In Betancuria, important religious buildings and museums meet hiking trails through the municipality’s landscape. The Church of Santa María stands in the historic town centre; beyond the old town, trails and viewpoints offer further insights into the surrounding area. This lets you shape your trip around architecture, history and nature without combining these different themes into a single route.

Churches and History in the Old Town

The present-day Church of Santa María de Betancuria is located in the heart of the historic old town. Rebuilt after its destruction, it combines Gothic, Mudéjar, Renaissance and Baroque elements. Those interested in architectural history can see these different styles as part of a single building. The church is also protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest in the Monument category. The old town was also recognised as a heritage site in 1979.

Other traces of history include San Buenaventura. The walls of the monastery church remain, while only the foundations of the monastery survive. The Franciscan monastery of San Buenaventura represents the first monastic mission established in the Canary Islands. The different states of preservation matter here: the church’s walls can be seen, while only the monastery’s foundations remain. Guided tours of the old town’s many religious buildings are also available. Check whether a tour is available before your trip.

Sacred Art and Archaeology

The Museum of Sacred Art displays paintings, sculptures, priestly vestments and goldsmiths’ work. Its collection is representative of the island’s sacred art. The Betancuria Archaeological Museum has a different focus: its two exhibition rooms explore the material culture of the indigenous people and their spiritual world. Visiting both museums gives you the chance to encounter both sacred artworks and subjects relating to the island’s early culture. Current museum admission conditions may vary; check what visitor options are available when planning your trip.

The Landscape of the Municipality of Betancuria

Betancuria Rural Park covers 91.2 percent of the municipality. The area is protected for its geomorphological and ethnographic values. This figure applies to the entire municipality, not just the town centre. The Las Peñitas viewpoint is also located within the wider municipality. From there, you can look out over a green oasis and a small lake lined with native plants.

Two Hiking Trails, Different Views

The Antigua–Degollada de Marrubio–Betancuria hiking trail leads into the Betancuria massif. From the summit, the view stretches across the hilly landscape and Fuerteventura’s central plain. The Betancuria Trail, by contrast, starts in the town and descends to the Embalse de las Peñitas reservoir after an uphill climb and a traverse across the mountains. The descriptions therefore emphasise different things: one focuses on the views from the summit and the landscape, while the other follows a route to the reservoir. Check trail conditions before setting out on either route.

Events and Planning Your Visit

The annual festival in honour of San Buenaventura is celebrated in Betancuria on 14 July. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the current programme in advance. Betancuria’s virtual tourist office provides town maps, visitor guides to the surrounding area, promotional videos and 360-degree views; the website’s offerings may change. This information can help you find your way around, while the old town, its religious buildings, museums and trails each offer their own focus for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Majanicho, Valles de Ortega, Valle De Santa Inés, Costa de Antigua, La Ampuyenta, Castillo Caleta de Fuste, Agua de Bueyes, Antigua.

See the main travel overview: Fuerteventura.