Fuerteventura Travel Guide

Print our full travel guide to Spain
Spain travel Forum

Fuerteventura
Sotavento Beach, Fuerteventura © Spanish Tourist Office
Only 60 miles (100km) separates the island of Fuerteventura, second largest in the Canary archipelago, from the continent of Africa, and this sunny island shares the same latitude (and therefore similar weather conditions) with the renowned holiday destinations of Florida and Mexico. Unlike those bustling resort-ridden vacation stations, though, Fuerteventura is relatively undiscovered, its more than 150 idyllic sandy beaches only sparsely populated and many seldom visited at all.

The island has an arid volcanic landscape, and apart from the beaches, not much to recommend it in the way of tourist amenities or attractions. This has kept the mega resorts and mass summer package-holiday trade at bay, but it does have a fair share of day-trippers from the resorts of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria who come seeking a respite from the crowds. The island's two main resort towns are Corralejo and Caleta del Fuste. Fuerteventura is easily accessible from the other islands in the archipelago by ferry or air. The airport is situated close to the island's capital of Puerto del Rosario.



Resorts

See our separate guides to the following Fuerteventura holiday resorts: Caleta de Fuste and Corralejo


Attractions

Baku Water Park © monstermunch99

Baku Water Park

A perfect day out for the whole family, Baku contains a water park with gentle slides and shallow pools for young children, an exciting 'animal experience' feature, and Parque Europa which opens in the evening offering a range of shows and entertainment. ...  see full details



Beach on Fuerteventura © Yoshi

Beaches on Fuerteventura

One does not need to go far on Fuerteventura to find a perfect beach, even if you are intent on seeking out solitude away from other holidaymakers. The best can be found around Jandia, on the southern tip of the island. Juan Gomez...  see full details



Betancuria © Bilal11

Betancuria

The town of Betancuria was founded in 1405 and was the first capital of Fuerteventura. The town enjoys a fantastic location and offers attractive views of the hilly terrain and winding river below. In the town are several beaituful buildings and churches worth visting...  see full details



El Cotillo beach © Alberto Perdomo

El Cotillo

This rustic little village has plenty of charm and character for those looking for a quiet getaway with gorgeous beaches. The town has a rich history, and was previously a smuggler's harbour used by Fuerteventurans shipping goods off to Gran Canaria where the...  see full details



Parrot doing puzzles © Mphung

La Lajita Zoo

The little fishing village on the east coast of Fuerteventura has been put on the tourist map because it offers one of the island's main attractions, the 'Oasis de Los Camellos' zoo. The zoo is home to a small selection of animals, but...  see full details



La Oliva windmill © Edub

La Oliva

The village of La Oliva was formerly the home of the military governors of the island between the 17th and mid-19th centuries. The Governor's townhouse has been restored and is open to the public. Also in the centre of the village is the...  see full details



Cactus Flower © Fir0002

Oasis de Los Camellos

This animal park in the small village of La Lajita has one of the most important botanical gardens in Europe, with over 2,300 varieties of cactus. The local fauna is well represented too, with four demonstrations per day - parrots, snakes, sea lions...  see full details



Puerto del Rosario © Gerd Fahrenhorst

Puerto del Rosario

The main town of Fuerteventura, Puerto del Rosario on the western side of the island was once called Puerto de Cabras ('port of the goats'), and even today it is said that goats outnumber people in this whitewashed town. Only recently capitalising on...  see full details



Quad Adventures

Explore the north of the islands on a guided quad bike tour along contoured dirt tracks. This attraction will appeal to older kids, although the younger ones can ride tandem with an adult. Safety is high on the agenda so proper equipment and...  see full details



Excursions


Costa Calma

The resort town of Costa Calma is centred on the sandy beaches and benign waters of the bay, popular with sunbathers, swimmers and windsurfers. The resort attracts German tourists mostly, evidenced by the abundance of brauhaus-style bars and menus quoted in German. The colourful...  see full details

Events

Kite Festival

International Kite Festival

Every year in second weekend of November, the International Kite Festival brings colour and grace to the skies above Fuerteventura's Dunas de Corralejo Natural Park in the north-east of the island. The location provides not only reliable wind but 2,500 hectares of sand dunes,...  see full details



Feria de Artesania

Feria de Artesania

The traditional crafts and culture of the Canary Islands is celebrated annual in this festival of traditional wares, artisanal products, local foods and even traditional dancing and wrestling. Products are not only for sale - great for souvenirs or gifts - but their creation...  see full details


Spain travel Forum
Intrepid Travel, one of the world's leading suppliers of small group adventures focused on getting off the beaten track, interacting with the locals and having real life experiences throughout Spain.