The month-by-month picture is in the weather and climate guide.

Paperwork, health and safety

13. Passport and entry rules: check your own

British visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa, but the passport must have been issued less than 10 years before arrival and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave. The EU's Entry/Exit System registers fingerprints and a photo at first entry, free of charge, so allow extra time at the airport. ETIAS is not yet in force. Details for each nationality are on the entry requirements page.

14. Take out travel insurance and carry the GHIC

A UK GHIC covers medically necessary state healthcare only, not private hospitals, repatriation or most rescue costs. The south of the island has no public hospital; the public ones are in Las Palmas, and the nearest A&E departments in the south are private. The insurance and GHIC page sets out what to look for.

15. Know 112 before you need it

112 is the emergency number for ambulance, fire and police. Petty theft is the main crime risk, as in most tourist areas, so keep bags zipped and in sight on the beach. The full list of numbers, the health centre and the UK consulate is on the emergency numbers page.

What to do with your first day

Walk the promenade in the cool of the morning, eat fish at the harbour, and leave the beach for the afternoon when you have found your bearings. If it is a Tuesday, start at the market. The coastal walk towards Patalavaca and Anfi is described in the coastal walks guide, and the Tuesday market is the obvious first stop.