For decades now Arguineguín, a small fishing village in the municipality of Mogán, in the south of Gran Canaria, has been touching the hearts and souls of Norwegians. With the onset of winter, many citizens of this Nordic country decide to travel to the island for a longer holiday than usual.
Over the past 60 years the island has morphed into the best tourist destination in the world for Scandinavians. Of the 500,000 Norwegian tourists a year who visit the Canary Islands, over half (six out of every ten Norwegian tourists) choose to relax on Gran Canaria.
Arguineguín, Norwegians’ favourite destination for spending the winter
Many factors have made this fishing village in the south of Gran Canaria the favourite destination of inhabitants of Norway for spending the winter season:
The climate of the Canary Islands
As with any other coastal town in the Canary Islands’ archipelago, Arguineguín can boast mild temperatures throughout the entire year and many hours of sunlight, enabling visitors to engage in any outdoor activities all year long. In addition, the scant rainfall recorded here makes it an idyllic venue for spending the winter comfortably, wearing just light clothing.
The beaches of Arguineguín
One of the aspects that the Norwegians visiting the coast of Arguineguín appreciate the most are the beaches to suit all tastes, with their delightful scenery and unforgettable sunsets.
Las Marañuelas, with its black volcanic sand, is the main beach. It is perfect for snorkelling and enjoying the wonderful seabed of the Canary Islands. Another popular option is the beach of El Pajar, surrounded by traditional restaurants where you can enjoy Canarian or international gastronomy, including Norwegian cuisine, of course.
Anfi del Mar, an urbanisation funded by the Norwegian Björn Lyng, has a beach of golden sand set between the villages of Arguineguín and Puerto Rico with restaurants, sunshades, loungers and everything one could need to enjoy the benefits of the sun that illuminates this coastal area of southern Gran Canaria for so many hours.
Outdoor sport
Arguineguín is the perfect spot for practising any outdoor sports, because of the splendid climate conditions afforded by the Canary Islands. Multiple options are available for water sports’ enthusiasts in the town harbour, where you can hire boats or sign up for different activities such as diving or snorkelling.
Golf fans are in luck, as well, because there are several courses where this sport can be practised close to Arguineguín, with installations that combine all the necessary services and facilities.
And if visitors prefer to go hiking, numerous trails begin here, enabling nature lovers to get to know some of Gran Canaria’s natural beauty spots better.
Accommodation
Arguineguín offers its visitors a host of accommodation options, with alternatives to suit all tastes. Some Norwegian visitors choose the aforementioned Anfi del Mar urbanisation, a complex with over 7,000 beds, different clubs and two golf courses, an authentic oasis from which to enjoy the Canary Islands.
Canarian gastronomy… and Norwegian cuisine too
Norwegian visitors can enjoy the local food in the numerous restaurants located in and around the village, as well as at the cofradía de pescadores, or fishermen’s guild restaurant in the Port of Arguineguín, where you can try some of the best examples of Canarian gastronomy, such as fresh fish from the coast of the island. Another option is to visit the local street market, where you can find fresh local fish as well as crafts, flowers and plants.
The close bond that has developed over the years between the Norwegian population and Arguineguín means it is easy for the former to assuage their nostalgia by frequenting any of the Norwegian businesses found in the port. One example is Norsk Butikk & cafe, a superb establishment for having a coffee or beer, or purchasing some traditional Norwegian products. Norwegian products can also be found in different supermarkets in the area.
Taking care of your health: simplicity itself for Norwegians on Gran Canaria
It is very easy to take care of one’s health in Arguineguín, thanks to the excellent temperatures the south of Gran Canaria enjoys all year, and the countless venues available for practising outdoor sport. But any Norwegian visitor relaxing in the area for a longer period of time can also make use of the Norwegian Medical Centre Gran Canaria, a clinic with modern installations that accepts all of this Scandinavian country’s travel insurance options and where - naturally - the Norwegian language is used to attend to patients if they so desire.
A little piece of Norway in the south of Gran Canaria
As well as a spectacular climate, stunning scenery and a host of services, Norwegian visitors on a longer stay in Arguineguín will also find it is easy to meet up with other compatriots who have also chosen the town as their destination.
One example can be found in the form of the Arguineguín Norwegian Club, a meeting place for Scandinavians living in the south of Gran Canaria for part of the year. With a history going back over 35 years and more than 700 members, during the winter the club organises dance workshops, hikes, bowling, trips and excursions.
The Norwegian Church (Sjømannskirken, the Seamen’s Church), is another of the regular meeting places for the Norwegian community of southern Gran Canaria. The activities of this church extend far beyond the customary religious services; the members of this community organise activities for children and young people, volunteering, clean-ups, games, etc...
The Norskeplassen (Palmeral Noruego, or Norwegian place), meanwhile, which affords gorgeous views of the Puerto Rico area and the Atlantic Ocean, is extremely popular among Norwegians visiting Gran Canaria, because nature lovers can set out from here on hikes to the north of the island, to discover extremely beautiful nature spots.
