Fuerteventura Windmills: A History & How to Visit

Last Updated on 16th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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One of the key architectural features that will stand out to you when you’re visiting Fuerteventura is the sheer number of windmills dotted around the island. Known as ‘molinos’ in Spanish, these structures are just as integral to the architectural landscape of the Canary Island as boats and other historic buildings. Here’s a guide to Fuerteventura windmills, as well as some history and how to learn more for yourself.

If you’re planning a trip to Fuerteventura, be sure to check out our suggested 3 days in Fuerteventura itinerary.

Windmills on Fuerteventura were first begun as simple structures to aid local farmers in harnessing the wind power to enable them to more easily mill grain (namely corn).

There are two types of windmills on the island; the older larger types are known as the masculine ‘el molino,’ while the newer smaller types are known as the feminine ‘la molina’. If you’re visiting the Canary Islands for yourself, check out this Fuerteventura itinerary.

Windmills to see on Fuerteventura

Tefía Windmill (Molina de Tefía)

Of all the places to see windmills in Fuerteventura, top of the list is Tefia, which is a little settlement inland in the middle of the Canary Island. There are actually two windmills at Tefia, though admittedly one is more impressive than the other! Unfortunately both can only be admired via their exteriors.

The Tefia windmill is located a few hundred metres down a dirt road and can be visited close up. Once you arrive at the windmills, you’ll be rewarded by views all the way to the sea, as well as a number of signs (in English, Spanish, and German) detailing the history of the windmill and its surrounds.

Molina de Juan Morera

Located in the middle of the town of Corralejo, the Molina de Juan Morera is situated next to a supermarket in an otherwise unassuming town square. A unique piece of Fuerteventura’s history, the basic windmill was restored in 2005.

Molino del Dulcero

A larger windmill in Corralejo is the Molino del Dulcero (you can tell that it’s a larger windmill on account of it being described in the masculine) which is located on Calle Isaac Peral. Again, you can’t visit the interior of this windmill, though I personally find it to be a nice photo opportunity.

Molino del Roque

Yet another little windmill that is actually private property and so can only be viewed and admired from the roadside is Molina del Roque. Situated close to the town of El Cotillo and not far from the road which leads to the Laberinto de Wolf Patton (the labyrinth).

Molinos De Villaverde

Situated on the fringes of the delightful town of La Oliva, one of the prettiest towns in Fuerteventura, the windmills of Villaverde offer one of the best viewpoints to see sunset in Fuerteventura. Though not worthy of a visit in of their own right, they are most definitely worth stopping by if you’re already in the area.

Centro de Interpretacion Los Molinos

The interpretation centre for windmills on Fuerteventura is a small exhibition space in the sleepy little town of Tiscamanita in the centre of the island. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM and is all about the history of windmills and milling on the island.

Comprising of a series of rooms featuring various exhibitions and artefacts, visitors can also learn what life would have been like on the island in centuries gone by. The Fuerteventura museum also features a small gift shop and boasts views onto the surrounding volcanic mountains.

As the museum is pretty tiny, you can easily visit it over the course of an hour or two. It’s also worth noting that the main displays are exhibited in Spanish, though information in other languages such as English is available on request. Last but not least, you can even enter the windmill during the course of the visit.

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