'I visited the most famous Canary Island - but made one big mistake'

As my boat rolled into a quaint picturesque harbour I quickly realised I had made one big mistake when choosing where to stay on the most famous Canary Island. In search of some Autumn heat, like millions of other sunseeking Brits, I made the short hop from London to Gran Canaria.

Perhaps rather naively of me, I did not research a great deal of where to stay - there were two places I had heard lots of chatter about - Las Palmas, the capital, and Masplomas. With its rolling sand dunes that resemble the sahara desert, its abundance of bars and restaurants as well as its long stretches of gorgeous beaches, I believed I had chosen well, until one thing happened which changed my point of view completely. Wanting to explore more of the island, I realised that conveniently outside my hotel there was a bus stop with services to Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogan - dubbed Little Venice.

My curiosity to visit the small village with Venice-style bridges and canals was high so in a bid to take in the gorgeous natural landscape, I hopped on the line one bus to Puerto Rico, which cost just €2, and boarded a boat to Puerto de Mogan.

There are also two direct buses from Maspalomos to Puerto Mogan.

On board the boat with the waves lapping at the side and the sun beating down on me, the whitewashed Puerto de Mogan slowly but surely came into sight.

Rows of boats filled the small marina, alongside a charming promenade bursting with restaurants and bars.

Unlike Masplamosas, these bars had a much more authentic feel, pictures of food were replaced with 'fish of the day' signs and instead of typical tourist menus with English writing, menus were instead in Spanish. This more traditional atmosphere is something I had longed for.

Before taking a seat for some tapas and sangria, I wandered around the glorious cobbled lanes, characterised by white buildings with colourful borders, flowers and bougainvillea.

Beautiful flowers of brilliant purple, pink and blue shades hung delicately from nearly every well-preserved building. I decided to visit this quaint fishing village on Friday, which is market day. I expected a few stalls.

But instead, I was met with hundreds of stalls selling everything from handbags to local produce, a far cry from the tourist shops selling souvenirs geared at holidaymakers.

Sipping on a freshly made orange, I took a slow wander through the market which came to an end by the sheltered golden sand beach. Featuring calm crystal waters the sand is imported from the Sahara,

After relaxing on a sun lounger in the glorious baking heat, I had tapas which included everything from white fish to chorizo to the infamous Canarian potatoes in an establishment claiming to be the oldest restaurant in Puerto de Mogan.

Situated along the waterfront overlooking the glistening turquoise waters, I made a promise to myself that if I ever return to Gran Canaria there is no doubt in my mind that this stunning village that was once an ancient settlement to a 19th-century fishing village will be where I stay.

As I boarded bus number 32 back to Masplomas, I felt a wave of sadness that my time in 'Little Venice' and would encourage anyone looking for more authentic experience to stay in this gorgeous village.