Playa de la Pared on Jandía
Playa de la Pared on Jandía

Fuerteventura

Island of Eternal Spring

Published: 03 March 2023, 15:00

Fuerteventura is the oldest and second largest of the Canary Islands and is only around 120 kilometres from the Moroccan coast. Spain's island is particularly popular with surfers, because it lives up to its name: Fuerteventura means “strong wind”. The perfect weather conditions and the high waves are a paradise for wind and water sports enthusiasts.

With warm temperatures all year round, the island’s numerous beaches remain inviting even in autumn and winter. The Jandía peninsula in the south is a tourist hotspot and is home to a multitude of hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as long sandy beaches, which are ideal for swimming. Morro Jable, Jandía Playa and Costa Calma are the most popular spots here. Younger and sports-loving vacationers, on the other hand, will find Corralejo in the north a paradise with its surf spots, large sandy desert and many small bars.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time differnce: - one hour
  • Inhabitants: 119,732
  • Official language: Spanish
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

Fuerteventura from north to south

Houses in Corralejo seen from the water
Corralejo only became a tourist resort in the 1970s. Before that it was a fishing village. © dudlajzov / AdobeStock
Dunes by the sea with coastal road
Corralejo Dunes National Park to the South-east of the town. The park offers views of the islands of Lobos and Lanzarote. The shifting dunes tower up to 40 metres high. © simona / AdobeStock
Caves at Ajuy in a small bay
Located on the west coast, Ajuy is home to caves carved out of the volcanic rock by the sea. The black beaches are also of volcanic origin. © rh2010 / AdobeStock
The Faro de la Entallada lighthouse
The Faro de la Entallada lighthouse, located in the southeast of the island, even offers views of Africa with binoculars. © kyrien / Adobe Stock
White houses, promenade and beach in Morro Jable
Morro Jable has retained its fishing village charm. Here you will find shops and restaurants and a port that connects the town with Gran Canaria by ship. © jackco / AdobeStock
Jandía peninsula at sunrise with a view of Gran Canaria
This is also Jandía: From the Pico de la Zarza, the highest mountain in Fuerteventura, you can even see as far as Gran Canaria. © Nelson / AdobeStock

The most beautiful beaches

Grandes Playas Corralejo with the island of Lobos in the background
© Juergen Wallstabe / AdobeStock

Grandes Playas Corralejo

Surrounded by Corralejo's dunes are the Grandes Playas Corralejo. The nine-kilometre-long beach is divided into several beach sections. Water sports enthusiasts cavort at the northern Playa del Médano, while families seek relaxation at the southern Playa del Bajo Negro.

Playa de Sotavento with mountains in the background
© wjarek / AdobeStock

Playa de Sotavento

Playa de Sotavento is only a stone's throw away from the holiday resort of Costa Calma. The sandy beach is five kilometres long and perfect for surfers. In 2022, the windsurfing and kiteboarding world championships were even held here. It is often too windy here for swimming, although the shallow water is particularly suitable for children.

Playa del Matorral at Morro Jable with beach promenade
© dudlajzov / AdobeStock

Playa de Matorral

Playa de Matorral is right in front of the Morro Jable and Jandía Playa hotels and is particularly suitable for families. A pretty promenade connects the two places. The beach is known for the Morro Jable lighthouse, the light, fine sand and the adjacent salt marshes.

View of the sandy Playa de Cofete with mountains
© michael schelhorn/EyeEm / AdobeStock

Playa de Cofete

Breathtaking: On the north coast of Jandía, far away from civilisation and framed by massive mountains, lies the untouched and often deserted Playa de Cofete. Due to strong currents, however, the 14-kilometer-long beach is unsuitable for swimming.

Immerse yourself in the interior of Fuerteventura

The middle and west coast of the island are characterised by barren steppes, volcanic landscapes, cliffs and small villages where time seems to have stood still. In autumn the otherwise grey mountains get a green fluff as mosses begin to cover them. The rugged nature and historic villages in the heart of the island can be discovered on hikes and day trips. Visits to the small fincas and farms are worthwhile because this is where Fuerteventura's famous exports come from: Majorero cheese, a delicious goat's cheese, and aloe vera. The small island of Lobos, north of Corralejo, also invites you to switch off. Ideal for those who want to travel far from mass tourism and are looking for relaxation and tranquillity.

Jetty with crystal-clear water on Lobos
Ideal for hiking, snorkelling and relaxing: The island of Lobos with its crystal-clear water and beautiful volcanic landscape is only a 15-minute boat ride from Corralejo. © vallefrias / AdobeStock
Fuerteventura’s mountainous landscape
The wild landscape of the island with its high, barren mountains and volcanic craters invites you to go for a hike. Locals affectionately call the ridges “sleeping elephants”. © vmenshov / AdobeStock
Church in the village of Betancuria
Betancuria is the oldest and one of the most famous villages on the island. The town centre with its historic buildings and beautiful streets is a conservation area. © rh2010 / AdobeStock
Cheese Museum in Antigua
At a museum in Antigua, visitors can learn how Majorero cheese is made. The cheese is also known as the “Jewel of Fuerteventura”. © Martin Silva Consentino/Wirestock / AdobeStock
Field with Aloe Vera and mountains in the background
Sunburn relief: Aloe Vera is planted on a large scale. Originally, the plant probably came from the Arabian Peninsula. © Alan Smithers / AdobeStock

Fuerteventura from BER

Flugzeug kurz vor dem Aufsetzen auf die Start- und Landebahn

easyJet

Piktogramm Info-i

Fuerteventura Airport (FUE)

Five travel tips for…

1. Marvel at the night sky, which has even been awarded Starlight Reserve certification

2. Learn to ride the waves at a surf camp

3. Dance the night away in one of Corralejo's many little bars

4. Take a tour of the island with a rental car

5. Get to know new people and cultures on guided day tours

1. Try the water slides at Acua Water Park in Corralejo

2. Go hiking with Fuerteventura's goats

3. Marvel at over 1500 different animal and plant species in the Oasis Park Jandía

4. See dolphins and whales on specially designed tours

5. Snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of Lobos

1. Surf at one of the numerous beaches

2. Join an off-road dune buggy excursion

3. Discover the pirate caves of Ajuy

4. Experience Fuerteventura from the water on a sailing trip

5. Admire the landscape on a jeep safari tour

Image source titel: © Freesurf / Adobe Stocks

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