Destinations

Take a small-ship luxury cruise to the Canary Islands with Saga, and one of your many ports of call will be fascinating Fuerteventura. With around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and ‘the biggest and best beaches in the Canaries’, it certainly is the place to be if you’re looking for some winter sun.

With Saga’s no-fly cruise to the Canaries, you don’t just get away from the cold, grey days – you avoid airport hassles and cancellations too. From the minute your chauffeur picks you up at the door, it’s laid-back, effortless enjoyment all the way.

You’ll enjoy first-class service in the company of like-minded travellers (our cruises are exclusively for people over 50).

You’ll have your own luxuriously-appointed cabin with its own private balcony.

And you’ll visit the most beautiful islands in the Canaries (and a couple of bonus destinations, too), with lots of interesting excursions to choose from plus the chance to explore on your own.  

Fuerteventura: laid-back loveliness

Fuerteventura is the oldest of the Canary Islands, and many would say the calmest: it hasn’t had a volcanic eruption in millennia. So time and the weather have moulded it into a relaxed, gently-curving landscape of vast plains and low, rounded mountains.

There’s only one ‘high’ mountain. Tindaya’s 400 metres of ochre stone rise up dramatically from the plain. Perhaps inevitably, it was seen as sacred by the island’s first inhabitants. You can still see more than 300 of their carvings, in the shape of feet. Interestingly, scientists have found similarities with those found in the Berber areas of North Africa.

Today, Fuerteventura is a popular holiday destination, loved for its gleaming white-sand beaches and excellent climate – you can expect glorious sunshine, cooled by gentle breezes.

With almost 150km of idyllic sandy shores, including the rolling sand dunes at Parque Natural de Corralejo, the island is particularly famous for world-class wind and kite-surfing, though every kind of water sport is available.

Fuerteventura was one of the first islands to be conquered by Europeans, so as well as its natural assets, there are fascinating traces of history to be discovered as you explore.  

Exploring at leisure in Puerto del Rosario

Puerto Del Rosario is Fuerteventura’s capital and its largest town. It was previously known as Puerto de Cabras (Goat’s Port) until 1956, when it was decided that this was a little unflattering: the new name means Port of Our Lady of the Rosary.

However, the town hasn’t forgotten its cabras – probably wise, on an island where it’s still said that there are more goats than people. Puerto del Rosario is also known as the City of Sculptures, and there are more than 150 of them displayed all around the town. A surprisingly large number of them are of goats. And now you know why!

Here’s a shortlist of things to do in Fuerteventura’s cruise port:

Walking up from the sheltered harbour, you’ll see Our Lady of the Rosary church, built out of black lava stone with whitewashed walls. Inside, it is quietly minimalistic apart from the impressive altar. The ‘Virgin del Rosario’ is the patron saint of the town, celebrated on the 7th October every year during the Fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Rosario.

Meet Unamuno - intellectual-in-exile

One of Fuerteventura’s most famous residents was Miguel de Unamuno, a Basque philosopher and writer who was exiled from mainland Spain. Despite the fact that he only lived on the island for 6 months, the locals took him to their hearts and you can visit a museum right in the town centre that’s dedicated to his life. (There’s also a rumour that Unamuno was one of the island’s first nudists but we understand that the museum doesn’t cover that aspect of his life).

You can find the Miguel de Unamuno Museum at Calle Virgen del Rosario 11.

Destination: Art

The Casa de la Cultura, next to the Island Auditorium, has well-regarded exhibitions of paintings, sculptures and photographic studies. (Calle Ramiro de Maeztu, 2)

The Centro de Art Juan Ismael is named after the Majorero modernist painter who, until his death in 1981, was a leading exponent both of surrealist art and avant-garde poetry. The museum also shows artworks and photography from other contemporary artists, both from the Canary Islands and the peninsula.

Although the building is unremarkable from the outside, if you like architecture, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its interior. Don’t miss the panoramic view over the port from its first-floor balcony. There’s also a shop specialising in authentic traditional Majorera crafts, each with a seal of Government authentication. (Calle Almte. Lallemand, 30).

Stroll along the Marina…

Here’s a great spot for a leisurely pre- or post- lunch walk. There’s a wide variety of boats to admire – everything from luxury yachts to the most basic of fishing vessels. If you fancy a boat tour of Fuerteventura’s beautiful coastline, this is the place to pick one up. And there are a variety of stores selling souvenirs and clothing, plus a good choice of restaurants and cafés.

…or wander along the Boardwalk

This is the place for a serious promenade! Take a brisk walk from one of Puerto del Rosario’s main beaches to the other for a very contrasting experience of the Atlantic ocean and its moods.

The first beach, Playa Chica, is very near the cruise ship terminal. It’s a tranquil, well-maintained beach with calm seas, golden sands, good facilities, and several restaurants within easy reach.

As you stroll along the boardwalk, look out for the Lime Kilns that line the coast and were once the mainstay of Fuerteventura’s economy. Lime was used to paint the houses – whitewashing has highly-effective antibacterial properties - and also used for building and water purification. ‘Los Hornos de Callao de Los Pozos’ is a Lime Kiln that’s open to the public. A steep climb to the top will reward you with a spectacular view.

Eventually, the boardwalk winds its way along the rugged edge of the island to Playa Blanca, the capital’s other main beach. Here you’ll find much wilder winds and waves, and often see surfers and windsurfers enjoying the ride.

Shopping - what to buy?

If you’re ready for a little trip around the shops, here are a few specialty items that you could look out for:

Fuerteventura is known for its Aloe Vera plantations, and the local shops have a good range of quality Aloe Vera creams and other skincare products. They’re an unusual and useful souvenir or gift to take home.

The local markets also offer a wide variety of handmade pottery. One of their brightly-decorated platters, jugs or bowls is a great reminder of your days in the sun.

Majorero Cheese

Majorero goats’ cheese is one of only three Canary Island cheeses to be protected with a ‘Designation of Origin’ and wins awards worldwide, year after year.

This might be one purchase to enjoy as soon as possible rather than take home - especially if it’s a sunny day. Perhaps back on the ship, with a sherry, on your balcony You’ll find a good selection of cheese at the Municipal Market, open Monday to Friday from 9.00 – 14.00. [Calle Teófilio Martinez Escobar 1]

Finally, another great shopping spot is the Las Rotondas Mall, with over 100 outlets. Many Spanish high street shops close for siesta in the afternoon, but most of the shops in Las Rotondas stay open all day.

Expert advice at your service

If you’ve any questions, do pop along to your Explorer Shore Desk. The knowledgeable advisors are not just there to organise excursions; they’ll be delighted to help you with any information you need to help make the most of your leisure day out.  

Fuerteventura cruise excursion

Come with us on a guided tour of the Ajuy Caves and Betancuria.

Ajuy Caves

Your excursion starts with a visit to the pretty fishing village of Ajuy, on the island’s west coast. The black sandy beach is a stark contrast to most of Fuerteventura’s golden or white-sand beaches - a rare reminder of the island’s volcanic heritage.

This area has the most ancient rock on the island – over 100 million years old - with a rich fossil layer of extinct marine life. It’s now protected as a National Monument. You’ll get amazing sea views from its high cliffs, home to a series of famous caves where, legend has it, the pirates who once plagued the area used to store their treasure.

You can follow the coastal park from the village to explore some of these ancient sea-caves. Note - if you fancy doing this, be sure you’re wearing sensible shoes, it’s a steepish dirt road. Alternatively, you can admire the caves from the top of the cliff.

Betancuria

Afterwards, you’ll continue to nearby Betancuria and take a major step back into the island’s history. Founded in 1404 by the Norman knight Jean de Bethancourt , Betancuria was the island’s first capital, administrative and religious centre.

The surrounding region takes it name from the town; the scenic Betancuria mountains lie just beyond. Walking along the cobbled streets and white colonial-style houses, it’s easy to see why the town has been declared a major ‘Historic Site’.

Enjoy the traditional Canarian architecture, admire views of the mountains as you relax with a drink, and perhaps visit the Church of St Maria de Betancuria, with its 15th century origins, and the associated Museum of Sacred Art (a small charge applies).