Visiting the capital of Fuerteventura?
Here’s our complete guide to all the best places and things to do in Puerto del Rosario:
- beaches of Puerto del Rosario,
- museum, church and points of interest,
- works of art…
- and practical advice
This is our personal selection of must-do activities in Puerto del Rosario.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
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Is Puerto del Rosario worth a visit? Best thigns to do?
If you have less than 5 days on the island, we don’t think Puerto del Rosario is a priority, unless you’re a fan of street art. But if you have more, it’s an interesting city to contrast with the island’s other hypertouristic towns.
We enjoyed discovering this city, rich in artistic works and with a very relaxed atmosphere.
1. Discover the statue park
Puerto del Rosario is an open-air museum. This is the city of sculptures.
Indeed, you won’t be able to miss them, as there are around 150 on almost every street.
These works of art are in completely different styles. Some have explanatory panels, others don’t. Some are highly representative of reality, while others are more abstract or fairytale-like.
If you take the walk around the beach and harbour, you’ll see quite a few. And if not, around the church and in the pedestrianized main street you’ll find other important works.
Outside the center of town, the conductor’s house on the square in front of UNED is just as intriguing. We won’t show you the photo, so you may be surprised.
2. Visit Our Lady of the Rosary Church
In the heart of the town, slightly set back from the seafront promenade, stands the pretty church of Notre-Dame du Rosaire. It’s a modest-sized Catholic church. It was built in the 19th century and is still in use today.
We like its elegant simplicity, with its white and gray hues.
The bell tower dates back to 1888, when the regional council purchased 2 bells from Marseille.
Inside, the decor remains minimalist, but the altar is magnificent, framed by a grey arch.
In the square, don’t miss the explanatory panel on the church, with drawings and photos of the building’s various evolutions.
CHOOSING A HOTEL IN Fuerteventura
Choosing where to stay:
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Our favorite: Hotel INNSide – See prices, photos and availability
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3. Visit the Miguel de Unamuno Museum
Next to the church is a small museum. There aren’t many in Fuerteventura, so it’s worth mentioning(see our list of museums).
Miguel de Unamuno is one of the most illustrious people associated with Fuerteventura. He was an eminent Spanish writer, poet and philosopher who spent six months on the island following his exile. He fell in love with the island, and it influenced his writing.
His residence has been transformed into a museum dedicated to his life as a rebellious intellectual in Spain.
We can’t give you the museum’s opening time, as 3 signs around the door indicated different times. And even though everyone said the museum should be open by the time we got to the door, it was closed… But it’s sure to be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
4. Admire street art
Puerto del Rosario is also a colorful town.
Most of the buildings have white walls, but they are dotted with murals (and floor paintings too).
The artworks vary enormously in theme: quotations, superheroes, Spanish culture…
If you love street art, plan a full day to see it all!
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Dolphin watching
- Boat to Lobos Island
- Buggy tour
- But also; surfing lessons, 4WD tour in Cofete, windsurfing, scuba diving…
5. Enjoy the beach in the heart of the city: Playa Chica
Right in the center of town, Playa Chica beach offers fine sand and clear, calm waters, perfect for swimming. As we strolled along in the morning, we saw locals doing their daily swim.
It’s rather sheltered from the waves, which can be nice for relaxing in the water after a day’s exploring.
It is supervised during certain vacation seasons. There’s a shower and toilet.
We found it particularly pleasant.
6. Feeling small in front of a whale skeleton
To the left of the beach, you’ll find the skeleton of a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni). It overlooks the water between the beach and the port.
The skeleton is one of four on display on the island to highlight these marine animals.
This one is 9m long. It belonged to a young female weighing 6,000 kilos. She was discovered floating dead in 2006.
This species has a very sharp head, as you can see, and is capable of descending to a depth of 200m and staying underwater for more than 20 minutes.
A LITTLE MORE patience
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7. Walk along the promenade
From the beach, you can head back towards town along the seafront promenade, or continue south to head out of town.
The promenade is very well laid out and pleasant. It leads to lime kilns and the Playa Blanca beach, which we present in the following sections.
It’s something we love about the Canary Islands. Many towns have lovely, long seafront promenades, where you can enjoy a good walk.
9. Stop at the lime kilns
Along this walk, you’ll discover two structures.
The first is just off Playa Chica. It’s Los Hornos de la Familia Morales.
The second is halfway to Playa Blanca. This is Los Hornos de Callao de los Pozos.
These are former lime kilns. And they’re very well maintained.
They were once essential to the island’s economy.
Lime was used to whitewash the island’s houses. This process gave the dwellings antibacterial properties, even neutralizing aggressive pathogens such as bubonic plague.
They were used until around 1970.
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7. Explore the wild side of Playa Blanca
Continuing on foot (or by car), you leave the town and discover the wilder Playa Blanca beach.
Beware, the road along the beach from the town is unpaved (but not difficult).
It’s a long beach with different shades of sand and stones.
It’s less protected than Playa Chica, so you can enjoy some great waves.
Showers and toilets are available in the south end parking lot (next to the hotel). It is supervised during busy periods.
10. Excursions to see the island, if you arrive by cruise ship
If you’re prepared to spend a slightly longer day on the road, we highly recommend taking the time to explore the northern half of the island with:
- The famous Corralejo dunes: This is a fascinating protected natural park with sand dunes right next to the beach. Contrary to popular belief, sand does not come from the Sahara desert. It formed naturally on the island.
- The village of La Oliva
- The panoramic mountain road with its superb views
- The ancient capital of Betancuria
Please note that for cruise ships, the program is often more limited without the mountain section.
11. Observing the locals in this non-touristy capital
One of the things we liked most about the capital is that it’s not at all touristy (except when there’s a cruise ship). So it’s interesting to see the contrast with other tourist-filled cities.
We enjoyed watching the locals chatting and enjoying their coffee on the terrace. We enjoyed the gentle pace of life.
12. Lunch in Huga, gastrotapas
If you’re in Puerto del Rosario at lunchtime, we recommend the Huga restaurant on the pedestrian street, with its Gastrotaps.
It’s a great way to take a break before exploring again!
Practical information for visiting Puerto del Rosario
Where is Puerto del Rosario? Map
The capital is located on the east coast of the island.
- Fuerteventura airport in Puerto del Rosario = 5min drive
- Corralejo to Puerto del Rosario = 30min
- Morro Jable to Puerto del Rosario = 1h15
Where to park
Parking is not difficult in Puerto del Rosaio.
There’s plenty of street parking along the seafront promenade, a parking lot not far from Playa Chica and another a little further along near the Centro Associado de la Uned.
Then we recommend exploring the city on foot. It’s a fairly easy city, with a few pedestrian streets and plenty of space downtown.
City map – getting around
The city is very easy to explore on foot. You’ll find a few signs in town with a tourist map. Alternatively, visit the tourist office to find out more.
Where to sleep in Puerto del Rosario
- More rentals than hotels
- Hotel at the end of Playa Blanca: Hotel El Mirador de Fuerteventura
See photos, prices and availability - And apartments…See top rated accommodations
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Fuerteventura
- Best of
Most beautiful landscapes
Best things to do in Fuerteventura
Most beautiful beaches
Cities and villages
Natural pools
Boat tours
Secret places, off the beaten track
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Fuerteventura
How to get around
How to rent a car in Fuerteventura
Driving tips
Best excursions
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
