7 Activities
Wild, Weird and Wonderful: Fuerteventura’s Jandia Peninsula
Starts from
Puerto del Rosario
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
7
Duration
11 hrs
Length
101 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Puerto del Rosario
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
11 hrs
Length
101 mi
- Unusual Locations
- Adventure
Wendy Moore
Travel Expert
- Swim and sunbathe on wild, virgin beaches.
- Visit the mysterious Casa Winter.
- Drink a cold beer overlooking glittering salt pans.
- Follow goat herds along winding roads to the ‘end of the world’.
This trip introduces you to the wonders of Southern Fuerteventura, and specifically the Jandia Peninsula, a protected area since 1987.
On this trip, the journey is as fascinating as the places you’ll visit. The route takes you right down and around the Peninsula, taking small back roads that are used by goat herds as much as vehicles. The landscape is ‘other-worldly’, with pink and ochre covered hills, strange rock formations and prickly scrub, bordered by a magnificent wild coastline.
As you drive around, it will be hard to believe that this island was once the ‘breadbasket’ of the Canaries. In the 18th century, Fuerteventura cultivated, milled, and supplied most of the cereals for the entire archipelago – hence the number of old windmills you’ll see along the way. These days, the lack of rainwater makes growing cereals unviable, and the economy is most based on tourism, supplemented by fishing and cheese production.
One of the interesting things about the Jandia Peninsula is that it was once a separate island and became ‘fused’ to the rest of Fuerteventura with the eruption of the Jandia volcano. At one point, there was also a 6 km wall stretching across the Peninsula, near Pared. Archaeological exploration has uncovered the remains of both the wall, together with some cottages and cattle pens, dating back to prehistoric times. It is believed that this wall was constructed to separate two tribes and to prevent livestock straying into neighbouring areas.
On this trip, you’ll see the best of the Peninsula – the beautiful and the bizarre – including some wonderful beaches, an abandoned village, and a mysterious old house.
Note, this trip involves driving on a number of dirt roads and may not be suitable for rental vehicles (unless you have good insurance!). Although a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, it is not essential, as long as you are happy to drive along some bumpy roads.
Also make sure you fill up on fuel before you go as petrol stations are limited on most of the journey.
On this trip, the journey is as fascinating as the places you’ll visit. The route takes you right down and around the Peninsula, taking small back roads that are used by goat herds as much as vehicles. The landscape is ‘other-worldly’, with pink and ochre covered hills, strange rock formations and prickly scrub, bordered by a magnificent wild coastline.
As you drive around, it will be hard to believe that this island was once the ‘breadbasket’ of the Canaries. In the 18th century, Fuerteventura cultivated, milled, and supplied most of the cereals for the entire archipelago – hence the number of old windmills you’ll see along the way. These days, the lack of rainwater makes growing cereals unviable, and the economy is most based on tourism, supplemented by fishing and cheese production.
One of the interesting things about the Jandia Peninsula is that it was once a separate island and became ‘fused’ to the rest of Fuerteventura with the eruption of the Jandia volcano. At one point, there was also a 6 km wall stretching across the Peninsula, near Pared. Archaeological exploration has uncovered the remains of both the wall, together with some cottages and cattle pens, dating back to prehistoric times. It is believed that this wall was constructed to separate two tribes and to prevent livestock straying into neighbouring areas.
On this trip, you’ll see the best of the Peninsula – the beautiful and the bizarre – including some wonderful beaches, an abandoned village, and a mysterious old house.
Note, this trip involves driving on a number of dirt roads and may not be suitable for rental vehicles (unless you have good insurance!). Although a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, it is not essential, as long as you are happy to drive along some bumpy roads.
Also make sure you fill up on fuel before you go as petrol stations are limited on most of the journey.
Categories
- Unusual Locations
- Adventure
This trip introduces you to the wonders of Southern Fuerteventura, and specifically the Jandia Peninsula, a protected area since 1987.
On this trip, the journey is as fascinating as the places you’ll visit. The route takes you right down and around the Peninsula, taking small back roads that are used by goat herds as much as vehicles. The landscape is ‘other-worldly’, with pink and ochre covered hills, strange rock formations and prickly scrub, bordered by a magnificent wild coastline.
As you drive around, it will be hard to believe that this island was once the ‘breadbasket’ of the Canaries. In the 18th century, Fuerteventura cultivated, milled, and supplied most of the cereals for the entire archipelago – hence the number of old windmills you’ll see along the way. These days, the lack of rainwater makes growing cereals unviable, and the economy is most based on tourism, supplemented by fishing and cheese production.
One of the interesting things about the Jandia Peninsula is that it was once a separate island and became ‘fused’ to the rest of Fuerteventura with the eruption of the Jandia volcano. At one point, there was also a 6 km wall stretching across the Peninsula, near Pared. Archaeological exploration has uncovered the remains of both the wall, together with some cottages and cattle pens, dating back to prehistoric times. It is believed that this wall was constructed to separate two tribes and to prevent livestock straying into neighbouring areas.
On this trip, you’ll see the best of the Peninsula – the beautiful and the bizarre – including some wonderful beaches, an abandoned village, and a mysterious old house.
Note, this trip involves driving on a number of dirt roads and may not be suitable for rental vehicles (unless you have good insurance!). Although a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, it is not essential, as long as you are happy to drive along some bumpy roads.
Also make sure you fill up on fuel before you go as petrol stations are limited on most of the journey.
On this trip, the journey is as fascinating as the places you’ll visit. The route takes you right down and around the Peninsula, taking small back roads that are used by goat herds as much as vehicles. The landscape is ‘other-worldly’, with pink and ochre covered hills, strange rock formations and prickly scrub, bordered by a magnificent wild coastline.
As you drive around, it will be hard to believe that this island was once the ‘breadbasket’ of the Canaries. In the 18th century, Fuerteventura cultivated, milled, and supplied most of the cereals for the entire archipelago – hence the number of old windmills you’ll see along the way. These days, the lack of rainwater makes growing cereals unviable, and the economy is most based on tourism, supplemented by fishing and cheese production.
One of the interesting things about the Jandia Peninsula is that it was once a separate island and became ‘fused’ to the rest of Fuerteventura with the eruption of the Jandia volcano. At one point, there was also a 6 km wall stretching across the Peninsula, near Pared. Archaeological exploration has uncovered the remains of both the wall, together with some cottages and cattle pens, dating back to prehistoric times. It is believed that this wall was constructed to separate two tribes and to prevent livestock straying into neighbouring areas.
On this trip, you’ll see the best of the Peninsula – the beautiful and the bizarre – including some wonderful beaches, an abandoned village, and a mysterious old house.
Note, this trip involves driving on a number of dirt roads and may not be suitable for rental vehicles (unless you have good insurance!). Although a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended, it is not essential, as long as you are happy to drive along some bumpy roads.
Also make sure you fill up on fuel before you go as petrol stations are limited on most of the journey.
Wendy Moore
Travel Expert
- Swim and sunbathe on wild, virgin beaches.
- Visit the mysterious Casa Winter.
- Drink a cold beer overlooking glittering salt pans.
- Follow goat herds along winding roads to the ‘end of the world’.
Day Itinerary
7 Activities
Day 1
101 mi0.1 mi
The Delights of Jandia
Driving down to the Peninsula, the first stop of the day is at a small, pretty beach for a refreshing swim before you leave the main roads for a wonderful drive to el Puertito lighthouse where you will also have lunch. In the afternoon, there’s another fabulous drive north towards where you’ll stop at the mysterious Casa Winter before reaching the incredible wild beach of Cofete. After exploring this beach, you’ll continue north, making a brief stop at an abandoned village before turning east for a tasty supper with an incredible view of the salt pans.
10:001 hr
Esmeralda Norte Beach
Playa Esmeralda is a small but gorgeous sandy beach that stretches for roughly 400 metres along the coast. Thanks to the surrounding cliffs, the beach is relatively sheltered from the wind, making it a great place for a morning swim in its usually calm and bright blue water.
27.2 mi
1 hr 10 min
12:151 hr
El Puertito Beach
Driving to Playa el Puertito is like driving to the end of the world. It’s a long winding dirt track through the Natural Park of Jandia, passing sandy coloured rocks and scrub, punctuated by nothing more than a few ruins and the occasional goat. It’s an exhilarating and slightly eerie drive.
Once you arrive at the small fishing village above the beach, follow the path out to the lighthouse for wonderful views along the coast (it’s about a 15-minute walk). There’s been a lighthouse here since 1864 and the current tower, measuring 19 metres high, is still in use today.
This is a wild and rugged Peninsula, and a cold wind can whip around the lighthouse, even in summer. If it’s a calm day though, don’t be surprised if you see naturists on the nearby beach. Naturism is particularly popular in this area.
Once you arrive at the small fishing village above the beach, follow the path out to the lighthouse for wonderful views along the coast (it’s about a 15-minute walk). There’s been a lighthouse here since 1864 and the current tower, measuring 19 metres high, is still in use today.
This is a wild and rugged Peninsula, and a cold wind can whip around the lighthouse, even in summer. If it’s a calm day though, don’t be surprised if you see naturists on the nearby beach. Naturism is particularly popular in this area.
0.1 mi
5 min
13:301 hr 30 min
El Caletón
This restaurant has an enviable position on the top of the cliffs with far-reaching views along the South coast. The menu is traditional Canarian with fresh fish and grilled meats, as well as cheeses and salads.
10.8 mi
40 min
15:4530 min
The Winter House
The Winter house (Casa Winter) is one of the island’s great mysteries. It was built in 1946 by German engineer Gustav Winter, after purchasing all the land on the Jandia Peninsula. At the time, the only way to access the house was by foot, or on camel. Although purported to be a holiday home, its isolated location, together with other peculiarities, have led to alternative theories being developed as to its ‘true’ purpose. In particular, it has been suggested that the house was built during the Second World War, with the approval of Spanish Dictator Franco and Hitler, to provide a place of rest and relaxation for Nazi officials and, more importantly, as a re-fuelling stop for submarines, as it is believed that the house is built on underwater caverns that connect to the sea.
There are a number of peculiarities in the house design and construction that lend support to this theory. These include an elaborate multi-window tower that provides a 360-degree view of the Peninsula, a laboratory-like kitchen, and an unnecessarily powerful electricity system. There was also a large landing strip in the grounds. While the truth may never be known, it is, nevertheless, very interesting to walk around outside the house and make up your own theories.
There are a number of peculiarities in the house design and construction that lend support to this theory. These include an elaborate multi-window tower that provides a 360-degree view of the Peninsula, a laboratory-like kitchen, and an unnecessarily powerful electricity system. There was also a large landing strip in the grounds. While the truth may never be known, it is, nevertheless, very interesting to walk around outside the house and make up your own theories.
2.1 mi
10 min
16:301 hr
Playa de Cofete
Playa Cofete is the wildest, and one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Stretching over 12 kilometres along the coast and sheltered by the enormous cliff face of the 800-metre-high mountain range of the Jandía Natural Park, the scenery is spectacular. As it’s not an easy beach to access, there are no sunbeds, bars or other concessions to spoil the view, just miles and miles of soft sand, and lapping blue waves. You may be lucky enough to get the whole beach to yourself; if not, there’s plenty of space, so it will never feel crowded.
44.4 mi
1 hr 40 min
19:1515 min
La Florida
Driving up to the centre of the island, you can make a quick stop at La Florida for some fresh air and to stretch your legs. La Florida is an abandoned old farming village that is now a cluster of semi-ruined buildings. It’s a peaceful place to wander around and to imagine what it might have looked like when it was full of life.
17 mi
30 min
20:001 hr 30 min
Volcano – Salinas
This restaurant has one of the most stunning and unique views in Fuerteventura. Situated right across from Salinas del Carmen (the salt pans), the pink and orange colours of the evaporation ponds and the twinkling salt crystals are extremely photogenic. The food is also great, with an interesting and beautifully presented range of dishes.
It’s a popular place for dinner, so reservations are recommended.
It’s a popular place for dinner, so reservations are recommended.