Fuerteventura has some of the best beaches in all of Europe but if you tire of them or hanker for a bit more excitement, or have active kids, there are many things to do besides enjoy the sun. Kids have numerous beach activities to keep them happy, while golfing, walking and windsurfing are all popular here. La Lajita Zoo is an ideal attraction for kids.
Beach activities With fine sandy beaches and warm water, the scope for getting active in the water in Fuerteventura is good, with Flag Beach being the best spot. The east coast has the best water sports offerings, with excellent surfing and scuba diving; the waves and wind off the southern peninsula are perfect for serious surfers and windsurfers. Fuerteventura hosts the annual world speed-surfing championships in the summer.
Golf Many golfers come to the Canaries for a round of golf in the winter and there are several quality courses on Fuerteventura to choose from. Most have stunning locations and views, including the very first course on the island in Caleta de Fuste. Castillo Golf is another option allowing you to stay in luxury villas on the grounds.
La Lajita ZooFormally known as Oasis de Los Camellos, in reference to its stunning gardens, La Lajita Zoo on the east coast of Fuerteventura is the perfect attraction to take bored kids to, with its selection of birds and reptiles. The zoo also offers camel safaris, horseback riding and a parrot show, while the village of La Lajita has loads of seafood restaurants and bars. Phone: +34 928 161 135; website: www.lajitaoasispark.com
Walking and hiking
Fuerteventura is not as heavily visited as some of the other islands in the chain such as Tenerife, and as such many of the beaches, and particularly the countryside, are quieter and good for walking. The best walking on Fuerteventura can be had in the sand dunes of Corralejo in the north, where there are many established trails, while nature reserves on the island are also good for a hike.
WindsurfingThe windsurfing in the south of Fuerteventura is excellent, with powerful offshore winds coming in from the Atlantic as well as from the Saharan coast. There are many windsurfing shops set up here to give lessons and rent out gear. The north of the island around Corralejo and Cotillo, on the other hand, also has some good windsurfing, albeit less powerful.
You can learn a lot about the history and culture of Fuerteventura by having a look around the island. There are some cracking museums, including Betancuria’s Archaeological Museum, and several interesting towns, villages and settlements of note. Those wishing to get away from it all might like to head for Lobos Island.
Antigua Windmill Craft Centre The Centro de Artesanía Molino de Antigua is an old windmill craft centre with beautiful gardens. The old maize mill is the main attraction and still features the traditional milling equipment that was to produce the flour. Small galleries containing fine paintings and archaeological relics are also here while the garden has indigenous flora, including cactus and palm. Phone: +34 928 851 400.
Betancuria The barren mountainous village of Betancuria in the west of Fuerteventura was so named from Spanish conqueror, Juan de Bethencourt, where he stayed for part of the 1400s. The stunning Santa Maria Church dominates the village centre while the Betancuria Archaeological Museum is one of the main attractions. The drive from Pajara to Betancuria is particularly scenic with many stunning viewpoints.
Fuerteventura’s finest museum tells the story of the island’s first settlers, the aborigines. The museum features five exhibition halls, with two on archaeology, two on palaeontology and one on ethnographic objects. It is located on Roberto Roldan street in the historic area of town in a fine traditional building. Phone: +34 92 885 1400.
The small island of Lobos off the north coast of Fuerteventura makes a great daytrip for tourists wanting to get away from the resorts and towns of the mainland. The island was so named from the monk seals (sea wolves) that used to live here and it boasts a gorgeous beach, quiet restaurants and a lovely atmosphere.
Tefia sightseeing The small village of Tefia, located inland from Puerto del Rosario, offers tourists an insight into Fuerteventura’s history through its many humble traditional peasant lodgings. These small stone buildings, including houses, farms, workshops and even a windmill, give the feeling as if you’ve been dumped in the wilds of Mexico.
Unamuno House-Museum Casa-Museo Unamuno was the home of Basque philosopher and writer Miguel Unamuno after he went into exile following his opposition to General Primo de Rivera’s military dictatorship on the mainland. In the museum are photographs and texts of Unamuno. The museum is located in the old Hotel Fuerteventura. Phone: +34 928 862 376.
The main resorts of Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste and Morro Jable have the pick of the eateries on Fuerteventura from local delicacies in tiny snack bars to a wide range of international foods in hotels and restaurants. Brits will find plenty of fish and chips outlets and every resort has fast food restaurants.
Being an island, seafood and fish dishes are very popular, with interesting local sauces and spices to pep things up. Traditional dishes worth a try include sancocho, (salted fish soup); papas arrugadas (potato dish with mojo, spicy sauce); the ever popular Spanish saffron rice dish paella, and tortillas. Lovers of Spanish food will also find tapas here, especially in the villages. Beef stew, potatoes and fish tapas are favourites.
Fuerteventura has a good range of shops in its main tourist areas as well as popular markets. Puerto del Rosario has its main shopping on Leon y Castillo and Avd Juan de Betancourt, with Las Rotundas its biggest shopping centre. Corralejo’s main street is loaded with popular shops, while Caleta de Fuste is known for its jewellery stores and perfume shops, and Morro Jable for its interesting old town shopping.
The main markets of Fuerteventura are held at Baku waterpark in Corralejo on Mondays and Fridays; Jandia on Thursdays; Caleta de Fuste on Saturday mornings; and Costa Calma on a Sunday. Supermarket chains of note in Fuerteventura include the Netto chain, the Inspecasa chain, and the Spar stores in Corralejo.
