Where Goat’s Milk Earns Its Awards – the Granja las Alcaravaneras Cheese Dairy on Fuerteventura
In the heart of the island, where the light falls differently and the silence is broken only by the tinkling of a goat’s bell, lies Betancuria – the geographical centre of Fuerteventura and home to one of the most remarkable agricultural enterprises in the Canary Islands. The goat farm Granja las Alcaravaneras is no ordinary farm. It is a place where tradition and modernity have formed a quiet alliance.
A Farm with History – in the Heart of Betancuria
Anyone heading for the estate of Llanos de Santa Catalina will inevitably pass the ruins of the former Franciscan monastery Convento de Buenaventura – a silent witness to centuries gone by, lending the place an almost reverential aura. Not a bad neighbour for a cheese dairy on Fuerteventura that pursues its craft with equal seriousness.
Modern Cheese Production with a Canarian Soul
Around 400 goats live on the estate, including 100 pure dairy goats that supply the farm daily with the raw material for its sought-after products. Thanks to a state-of-the-art milking system, the entire milking process takes just one hour – yet between 50 and 70 kilograms of cheese are produced every day, made in what is arguably the most modern dairy on the entire island.
Those who wish can witness the process up close: large glass panels allow visitors to follow the cheese-making live – from fresh goat’s milk through to the finished wheel. There is a quiet, focused world behind the glass where you sense that every step is carried out with care.
Majorero Cheese – Award-Winning and Sought-After
The heart of the farm is the Majorero cheese – one of the best-known cheeses of the Canary Islands, made from goat’s milk and with a long tradition on Fuerteventura. The cheese from the Alcaravaneras farm has won numerous awards, and the walls of the dairy display the accolades like a quiet hall of fame. Anyone standing there looking along the row of certificates understands: this Canarian goat’s cheese is no regional curiosity – it is a quality product of genuine standing.
Available almost exclusively on the Canarian domestic market, visitors here have a rare opportunity: you can buy Majorero cheese directly and take it home vacuum-sealed – a souvenir you can eat.
Taste, Savour, Linger
On the upper floor of the farm, another chapter unfolds. During a cheese tasting on Fuerteventura, you settle in, sip coffee and let the farm’s produce melt on your tongue. The Majorero is accompanied by cactus jam and the unmistakable mojo sauces – those spicy companions of Canarian cuisine made from chilli peppers, basil and coriander, adding new depth to every bite.
What’s on Offer in 2026 – More Than Just Cheese
Under the Quesos La Villa brand, Granja Las Alcaravaneras has grown into a genuine agritourism destination on Fuerteventura. Stepping onto the farm means entering a world where every step from the stable to the table can be followed – and that has become rare.
Award-Winning Goat’s Cheese with D.O.P. Majorero
The centrepiece remains the Queso Majorero with protected designation of origin – one of the few Spanish cheeses to carry this distinction. Three stages of maturity are available: the mild Tierno, the characterful Semicurado and the robust, firm Curado. Particularly appealing are the versions finished with a rind of Pimentón (paprika powder) or Gofio – that toasted grain flour which, more than almost any other food, embodies the Canarian spirit.
Agritourism: The Journey of the Milk
More than 1,000 Majorero goats live on the estate today – a sizeable herd whose milk provides the foundation for every piece of cheese. Those who arrive in the morning can watch the milking, and later observe through glass panels or on guided tours how fresh goat’s milk becomes a matured wheel in the modern dairy. It is a quiet spectacle that stays with you long afterwards.
Farm Shop, Tasting & Local Specialities
The farm shop offers a tasting before you buy – a fair arrangement between producer and guest. Alongside buying Majorero cheese, you can also take home other island specialities: sea salt from Fuerteventura, olive oil and of course the ever-present mojo sauces that add the finishing flavour to any cheese.
Rustic Dining on the Farm
For those who prefer to eat on the spot rather than pack things away: ready-assembled cheese boards can be enjoyed right on the farm in the warm, rustic atmosphere of the estate. A glass alongside, a view across the hills of Betancuria – this is what slowing down tastes like.
Travel tip for 2026: Those wanting to take a Majorero Curado home in their luggage are making the right choice. The firm texture of the aged cheese makes it far more resilient to temperature changes than fresh cheese – ideal for the flight home.
Group Tours & Individual Visits 2026
Guided Tours for Groups
Those travelling in a group get the full programme – provided they book in advance. From approximately 8 to 10 people, the farm offers guided group tours that leave no question unanswered: you follow the Majorero goats from the stable through the milking process to the maturing room, learn about the characteristics of this ancient Canarian breed and come away understanding why its cheese wins prizes. The visit concludes with a guided tasting of all stages of maturity – Tierno, Semicurado and Curado – served in the tranquillity of the farm.
Booking for groups is essential – easiest by WhatsApp +34 649 74 21 32 or by e-mail info@granjalavilla.com.
Individual Visitors & Families – Welcome Without Booking
Those visiting alone or with family need no reservation. The farm shop and the publicly accessible areas of the farm are open during opening hours Monday to Saturday, 09:00 to 17:00. And at the counter there is almost always a complimentary cheese sample waiting – a quiet greeting from the house that rarely fails to prompt a purchase.
Prices & Entry
A visit to the farm shop is free of charge. Exclusive group tours including a comprehensive tasting cost depending on scope approximately €10 to €15 per person – a fair price for an experience that goes well beyond an ordinary excursion.
Tip for the perfect moment: As Granja Las Alcaravaneras is a working farm, the most lively scenes – above all the milking of the goats – take place in the morning. Those arriving between 10:00 and 12:00 will find the farm in full swing and get the most authentic picture of this unique goat’s cheese dairy on Fuerteventura.
Visiting & Getting There
Entry is free of charge – making a visit to the Betancuria dairy one of the most rewarding trips on the island, with no excuse needed.
Directions from Puerto del Rosario: Take the FV-20 towards Casillas del Ángel, then turn right onto the FV-30 and follow it for around 9 kilometres. Then turn right onto the FV-416 – after a further 5 kilometres you will reach Betancuria and the farm.
📍 Granja las Alcaravaneras
Llanos de Santa Catalina, s/n · E-35637 Betancuria
+34 649 742 132
info(a)granjalavilla.com
www.granjalavilla.com
