The best reason to visit this relaxed Spanish island? Its sublime beaches are the best in the Canaries. Whether you want an trip to explore a beautiful island, or are keen to book a summer holiday, view my tips for visiting Fuerteventura.
Why Go
The second largest of the Canaries, Fuerteventura enjoys a climate similar to Florida (but it takes around five hours less to get here!), with over 3,000 hours sunshine a year. So, if an invigorating blast of winter sun is just what the doctor ordered, we can think of no better place.
Fuerteventura resorts are inviting clusters of whitewashed holiday complexes, relaxing bars and handsome squares, landscaped with green palms and wrought-iron benches. Even the purpose-built tourism towns are well planned, family friendly and, windsurfers, sun-worshippers and young families enjoying holidays to Fuerteventura sociably mingle together creating a laid-back, welcoming spot, basking in year round sunshine.
Fans of this sandy slice of the Kingdom of Spain come back year after year: so don’t make the mistake of assuming all Canarian islands are the same. They couldn’t really be more different. That’s why this holiday archipelago is such a hit.
So, if you’re after Fuerteventura’s highlights in a nutshell, we’d have to say its world class, white-sand beaches, the awesome Corralejo Dunes national park, its excellent windsurfing possibilities, and its handsomely designed, historic old towns.
Its capital, Puerto del Rosario, huddles around a busy port, while its centre throbs with small-town activity, especially the streets around Calle León y Castillo and Avenida Juan de Betancourt. Here you’ll see how, despite its deserved popularity as a tourist-friendly island, Fuerteventura is still a thriving island community, with strong links to its past, but one which is focused on the future too.
It’s a place that’s hard not to fall in love with. And that’s before we start to talk about this island’s excellently serviced resorts, its tempting all inclusive hotels – some of the prettiest, and well-presented in the Canary Islands.
Best Things to Do
The best reason to visit this relaxed Spanish island? Its sublime beaches are the best in the Canaries.
The Dunes nature reserve in the north stretches along the coast, attracting sun worshippers and windsurfers and those seeking breezy isolation, walking for hours alongside wide open horizons and blissfully peaceful, untouched countryside.
The south of the island is blessed with superb beaches such as Playa de Sotavento. The east coast, slightly more sheltered, enjoys perfect conditions for sunbathing, swimming and messing about on (or under) the waters. Holidays in Fuerteventura shouldn’t be confined to the coast, though, as the island’s dramatic volcanic scenery, inland, is a fascinating contrast to the ordered and manicured streets of the resorts.
Here and there, you’ll come across tiny whitewashed villages, industrious windmills and clusters of palm trees, standing sentinel against the winds. Largely undeveloped, the island has the longest coastline of all the Canary Islands – but stop and explore, and you’ll find much to detain you: Tindaya Mountain – a conical volcanic outcrop – rising above the arid plains, the virgin beaches and sleepy villages of Jandia, or the picturesque ancient capital of Betancuria, founded in 1404, and hidden away in the mountains, like a living museum.
What’s it Like
With its whisper soft sands surrounding a resort-studded coastline, Fuerteventura could, at first glance, look like your typical island holiday paradise. But there is a quieter charm here than you’d find in the more-developed holiday destinations like Lanzarote. For a start, despite its fortunate climate, and its hem of golden sands, Fuerteventura’s a far more laid-back place than neighbouring Gran Canaria, or party-central Tenerife.
Perhaps that’s because, on the island’s more exposed coastlines you’ll be buffeted by a lively onshore breeze which means one thing – the surf is well and truly up. And the surfers are delighted.
Fuerteventura holidays are best suited to those who like an outdoorsy kind of place, which means that you’ll use up most of your energy by day – just as well, as this isn’t the island to visit should you like your nights long and lively. Still, you can spend an hour or two enjoying a great meal, or, in your hotel, a colourful evening performance by local artists.
There is a well-developed tourism infrastructure here, and you’ll want for nothing: great shops, nice bars, and exciting attractions, but, by and large, Fuerteventura is a natural paradise which weaves its spell far more subtly.
Where to Stay
Corralejo is one of Fuerteventura’s busiest and best loved resorts. It’s a likeable, bustling place in high summer – with accommodation to suit all budgets, and all types of traveller. Unusually for Fuerteventura, it’s lively by day and by night.
The Centro Comercial Atlantico on the Avenida General Franco attracts its fair share of night owls, but the preponderance of surfers means that it’s still a chilled-out spot, and its beach is lined with surf schools.
The eastern coast resort of Costa Caleta is a relaxing modern complex of bright hotels and clusters of villas adjoining a safe, sheltered beach skirting a wide horseshoe bay. Protected from the full force of the Atlantic, this deep curve of golden sand is popular with families and watersports enthusiasts.
The newer development of Costa Antigua is just a 20 minute jaunt from the airport, while the incredible white sandy beaches of Costa Calma stretch for about 12 miles, attracting those who love a true beach resort, and a great range of restaurants and shops on their holiday to Fuerteventura.
The tranquil resort of Jandia is set alongside a sweep of golden sand with a backdrop of spectacular mountain scenery. Families and couples seeking a beach-based holiday will appreciate its sheltered beach, where warm clear waters are also perfect for windsurfing.
Best Resorts & Places to Stay in Fuerteventura
There are plenty of Fuerteventura resorts to choose from on this amazing Canary island, all of which cater for your every need to help make it an unforgettable Fuerteventura holiday.
Whilst you’re there why not hire a car and head for the picturesque hamlet of Pajara, which is set between two volcanoes and offers stunning views. The peaceful, former capital of Betancuria and the splendid village of Lajares should be explored as you can discover the way locals have lived for hundreds of years.
Holidaymakers that come to Fuerteventura and want to go further afield can take a ferry from Corralejo to Playa Blanca in Lanzarote or visit the unspoilt island of Los Lobos, just 3 km from the shore and famous for its superb fishing and snorkelling.
Corralejo
Fuerteventura resort Corralejo is a lively place & is home to the Gran Atlantis Fuerteventura Resort Hotel, which is one of our most popular hotels in Fuerteventura. Corralejo offers a wide selection of restaurants and bars along with lots of watersports including scuba diving and windsurfing.
Just outside town you’ll find a 7 mile stretch of sand, while a small sandy beach serves the resort centre. Most of the shops, bars and restaurants are situated along the main street which leads right down through music square and on to the harbour which looks across to a stunning desert-like landscape of sand dunes.
Costa Caleta
A safe, sheltered beach skirting a wide horseshoe bay is the focal point of this modern, expanding Fuerteventura resort. Costa Caleta has quiet-tree lined streets with low-rise buildings, and the numerous shops, cafes and restaurants make it a popular choice for a family holiday in Fuerteventura. The nightlife is varied too with plenty of bars hosting live music evenings, karaoke and a wide variety of restaurants including Chinese, Italian and authentic Spanish.
Costa Calma
Costa Calma, or the ‘calm coast’ as it is known, lies on the edge of the stunning Jandia National Park. Beautiful sandy beaches skirting a long, unspoilt coastline are the main attraction here. This growing resort has a European flavour, along with a good selection of restaurants, bars and shops dotted along palm-tree lined promenades; beach lovers – look no further!
Jandia
Situated in the Jandia peninsula on the southern tip of Fuerteventura, Playa Jandia boasts a beautiful area of vast sandy beaches and picturesque high wide skies overlooked by the extinct volcano Pico de Zarza.
Playa Jandia is fast becoming one of the most popular Fuerteventura resorts especially with watersports fanatics, as conditions are so good that the world windsurfing championships are held here.
Playa Jandia is a developing resort with lively shopping centres, amusement arcades, a range of modern facilities and a great selection of restaurants that are very popular with British tourists.