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 La Ampuyenta
20 kilometres from the cruise liner, in the port of Puerto del Rosario, to the east of the island of Fuerteventura, going inland, is the village of La Ampuyenta. It has a shrine that was built at the end of the 17th century, which contains the most important and best-conserved murals in the Canary Islands. You have the option of taking a guided tour of different areas, such as the house of Fray Andresito, house of Doctor Mena and the little hospital. The tour starts at 10.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
Antigua
A little more than an 8-minute drive towards the centre of Fuerteventura is the municipality of Antigua. After the Castilians conquered the Canary Islands, Antigua was an area of importance. Conceived as a centre for culture and tourism, the Antigua Mill shows the history of the country folk, their crafts and has a big "gofio" flour mill with all of its mechanics still intact. The tour of the Fuerteventura Cheese Museum is highly recommended, where you will learn about the farming culture of Fuerteventura and the natural characteristics of the island, its fauna and its flora.
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.
From Betancuria to Caleta de Fuste
In a little over half an hour, we are back on the eastern coast of Fuerteventura, where we can enjoy the resort 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 with canoes for hire, ski jets, boat and submarine rides, a diving school, windsurf school, and also golf courses and the most shopping centres anywhere on the island.