Betancuria, Fuerteventura: Things To Do, Guide + Photos

by Jane Rafferty Posted on Updated on

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A woman with long hair walks down a sunlit cobblestone street in Betancuria lined with white buildings and vibrant flowers.

The beautiful town of Betancuria is one place you cannot miss on your next trip to Fuerteventura.

It was once the capital of the island & is one of the oldest towns in the whole of the Canary Islands. It’s full of cobblestone streets, traditional architecture & old-worldy charm.

We’ve driven here a few times & we think it’s worth visiting Betancuria, even just for a few hours to wander about.

Here’s what you need to know about Betancuria, including what to do & see, where to stay, the best spots to eat & plenty of photos!

How To Get To Betancuria & Parking

We personally think driving to Betancuria is the easiest & quickest way to get there, simply based on its location.

Discover Cars is the website we use to book a hire car for Fuerteventura.

It’s handy to have the car if you don’t like sitting in the one spot & enjoy having the freedom to explore different towns & villages.

A detailed map of Betancuria, featuring historic buildings and landmarks, framed by lush greenery and blue skies.

Driving times to Betancuria:

From Corralejo: 55 min drive
From Costa Calma: 1 hr drive
From Caleta de Fuste: 35 min drive

The roads to Betancuria like the FV-30 are in good condition, so don’t worry about there being any dirt tracks to tackle. It’s a fairly straightforward drive!

However there are some winding parts closer to Betancuria, as you are ascending & descending mountains, but just be careful & just take your time at these sections!

Once you arrive into Betancuria there are a few parking spots to choose from. We suggest going early to Betancuria as it can get busy in the late morning/afternoon & might be more difficult to get a space.

There’s free parking HERE as you’re coming into the town from the northern direction & also just across the road.

If you’re coming in from the south, there are spaces along the roadside on Calle Roberto Roldan. It’s where we usually try & find a spot. Across the road from it there’s a car park that we’ve used before, but now you have to pay 3 euro to park there so we don’t recommend unless it’s a last resort.

What To See & Do In Betancuria

1) Visit Iglesia de Santa María de Betancuria

A woman stands near a historic white church with a bell tower, set against a clear blue sky and arid hills in the background.

Probably the most popular sight to see in Betancuria is the church of Santa Maria.

This beautiful 15th century church is fairly easy to find, as it’s situated right in the heart of the town.

With it’s stunning white stone facade, it’s a great place to snap a few photos. Walk up the steps beside the church & you’ll get some great views over the village & surrounding landscape.

Two people stand in a sunlit plaza surrounded by palm trees, overlooking scenic hills and white buildings under a blue sky.

There’s a few seating areas in the square next to the church if you want to sit & chill for a while. Every time we’ve been there’s been live music which was really cool!

We have never been inside, but from reading reviews we believe it’s a few euros to enter. Just check the opening hours before you go as they may vary.

Other religious sites to visit in Betancuria if you’re interested are:

A historic building with a large wooden door and intricate stonework, set against a bright blue sky and sunlit stone pavement.
Charming whitewashed houses with black doors and balconies, surrounded by stone walls and colorful flowers, under a bright blue sky.
A colorful teddy bear decoration with ski poles stands amidst palm trees and a white church under a clear blue sky in Betancuria, Fuerteventura.
A palm tree frames the entrance of a historic building, with a person taking photos in front on a sunny day under a clear blue sky.
Bright white buildings with black accents, stone pathways, and vibrant flowers under a clear blue sky create a charming residential scene.
A person sits on a stone bench beside an ornate wooden door, in front of a whitewashed wall under a bright blue sky.
A person admires a charming white stone church with a tall bell tower against a clear blue sky and a rugged hillside in the background.
A man stands in shorts and sandals, reading an informational sign with a mountainous landscape and palm trees in the background.

2) Wander through the streets of Betancuria

Who doesn’t love a wander through an old cobbled stone street with cute houses & colourful flowers dotted everywhere? I know I do!

We’d say Betancuria is one of the most instagrammable towns on the whole island.

One thing we will suggest is if you want a quieter stroll round Betancuria, get there as early as you can, to avoid the midday crowds – especially in the summer! It can get quite busy with buses & coaches of people.

We went in December so it wasn’t too bad.

There are a few small souvenir shops & a few restaurants if you’re feeling peckish or fancy a coffee!

If you want to learn a bit of history about Betancuria, make sure to head up to Calle Carmelo Silvera where there are some informational signs & sculptures.

Otherwise, take a look at these photos of Betancuria & you’ll see exactly what you can look forward to when visiting:

A sunny street scene in Betancuria featuring vibrant flowers, green trees, and charming white buildings, with a cobblestone path inviting exploration.
A colorful metal art display of lizards and chameleons hangs on a white wall, casting intricate shadows below.
A decorative metal grid displays colorful ceramic plates and pottery against a light blue wall, casting intriguing shadows.
A man walks along a sunlit cobblestone path lined with palm trees and cacti, heading toward a quaint village.
Nestled in Betancuria, this white stucco building features classic wooden doors and is beautifully surrounded by lush plants beneath a clear blue sky.
A rocky, white-walled structure with a barred window, surrounded by palms and cacti, against a clear blue sky. A person walks nearby.
A colorful poster of Betancuria is displayed on a white wall, surrounded by a potted plant, with a cobblestone walkway below.
A man strolls down a sunlit cobblestone path, in Betancuria, passing a whitewashed building adorned with plants and colorful souvenirs. Palm trees tower above.
A tranquil courtyard featuring a stone fountain surrounded by vibrant flowers and lush greenery, set against a mountainous backdrop.
A sign for Betancuria in Fuerteventura, featuring text about its history and a poem by Miguel de Unamuno, surrounded by vibrant greenery.
A woman walks through a sunlit cobblestone street, flanked by whitewashed buildings and vibrant flowers under a clear blue sky.

3) Visit The Archaeological Museum

Whilst you’re in Betancuria, we suggest taking a visit to the Museo Arqueológico de Fuerteventura.

It’s free to enter & it’s a good opportunity to learn a bit more about the history of Fuerteventura & it’s culture!

A woman in a yellow dress stands on a cobblestone path, looking towards palm trees and a scenic landscape under a clear blue sky.

4) Viewpoint at Mirador de Guoize

About a 6 min drive out of Betancuria town (northbound) you’ll stumble upon the incredible viewpoint of ‘Guise y Ayose’.

There’s two huge statues of those guys – so you can’t miss it!

We highly recommend stopping here for a few minutes as the views are really spectacular. You can see right across to the ocean on a clear day.

On the other side of the road there’s more views over the mountain landscape which are equally as breathtaking.

Two life-sized bronze statues of muscular figures stand on a stone platform, each holding a long pole. The figure on the left has a slight smile and appears to be in a relaxed pose, while the figure on the right stands confidently with a serious expression. In the background, a dry, mountainous landscape extends under a clear blue sky. The scene conveys a sense of strength and resilience, highlighting the artistic depiction of these statues.

Where To Stay In Betancuria

We think Betancuria would be a nice place to stay for a night, just to be able to explore the village & soak up it’s atmosphere.

It’s an especially popular stopover with cyclists & hikers who are travelling through Fuerteventura & need somewhere to rest for the night before setting off again in the morning.

A sunlit landscape in Betancuria featuring white buildings, palm trees, and stone walls against a clear blue sky.

It wouldn’t be somewhere we would personally stay for long, as there isn’t much to do & it’s fairly remote.

Also something to note is that there are no real food shops or supermarkets here, & most of the restaurants usually close around 5-6pm, so there isn’t much happening in the evenings in Betancuria at all.

If you were staying here, we’d recommend stocking up with food etc from a supermarket in one of the bigger towns before you arrive!

In saying that if you’re doing a tour of the island via car, bike or by foot, & you do fancy stopping here for a night, these are some lovely self-catering options to choose from:

Scenic view of a bright blue sky over green hills and lush vegetation, with a stone wall and houses in the distance.
  • CASA DONA CARMEN – this highly-rated house is located right in the centre beside the church. It looks super cute, cozy & traditional! We also love the look of the outside space & gardens! It would definitely be somewhere we would choose to stay.
  • LA CASILLETA – if you want a more spacious accommodation, this house is perfect! It sits just outside the village, overlooking the mountains. The interior is traditional but with modern facilities. The outdoor space looks absolutely amazing too & can imagine it’s really beautiful sitting there in the evening.
  • CASA ISABELA – this 2-bedroom house looks really charming & has stunning views over Betancuria! Guests say that the house is spotless & the owner is super friendly!
Colorful hibiscus flowers bloom amidst lush greenery, with a backdrop of rolling hills and a clear blue sky.

Betancuria Restaurants

There are a handful of cafes & restaurants in Betancuria serving up traditional dishes & other tasty local cuisine.

As mentioned above, check the opening hours as many of them are only open during the day, & close in the early evening.

A tropical bar with an "OPEN" sign, surrounded by palm leaves, as a man looks over the colorful drinks displayed on the counter.

Here are some of the best places in Betancuria to eat:

LA SOMBRA 🍴
This is our favourite spot to grab coffee & lunch when we visit Betancuria. La Sombra is nestled amongst trees, making it a nice place to cool off after walking around in the sun. We usually go for a burger, but they have a variety of stuff on the menu including some good vegan options!

CASA SANTA MARIA 🍴
Another unique restaurant in the village is Casa Santa Maria. It has two entrances, one beside the fountain & the other through the main street. The interior is absolutely stunning & you’ll find plenty of traditional food items on the menu!

White building with a tiled roof under the clear blue Betancuria sky. Entrance displays "Cafe Restaurante Casa Santa Maria." Red flowers in pots line the stone pathway, basking in the bright sunlight.

DON ANTONIO 🍴
If you’re looking for a more traditional & local place to eat – Don Antonio is highly recommended! It is actually one of the oldest restaurants in Fuerteventura. You will find various meat & fish dishes here, or you can stop off for coffee & cake!

Other posts about Fuerteventura you might like:

SAVE THIS POST TO REMEMBER WHAT TO DO ON YOUR VISIT TO BETANCURIA, FUERTEVENTURA!📌

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