Fuerteventura

Corralejo in the north of Fuerteventura is the most touristy town on the island — and yet far from the concrete madness of other Canary resorts. The former fishing village has retained its charm: a lively harbor promenade with fish restaurants, a bustling pedestrian zone in the old town, and — just a few minutes south — one of the most spectacular natural spectacles of the Canaries.

Parque Natural de Corralejo

The Dunes of Corralejo stretch over 7 km along the northeast coast and cover an area of about 2,600 hectares. The fine, golden-white sand consists mainly of crushed shells and corals — hence the bright, almost Caribbean color. The dunes were declared a nature park in 1982 after hotel construction plans were stopped (two hotels from the 70s still stand as monuments in the park).

Along the dune landscape, several beaches line up, which are among the most beautiful in the Canaries:

• Playa del Moro: More sheltered bay, turquoise water, ideal for swimming. Popular with families.
• Playa del Pozo: Wider bay, less crowded, good entry into the dune park.
• Playa de la Concha: Small, sheltered, crystal-clear water — snorkeling possible.
• Flag Beach: The kite surf hotspot par excellence. On windy days, dozens of kites in the sky.

Important: The beaches in the nature park have no infrastructure — no sunshade rental, no lifeguards, no beach bars. Bring water, sunscreen, and wind protection! The wind can pick up strongly, especially in the afternoon.

Corralejo Town

The Calle de la Iglesia and the adjacent alleys form the heart of Corralejo: restaurants, surf shops, souvenir shops. Ferries to Lanzarote (35 min, from €15 with Naviera Armas or Fred Olsen) and to the island of Lobos (15 min, €15 round trip) depart from the harbor. The harbor promenade is the meeting point in the evening: sunset with a view of Lobos and Lanzarote, along with a cool Dorada beer.

When travel magazines rave about the most beautiful beaches in Europe, Sotavento reliably lands in the top 5. And rightly so: This 9 km long strip of sand on the southeast coast of the Jandía Peninsula is a natural force in itself — endless white sand, turquoise lagoons that form at low tide, and an almost surreal play of light between sky and water.

Sotavento actually consists of several interconnected beaches:

• Playa de la Barca: The northern section, venue of the annual Windsurfing & Kiteboarding World Cup (July). At low tide, a huge lagoon forms here — ankle-deep, warm, unrealistically beautiful.
• Playa de Risco del Paso: The middle section, popular with windsurfers and kiters. Wide sandy area that invites mudflat hiking at low tide.
• Playa de Sotavento (in the narrower sense): The southern part, somewhat more sheltered, with the Costa-Calma hotels in the background.

The special thing about Sotavento is the tidal dynamics: At low tide, the sea retreats hundreds of meters, leaving behind shallow, warm lagoons between the sandbank and the beach — perfect for splashing, for children, and for those Instagram photos where you seem to walk on water. At high tide, the beach transforms into a paradise for windsurfers and kiters.

Infrastructure: At Playa de la Barca, there is a beach parking lot (free), a simple beach bar (Chiringuito, drinks €3–5, snacks €6–10), and surf schools. In the rest of the beach: nothing. That's the charm.

Betancuria is the most historic place on Fuerteventura and a welcome change after days of beach life. Located in the green valley of the Barranco de Betancuria, this village with barely 800 inhabitants was once the capital of the entire island — from the conquest by the Norman knight Jean de Béthencourt in 1404 until the 19th century.

Béthencourt deliberately chose this location: The valley is protected in the island's interior, invisible from the sea and thus safe from the pirate raids that plagued the coastal towns. The Berbers and the North African corsairs were a constant threat — in 1593, they nevertheless devastated Betancuria and burned down the cathedral.

Sights

Iglesia de Santa María: The rebuilt church (17th century) with its Mudéjar wooden roof and baroque altarpiece is the landmark of the place. Inside is a small museum with sacred art. Admission: €2.

Museo Arqueológico: Small but fine museum on the prehistory and early history of Fuerteventura — the Mahos, the island's indigenous people, left behind rock carvings, ceramics, and a fascinating culture. Admission: €3.

Ruins of the Franciscan Monastery: Above the village lie the remains of the monastery San Buenaventura, founded in 1416 — atmospheric and with a beautiful view over the valley. Freely accessible.

Getting there: The FV-30 from La Oliva to Betancuria leads over the Mirador de Morro Velosa (viewpoint at 669 m, designed by César Manrique) with a 360° panorama over the barren mountain landscape. The road itself is an experience — switchbacks through a lunar landscape.

El Cotillo on the northwest coast is Fuerteventura's anti-resort: a sleepy fishing village that has retained its rugged charm. There are no hotel complexes, no shopping centers, no animated pool bars — instead, a labyrinth of whitewashed houses, a handful of excellent fish restaurants at the harbor, and two completely different beach worlds.

Beaches in the North: The Lagoons

North of the village stretch the Lagunas de El Cotillo — a series of small, natural rock pools and bays with calm, crystal-clear water. The offshore reefs break the Atlantic waves, making the lagoons almost as still as swimming pools. Perfect for families with children and snorkelers. The most famous is the Playa de los Lagos, but it's worth walking further — the more remote pools are often deserted.

Beaches in the South: The Surf Coast

South of the village stretches the Playa del Castillo — a wide, open sandy beach with the full force of the Atlantic. Here, meter-high waves roll in, and the wind whips the sand across the shore. Swimming is only for the experienced — but for surfing, bodyboarding, and wave watching, it's a dream. At the end of the beach stands the Torre del Tostón, a watchtower from the 18th century (small museum, €2 admission).

The Village

At the old fishing harbor, fish restaurants line up: fresh fish from the boat, octopus, limpets, with Papas Arrugadas and Mojo — honest Canarian cuisine for €10–18 per dish. Highly recommended: La Vaca Azul directly on the cliffs above the sea (reservation highly recommended, especially at sunset).

The southernmost part of Fuerteventura is a universe unto itself. The Jandía Peninsula is separated from the rest of the island by the Istmo de la Pared — a narrow isthmus — and offers a unique contrast program with its 830-meter mountains (the Pico de la Zarza is Fuerteventura's highest peak), wild west coast beaches, and the nature park.

Morro Jable & Costa Calma

Morro Jable in the south is the most touristy place on the peninsula: a friendly small town with a long beach promenade, restaurants, and hotels. The Playa del Matorral (4 km of sand) right on the doorstep is excellent for swimming. Ferries to Gran Canaria depart from here (Fred Olsen, 2.5 hours, from €30).

Costa Calma further north is a pure holiday resort — little charm, but the hotels here offer direct access to the southern end of the Sotavento beach.

Hiking to Pico de la Zarza (807 m)

The king hike of Fuerteventura: From the parking lot on the outskirts of Morro Jable, a well-marked path leads in about 3–4 hours (round trip) to the highest peak of the island. The view from the summit is breathtaking: to the south, the west coast with the inaccessible Playa de Cofete, to the north, the entire island up to Corralejo. Difficulty: medium, sturdy footwear required, no shade. Start early (before 9 am) and bring enough water (at least 2 liters).

Playa de Cofete

The wildest beach of Fuerteventura — and one of the most impressive in the Canaries. A 12 km long, deserted sandy beach on the stormy west coast, framed by steep mountains. The journey over an 18 km long gravel road from Morro Jable is an adventure in itself (four-wheel drive recommended, regular rental cars drive at their own risk — and on their own insurance). Swimming is dangerous due to the strong currents and waves — this is a beach to marvel at, not to swim.

On the beach lies the mysterious Villa Winter, a mansion from the 1940s, around which legends of Nazi submarines swirl (not historically proven, but atmospheric). Viewable from the outside.

Fuerteventura is the water sports island of the Canaries par excellence. The combination of constant wind (trade winds from April to October, northwest storms in winter), Atlantic swell, warm water (18–23°C year-round), and endless beaches makes it the European counterpart to Hawaii. Here, World Cup pros train alongside complete beginners — there is a suitable spot for every level.

Surfing (Wave Riding)

The north coast captures the Atlantic swell best:

• El Cotillo — Playa del Castillo: Beach break with consistent waves, ideal for beginners and intermediates. Regularly over 2 m in winter. Surf schools on-site (group lessons from €35/2 hours).
• Majanicho: Reef break north of Corralejo, only with medium to large swell. For advanced surfers and locals. Rocky entry.
• Rocky Point (Corralejo): Fast reef break, only for experienced surfers. Shallow reef, dangerous at low tide.
• La Pared (West Coast): Powerful beach break with strong current. Surf school "La Pared Surf School" offers supervised sessions (from €40).
• Esquinzo (Southeast): Hidden point break, only works with large northwest swell. Locals' spot.

Windsurfing

Fuerteventura is one of the top 3 windsurfing destinations worldwide:

• Playa de Sotavento: THE spot. Annual PWA World Cup (July). Flatwater lagoon at low tide, wave at high tide. René Egli Windsurf Center (rental equipment from €60/day, course from €90/3 hours).
• Flag Beach (Corralejo): Side-shore wind, flat water, and wave side by side. Good all-round spot.
• Costa Calma: Beginner-friendly spot with several surf centers.

Kitesurfing

The same spots work, plus:

• Flag Beach: The number 1 kite hotspot on Fuerteventura. Large sandy beach, safe launch, constant side-shore wind. Kite schools: CBCM, FreshSurf (beginner course 3 days from €280).
• Playa de Sotavento — Risco del Paso: Flatwater paradise at low tide. Advanced kiters kite in deep water at high tide.
• El Burro (near Corralejo): Small insider tip spot, less crowded.

Best Travel Time

Windsurfing/Kiting: May–September (strongest wind, 20–35 knots). But also surfable in winter. Surfing: October–March (biggest swell). Wetsuit: Shorty (2 mm) in summer, long suit (3/2 mm) in winter.

Between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote lies the tiny Isla de Lobos — only 4.6 km², uninhabited, and a nature reserve since 1982. The name comes from the monk seals (lobos marinos) that once lived here and are now unfortunately extinct. What remains is a natural paradise with crystal-clear water, a miniature volcanic landscape, and a tranquility that is hard to find on the main islands.

The crossing from Corralejo takes only 15 minutes by water taxi (round trip €15, several providers). Note: Since 2019, the number of visitors is limited to 200 people at a time. A free permit must be applied for in advance online through the website of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura (lobospass.com). In the high season (July–September), be sure to reserve 1–2 weeks in advance!

What to see

• Playa de la Concha (Lobos): A perfect crescent bay with turquoise water — one of the most beautiful natural beaches in the Canaries. Shallow, calm, ideal for snorkeling.
• Montaña de la Caldera (127 m): Hike to the volcanic crater (45 min from the pier). Panoramic view over Lobos, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote.
• El Puertito: Tiny former fishing settlement with a natural rock swimming pool. Until the 1960s, a handful of fishermen lived here.
• Faro de Martiño: Small lighthouse at the northern tip. Nice walk, secluded.

Important: There are no restaurants or drinking water on Lobos. Bring everything yourself! Take your trash with you. Sun protection and sturdy footwear (volcanic rock) are mandatory.

Fuerteventura's cuisine is down-to-earth, honest, and surprisingly independent. The island has a long herding tradition — goats have been the most important livestock for centuries, and goat cheese remains the culinary flagship. In addition, there is fresh fish, the ubiquitous Papas Arrugadas, and a handful of dishes that can only be found here.

★★★ Queso Majorero

The Majorero is the only Canarian cheese with Denominación de Origen (protected designation of origin) and one of the best goat cheeses in Spain — if not Europe. Made from the raw milk of the Majorera goat, a native breed perfectly adapted to the dry climate. It comes in three maturity levels:

• Tierno (fresh): Mild, creamy, slightly sour. Perfect as a starter with fig jam.
• Semicurado (semi-mature): Aged 2–6 months, nuttier, firmer texture. Often with Gofio (roasted flour) or Pimentón (paprika) in the rind.
• Curado (mature): Aged over 6 months, intense, spicy, crumbly. On par with good Manchego or Pecorino.

Buying tip: Buy directly from the Queserías (cheese dairies), e.g., Quesos Maxorata in Tuineje (factory outlet, tours possible) or at the weekly markets. In the supermarket, half a kilo of Semicurado costs from €8, in the cheese dairy from €6.

Canarian Classics

• Papas Arrugadas con Mojo: Wrinkled potatoes cooked in saltwater, served with Mojo Rojo (paprika, garlic, cumin, spicy) and Mojo Verde (coriander or parsley, mild). The national dish of the Canaries — simple and ingenious.
• Gofio: Roasted corn or wheat flour, the staple food of the Guanches (indigenous people). Still served today as Gofio escaldado (mixed with fish broth) as a starter or as Gofio amasado (kneaded with honey, almonds, and banana) as a dessert.
• Carne de Cabra (Goat Meat): Braised goat is the traditional festive meal. Tender, aromatic, with herbs and white wine. In country inns (Guachinches) from €12.
• Sancocho: Salted fish (usually wreckfish/Cherne), sweet potatoes, Gofio — the Canarian stew for holidays.
• Lapas: Limpets, grilled directly, only with garlic and lemon. A delicacy of the coastal villages (from €8).

Restaurant Tips

• La Vaca Azul (El Cotillo): Fresh fish on the cliffs. Legendary location, good cuisine, €15–25 per main course. Reservation mandatory.
• Restaurante Mahoh (Villaverde): Fine Canarian cuisine in a restored finca. Tasting menu from €45. One of the best addresses on the island.
• Casa Marcos (Morro Jable): Family-run fish restaurant at the harbor. Daily catch, honest prices (€12–20).
• Avenida (Corralejo): Tapas bar in the old town, popular with locals. Good croquettes, inexpensive house wine. €8–15.