Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura

From the beginning, the name of the town was Puerto Cabras (the goat harbour) up until 1956 when it was given it's rather more attractive new name, Puerto del Rosario. I thought for a long time that the name came from a rosario - the beads for praying - but I learned that the name comes from the founders wife ROSARIA.

Puerto del Rosarions harbour is a heaven for walkers and strollers. They have built a long, long walkway with benches, free work-out equipment and lots of statues. All along the harbour and even further goes the path. Along the harbour are many lovely restaurants and café shops. My husband and I used to buy ice cream and just sit there watching all the boats and ships coming and going. Every week came a big cruise ship AIDA and all the guests and workers took a walk along and passed us.

If you have the strength to walk to the end, you will end up in Playa Blanca. The lovely beach of Puerto del Rosario. White sand and surfing waves for all kinds of people. Childrens play ground and waste baskets are placed for our convenience.

The harbour also is visited by dophines! They come into the harbour to have a look at us and we at them. Aroung the Canary islands are 1/3 of all the whales and dolphins passing. I never saw a whale myself but others did. In a silent bay a little north of Puerto del Rosario, the small sharks come in to give birth to their babies.

Puerto del Rosario means the HARBOUR of Rosario

We moved to Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura from a much colder Sweden. The first time was amazing. We were so happy to finally be where we wanted to stay for the rest of our lives. We rented an apartment in the capital Puerto del Rosario. In Spain are the rented flats and apartments furnished. We had all we needed for a start. Just cuttlery, dishes and glasses we had to shop for.

The main shopping road is Avda Leon y Castillo and the two roads either side that run parallel with it, Virgin de la Pena and Jean de Bethencourt. Here you will find countless small shops to browse around, cafes and bars.

A new shopping complex opened in 2006 called Las Rotondas is fast becoming the main focal point for shopping in Puerto del Rosario. We felt quite at home in the mall because it was like the ones we had in Sweden! The commercial centre, spread over four floors, covers 70,000sq. metres and features a number of top European named stores, a supermarket and restaurants.

There are so many really good restaurants in Puerto del Rosario. Especially down in the harbour! You can have Chinese food, Indian food, or Italian food. BUT - I recommend that you try the Fuerteventura kitchen. There are dishes especially for this island. The people on Fuerteventura are called Majoreto. That are the men and women born on the island for generations.

This is why the so famous goat cheese is called MAJORETO Queso. When you go shopping you will find about 30 different kinds. With or without flavour like garlic, pepper, bellpepper or others. I have sampled almost all of them! The shop owners are so generous. The Majoreto Cheese is made from goat milk. And Fuerteventura won the prize for the best goat cheese in a major contest. Do not miss to try the one coated with pepper. It is delicious.

Papas Arrugadas (Wrinkly Potatoes)
Papas Arrugadas are small potatoes boiled in very salty water (originally sea water), enough salt should be added to the water so that the potatoes float. When the potatoes are cooked, most of the water is drained from the saucepan and the lid is replaced with a tea towel. After about two minutes the potatoes will have become wrinkly.

Fuerteventura has a Mojo sauce of its own. You can dip the potatoes in it and I can assure you - it is fantastic! There are several varieties of this tasty sauce, with most common being the red and green types that are served in nearly every restaurant. The sauce is made with Garlic, Olive Oil, Vinegar and depending on the exact recipe (everyone has their own), Red Pepper, Paprika or Fresh Coriander.

Then you will get Serrano and Salami and Lapas (Limpets) These shellfish are typically served a la plancha (grilled) with a little Mojo Verde (Green Mojo Sauce) on top.

Fish is always served on this island in the Atlantic ocean. You bet it is fresh! Always tasty and sometimes smoked. I love the little small fishes they serve with Schnapps.