Visiting the Historic Ruined Town of La Atalayita, Fuerteventura
Last Updated on 16th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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La Atalayita is somewhat of a hidden gem of Fuerteventura and is not really mentioned in any guides. I actually discovered the ruined settlement when scouring my map for cultural points of interest in Fuerteventura. Located close to the little settlement of Pozo Negro, here’s how to visit La Atalayita, as well as what to know before you go.
In Spanish, the town is known as Poblado de la Atalayita.
If you’re planning a trip to Fuerteventura, be sure to check out our suggested 3 days in Fuerteventura itinerary.
What is Poblado de la Atalayita?
The Poblado de la Atalayita is a historically significant archaeological site located on the Spanish island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. This site is believed to have been home to the indigenous Guanches people, Canary Islanders (also referred to as mahos), before the arrival of the Spanish in the 15th century.
The area boasts plenty of historical points of interest, including semi-reconstructed ancient structures (stone houses and tombs), as well as fragments of pottery, tools, and other artefacts, all which give insight into the daily life of the Mahos.
Where is La Atalayita?
The settlement lies within the Valley of Pozo Negro, in the Protected Landscape of Malpaís Grande, which was formed by volcanic lava flows from the calderas of Liria and Laguna. It’s believed that the town could have housed up to 200 people and was constructed 2 km from the sea (meaning proximity to seafood) and close to natural springs.
Pozo Negro harbour was regarded as strategically important by the Spanish, and was even attested as early as 1426 in Giacomo Giroldi’s Atlas. Today, the settlement lies within the municipality of Antigua and has been declared a site of cultural interest (BIC) since 2007.
How to visit La Atalayita
In order to get to La Atalayita you’ll have to take the FV-420 towards Pozo Negro, which is just off the FV-2, i.e. one of the main roads which traverses Fuerteventura. The road is in pretty poor condition with a number of pot holes.
There is free parking on site and we were delighted to spy goats on the road when making our way to the parking (so do be mindful of animals on the road when approaching the old settlement!) If you’re visiting the island for the first time, here’s a Fuerteventura itinerary.
There’s a lot of parking, though don’t leave any valuables in your vehicle or on display as the location is quite remote and so break ins are not unheard of. There is a small interpretation centre at the archaeological site, though it unfortunately wasn’t open when we visited.
The archaeological site is completely free to visit and takes around an hour or so to fully explore. This is especially the case if you take the hiking path to walk a little further out of the village in the direction of the sea and walk up the hill to get a better bird’s eye view of La Atalayita.
Unfortunately, there isn’t really a huge amount of information available to view when you’re walking around La Atalayita and so you’ll have to use your imagination when wandering around the former town.
The most common type of building is the ‘casa honda,’ a type of deep poly-lobed dwelling which would have been commonly used by the native Canary Islanders. In total, there are over 100 different types of constructions, each which would have had their own purpose and function.
You’ll want to bring your own food and water as there is nowhere to buy refreshments at or near the site. Sun cream, a hat, and something to cover your shoulders are essential as the site is exposed to the hot midday sun, with few places to shelter in the shade. There is a small picnic area outside the visitor centre with picnic tables.
After your visit, you can head to Pozo Negro in order to see the volcanic black pebble beach and relax to the sound of crashing waves. For more Fuerteventura inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to the best towns in Fuerteventura.
