Antigua and Betancuria

The island of Fuerteventura is an appealing tourist destination appreciated world-over for its long beaches with their golden sand and clear, turquoise water, in addition to its rich gastronomy and an interesting range of cultural tours. Departing from Puerto de Puerto del Rosario, to the east of the island, you can discover two towns that will immerse you in the history of the island of Fuerteventura: Antigua and Betancuria, the first capital city of the Canary Islands.

From Puerto del Rosario to Antigua

A 27-minute drive from Puerto de Puerto del Rosario, the capital city located on the east of the island, takes you to the municipality of Antigua, in the geographical centre of the island. After the Castilians conquered the Canary Islands, Antigua was an area of certain importance. Conceived as a centre for culture and tourism, the Antigua Mill shows the history of the country folk of Fuerteventura, their crafts and has a big "gofio" flour mill with all of its mechanics still intact. This centre has gardens with autochthonous ornamental plants, cacti and palm trees.

From Antigua to Betancuria

11 kilometres west of Antigua and 18 minutes away by car is the municipality with the least inhabitants on the island of Fuerteventura. Betancuria was founded in 1404 by the Frenchman Jean de Béthencourt, who chose a valley away from the sea as defence against pirates. The shrine in Vega de Río Palmas contains an image of Nuestra Señora de la Peña, the patron saint of Fuerteventura. The village also has the Sacred Art Museum, the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum and the Betancuria Nature Reserve.

Antigua, Betancuria

Sustainability

Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
Use the waste- paper baskets and, insofar as possible, separate and place your recycling waste in the appropriate containers.
Do not throw any waste or other objects into the sea.
Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
In natural spaces and at viewpoints, do not leave the trail or the spaces designated for people to be in.
Respect and look after the area's historic and cultural heritage, along with the public furniture and items for visitors, such as information panels or telescopes and binoculars.