Things to do in Fustiñana

Fustiñana, home of Casa Bardena Negra

Fustiñana is a village of around 2,400 people in the Ribera of Navarre, a quarter of an hour from Tudela. Its land stretches from the riverside woods of the River Ebro up to the heights of the Bardena Negra, and it is one of the historic towns with rights over the Bardenas Reales. That's why the village calls itself “the gateway to the Bardena Negra”. Life moves at a different pace here: market gardens, quiet streets and enormous skies.

Fustiñana must-sees

• The fossil footprint trail: an easy 1 km walk to a site with more than 800 footprints left by an anthracothere, a distant relative of the hippo that lived here around 19 million years ago. The species is named after the village (Fustinianapodus). The perfect outing with kids, no car needed.
• Santa Lucía hermitage: in the foothills of the Bardenas, with a 360° viewpoint over La Ribera. Perfect at sunset.
• Church of the Assumption: with its 16th-century Plateresque main altarpiece and the chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Peña, the village's patron saint.
• Ebro birdwatching hide: at El Verguizal, overlooking the riverside woods, you can spot griffon vultures, herons, egrets and storks. Bring your binoculars.
• A stroll around the village: the 17th-century town hall, the old church of Saints Justo and Pastor, and the market gardens that surround the village.

Walking and cycling routes from the village

The town council has waymarked several routes that start right in Fustiñana:

• Fossil footprints: 1 km, easy.
• Fustiñana–Buñuel–Ginestar walk: 12.3 km circular, easy (about 3 hours).
• Monte y Río: 14.9 km, moderate.
• El Bocal: 18.4 km to the start of the Imperial Canal of Aragon, with the palace of Charles V.
• La Negra: 22.6 km there and back through Aleppo pine woods, up to the Bardena Negra.

You'll find maps and route descriptions on Fustiñana's tourism website. If you're bringing bikes, there's a dedicated space at the house to store them.

The Bardena Negra, 10 minutes away

Heading out of the village towards Tauste, a track leads to Portimayor, the entrance to the Bardena Negra: limestone plateaus, pine woods and views that few people know about. Fustiñana is also home to the Bardenas' brand-new “Puerta Sur” information centre, devoted to farming and its relationship with the desert (check its opening times). For the Bardena Blanca and Castildetierra, see our Bardenas Reales guide.

Fustiñana's fiestas

• Fiestas of Saints Justo and Pastor, the patron saints: from 5 to 12 August.
• Virgen de la Peña, “Las Nueces”: the third weekend of November, with the traditional throwing of walnuts from the town hall.
• Other celebrations: San Antón (17 January) and Santa Lucía (13 December).

Dates may vary from year to year: check the programme on the town council's website.

Local flavours

Fustiñana lies within the Alcachofa de Tudela IGP area for the protected Tudela artichoke, and the market gardens of La Ribera produce asparagus, cogollos (little lettuce hearts) and seasonal vegetables. Buy them in the village and cook them in the house's kitchen or over the coals on the barbecue. More ideas in our Ribera food guide.

And just a stone's throw away…

• Tudela, about 15 minutes away: the cathedral, Plaza de los Fueros and vegetable tapas.
• Sendaviva, about 30 minutes away: Navarre's family theme park.
• The Laguna de Lor lagoon and Cortes castle, about 20-25 minutes away, for a relaxed morning.

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