High in the mountains of central Fuerteventura, is the previous colonial capital of the island called Betancuria. It is hidden amongst some of the highest peaks and guarded by two large statues and terrifying roads. The town carries a very different vibe to the likes of Corralejo, Morro Jable and Caleta Fusta, and transports you to a bygone age of the Canarian history. If you are looking for a cultural experience when in Fuerteventura, this is a must-do. So, here is my post on what to do in Betancuria. Enjoy!
What to do in Betancuria | A Small Town in Fuerteventura
Getting to Betancuria
The route to Betancuria is the main challenge. The town is central in the island and getting here without a car is near impossible. There are some tours that run here from all major tourist hubs, but for the best experience you’ll have to rent a car.
From Corralejo or Morro Jable (the two main tourist hotspots) the route is quite similar. Head towards the town of Antigua, either via the smaller roads or along the FV-1/2. If you take the larger roads, you’ll need to head inland when you get near Puerto del Rosario.
When you get to Antigua, you’ll see clear signposts to Betancuria. You can also spot the peak of the road on top of a mountain. This is a really cool spot called Mirador de Guise y Ayose and it is here where you’ll see two statues of the ancient kings of Fuerteventura, who each had their own kingdom on the island. These kingdoms were conquered by the Spanish in the early 15th Century, who founded Betancuria.
Driving up to the statues is a bit scary. The roads twist a fair amount and there are some small barriers that protect you and a sheer drop down the mountain. My husband says that these barriers weren’t even there back in the day. When you finally (and slowly) get to the statues, it is worth getting out of your car. You get amazing views across the valley and the north of the island. At night, this is also one of the best places to go stargazing.
Past the statues, it is a short drive into the town and into the car park. You’ll have to pay for parking, which is strange as literally nowhere else in Fuerteventura does this.
Please note that if you are looking to go to some nearby attractions look up opening times ahead of going. Mondays and Sundays see a lot of attractions closed.
Top Activities in Betancuria
1. Walk about the Town.
One of my favourite things to do in Betancuria is walk around. The town, being quite touristy, is always beautiful. There are always colourful flowers out and there is a fair amount of greenery. On some days, you’ll actually see a good amount of wildlife here too. Most impressive of all though are the old buildings that are built in the traditional Canarian style. You could spend hours just strolling about and taking in all the sights, smells and history. There is a reason why it is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Spain.
Good to know: The paths around the town are also fairly good and have good accessibility.
2. Visit Religious Sites
Being an older colonial capital means that there are an abundance of different churches all around Betancuria. These were originally built in the Gothic style, but over the years have been modified into the more typical Canarian buildings that you’ll see.
Most obvious is the church of Santa María de la Concepción. This is the large white church in the central square of the town, and is free to go into. Like many of the buildings, it was built in a Gothic style. Betancuria was built in its location due to the natural protection of the mountains from the frequent pirate invaders, many of which landed in Ajuy. In the late 16th century the pirates reached Betancuria and razed a great deal of it, hence meaning that the church had to be rebuilt. Look inside and you can still see the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features. I would recommend going on a tour to learn more about the history; it has more than you expect.
Other chapels include Santa Inés and Nuestra Señora de la Peña, along with San Buenaventura. These are all sights to see during the day, though the main sight has to be Santa Maria.
3. See the Museums
Given the rich history of the town, it is no surprise that Betancuria boasts two good museums. First off is the Archaeological Museum. This focuses on the indigenous people of the island and how they spent their lives. It not only looks at those who lived in the nearby area, but all over Fuerteventura. I found this really interesting and it is a side of Fuerteventura that really gets overlooked. Some of my husband’s family friends are of this descent and hearing about their lives, even recently, is fascinating and well-worth looking into.
Inside Santa Maria is the Museum of the Sacred Arts. This consists of a few items, but it isn’t as essential as the Archaeological Museum. I enjoyed it, but the name does big it up a fair bit. I enjoyed seeing the various artefacts on display, but it is quite basic.
4. Eat the Food
Betancuria has some of the best authentic Canarian food, with a speciality of cooking things from back in the day. There are some great restaurants; Casa Santa Maria, La Sombra, Casa de comidas Valtarajal… You are really spoilt for choice. There aren’t any ‘tourist traps’ as such, but I would definitely look at all the menus to see which flavours inspire you. I have written about the flavours of Fuerteventura before, along with my favourite dishes on the island. Have a read to help you decide.
Final Thoughts | What to do in Betancuria
The quaint town of Betancuria does not have loads to see and do; you could probably see it all in a few hours. However, it is easily one of the prettiest places in Fuerteventura. The views are spectacular, the food is great and the locals are lovely. What is not to like? If you enjoyed reading about this town, make a trip of it and go to Ajuy. I wrote about our road trip through this town here.
