What are the best things to do in Fuerteventura?
Want to know about the best things to do in Fuerteventura? Located in the Atlantic Ocean close to Morocco, Fuerteventura is the second largest island of the Canary archipelago. I last visited Fuerteventura in December 2022.
There are lots of things to do in Fuerteventura, and the island is known for having the best beaches in the Canary Islands.
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In a hurry? Here are some quick links:
- This activity is the absolute best thing to do in Fuerteventura.
- This beach is the most amazing beach on the island.
- This is the best luxury hotel in Fuerteventura.
- Here are the current deals on hotels.
- Book your ferry ticket from Corralejo to Lobos Island here.
- Get your Fuerteventura rental car here.
- You can’t beat this packable sun hat for style and practicality.
Map of Fuerteventura
The following map shows all of the places listed in this post. Click the blue icons to see more information, or click the star icon to add the map to your own Google Maps.
10 Great Things to do in Fuerteventura
In this list I will talk about 10 of the best things to do in Fuerteventura. The best way to get around the island is by car. I recommend renting a car from Discover Cars in Fuerteventura, or by joining the various organised excursions available on the island.
1. Sand Dunes of Corralejo
Corralejo Natural Park is a must for anyone exploring Fuerteventura. It encompasses miles of pristine white sand beaches, crystalline turquoise waters, and remarkable dunes that tower over the captivating red and black volcanic landscape.
The Corralejo sand dunes are undoubtedly one of the greatest natural wonders of the Canary Islands.
Spanning an area of 24km², the Natural Park contains breathtaking beaches with huge sand dunes and a volcanic landscape to its south. This 10km coastline is composed of multiple small coves that are blanketed by bleached sands and crystalline waters.
2. Cofete Beach
For an unforgettable experience, venture to the west coast of Jandia Peninsula’s 15km stretch of untouched beach. This is one of the best things to do in Fuerteventura if you are looking for wild, natural landscapes. There are breathtaking ocean views and wild coasts framed against steep mountainscapes. The only sound to be heard is that of the crashing waves on the shoreline.
There is a 4×4 bus service available from Morro Jable, but it has limited seating and you might prefer to go with an organised excursion instead. These tours also include a visit to the mysterious Villa Winter. You can also drive a car along the 12 km dirt track if you rent a car. For rental cars in Fuerteventura I recommend Discover Cars.
If you are interested in beaches, you may find my post 14 of the Best Beaches in Fuerteventura useful.
3. Betancuria Town
Betancuria, the oldest town in the Canary Islands, is a picturesque and tranquil village nestled among rolling hills. Established in 1404 and formerly serving as Fuerteventura’s capital city, Betancuria boasts numerous attractions like Santa María Church, as well as an impressive roofless 15th century monastery. Visitors can also explore the newly opened Museum of Archaeology too.
4. Popcorn Beach
Just a few years ago, this beach was practically unknown. But with the help of social influencers and word of mouth, it quickly became one of Fuerteventura’s top attractions.
The ‘popcorn’ is actually a type of fossilised algae, and it can be found on several beaches around this area of Fuerteventura. The ‘popcorn’ (called Rhodoliths) is interesting and unique, but remember these fossils are protected, and you must not remove them from the beach.
You can walk to these beaches from Corralejo (it takes about an hour) or rent a car using Discover Cars. You can park in Majanicho and then it’s just a short walk from there. The beaches are usually quite empty because they are not the easiest beaches to get to, and not always suitable for swimming.
4. Barranco de las Peñitas Ravine
For other-wordly things to do in Fuerteventura, you can’t get better than Barranco de las Peñitas. Nestled in the foothills of Betancuria’s majestic mountains, this idyllic ravine and its quaint hermitage served as a backdrop for Ridley Scott’s acclaimed movie Exodus: Gods and Kings.
After some minor scrambling around rocks to reach the Arco de las Peñitas, an Instagram-worthy sight awaits you.
Photos taken from the observation deck Mirador del Risco de Las Peñas.
5. Playas de Sotavento Beach
One of the most popular things to do in Fuerteventura is to visit its many stunning beaches. The southern coast of the Jandia peninsula presents a picturesque landscape. There are 20km long beaches with beautiful turquoise waters stretching from Morro Jable to Costa Calma.
The mesmerising Playa de la Barca lagoon, which is also one of the most photographed spots on this island, provides an unforgettable experience for windsurfers and kite surfers alike.
You can read more in 14 of the Best Beaches in Fuerteventura.
6. Isla de Lobos
Isla de Lobos is a small island off the coast of Corralejo, perfect for a day trip. It is accessible by water taxi and offers immaculate beaches and sheltered lagoons which are perfect for snorkelling. This nature reserve is also home to historical research findings – it was once used as a manufacturing centre for Roman purple dye!
Isla de Lobos contains black sand beaches, white sand beaches and hiking trails to Punta Martiño lighthouse.
7. Pico de la Zarza
As Fuerteventura’s highest peak, Pico de la Zarza stands at 814 metres (2670 feet). While it is not especially high, the round trip from either sea level or 90 metres (if you begin your hike in the car park) takes around five hours. Atop this summit lies astounding views of Cofete and its western coastline – making the entire undertaking truly worthwhile. I recommend these excellent hiking socks for your hike.
8. Ajuy
If you are looking for things to do in Fuerteventura on the west coast, look no further than Ajuy.
Ajuy is a quaint seaside village, renowned for its immense sea caves that can be explored via the steps down to the coast. In contrast to most of Fuerteventura’s golden or white sand beaches, Ajuy’s black sand beach really stands out.
The area also possesses an abundance of geology – it is home to some of the oldest rocks in the Canary Islands, and a layer filled with fossils from extinct marine creatures.
There are several seafood restaurants in this area where you can sample the fresh fish the island is known for.
9. Take a boat trip from Morro Jable
Exploring Morro Jable by boat is a must for any wildlife enthusiast. It’s the perfect option for those looking to encounter dolphins and whales in their natural habitat. You can also visit the Turtle Recovery centre and see stingrays inside the harbour.
Boats depart from the harbour offering a range of trips. Popular tours include Catamaran sailing voyages with drinks and lunch included or adventurous Dolphin & Whale watching tours via rib boats.
10. Salinas del Carmen
If you are looking for unique and educational things to do in Fuerteventura, be sure to visit the Salinas del Carmen salt pans. Located just 2km south of Calete de Fuste, you can learn about how the process works. Unlike other salt pans, these operate entirely by wind, waves and gravity.
There is also an added bonus at Salinas del Carmen: on display in the Salt Museum is a Fin Whale skeleton that washed up on shore back in 2000.
Where to Stay in Fuerteventura
I recommend staying in Corralejo, on the North coast of Fuerteventura. Here are my picks for hotels in Corralejo:
- High end hotel in Corralejo: Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa Adults only
- Mid-range hotel in Corralejo: Barceló Corralejo Sands
- Budget hotel in Correlejo: Hélène Holidays and Retreats
Or you can have a look at the current deals on hotels in Corralejo on Booking.com. I recommend reserving your room immediately to avoid price increases (you can always cancel later, most properties on Booking.com allow free cancellation right up to the day before).
10 Great Things to do in Fuerteventura: Conclusion
This concludes my list of 10 great things to do in Fuerteventura. I hope this post has helped you plan your trip to Fuerteventura.
I also recommend taking an organised trip to Lanzarote from Corralejo, where you can explore the volcanic Timanfaya National Park. Tours often include a visit to an Aloe Vera museum, wine tasting, and a tapas stop too. There is also an amazing Cactus Garden here.
For beach visits and day trips, I recommend the sand-repellent Dock and Bay Beach Towel along with plenty of sunscreen and a foldable sun hat. The sun’s rays can be very strong here.
Here is the link again for Discover Cars if you need to rent a car in Fuerteventura. You might also find this small guide book with pop-out map of Fuerteventura helpful.
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Related Reading for the Canary Islands
- Which Canary Island is the Best? All 8 Islands Reviewed
- 14 Amazing Things to do in Lanzarote, Canary Islands
- 10 Great Things to do in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
- 14 of the Best Beaches in Fuerteventura
- 10 Best Things to do in Corralejo, Fuerteventura
- 20 Dramatic Lanzarote Photos to Inspire Your Wanderlust
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Tags: Beaches, Canary Islands, Europe, Fuerteventura, Spain
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