The picturesque town of Betancuria, its rural park and Aguas Verdes

The town of Betancuria lies at the heart of the island of Fuerteventura. It's a pretty, picturesque town, where the square white houses and cobbled streets attract tourists. Historically, it isone of the oldest towns on the Canary Islands, founded by European settlers in the early 1400s and serving as the island's capital until 1834. In fact, the town's historic centre is rich. Thechurch of Santa Maria and the monastery of San Bonaventura, for example, bear witness to the town's past.

The origin of the name Betancuria can be traced back to the Norman conqueror, Jean IV de Béthencourt, who discovered several of the Canary Islands, including Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and El Hierro. When he founded the town of Betancuria, he named it Sainte-Marie de Béthencourt, a name that evolved over the years into Betancuria.

The Church of Santa Maria, in the heart of Betancuria's historic centre

TheChurch of Santa Maria is a religious building with typical Fuerteventura architecture. Clad entirely in white lime, only the corners and openings reveal the load-bearing stones of the structure. Its three naves reveal the tormented past of the church and, at the same time, that of the island.

The Museum of Sacred Art to admire religious works of art

This small museum in the grounds of the church of Santa Maria houses various religious works of art from the island of Fuerteventura. In the 4 rooms, you can admire paintings, wooden sculptures and more.

The museum of handicrafts, basketry, pottery, etc.

The second museum in the Church of Santa María showcases Canarian craftsmanship in all its splendour. Embroidery, basketry, pottery and other traditional arts are on display. In the 3D projection room, a documentary on the marine fauna of Fuerteventura is shown.

The ruins of the monastery of St Bonaventure and the hermitage of San Diego de Alcàla

The monastery of St Bonaventure and the hermitage of San Diego de Alcàla are just a few dozen metres apart. The hermitage is built above the cave where the story goes that the Franciscan saint regularly went to pray. Built in the 1400s, like the town of Betancuria, these buildings were destroyed by various pirate attacks. TheSan Diego de Alcàla hermitage was completely restored in 1965. Both monuments form part of Betancuria's historic ensemble and are of particular interest if you are interested in the history of Fuerteventura.

Betancuria Rural Park is a splendid place. The desert landscapes and sumptuous relief make it a place not to be missed on a hike or simply during a drive. Along the park, there are several lookouts where you can stop and admire the view or grab a bite to eat in one of the restaurants. Betancuria Park plunges into the Atlantic Ocean, offering plenty of opportunities to cool off.

The Morro Velosa lookout and its magnificent views

At an altitude of almost 700 metres, the Morro Velosa viewpoint has a restaurant and an exhibition centre dedicated to the environment. It is also a platform offering an exceptional view of the arid hills of Betancuria Park.

Take a dip in Las Aguas Verdes

Along 6 km of the west coast of the Betancuria Rural Park, natural pools - the Aguas Verdes - with turquoise water surrounded by black volcanic rocks await travellers for a peaceful swim. Located between Playa del Valle and Playa de los Mozos, these pools protect bathers from the violent currents of Fuerteventura's west coast and offer a unique experience on the volcanic island.

🍴 Where to eat in Betancuria?

The streets of Betancuria are full of typical restaurants. We recommend that you choose La Sombra, where you can feast on local and international dishes in the pretty, shady patio.

📍 How do I get to Betancuria?

Betancuria is located in the centre of Fuerteventura, and can be reached via the FV-30 road in 35 minutes from Puerto del Rosario.