The beach of Cofete, Fuerteventura.
- © Armando Oliveira / Shutterstock
An island in the wind
Fuerteventura 's desert landscapes are irresistibly reminiscent of the American West. Its mountains dotted with windmills hide picturesque villages with white houses, such as the ancient capitals of Antigua, Pajara and Betancuria, which has remained unchanged since it was founded in the early fifteenth century. In the extreme north of the island, Corralejo is a small fishing town ideally situated next to a large beach of dunes, classified as a natural park and facing the volcanic island of Los Lobos. This Saharan landscape reminds us that Africa is not far away.
A mill in Fuerteventura.
- © Stefan Missing / ShutterstockFuerteventura is known as the Canary Island with the most majestic beaches. Its 150 kilometres of fine sandy beaches caressed by turquoise waves are a holidaymaker's dream. The little extra? Many of the beaches are deserted, making for a truly magical experience. Away from the best-known seaside resorts, such as Morro Jable, Corralejo and El Cotillo, Fuerteventura's coasts are calmer and quieter. In some parts of the island, you won't even see any tourists!
The sand dunes of the Corralejo Natural Park are renowned for their heavenly beaches and ever-changing landscape. If you're looking for urban beaches where you can rinse off after a swim or enjoy a good lunch in a restaurant, you'll prefer the tourist beaches of Corralejo or Morro Jable. Nature lovers looking for space and to admire the power of the ocean will choose the wild beach of Cofete, which is sure to leave them speechless.
Cofete beach in Fuerteventura.
- © Lukas Bischoff Photograph / ShutterstockFuerteventura is nicknamed the Windy Island. The island is reputed to be one of the world's best windsurfing and kitesurfing spots, thanks to the trade winds that blow steadily between April and October. Kite flyers will also be delighted. The famous Jandia beach, in the south-east of the island, hosts the world championships in July and August. It stretches for almost 25 kilometres from Morro Jable to Costa Calma.
Fuerteventura is also a magnet for hikers, who appreciate its remarkable landscapes. Strolling around the island, you can admire volcanoes, mountains, canyons and beaches stretching for miles. Did you know that the GR-131 is a long-distance hiking trail that crosses 6 of the 7 Canary Islands in 651 km? So get your hiking boots on!
A hiker in the Peñitas canyon on Fuerteventura.
- © Unai Huizi Photography / ShutterstockFuerteventura is first and foremost a volcanic island. There are numerous volcanoes scattered around the island. In the north, a chain of volcanoes and volcanic craters links Lajares to the island of Lobos, which was also formed during a volcanic eruption. Most of the island's volcanoes are home to exceptional hiking trails.
As well as the majestic peaks of the island's volcanoes, basaltic rocks have formed natural pools all around Fuerteventura's coastline. The magma from the volcanic eruptions suddenly cooled when it met the water from the Atlantic Ocean, creating small rocky basins where the sea water naturally warmed up. Las Aguas Verdes, for example, are natural pools where bathers are protected from the ocean's powerful currents and waves.
The natural pools of Las Aguas Verdes in Fuerteventura.
- © Armando Oliveira / ShutterstockThe people of Fuerteventura have always fished for a living. In fact, the cuisine revolves around the catch of the day: fish, shellfish, etc. As well as cooking to perfection everything the sailors bring back from the island's coasts, a tasty cheese is made in Fuerteventura: majorero, a hard cheese made from goat's milk, sometimes supplemented with sheep's milk. A real treat!
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The island of Fuerteventura is accessible by plane via the island's airport. Flights from all over Europe and the world land in Fuerteventura, sometimes requiring a stopover in Madrid, Spain's capital. If you're already on one of the Canary Islands, there are regular boat connections between the islands.
The Canary Islands are a fairly popular tourist destination, so tourists will have no trouble finding accommodation in Fuerteventura. There's something for everyone: luxury hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, etc.
The Canary Islands are part of Europe. So there are no special formalities for Europeans. You can only travel to Fuerteventura with an identity card. Europeans and nationals of the Schengen area can stay on the Canary Islands for 90 days, without a visa.
The Spanish unit of currency is the euro, as in France. ATMs generally accept international credit and debit cards, as do most hotels, restaurants and shops. Don't hesitate to contact your bank to find out more about your withdrawal and payment arrangements abroad.
Service is included in most establishments, but it's a good idea to leave a tip in hotels, restaurants, bars and taxis if you like the service. This is usually 10% of the price.
The weather in Fuerteventura varies very little. Good for us travellers, Fuerteventura is pleasant to visit all year round. February is certainly the coldest month of the winter in Fuerteventura, with temperatures hovering around 18°C, but you can count on the sun to stay out. In summer, it's impossible to get too hot like in Spain or the south of France, with temperatures hovering around 24°C all the time. Naturally, there are always more people during the summer and school holidays. In winter, the islands are quieter and just as pleasant.
Although there are a few buses on Fuerteventura, it's still fairly complicated to get around by public transport. The easiest way to get around is still to hire a car (check a car hire comparator to find the best prices).
The official language is Castilian Spanish, which is also used in administration. Most locals speak English and, in the main tourist spots, it's not uncommon to find signs for tourists in French.
The standard is 220V and the plugs are European type, so you won' t need an adaptor.
As in all tourist areas, it is advisable to be vigilant and not to display money or valuables. So don't leave anything in the car, especially in the many car parks set aside for panoramic views. The emergency number is 112.
The Canaries are one hour ahead of France, meaning that when it's 3pm in France it's 2pm in Lanzarote. The time difference remains constant as the Canaries change time at the same time as us.
There are currently no COVID-19 restrictions on the Canary Islands.
Don't forget your hiking boots on holiday in Fuerteventura - the trails are exceptional!
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