Cheap flights to Fuerteventura from PLN229*

Fuerteventura, the second-largest of the Canary Islands, enjoys 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and breezes alternating warm and cool that wash over its sandy beaches. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the island is less developed than the other Canaries and is a paradise for surfers, wind- and kitesurfers, sailors, scuba divers, whale-watchers and fans of dolphins and turtles. Seaside villages, seafood and sunsets complete your holiday of exploration and relaxation.

 

Sun, surf and seafood

Here’s an island that’s ready for discovery. Take your time walking kilometres of golden sandy beaches, or hit the waves suitable for expert and beginner surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers. Relax in small towns popular with the hip crowd or still home to fishermen, head inland for hilltop towns and panoramic views, visit a turtle sanctuary or watch whales on a boat tour. Sun-drenched Fuerteventura may be lesser known than other island destinations, but not for long.

 

Beach and dune-hopping

Corralejo, at the northern tip of the island, boasts 11 kilometres of sandy beach and kilometres of sand dunes in the Parque Natural de Corralejo nature reserve nearby, with strong currents and winds perfect for surfing. Seek out the beach with shells sculpted by the sea such that it appears covered in popcorn. Also in the north, spend time in former fishing village El Cotillo, now a chill surfer hangout that still offers spectacular seafood to enjoy as the sun sets. At the southern tip is Morro Jable, with 4 kilometres of pale golden sand and an older town centre on the hill. There is a small wildlife reserve here responsible for rearing turtles and releasing them into the wild. Next door, in the Parque Natural Jandía, is Cofete, a beautiful and undeveloped golden sand beach beside a turquoise ocean, where currents and waves are strong and wild, so be careful. Near here you’ll see the mysterious turreted Villa Winter, built by German engineer Gustav Winter in the 1930s, some say as a secret hideout for high-ranking Nazis, but this has never been confirmed. To get back to a more full-service type of beach experience, head to Playa de la Barca in Sotavento, perfect for wind- and kitesurfing at all levels. A more sheltered beach is Playa de Gran Tarajal, bordered by a rocky headland on one side and the port on the other.

 

Seafood and goat cheese

Aside from delightful seafood, Fuerteventura is known for a goat cheese called majorero, which even has an interactive museum dedicated to it, the Museo del Queso Majorero in Antigua. Here, you can virtually milk a goat before you taste the cheese, or walk the gardens and learn about the island’s windmills, which once numbered more than a thousand. Other Canarian specialities include potatoes with hot mojo sauce, dried, salted fish called pejines perfect with your beer, and all kinds of shellfish. As for restaurants, in Corralejo, go where the locals go for the classic fish dishes, Restaurante Avenida. If paella is your passion, try La Arrocería for an extensive choice of flavours and toppings. In El Cotillo, La Vaca Azul overlooks the beach with a rooftop terrace, the perfect setting for dinner at sunset. In the cobbled streets of Morro Jable, head to La Bodega de Jandía for Canarian dishes such as goat and chickpea stew. La Jaira de Demian in the capital Puerto del Rosario is a gastropub serving generous portions of imaginative tapas. If you head to the hills to Betancuria, cosy Valtarajal has raciones, large portions of tapas, both classic and cheap.

 

Shopping and nightlife

Do you love the waves and the sand so much you’d like to help keep them clean? Head to Clean Ocean Project in El Cotillo, a surfwear shop that donates a portion of its proceeds to ocean and beach cleanup and conservation efforts. In the charming village of La Oliva, the Mercado de las Tradiciones is a colourful food and craft market with embroidery, ceramics and art as well as fresh produce, or after viewing the art, pop into the gift shop of the Centro de Arte Canario, Casa Mane. In the fishing village of Ajuy, visit Trecepeces for unusual souvenirs. There are shopping centres in Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste and Puerto del Rosario. Also in Corralejo, you’ll find Azucena for natural jewellery, Mojo Art for handprinted t-shirts and other goodies, or Pulau Mi for clothing and home goods, many of which are designed and made by the family that owns the shop. Fuerteventura may not be as well-known as other islands but that doesn’t mean it’s boring -- Corralejo is the island’s nightlife hotspot. Start with drinks at Mojito Beach Bar on the water or La Eskina, Bouganville or Rock Island Bar for cocktails. Robin’s Nest and Flicks are hopping every night, often with karaoke, while Waikiki brings the party up a notch. In Caleta de Fuste, Pieros Music Cafe has live music and a great vibe, or the Dog & Duck Pub for a basement bar with snooker and a nice crowd.

 

Landscapes and lighthouses

Hop over to the tiny Isla de Lobos from Corralejo for a hike (about an hour), climb the hill or see the lighthouse. Speaking of lighthouses, drive the half bumpy, half smooth road from Morro Jable to Punta de Jandía Lighthouse, and have a walk on the coast. Nearby you’ll find Puerto de la Cruz, a tiny fishing village with three restaurants serving up fish stew. Or go just beyond El Cotillo to see the old Molino de el Roque windmill. Above El Cotillo sits the Castillo de Tostón, more of a squat little tower, one of many that once dotted the coast, cannons aimed against pirates. Visit for the view. Drive along winding roads over ridges in the Parque Rural de Betancuria, stopping for the views across the desert landscape and the sea beyond, such as at the Mirador de Morro Velosa lookout, where there’s also a bar with a view. You’ll reach charming Betancuria village, in the crater of an extinct volcano. Here the Iglesia de Santa María church, built in white in typical Canarian style in 1620, gleams in the sun and its Baroque altar glitters inside.

 

Fuerteventura airport

Fuerteventura Airport is just six kilometres from the centre of the capital, and bus lines 3, 10 and 16 serve that route and go on different resort areas – check the signs upon exiting. Taxi service and car rental are also available. The airport has a pharmacy and duty free, plus shops selling clothing, accessories, sweets and Canarian souvenirs. Dining options include tapas, beer, wine, coffee shops, deli snacks and an outdoor bar for one last beer under the island sun or stars.

 

Fuerteventura weather

Fuerteventura has a hot desert climate, though trade winds cool the air (but help boost the waves for surfers and windsurfers). The average temperature never dips below 15°C in winter and rises to 28°C in August and September. The sea can be as warm as 22 or 23°C in late summer. Hot, dry winds from Africa occasionally boost the temperature.