WHAT TO SEE IN FUERTEVENTURA
The Most Important Sights at a Glance
Here you will find which sights you must see and how to get there easily. Simply click on the Sights on the list and you will automatically be directed to the respective information. Enjoy browsing.
Holiday Island Fuerteventura:
Fuerteventura means strong wind freely translated. And the island literally lives up to this name. In fact, there is always a wind all year round, so that the perceived temperatures always remain pleasant even in the summer. But also throughout winter, temperatures hardly fall below 20 degrees. Consequently the holiday season in Fuerteventura is 12 months in the year. The island is mainly known for its many miles of sandy beaches and is particularly popular with surfers. However, the beaches are not the only attractions to explore in Fuerteventura.
There are only 115,000 inhabitants on the second largest island of the Canary archipelago of 1,660 square kilometers. However, this does not stop the approximately 2.4 million tourists from visiting this extraordinary island to spend their best time of the year. The tourist infrastructure is excellent, and meets Central European standard. The holiday makers don’t lack anything and also ample leisure activities are provided. Fuerteventura also impresses with its stunning landscape and nature that is waiting to be admired. Take the chance to get to know this island when you visit. The possibilities are manifold. This article is supposed to help you with your holiday preparations. Here you can read which the top attractions on Fuerteventura are, and what you have to see before you fly back into your everyday life.
ISLA LOS LOBOS – ISLE OF SEALS
Isla de Lobos translated is means Island of the Wolves. However, there have never been any wolves. A colony of monk seals lived here instead until the 15th century. Spanish seafarers mistook these for “Lobos Marinos”, literally translated as sea wolves, known to us as sea lions. Today, the island is a nature reserve and only up to 400 visitors per day are allowed there. If you would like to explore the island on your own, you must apply for here a permit. A visit to the island free of any motorized traffic is worthwhile for nature lovers and hikers in any case. Untouched nature, beautiful beaches and turquoise waters: you should not miss this.
PLAYA EL MAJANICHO – POPCORN BEACH
In the north of Fuerteventura there is one of the most striking sights. A beach full of popcorn. It certainly isn’t made of popcorn. It is rather white calcareous algae, which grows off the coast of Fuerteventura and is washed to this beach by the sea after dying. Such a thing is probably unique in the world and therefore definitely belongs to every Things To See list of a Fuerteventura vacationer. The beach is surrounded by some fishermen’s houses which gives this place a certain originality. Nearby there are other smaller “popcorn beaches” but Playa El Majanicho is the best known of them.
THE SAND DUNES – MINIATURE DESERT
Southeast of Corralejo the approximately 26 square kilometers large nature reserve adjoins with the “Dunas”. As in Gran Canaria, these sand dunes are constantly in motion. As a result, to the so-called migration of the dunes they change appearance regularly. The FV-1a highway takes you through the middle of this miniature desert and gives you the feeling of crossing the Sahara. The sand of the dunes consists predominantly of shell limestone, which the sea washes on the banks. In the coastal area of this region you will find some the most beautiful beach sections of the island. It is definitely worth it to spend a bathing day here.
FARO DEL TOSTÓN – ONE OF THREE
Northeast, near El Cotillo, you will find the lighthouse Faro del Tostón at the end of a small promontory. With 30 meters, it is the largest of three towers located directly next to each other. The smallest, with only 6 meters was already built in 1897. The second, 15 meter high tower started operating in 1960. And since 1986, the largest, red and white painted his doing service. On the ground floor there is a small fishery museum, open Tuesday to Saturday. Around the towers, you can follow an 800-meter nature trail, where you can learn interesting facts about geological and fossil finds.
CALDERÓN HONDO – VOLCANIC BOILER
Here you can get a glimpse into the fiery past of Fuerteventura. An unpaved road called Camino Calderas will take you to the starting point of a short 30-minute hike. The climb gets fairly steep towards the end and is therefore a bit exhausting. At the top of the crater rim of the Calderón Hondo you will find a viewing platform, from which you have a great vision into the gullet of the extinct fire mountain. The foresight is breathtaking, especially since a free-to-use telescope is mounted on the platform. Most of the times you’ll be welcomed by some tame chipmunks hoping for a few treats from you.
EL COTILLO – WIND AND SEA
Formerly a fishing village and today a hotspot for surfers, kite and windsurfers. On top of that, more and more tourists spend their holidays here. The beach Piedra Playa is divided into different zones, so that no one gets in each other’s way while surfing. In front of the 20-meter-high cliffs that border the beach, surfing gets a special charm. On the northern side of El Cotillo you find the beach Playa de la Concha which is ideal for water crazy of all ages. The local beach bar makes a bathing day a perfect holiday experience. Anyone staying in El Cotillo until the evening will experience wonderful sunsets with magnificent colors.
PUERTO DEL ROSARIO – PARQUE ESCULTÓRICO
Puerto del Rosario is the capital city of Fuerteventura since 1860. Concerning tourism it hardly has any significance, since only a few holiday rentals are being offered. The city is known for its harbor on the one hand and on the other for its countless sculptures, which can be found everywhere. The port is relatively small, but still provides the necessary infrastructure for giant ocean cruise ships. When the sculpture park “Parque Escultórico” is mentioned, it does not refer to a demarcated park. The approximately 160 works of art by many well-known and unknown artists are distributed everywhere in public places instead, such as roundabouts, along the harbor promenade…
BETANCURIA – GREEN IDYLL
This place used to be the capital and belongs to the most beautiful sights of Fuerteventura. Founded in 1404, Betancuria is one of the oldest towns on the island. Its highlight is the church “Iglesia de Santa María Betancuria”. It is located in the town center and has different architectural styles. Originally built in French Gothic, it had to be rebuilt in parts in the late 16th century after a pirate attack, therefore now also elements of the Renaissance and Baroque are to be found. The entire city shines in a lush green. Everywhere you will find plants and flowers that give this place a very special charm.
CALETA DE FUSTE – PUERTO CASTILLO
The village on the east coast of the island is one of the three major tourist resorts of the island. You can spend your holidays here in numerous hotels and apartment complexes. In addition, Caleta de Fuste is a typical coastal town with a pretty, small harbor “Puerto Castillo”, where you should stop at a passage. Here you can refresh yourself in an ice cream parlor while enjoying the view of the small and larger yachts that are moored there. Afterwards, you can visit the small fortress “Castillo de San Buenaventura”, which was built next to the port, for the pirate defense.
BARRANCO DE LAS PEÑITAS – GREEN AND DESERTED
For active vacationers and hikers, the canyon “Barranco de las Peñitas” is simply a must see. The gorge, which is part of the Parque Rural de Betancuria, was formed from magma and is quite green due to a watercourse. Here you will find fascinating rock shapes and many different colors. Since this place belongs to the sights of Fuerteventura with insider character, you will hardly encounter any other people on your hike. You can fully enjoy the peace and solitude and relax in the wilderness between birds and chipmunks. Do not forget to take enough liquid with you.
AJUY – DARK PAST
Ajuy is one of the oldest fishing villages on the island. In its 5 restaurants you will find fresh fish for connoisseurs. The charm and flair of today are in no way reminiscent of the partially bloody past of this village. Since the 15th century, the village was repeatedly attacked by pirates, who not only plundered the inhabitants, but also murdered many. The pirates used to store their spoils in the caves of Ajuy, which can be reached via a half-hour coastal walk, while continuing their foray into the other Canary Islands. A steep staircase leads down to the caves, which are open to everyone for a visit.
MIRADOR ASTRONÓMICO – CLOSE TO THE STARS
About 5 km from the west coast of Fuerteventura there is a very special attraction to explore, but it requires a little effort. Next to the road FV-605, north of the village Cardón, there is a parking lot. A wider path leads you from there to a goat statue. From here it gets steep and correspondingly exhausting. After a total of about 15 minutes you will arrive at the top and be rewarded with a magnificent 360-degree view over the mountains of Fuerteventura. Due to its remoteness, no light pollution occurs at night, making it an ideal place for lovers and photographers of the starry sky.
FARO DE LA ENTALLADA – WINDY VIEWS
In the east of the island, near Las Playitas, you will find another lighthouse right at the end of the FV-511 road. The entire building looks a bit like a North African fortress. The tower was put into operation in 1995, unfortunately you cannot visit it from the inside. However, to see this building from the outside and to enjoy the view of the sea from there makes a visit to this attraction yet all worthwhile. A footbridge leads you to the cliffs and the viewing platform built there. Since it is usually very windy, you should take a jacket or a sweater with you.
LA PARED – SURFERS’ PARADISE
This place is located on the west coast, on the edge of the Jandía Peninsula. La Pared is a household name among surfers. Some surf schools are located there and offer beginners and advanced courses. In addition, every conceivable equipment can be rented in various surf shops, so that you can safely leave your own at home. The beach Playa La Pared has become a meeting place for surfers, as there is plenty of wind and excellent waves. This means windsurfers but also surfers will get their money’s worth. At the viewpoint Punta Guadalupe you have a great view of the surfer beach and the partly steep cliffs around the Playa La Pared.
PLAYA COFETE – BEACH OF SOLITUDE
Cofete is a mini-town, so to speak, consisting of a restaurant and just a handful of houses. Located on the Jandía Peninsula in the south, you can only get there via Morro Jable over a dirt road. From the village you can quickly reach the beach Playa Cofete, which is considered one of the most beautiful, but also one of the loneliest of the island. It is 11 kilometers long and consists of golden sand. Perfect for a beach walk and just to let your mind wander. The beach is surrounded by the mountain range of the adjacent Parque Natural Jandía, which gives the solitude a spectacular natural backdrop.
MORRO JABLE – PLAYA BONITA
Just like Caleta de Fuste, also Morro Jable is a touristy town located on the southern tip of Fuerteventura. Many say that here is the most beautiful beach on the island. It is about 4 kilometers long; up to 170 meters wide and the water crazy are the right spot here. Directly behind the beach is the highest lighthouse of the Canary Islands. The building is a proud 59 meters high and is in service; therefore unfortunately it is closed for visitors. From Morro Jable you can reach the lighthouse Punta Jandía at the extreme southwestern point of the island quickly by a rented car, where you can visit the Maritime Museum.
Photo Credits:
“Isla los Lobos” by andre.m(eye)r.vitali on VisualHunt / CC BY; “Playa El Majanicho” by andre.m(eye)r.vitali on Visual hunt / CC BY; “The Sand Dunes” by dicau58 on VisualHunt / CC BY-SA; “Faro del Tostón” by Wolfgang.W. on Visual hunt / CC BY; “Calderón Hondo” by Andy_Mitchell_UK on Visual hunt / CC BY-SA; “El Cotillo” by ahisgett on VisualHunt.com / CC BY; “Puerto del Rosario” by Kurt-Georg on VisualHunt.com / CC BY-ND; “Betancuria” by dicau58 on Visual hunt / CC BY-SA; “Caleta de Fuste” by ronsaunders47 on Visualhunt.com / CC BY-SA; “Barranco de las Peñitas” by Private; “Ajuy” by dicau58 on Visualhunt / CC BY-SA; “Mirador Astronómico” by Pixabay; “Faro de la Entallada” by Wolfgang.W. on Visualhunt / CC BY; “La Pared” by eska348 on VisualHunt.com / CC BY-SA; “Playa Cofete” by Vilmos.Vincze on VisualHunt / CC BY; “Morro Jable” by gertjanvannoord on Visualhunt.com / CC BY-ND;
