The Canary Islands are one of the most popular holiday destinations. And it’s no surprise, as who doesn’t dream of a paradise full of velvety golden beaches by the turquoise sea to lounge on? If that’s what you’re after as well, you won’t be disappointed with Fuerteventura. What’s worth seeing there?
Sightseeing in Fuerteventura
What to see in Fuerteventura?
What should you expect from Fuerteventura? What interesting places can you see? You can certainly expect plenty of beaches, National Parks, caves, even a volcano, but also equally charming towns and cities to explore. It’s a place diverse enough in attractions that you should have no issue finding something for yourself. Before we help you with that, though, a quick faq:
What’s the best way to get around Fuerteventura?
The best way is to hire a car. It’s the most versatile, comfortable and you’ll need it for many of the attractions.
Is there an airport in Fuerteventura?
Yes, there is an airport in Fuerteventura, it is located on the west coast, near the capital Puerto del Rosario.
And a free little tidbit:
The Canary Islands did not get their name from the little Canaries – it was quite the opposite actually, as it’s the little birds who owe their name to the Canary Islands.
Okay, okay, without further ado, here are our 11 Fuerteventurian favourites.
Corralejo Dunes Natural Park
The endless expanse of beaches in Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is located less than 60 miles from the coast of Africa. It’s in the Corralejo Natural Park that one can feel this proximity to the fullest. The park covers an area of over 2600 hectares, teeming with sand dunes and immense beaches. Add to this the backdrop of the crystal-clear turquoise ocean waters and it can feel like you’ve made it – it’s the edge of the world. This is but a part of the park though – in its southern part, you instead find a volcanic scenery, painted in shades of red and ochre.
The Praque Natural Dunas de Corralejo is easy to get to, as the FV-1 road cuts straight through the region. There’s plenty of parking spots along the way, so drop your car off and enter the endless expanse of the Corralejo Natural Park.
Betancuria
Former capital of Fuerteventura
Betancuria is a small town, located in the central part of Fuerteventura, hidden among the mountains. Inside, you’ll find stone pathways and charming white buildings with distinctive red-brown tiles. The centrepiece is the small stone church, Iglesia de Santa Maria. The whole area is showered with palm trees and flowers. It’s a place of magical atmosphere mixed with the true Mediterranean climate.
While in Betancuria, take a look at the local archeological and ethnographic museum. Afterwards, we recommend a stop at one of the local pubs to sample the local special – fried goat cheese with honey or jam.
El Campanario market
Fuerteventura’s specialities
Want to stock up on some Canarian specialties or local handicrafts before heading home? Be sure to visit the mercantile heart of Corralejo, the El Campanario district. There, you can find the Mercado Canario market, open every Thursday and Sunday, where stalls with all sorts of local products await you – from regional goat cheese through aloe-based cosmetics to handmade jewellery.
Oasis Wildlife in Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura’s beautiful zoo
You simply have to pay the visit to the Oasis Wildlife park when in Fuerteventura. It’s located in the southern part of the island, in the town of La Lajita. This magnificent zoo spans an area of more than 80 hectares. There are no enclosures or cages here, you face nature head on.
The zoo’s home to almost 250 species of animals, including oryxes, giraffes, camels, zebras, elephants, llamas, ostriches, hippos, lemurs, capuchin monkeys, parrots, flamingos and owls. There’s also a part of the Oasis Wildlife Park which has been made into a botanical garden, where you’ll find over 1500 species of plants from all around the world. The whole place has so much to offer that you may want to book a full day to experience as much of it as possible.
Mirador la Pared
A charming spot in Fuerteventura
If you’re looking for a perfect Hollywood-sunset-scene spot in Fuerteventura, be sure to visit Mirador la Pared. There’s just something about the combination of the bridge-like rock formation emerging from the ocean’s waters, the foamy waves crashing against it and the mountains covering the background here – it’s magical.
Cofete beach
Fuerteventura’s hidden gem
Though Fuerteventura is famous for its beautiful beaches, the Playa de Cofete may have escaped your gaze. Getting there is not the easiest – public transport won’t do, if you hire a car, you need a 4×4, as the road’s just a bunch of bumpy gravel. Your reward waiting at the end of the road? Quite worth it.
Playa de Cofete is an immense golden beach located in the Parque Natural de Jandia, spanning 8 miles (!). It’s surrounded by the red-brown Jandia mountains on one side, on the other you have the wondrous ocean waters. It’s a perfect canvas for a walk that you won’t be able to get out of your head for a while.
The Calderón Hondo volcano
The most famous volcano in Fuerteventura
Is there a volcano in Fuerteventura? Yes, there sure is. If you wish to see one of the older volcanoes, as this one is over 50,000 years old, head to Calderón Hondo. The climb is neither steep nor all that difficult, so don’t worry, you can do it. The ascent begins in the village of Lajares and takes around 90 minutes to reach the crater. You get an amazing view of Fuerteventura and the nearby Lanzarote from the top. There’s another volcano nearby, on La Palma, which actually erupted last year.
Puerto del Rosario
The capital of Fuerteventura
Looking for charming towns to visit in Fuerteventura? Puerto del Rosario has got your back. As the island’s capital, it’s the largest and most populous city on the island, hiding almost half of all the local Fuerteventurans inside. It also acts as a port for cargo and passengers alike, often that’s where you end up when sailing from Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
Buildings here are usually typically urban, though you can find gems like the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Church, plenty of sculptures to admire and numerous colourful murals to find among the facades. You can also take a stroll down the main promenade along the coast and relax on the local beach, the Playa Chica. No visit here is complete without an extremely sweet cortado leche y leche (espresso with condensed milk basically) from one of the local cafés.
The island of Lobos
An uninhabited island near Fuerteventura
Have you ever dreamt of finding yourself on a deserted island? Well, not sure if you’ll find it completely deserted at your time of arrival, but Isla de Lobos has no permanent residents since the local lighthouse was automated. It’s a tiny island, just 4.58 square kilometres, which constitutes a nature reserve in its entirety. Given that, all you’ll find there is the stunning nature – wetlands, hills, dunes and, of course, beautiful sandy beaches. You can take a ferry ride to the island, leaving from Corralejo.
Sotavento Lagoon
A dream spot for surfers in Fuerteventura
If you’re a big windsurfing guy or gal, put Playa de Sotavento on your list. It’s located near the Costa Calma resort, about 30 minutes from it to be exact. The sand here is almost white, the beaches vast and calm and waters wondrously turquoise. Trick is, the true beauty of this lagoon doesn’t reveal itself for everyone at all times. It forms mainly in the periods before the new moon and before the full moon. So, if you wish to see it in all its glory, do take phases of the moon into account when planning your trip.
Ajuy caves
The oldest caves of Fuerteventura
You can find a small village of Ajuy in the western part of Fuerteventura, where nature has left a little surprise for us. Caves millions of years old are available to see near Ajuy, the oldest rock formations in the Canaries. Originally located at the bottom of the ocean, they emerged, marking the beginning of the island’s creation. Remember to dress appropriately if you’re planning to visit the caves – this means raincoats and walking boots.
Map of the best places to see in Fuerteventura
Which one will you visit?
1) Parque Natural Dunas de Corralejo
2) Betancuria
3) El Campanario market
4) Calderon Hondo
5) Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura
6) Playa de la Pared
7) Cofete beach
8) Puerto del Rosario
9) Lobos Island
10) Sotavento Lagoon
11) Ajuy Caves
We hope it’s clear from this list that we highly recommend Fuerteventura. For nature lovers especially, the island is equipped to provide you with unforgettable memories. It also doesn’t matter if you’re visiting in summer or winter, as the Canaries stay warm all year long. Additionally, even if you blow through Fuerteventura and still have a craving for more, you can just hop onto the next Canary Island on the list!
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