Windmill in Los Estancos

Molina de Los Estancos is a historic gofio windmill in Los Estancos, on the outskirts of Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura. It's one of the very few mills of its kind on the island still in active use, keeping alive a milling tradition that has barely changed in centuries.

What exactly is a "molina" — and how is it different from a regular windmill?

Fuerteventura's traditional mills come in two forms: the "molino," with a fixed body, and the "molina," a structure with a rotating roof carrying six sails. The Los Estancos mill belongs to this second, more sophisticated type. Because the whole roof — and the sails with it — could turn to face the wind directly, a molina milled grain more efficiently than a fixed molino ever could.

This particular molina is around 220 years old and is considered the largest working molina in the entire Canary Islands archipelago. In 1994, a regional decree (Decreto 162/1994) formally protected the island's windmills, including this one, as assets of cultural interest (Bien de Interés Cultural, BIC) under the monument category.

What will you actually see there?

This isn't a static museum piece — it's a working mill still producing gofio the traditional way. Gofio is roasted, ground flour made from wheat, corn, or barley, and it has been a staple of Canarian cooking since pre-Hispanic times. Visitors can watch the grinding stones turn under wind power exactly as they did generations ago, and buy freshly milled gofio on the spot.

More than thirty mills were once built across northern Fuerteventura. Only fourteen survive today, and nine of those carry BIC protection — the Los Estancos molina is one of them, and what sets it apart is that it's still producing, not just preserved behind a fence.

How do you get to the windmill in Los Estancos?

Los Estancos sits within the municipality of Puerto del Rosario, just a few kilometres from the island's capital. A car is the most practical way to get there, driving through the dry, volcanic farmland typical of Fuerteventura's interior. It's worth timing your visit for the mill's operating hours, since the real draw is watching the mechanism at work rather than admiring the building from outside.

When is the best time to visit?

The mill runs on wind power, so it's most active on days with steady, reliable wind — which, on one of the windiest islands in the Canaries, is most days of the year. Early morning, before the heat builds up, is the most comfortable time to explore the surrounding countryside on foot or by bike.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Los Estancos windmill still producing gofio? Yes. It's one of the few mills in Fuerteventura where gofio is still ground by hand-operated, traditional methods using stone wheels.

What's the difference between a "molina" and a "molino"? A "molino" has a fixed body, while a "molina" — like the one in Los Estancos — has a rotating roof with six sails, letting it turn to catch the wind from any direction.

Is the mill officially protected as a heritage site? Yes, it's part of the group of Fuerteventura windmills listed in 1994 as Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) under the monument category.

Can you buy gofio on site? Yes, freshly milled gofio is sold directly at the mill, and it's one of the main reasons visitors stop by.