Gran Canaria — Sun, routines & little escapes

Gran Canaria has quietly become one of our go-to places. We’ve been here three times now — a small escape from the cold and the usual routines.

This time felt a little different. We travelled in February, as a birthday gift for my boyfriend’s 30th, which made the trip feel more special from the beginning. A week on the island, split between two places that each offered something completely different.

Puerto de Mogán — a slower beginning

For the first part of the trip, we stayed in Puerto de Mogán for three nights, at Hotel Livvo — a place we keep coming back to.

It’s calm, easy, and somehow always feels familiar. Small streets, a local supermarket, restaurants just around the corner, and a pace that makes everything feel simple.

It’s also undeniably beautiful — the kind of place that feels almost made for slow mornings and golden hour light. But more than anything, it’s the feeling. A place tied to the beginning of something, which makes coming back feel a little different every time.

One evening, we had dinner at Qué Tal by Stena. Intimate, calm, and beautifully done — the kind of place that feels like an occasion in itself. A perfect way to celebrate a 30th birthday. Every Friday they have a long market selling different things like bags, t-shirts etc.

Puerto Rico — light, views & a shift in rhythm

After a few slow days, we moved on to Puerto Rico, just a short 15-minute taxi ride away.

Here, the atmosphere shifts slightly — a bit more elevated, a bit more lively.

We stayed at The Grand Horizon, set higher up in the mountains, with views stretching over the coastline. The sunsets, the light, the stillness — everything felt beautifully curated.

Even though the hotel is more elevated, getting around was easy. Taxis up and down cost around €3–4, so it never felt inconvenient.

The hotel itself was stunning — though if I’m being honest, the drinks didn’t quite match the setting. So most evenings, we found ourselves heading into town instead, which ended up becoming part of the experience rather than a compromise.

Evenings, food & small finds

Some of the best moments came from the places we didn’t plan too much.

Empanadas Malvón quickly became one of our favourites — simple, casual, and easily some of the best empanadas we’ve had. The kind of place you end up returning to more than once without thinking about it.

Another evening led us into the newer part of Puerto Rico, where the atmosphere felt a little more lively. A mix of bars, restaurants, and small discoveries that made the nights feel different from the slower days. One of the highlights, though, came from a recommendation we almost wouldn’t have found on our own. Tipsy Bee — a large, lively restaurant with great food, drinks, and atmosphere. The kind of place that fills up quickly, so it’s worth booking ahead. On certain evenings, they even have live music, which adds something special to the whole experience.

Puerto Rico has two sides — an older, more traditional area filled with small tourist shops, and a newer one with brands like Mango, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger. The contrast between them makes the town feel more dynamic than expected.

Slowing down

Gran Canaria, for us, is also about slowing down.

On a previous trip, we rented a car and drove around the island — through mountains, small villages, and along the coast. It gave a completely different perspective of the island, and it’s something I’d highly recommend if you have the time.

This trip felt like a balance of everything — familiar places we love, new spots we didn’t expect, and moments that didn’t need much more than sun, light, and time. And somehow, that’s exactly why we keep coming back.