🌺 The Story of How Bougainvillea Became the Soul of Puerto de Mogán

Most visitors think the bougainvillea in Puerto de Mogán “just grew naturally.”

But the truth is: it was a deliberate artistic decision, and it’s one of the reasons Puerto de Mogán looks like it does today.

🌺 It started in the 1980s, when the harbour was still a dream

Before the marina existed, the area was just a small fishermen’s village with a few houses and boats.

When the big redesign was planned. The canals, the bridges, the white houses. An Italian architect , Rafael Neville, was brought in to give the port a Mediterranean feeling with a Canarian touch.

🎨 The architect wanted colour but a specific kind of colour

He insisted that Puerto de Mogán should never look “overbuilt” or commercial.

So he chose whitewashed walls, narrow streets, low buildings…

And to give the village its warmth and charm, he wanted one signature flower to tie everything together.

🌺 Why Bougainvillea?

Because:

It grows beautifully in warm climates

It doesn’t need heavy watering

It gives spectacular colour without overwhelming the architecture

It can climb walls, balconies, archways

And it blossoms almost all year round

He said something like:

“Let the village wear flowers instead of paint.”

🌸 How they planted it

When they built the marina and the coloured houses behind the beach, they planted bougainvillea in:

every entrance

every arch

every corner between houses

along the canals

next to the walkways

The idea was that in 10–15 years the entire area would look like a Mediterranean garden by the sea.

And it worked, beautifully

🌺 Today the bougainvillea is part of Puerto de Mogán’s identity

It’s the reason people call it:

Little Venice

The flower village

The most beautiful port in Gran Canaria

And it’s also why your photos perform so well, bougainvillea is the colour of Mogán, just like the pastel houses in Burano or the blue doors in Santorini.

🌸 FAQ

Why is Puerto de Mogán famous for bougainvillea?

Because bougainvillea was intentionally planted during the village’s redesign in the 1980s to add colour without overpowering the architecture.

When was bougainvillea planted in Puerto de Mogán?

Most of the planting began in the early 1980s, alongside the construction of the marina and canals.

Does bougainvillea grow naturally in Puerto de Mogán?

It grows very well in the climate, but its widespread use was a planned design choice, not accidental.

Why do people call Puerto de Mogán “Little Venice”?

Because of its canals, bridges, white houses, and abundant flowers that create a Mediterranean, village-style atmosphere.

These bougainvillea didn’t just grow here by chance. They were planted to give Puerto de Mogán its soul.