Puerto del RosarioFuerteventura · Canary Islands

All About Puerto del Rosario

A traditional Fuerteventura fishing village, Puerto del Rosario, became an important trading port in the 1790s. Known as Puerto de Cabras or Goat Harbor back then, the town soon flourished, attracting residents from elsewhere on the island to come and settle here. In 1860, it became the capital of Fuerteventura but remained somewhat of an undervalued holiday destination, focusing primarily on exports and commerce.

During the mid-1900s, as the island started to gain prominence among tourists, local authorities rechristened the city as Puerto del Rosario, naming it after the centrally located Nuestra Señora del Rosario church. Situated on the eastern coast of Fuerteventura, the town is still mid-bloom. Home to over 30,000 residents, it is slowly transforming itself into a popular cruise stop. However, for travelers who wish to spend more time in Fuerteventura, Puerto del Rosario is the perfect base for island-wide exploration thanks to its central location.
 

Routes and Ferries to Puerto del Rosario

Travelers island-hopping around the Canaries often spend a few days in Fuerteventura. Consequently, Puerto del Rosario has excellent ferry connections with neighboring islands. Boats operated by Naviera Armas arrive at the capital multiple times during the week from Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

Bookable via Ferryscanner, ferry tickets to Puerto del Rosario from Tenerife cost €67 to €72 for the 11-hour journey. There are three sailings per day on this route from Monday to Friday. Similarly, vessels only sail during weekdays to and from Gran Canaria. The voyage from Las Palmas takes seven hours, and these ferry tickets to Puerto del Rosario are for €42.

Landing at Fuerteventura Airport is the other alternative for reaching Puerto del Rosario. The airport is roughly 5km from the city’s center and connects to over 80 destinations in Europe. In addition to taking flights from the other Canary Islands, you can book year-round and seasonal transfers from places such as Amsterdam, Berlin, London, and Milan, to name a few.
 

Port of Puerto del Rosario

The port of Puerto del Rosario is the island’s main harbor and has been a vital economic hub for centuries. Even though the dock primarily handles cargo and container ships, it welcomed close to 300,000 cruise and ferry passengers in 2018. Positioned next to the center, the port has seen massive development over the past few years, mainly to accommodate more cruise ships. The marina at the port has five jetties and 250 docking stations. The cruise and ferry terminal has basic facilities, transportation options, and a tourist information center.
 

Best Beaches

Promising over 150 beaches of different shapes, sizes, and characteristics, Fuerteventura is undoubtedly the best place in the Canary Islands for a beach holiday. Moreover, travelers arriving on the island with ferry tickets to Puerto del Rosario don’t have to venture too far from the capital to bask freely on golden sands under the warmth of the summer sun.

Playa Chica

Playa Chica is a small sandy cove next to the port that hardly sees any tourist traffic. Favored by local families, it has calm waters due to breakwaters on either side. Even though the beach is next to the harbor, it is clean and ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Having an urban disposition, Playa Chica has conveniences such as WCs, showers, lifeguards, parking, and a bus stop nearby. The promenade edging along the strip has restaurants, artistic installments, grassy areas, and shops.

Las Lajas Beach

A quiet and hidden gem, Las Lajas lies 6km north of the city center. Frequented mostly by residents, this black gravel beach has a dual personality. Depending on the wind and weather, it is either perfect for swimming or windsurfing. The seabed is a little stony, but it’s possible to go into the water barefoot. Set close to the fishing village of Puerto Lajas, the beach has amenities like a playground for kids, showers, and a volleyball court. While there are restaurants and stores in the vicinity, parking is unfortunately limited in this area.

Playa Blanca

A 30-minute stroll or a five-minute drive is all it takes to reach the best place to surf in Puerto del Rosario. Playa Blanca is a white-sand beach with a bohemian vibe. It has free showers and parking. Furthermore, the free-to-use sunscreen dispensers are a pleasant surprise for first-time visitors. Blue Flag accredited, and about a kilometer long, the strip stays uncrowded during summers. It is, nevertheless, a multi-purpose, clean, and safe shoreline ideal for sunbathing, snorkeling, and surfing.

Playa de las Caletillas

A 10-minute drive, further south from Playa Blanca, past the airport, is the somewhat secluded Playa de las Catetillas. A lovely sandy coastline, this beach faces the problem of algae washing ashore periodically. If you can overlook this fact, the beach is an excellent spot for a sunbathing session. Playa Blanca has a natural disposition, and thus, no amenities. It does get many dog walkers. Moreover, since the currents here are typically strong, the beach is less than desirable for swimming.

Playa del Castillo

Among the most popular beaches in Puerto del Rosario, this golden-sand shoreline is only a 15-minute drive from the center. Bustling with activity, the beach covers the northern parts of a sheltered bay, resulting in calm and clear waters. On the 600-meter-long stretch, visitors can sunbathe, windsurf, snorkel, or eat and shop at the establishments along the promenade. Great for families, you’ll find ample parking and sunbeds for hire here. If eager to observe the aquatic life of the North Atlantic Ocean, book an open-water scuba diving trip at the next-door marina.
 

Things to Do

Besides offering first-rate accommodation options, Puerto del Puerto has a few interesting attractions to please even the most ardent tourists. From lime kilns and an eco-museum to artistic, culinary, and architectural spectacles, the more time you spend in the city, the more you uncover its hidden treasures.

Walk Around Sculpture Park

The entire city of Puerto del Rosario forms the Sculpture Park. Dotted around its nooks and corners are over 150 figures made by Spanish and international artists. A joy to stumble upon while walking around, each sculpture is unique in design and materials used. While there is no extensive guide to all the statues, you can pick up a pamphlet highlighting 20 odd sculptures near the port from the tourist bureau.

Shop at Centro Comercial Las Rotondas

Residents from all over Fuerteventura visit Puerto del Rosario to indulge in retail therapy. Las Rotondas is the town’s main shopping center with four floors full of shops, a food court, and a hypermarket. The stores in the mall consist of both local and international brands. Closed on Sundays, La Rotondas also has a cinema that plays movies in Spanish. For more shopping, Calle Primero De Mayo is a pedestrian-only area with cafes, shops, and parks.

Search for Colorful Murals

While already known as ‘Sculpture City’, the capital of Fuerteventura is quickly becoming the art center of the Canaries. Helping it along the way are hundreds of murals waiting to be discovered as one wanders around town. Forever a pleasant surprise, the street art scene of Puerto del Rosario is vibrant and stands out amongst the white-washed houses. Done mainly by local artists, the murals range in theme and magnitude but always leave a lasting impact.

Eat at Restaurante La Jaira

Most restaurants in Puerto del Rosario have an authentic aura but are still undiscovered by gourmands traveling around the island. However, La Jaira, known for its traditional flavors and contemporary plating, is quickly rising to fame. Serving delectable Canarian classics, La Jaira has both indoor and terrace seating in a setting with a hip island vibe. The ingredients for the dishes on the menu are all locally sourced. The tapas that come out from the kitchen is perfect for sharing. The restaurant also holds the accolade for brewing the island’s first set of craft beers. A favorite among locals and returning tourists, make sure you book a table to avoid disappointment.

Visit Casa Museo Miguel de Unamuno

The influential Spanish artist Miguel de Unamuno spent six months in Fuerteventura during his exile in 1930. The house he resided in during this time is now a museum. Featuring vintage furniture, the museum also displays some of his most notable works, particularly the ones about the island. Closed on Sundays, the house is worth a quick stopover and is free to visit.
 

Transportation Around Puerto del Rosario

As the capital, the city is remarkably well-connected by bus with the rest of the island. Taxis, on the other hand, are fitting for short-distance travel. Places of interest in Puerto del Rosario are centrally located and easy to discover while sauntering around on foot.

While there are several exciting things to do in Puerto del Rosario, one shouldn’t miss out on the island’s other charms. Therefore, tourists staying in Fuerteventura for a few days should rent a vehicle. Having arrived with ferry tickets to Puerto del Rosario, you’ll find car rental agencies as soon as you leave the port.