Fuerteventura is an appealing tourist destination appreciated world-over for its beaches with their golden sand and clear, turquoise water, in addition to its gastronomy and cultural heritage. Starting out from the port in Puerto del Rosario, in the centre of the island is the municipality of Antigua. After the Castilian conquest, Antigua was an important hamlet. Its main tourist area covers Caleta de Fuste and the El Carmen Salt Flats. Gran Tarajal and Jandía Nature Reserve are also worth a visit.
From Puerto del Rosario to Caleta de Fuste
When we leave the port in Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura, located in the north-east of the island, we take the motorway southbound for 13 kilometres. In less than 16 minutes, we come to the village of Caleta de Fuste, in the municipality of Antigua. In addition to its golden beach, protected from waves and currents, Caleta de Fuste has leisure options for the whole family: a marina from which you can take a boat trip, golf courses and shopping centres.
From Caleta de Fuste to The Salt Museum
It is barely 6 minutes by road from Caleta de Fuste to The Salt Museum. The Salt Museum, in the west of the island, shows us how we get salt from the sea in a wholly traditional fashion. The white walls of the building and the impressive skeleton of a whale placed next to the salt flats make it easy to identify The Salt Museum from the road. The facility is divided into two areas: an indoor exhibition and an outdoor walk amongst the salt flats to learn about the process.
From The Salt Museum to Gran Tarajal
Following the road to the south of Fuerteventura, 26 minutes from The Salt Museum is Gran Tarajal, with a black-sand beach stretching 1 kilometre that has a blue flat and an important marina. The seafront promenade has lots of places serving great cuisine, from the Fishermen's Association with fish freshly caught locally, to bars and restaurants that serve Canary Island and Italian food. From the mountain behind the football field, there is an exceptional view of the town.
From Gran Tarajal to Jandía Nature Reserve
40 minutes away by car, 48 kilometres to the south of Gran Tarajal, Jandía Nature Reserve is in the municipality of Pájara, in the extreme south of Fuerteventura. Its highest point is the peak of Zarza, at 807 metres above sea level. The endemic plant that represents the island of Fuerteventura —the burchard— grows in this singular nature area. Also of outstanding beauty in Jandía is the panoramic view of the bay —the so-called Cofete Arch.
