Last updated: September 2026
Costa Antigua holidays offer a quiet and unspoilt escape on Fuerteventura’s east coast, in an area that sits between the busier resort zones of Caleta de Fuste to the north and the Jandia Peninsula to the south. This stretch of coast takes its name from the municipality of Antigua and encompasses a series of small, low-key beach areas and development zones that appeal particularly to those seeking a more relaxed and less commercialised Fuerteventura experience, with excellent beaches and easy access to the island’s most important attractions.
The area is characterised by the wide, flat east-coast landscape typical of this part of Fuerteventura — vast stretches of dry volcanic plain meeting a calm, shallow sea in a series of attractive beaches and rock formations. The wind is generally moderate on the east coast, making it more sheltered than the exposed north and west of the island, and the sea conditions are calm and suitable for families and leisure swimmers throughout the year.
The Costa Antigua area has several good beach options along the east coast. The beaches here are natural and largely undeveloped, with golden sand, clean clear water, and the kind of uncrowded atmosphere that is increasingly rare in major Canary Islands resort destinations. The calm, shallow water conditions are excellent for paddling, swimming, and snorkelling, and the rocky stretches between the sandy sections provide good underwater exploration for snorkellers.
The village of Las Playitas to the south has a sheltered beach and a sports complex that has made it a popular destination for cycling and triathlon training camps — the flat terrain and reliable weather make the area ideal for endurance sports training throughout the year. The beach at Las Playitas is small but attractive and has a genuine local Canarian character rarely found in the main resort zones.
The salt flats and coastal wetlands that are characteristic of this part of the east coast provide habitat for a variety of wading birds and provide an interesting natural contrast to the beach areas. Birdwatching is a low-key but rewarding activity in this area, particularly in the spring and autumn migration periods.
The municipality’s inland capital — the village of Antigua — is one of the most attractive traditional settlements on Fuerteventura. Set in the centre of the island, it has a beautifully restored windmill (one of the island’s most photographed landmarks), an 18th-century church, and a craft centre showcasing traditional Fuerteventura crafts including pottery and embroidery. The surroundings are classic Fuerteventura interior — arid volcanic plain with small farms, goat herds, and occasional fields of aloe vera.
The Centro de Artesania Molino de Antigua — housed around the restored windmill — is one of the most enjoyable cultural visits on the island, with a working craft centre, a small ethnographic museum, and a pleasant café in a beautiful setting. It is well worth combining with a drive through the interior towards Betancuria, the historic capital, which is just 15 km further west.
Costa Antigua’s mid-island east-coast location makes it very well placed for exploring both the north and south of Fuerteventura. Caleta de Fuste and the airport are around 15–20 km north. Corralejo and the dunes are 50 km north. The Jandia Peninsula beaches are 50 km south. A hire car is essential for getting the most from a Costa Antigua base.
Fuerteventura Airport (FUE) is approximately 15–20 km north of the Costa Antigua area. Transfers take around 15–20 minutes. Most UK package holidays include airport transfers.
| Airport | Fuerteventura Airport (FUE): approx. 15–20 km |
|---|---|
| Beach | Natural east-coast beaches — calm, uncrowded |
| Best for | Quiet breaks, nature, sports training, authentic character |
| Highlight | Antigua windmill; Las Playitas sports beach |
| Climate | Dry, sunny year-round; 18–28°C; sheltered east coast |
| Flight time from London | Approx. 3.5–4 hours |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Language | Spanish |
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Costa Antigua is one of the quieter resorts on Fuerteventura’s east coast, positioned between the busy Caleta de Fuste and the more developed Tarajalejo. The beach at Costa Antigua — Playa de la Barquita — is a sheltered bay with calm water that suits families and those seeking a relaxed beach holiday without the watersports activity of the northern resorts. The beach is backed by low dunes and has minimal commercial development immediately adjacent.
The resort’s relative underdevelopment is both its limitation and its attraction. Restaurants and shops are limited to those within the main accommodation complexes and a small strip of local businesses on the main coast road. Guests seeking a wider range of dining and evening entertainment typically drive or take taxis to Caleta de Fuste (15 minutes north) or the Puerto del Rosario capital (30 minutes north).
Antigua village, 10 kilometres inland from the coast, is the geographic centre of Fuerteventura and one of the most characterful traditional towns on the island. The Molino de Antigua windmill, restored to working condition, is the centrepiece of the island’s most celebrated crafts museum — the Centro de Artesanía Molino de Antigua, which showcases traditional Canarian weaving, pottery and goat-cheese making in beautifully converted farm buildings.
The Betancuria area, 20 kilometres north of Antigua, is the most historically significant region of Fuerteventura — the island’s first capital and the best-preserved example of Spanish colonial architecture in the Canaries. The drive through the volcanic interior between Costa Antigua and Betancuria passes through some of the most dramatic barren landscapes on the island.
Fuerteventura Airport is 20 kilometres north of Costa Antigua — a 25-minute transfer. A hire car is strongly recommended for visiting the island’s interior and the more remote beaches at Jandía and El Cotillo. Local buses (guaguas) connect the main east-coast resorts but are infrequent and not suited for beach hopping. Taxis from Costa Antigua to Caleta de Fuste run regularly and are inexpensive by UK standards.
The east coast beaches south of Costa Antigua extend through Tarajalejo and Gran Tarajal to the Morro del Jable area. Many of these beaches are little-visited by tourists staying in the northern resorts and retain a genuinely quiet character. The beach at Tarajalejo (Playa de Tarajalejo) is backed by a small fishing community and has calm, clear water sheltered by the natural headland to the south. Gran Tarajal’s beach is the focal point of a genuine Canarian town rather than a resort and is particularly lively on summer evenings when local families use it as a social space.
The Ajuy sea caves (Cuevas de Ajuy) on the west coast, 30 kilometres from Costa Antigua via Antigua village and Pájara, are one of the most unusual natural attractions on Fuerteventura. A short walk from the black-sand beach at Ajuy leads to a pair of sea caves eroded into the ancient submarine volcanic rock — the oldest exposed rock in the Canary Islands, dating to around 70 million years ago.
Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura, is 30 kilometres north of Costa Antigua — an easy day trip for visitors who want to experience an authentic Canarian city rather than a resort town. The city has invested significantly in public art and has an extensive outdoor sculpture collection throughout the centre. The market hall (Mercado Municipal) sells fresh produce, local cheeses and street food at prices well below the resort restaurants.
Costa Antigua’s position on the east coast of Fuerteventura means it benefits from the sheltered microclimate of the island’s lee shore. The prevailing trade wind from the northeast is blocked by the mountains of the interior before reaching the east coast, creating calmer conditions than the windswept north. This makes Costa Antigua particularly suitable for families with young children who might find Corralejo’s persistent wind uncomfortable.
The protected marine area off the east coast of Fuerteventura is one of the island’s least-publicised natural assets. The calm, clear waters host rich marine life including loggerhead sea turtles, which nest on some of the less-disturbed beaches in the south. Dive centres operating from Caleta de Fuste (15 minutes north) offer guided turtle-watching dives for certified divers and snorkel-based turtle excursions for beginners.
Quad biking and buggy tours through the volcanic interior are one of the most popular activities booked from Costa Antigua’s hotel reception desks. Several operators run guided tours through the barren volcanic landscape between the east coast resorts and the central mountains, with stops at Betancuria and viewpoints over the island’s dramatic terrain. The tours last 2–3 hours and are suitable for older children accompanied by adults.
Costa Antigua suits independent travellers and those seeking a quieter, less commercialised Fuerteventura experience with natural beaches and easy access to the island’s cultural and natural highlights. It is a good choice for those who want to avoid the busier resort atmospheres of Corralejo or Caleta de Fuste, while still being within easy reach (by hire car) of all the main attractions.
The area is also popular with cycling and triathlon enthusiasts who come for training camps — the flat terrain, reliable weather, and quiet roads make it ideal for endurance sport preparation. Las Playitas in particular has established itself as a well-known European training destination with specialist facilities.
Yes — the Costa Antigua coastline has a series of natural, uncrowded beaches with calm east-coast water conditions and good sand quality. The beaches are generally quieter and less developed than the main resort beaches at Caleta de Fuste or the Jandia Peninsula, which suits those who prefer a more natural, uncrowded beach environment. The clear, calm water is excellent for swimming and snorkelling throughout the year.
For the most spectacular beach experience on the island — the Corralejo Dunes in the north or the Sotavento and Cofete beaches in the south — a hire car gives easy access from the Costa Antigua area in under an hour in either direction.
The most rewarding cultural visit near Costa Antigua is the Molino de Antigua craft centre — a beautifully restored 18th-century windmill with a craft museum, working artisan workshops, and a pleasant café. The village of Antigua itself has a fine church and traditional character. Betancuria, the island’s historic capital in the mountains, is just 25–30 km west and an essential island visit.
The Salinas del Carmen salt museum (about 10 km north) provides an interesting and educational half-day excursion. The Oasis Park wildlife park near La Lajita (about 25 km south) is popular with families. The airport is just 15–20 km away, making day trips to the Corralejo Dunes in the north and the Jandia Peninsula in the south both manageable by hire car.
Fuerteventura Airport (FUE) is approximately 15–20 km north of the Costa Antigua area, and transfers take around 15–20 minutes by taxi or coach. Most UK tour operators who offer accommodation in this area include return airport transfers in their package prices. The airport is conveniently close, making arrivals and departures straightforward.
A hire car is strongly recommended for a Costa Antigua stay, given the spread-out nature of the coast and the importance of exploration for getting the most from this part of Fuerteventura. Car hire from the airport is very affordable and the roads are well maintained throughout the island.
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