If you’re looking for a sunny destination for your next holiday, Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands is hard to ignore.
With approximately 3000 hours of sunshine per year and very little rainfall, it has everything you’d want for a quintessential summer getaway, from miles of beaches to beautiful weather and landscapes, as well as many cultural highlights to explore.
While relaxing on the beach is a big draw for those visiting, there’s much more to see and do across the island when looking for a bit of adventure or something different.
To help with planning your perfect itinerary, below are five must-see spots you’ll want to make time for – hopefully, you’ll be able to see them all, but if not, any of the below will help make your Fuerteventura holiday a memorable one.
Corralejo natural park
This location really is a stunning one and a perfect place to find a quiet spot on the beach, with Corralejo Natural Park boasting a vast desert-like landscape next to the coast.
Stretching for 10.5 km in the northeast of Fuerteventura, it’s a huge expanse that has not only beautiful sand dunes but stunningly clear waters to swim in. It’s a popular location, but as the park stretches for miles, you can easily find space for you and your family.
Not only can you enjoy a beach day or two at Corralejo Natural Park, but you can also indulge in activities such as windsurfing or kitesurfing if you’re feeling adventurous.
You can also walk throughout the park and take in everything the diversity of the landscape has to offer, from the sand dunes to the volcanic rock and rugged cliffs further South.
You can even climb Montaña Roja, also known as the Red Mountain, if you have the right footwear, offering further stunning views.
You can easily reach the park from the nearby town of Corralejo, where you can also enjoy fresh seafood from the port when you’ve worked up your appetite.
Lobos Island
Just off the coast from Fuerteventura, you will find the serene island of Lobos, perfect for a day trip that is a short boat ride away from Corralejo.
The small island is a nature reserve, named after the sea wolves, also known as monk seals, that once inhabited its shores. Today, the island is a protected area for a diverse range of flora and fauna, with the seabed also protected.
You’ll need a permit to visit – the Lobospass which is free – as the number of visitors to the protected natural area is limited. You can spend just 4 hours there, either in the morning or afternoon, so it’s best to plan ahead.
Once there, you can visit the Lobos lighthouse, visit La Concha beach and the surrounding unspoilt landscape, and also see Puertito de Lobos which has amazing views of Lobos Bay and contains just a few houses that make it the only human settlement. Spending a few hours here is well worth your time, a world away from the busy tourist hotspots.
Betancuria
The old town of Betancuria is set in the mountainous part of the island and is the former capital, the perfect location to see traditional life in Fuerteventura.
Founded in the early 15th century, this small inland village has well-preserved buildings and cobbled streets, with Betancuria now a heritage site that welcomes tourists from all over.
The best way to get there is through a guided coach trip or you can hire a car for a scenic drive. You’ll get to see the church of Saint Mary of Betancuria and learn about its history, as well as the Archaeological Museum which has various items and relics of the island’s past.
The journey to the town is just as spectacular as when you arrive, with stunning views of the surrounding valleys and palm trees. A day trip to Betancuria is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the island’s past and see more of the countryside.
You’ll be able to find guided tours that include Betancuria as a stop if you prefer to combine with other sights, such as with a full tour of the island, but you can also travel directly from the nearest town of Antigua.
Ajuy Caves
There’s nothing like exploring an expansive cave network, and Fuerteventura has the Ajuy Caves that were created millions of years ago.
A unique geological experience, these ancient caves are accessible via a scenic coastal path from the town of Ajuy, which also gives you dramatic sea views that are worth the walk alone.
The caves are among the oldest examples of volcanic activity in the Canary Islands, with them declared a natural monument inside the Betancuria Rural Park.
You can explore the large caverns inside to see their natural wonder, as well as visit the nearby fossil dunes and lime kilns that helped with the construction of traditional housing.
Once you’ve seen the caves, it’s worth spending some time in Ajuy to look around the fishing village as well as visiting the nearby black sand beach.
Sotavento Beach
Along with Corralejo Natural Park, another spot for breathtaking coastline is Sotavento Beach, with vast golden sands and clear waters that are ideal for relaxation, water sports and leisurely walks.
Found on Fuerteventura’s South-East coast, the beach is famous for its lagoons that appear when there is low tide, caused by the sand barriers that span 3 km. This creates ideal conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing, especially if you are trying these for the first time.
The huge beach that stretches almost 10 km offers plenty of space for both relaxation and water sports without ever feeling crowded.
Whilst it is one of the most popular spots on the island, you can still find a quiet area to yourself in Sotavento. Its shallow waters make it safe for families, and the beach includes sunbeds, umbrellas, and access to nearby bars and restaurants, the perfect place for a day out.
If you’re not one for lazing too long in the sun, you can spend hours walking the coastline and taking in the spectacular views instead. If you are driving, there are plenty of spaces to park, including at Risco del Paso, one of the five sections of this vast beach.
Top tips before your Fuerteventura trip
Now that you’ve got a few ideas of where to go once you arrive, here are some top tips before booking your trip:
- If you are planning on an active holiday, you’ll want to ensure you have travel insurance before heading to Fuerteventura. This will help protect against unexpected events such as cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost belongings.
If you are someone with a health condition, look for a medical travel insurance policy that covers pre-existing medical conditions. This will ensure you are fully covered just in case you need to claim whilst away. - If you plan to engage in any activities such as water sports or hiking, be sure that your chosen policy covers this. You may need to look for additional coverage with some providers.
- If you are planning to travel with medication, be sure to take enough with you for the duration of your trip. You’ll also need to check Fuerteventura’s rules on this, with insurance provider Staysure advising you to check the rules on medication for the countries you are travelling to. If you’re unsure, contact the Spanish embassy for more information.
- Stay up to date with the latest travel advisories for travel to Fuerteventura. You can do this on the Gov.UK foreign travel advice page for Spain. This will also provide information on passport requirements so that you can check well in advance if you need to renew this.
Get ready for your Fuerteventura getaway
With lots to see on the second largest island of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is a perfect destination whether you travel as a couple, with friends, or with your whole family.
The five locations above will keep you busy for a number of days, but there is much more to explore too. Seek out the best the island has to offer and choose a hotel or accommodation that provides the perfect base to start from.
If you’re looking for a little bit of paradise, the self-proclaimed ‘beach of the Canaries’ is a great choice.
By Damien Troy
Advertising feature with Staysure
