Reconstruction of a traditional Fuerteventura hamlet: the Alcogida Ecomuseum

The hamlet of La Alcogida is a reconstruction of traditional Fuerteventura life. The 7 houses in the hamlet have been rebuilt using materials from the period. There are craftsmen, livestock, a barn, a mill and even a bread oven. It's a true reconstruction of the way of life of yesteryear in the Canary Islands. The hamlet was partially inhabited until 1970. In 1990, the Cabildo Insular, a local island administration, invested in the reconstruction of the hamlet.

Visiting the ecomuseum is a very pleasant and interesting experience. Small QR codes are displayed here and there to help you discover almost-forgotten skills. Each house has its own speciality. The more curious can even take courses in pottery, basketry or woodworking. You can also book the services of a local guide to explain the importance of the past for the majoreros, the inhabitants of Fuerteventura.

Discover the crafts of the Canary Islands

A walk through the Alcogida eco-museum is like no other. In each house, you'll see a craftsman from days gone by. You can admire the making of traditional aniseed bread, for example, or watch the baker baking his bread in the period oven three times a week. Discover potters, weavers, cutlers, leatherworkers and many other craftsmen.

Admire the typical architecture of Fuerteventura

The hamlet is representative of the oldest houses on the island of Fuerteventura. The style of architecture is typical of the Canary Islands, with whitewashed buildings, exposed stonework and wooden roofs. Throughout the ethnographic museum, cacti and succulents contrast with the immaculate white of the structures.

The Tefía mill and village.

Due to the abundance of cereals and wind on the island of Fuerteventura, mills soon became a necessity. They first appeared on the island towards the end of the 18th century. Just a stone's throw from the Alcogida Ecomuseum, the Tefía mill is one of the last remaining 6-bladed mills on Fuerteventura. Its construction follows that of traditional mills.

The centre of the building is divided into three levels, with the ground floor used to store the miller's instruments, tools, etc.; the floor above is a storehouse for grain awaiting milling and the top floor is where the milling mechanism is located. Thanks to an ingenious mechanism, the roof also rotates. It can therefore be oriented to place the blades in the direction of the wind. Tefía is a small village in the middle of the plain. It's authentic and very pretty, so don't miss out on a visit.

🍴 Parada 33

Right next to the Museo de la Alcogida, in Tefía, is a small restaurant. Although the cuisine is geared towards tourists, the menu offers good sandwiches as well as very good bocadillos and majorero queso, the local cheese. The Parada 33 restaurant is open from 9am to 6pm, every day except Monday.

👛 Prices

Admission to the Museo de la Alcogida costs €5 per person.

⏰ Opening times

The ecomuseum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Please note that the ticket office closes at 3.30pm for the last visits.

📍 Where is the Alcogida museum?

The small village ecomuseum of la Alcogida is located in the middle of the island, between the small port of Los Molinos and the capital, Puerto del Rosario. The nearest town is Tefía.

🚌 How do I get there?

The best way to visit the museum is to hire a car. This is a quiet region, with few tourists off the beaten track. The road is the FV-207, in the direction of Betancuria.

👉 How long does the tour last?

The walk between the 7 houses takes around 2 hours if you take your time.

👉 Who is this activity suitable for?

The eco-museum is very popular with children, who generally really appreciate the skills on display.