El Verol Gift Shop in Arguineguín sells a great range of original gifts and home decorations that is well worth browsing.

The Spanish Costas department has committed to removing all obstacles to the refurbishment of the Arguineguín to Patalavaca seafront promenade, according to local mayor Onalia Bueno.

Lomo Galeón beach is a short but wide pebble beach just east of El Pajar village in south Gran Canaria.

The 2.5 kilometre coastal path that connects Las Marañuelas beach in Arguineguín and Anfi beach to the west is due a revamp and it looks like it may finally get one.

The Radisson Blu hotel at Patalavaca in south Gran Canaria is one of the island's smartest and has a pool to match.

Arguineguín town (or South Oslo as it's known in the winter) is south Gran Canaria's only local coastal town. At heart, it's still a fishing town even though it hosts thousands of Nordic snowbirds each winter and has a hugely popular weekly market.

Arguineguín's shops sell useful stuff for residents rather than souvenirs for tourists. It's where the south Gran Canaria locals come to do their shopping. Except on Tuesdays, when the big street market comes to town.

Walk downhill in Arguineguín until you hit the sea and it's an easy place to explore; the seafront promenade runs the whole length of town. All you have to do to start is work out where you are. 

El Pajar village is literally in the shadow of Gran Canaria's cement plant but once you're on the sand you can't see the factory and the little golden beach is calm and pretty.

While Puerto Rio and Playa del Inglés hardly existed before tourism, Arguineguín has always been a local town first and destination second. It's Las Marañuelas beach is the only easily-accessible one in south Gran Canaria with a real local feel.