Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is one of the islands that makes up the Canary Islands (Spanish: Las Islas Canarias). It is the second largest island of the Canaries to Tenerife, with population around 124,000 (2023). Fuerteventura is located south of Lanzarote; the two islands are 11 km apart.
Most read about in July, least in April. That is when people look it up, which tends to run a month or two ahead of when they go.
Before you book
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office publishes the UK’s official travel advice for Spain. It changes without notice and travelling against it usually invalidates your insurance, so read it at the source rather than anywhere else — including here.
FCDO travel adviceUnderstand
The island is about 100 km long and 30 km wide. The mountains (of volcanic origin) in the north reach a height of up to 700 m above sea level (Maxorata). The highest peak is in the south on the peninsula of Jandía, the Pico de la Zarza (807 m).
Fuerteventura is a volcanic island, in some places untouched but in others heavily developed for tourism. "Fuerteventura" roughly translates to "strong winds" or Fuerte (Strong) Ventura (Venture).
What's inside
7 Caleta de Fuste — a popular destination on the island for British tourists and expatriates, and for golfers from mainland Europe due to its two courses just outside the town 8 Corralejo
9 Ajuy — The small fishing village on the west coast is always worth a visit and not overcrowded. Here one can visit the caves of Ajuy, but the rocks are already very worth seeing. There is also the black sand beach. There is plenty of parking for cars. Also, a small restaurant is here with friendly service, simple Spanish food and drinks. Swimming is not too recommended here: after a few meters of beach it gets very deep and there are strong currents. However, you can just lie in the still shallow waters and get a refreshment from the Atlantic.
Cofete
A small village in the south (west coast of it), Jandia peninsula. It has nothing to do with the tourist harbours on the rest of the south coast. It is an hour of drive on a narrow, winding and very bumpy gravel road with relatively heavy traffic if you have a car; without it, there is infrequent bus service (on the same road). It's not very big, but has a bar. Franco had a military restricted area here, from which he pursued his interests in Africa. Nearby is also the 1 Villa Winter, which is named after the name of the builder (Gustav Winter), surrounded by many legends. There is a (somewhat creepy) private museum in the villa with voluntary entrance fee. There is a very wide beach with not so many people. In the vicinity are a lot of beautiful landscapes.
Getting there
By ferry
Several ferries run between 1 Puerto del Rosario and Tenerife, Grand Canaria, Lanzarote. Car and foot-passenger ferries sail roughly hourly from Playa Blanca on Lanzarote to Corallejo near the north tip, taking 30 min. Ferry crossings are operated all year long, at least 4 days a week, by Naviera Armas, Fred Olsen, Lineas Romeo, and Trasmediterranea. All available options can be found here.
By plane
Flights from Spain, Europe, and from the other islands land daily, via the 2 Fuerteventura airport (FUE IATA) (on the coast close to Puerto del Rosario). . It plays host to a mix of scheduled flights from national operators such as:
Iberia British Airways Being a tourist destination there are also numerous charter operators flying into the airport. These include:
Getting around
By rental car
If you are in the possession of a driver's licence, a rental car is the best option for discovering the remote locations on the island—see Canary Islands#By rental car for more information.
By bus
The bus lines from Puerto del Rosalio (via airport) to Correlejo, Caleta de Fuste, Morro del Jable and Cotillo are easy to handle, cheap and very reliable (timetables). It is extremely easy to get from Correlejo to the sand dune beaches south of town.
By bicycle
Renting a mountain bike is a great way to see the island. There are many bike paths that run parallel to the main roads and many well-marked trails
See
2 Lighthouse Faro de La Entallada. (updated Feb 2017) 3 Oasis Park. (updated Feb 2017) Corralejo sand dunes Tomato plantages. (updated Feb 2017)
Do
Important centres of tourism are Jandia and Costa Calma on the south, and Corralejo on the north.
Beaches: There are many guarded ones, but you can also find secluded ones (by driving a little and then being alone on a kilometre-long beach). Many colours are "available": white, yellow, black.... Surfing: In the summer, Fuerteventura is the first choice for wind and kite surfers in Europe. Ideal weather and wind conditions bring in lots of sports enthusiasts (wind and kite surfing). There are regular international competitions at Playa de Sotavento, where tourists can also watch the most spectacular jumps. Swimming: The waves sizes also differ, and there are places with virtually no waves, but also places where the waves are so violent that it is advised against bathing. Go into the mountains to see how the locals survived on this arid island over the centuries. Discover the strong connections with the countries of South America. Learn a few words like guagua (wah wah - "bus"). Don’t miss out visiting the famous Popcorn beach (Playa del Bajo de la Burra).
Sleep
See also Sleep listings in Corralejo and Puerto del Rosario.
Hotel Costa Caleta, Avenida Alcalde Juan Ramón Soto Morales, s/n 35610 Castillo Caleta de Fuste, ☏ +34 928 547 550. Atalaya de la Rosa del Taro, ☏ +34 928 175 10. Is in a quiet inland area 13 km from the capital It's a small, traditional, restored house for two or three people, sun-wind energy and recycled water, reused for the plants. It has a bedroom, a kitchen-living room with fridge and CD-radio-cassette, a bathroom and a terrace with panoramic views. The house is situated far from the tourist resorts, but very well linked. The nearest beach is ten minutes drive away. Casa de la Burra, ☏ +34 928 175 014, casadelaburra@yahoo.es. The most isolated of the urban centres, this small but welcoming house for two persons are a green retreat with solar energy for the sanitary hot water and biological purification of residual waters used for watering. A quiet retreat far away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday resorts. Fraggle Roca, 53 Castillo Mar (opposite the San Jorge hotel), ☏ +34 928 160 117. Sea view from upstairs bedroom balcony. One bedroomed duplex in the town centre of Caleta de Fuste. Close to everything, the beaches, the restaurants, the bars. 10 min taxi (approx €10) from the airport. Caleta is popular with families and couples, quieter than other resorts. It sleeps 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. Includes twin beds, sofa bed, washing machine, microwave, British TV, air-con in the bedroom. Communal pool. Hesperia Bristol Playa, Urbanizacion Lago de Bristol, 1, ☏ +34 928 867 020. This beautiful resort is on a white-sandy beach. It is a short distance from the Dunas National Park, and offers 185 apartments, swimming pools and tennis courts. Rooms from €30. Oasis Jandia Golf, Barranco de Vinamar, La Mancha, Jandia, 35625, ☏ +34 928 546 550, jandiagolfjrec@globalia.com. Right on an 18-hole golf course, and good views views of Barranco de Vinamar. Villa La Isla Bonita, Fuerteventura Golf Club, ☏ +353 87 661 3711, info@villalaislabonita.com. Private villas on Fuerteventura Golf Club near the town of Caleta de Fustes. Each villa offers luxurious spacious 3-bedroom accommodation with private heated swimming pool.
Go next
Lanzarote is 15 min away by ferry. Ferry connections to other Canary Islands are available too, though they take much longer.
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