Fuerteventura boasts the best beaches in the Canaries, and a fantastic atmosphere. Fuerteventura is the second largest of the seven main Canary Islands, and is said to be the oldest of the islands. A great attraction is the all year round sunshine which makes it an all year round holiday destination.
The beaches are soft white sand with beautiful turquoise waters which make Fuerteventura a beach lover’s paradise. It has the longest coastline of all the Canaries and a deserted interior with almost no vegetation, due to its status as the driest island with less than 15 cm of rain a year. Its climate is unsurprising when it’s located only 60 miles from the coast of Africa.
Things to do in Fuerteventura
Although most tourists attracted to Fuerteventura are there for the slow pace and idyllic beaches to unwind, the island is one of the best places in the world for windsurfing, playing host to the World Windsurfing Championships every year.
The busiest resort on Fuerteventura is Corralejo on the North coast, with its town beach right next to the busy harbour. There are also plenty of shops, bars and restaurants. Just outside the resort are the protected sand dunes and a much larger secluded beach.
Further East are quieter resorts which are family friendly and have a wealth of facilities. However, the best beaches can be found in the south, in the Jandia peninsula which is a nature reserve where a 20km stretch of white sand is flanked by sand dunes.
For those who love wildlife, there are great opportunities for nature walks and birdwatching with knowledgeable guides. There are numerous birds of prey such as vulture, kestrel and hawk sightings. Horse riding is also available and a great way to explore the island, passing through charming villages as you go.
Shopping in Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura has a full range of shops, sometimes designed to cope with its climatic conditions. Often windy, it can sometimes be quite dusty and many of the large shopping centres have strangely small entrances!
The two main shopping streets in Puerto del Rosario are Leony Castillo and Avd Juan de Betancourt. If you have time to explore the small side streets, you can often find some interesting shops tucked away. Fuerteventura enjoys siestas, so don’t be surprised if the shop is closed during early afternoon.
In Caleta de Fuste, you’ll find jewellers, perfume shops, gift shops, clothing and electrical retailers. Markets can be found here as well as in Corralejo, Jandia and Costa Calma. Check the market days before you leave!
Nightlife in Fuerteventura
There is an array of entertainment available in Fuerteventura, with cabarets and folk dancing to add to the mix. The main centre of nightlife is Corralejo, so if you’re looking for a lively night out, this will be your best resort without clocking up taxi fares! On the main strip there are popular discos, British pubs and live music venues, but if you’re looking for something more relaxed, there are open air bars and restaurants in the pedestrianised area.
In Morro Jable, there are two centres of entertainment in this predominantly German resort. The first is upstairs in the Centro Comercial de Jandia on the main strip, where you’ll find many small bars and a few disco bars. The second place is the Plazoleta de Cirilo Lopez which has some cocktail bars and a pub that sometimes has acoustic live music.
Overall, for an island, the resorts in Fuerteventura have their fair share of bars and clubs to enjoy.
Eating out in Fuerteventura
All types of international food can be found on Fuerteventura from Mexican to Greek and local specialties including their divine fresh fish. These delights can be sampled in many Spanish and Canarian restaurants. The quality varies considerably as do the prices, but a good meal with wine will usually cost a great deal less than in the UK.