Long sandy beaches, rugged nature, and picturesque villages – you will find all of this on Fuerteventura. Just over 122,000 people live on the island, with nearly 40,000 of them residing in the capital, Puerto del Rosario. Fuerteventura has a very unique character. Of all the Canary Islands, it is the most barren and bizarre. Not every visitor will discover the charm of this island, but those who fall for it once keep coming back. Fuerteventura does not have nearly as many sights as its neighboring island, Lanzarote; people come here primarily for water sports and beach holidays. The south of the island is a surfer's paradise, and surfers also get their money's worth in the north at Punta Blanca.

Although Fuerteventura is not particularly large, the individual sights are located far apart. If you want to take a rental car, you should decide beforehand whether you would prefer to see the north or the south. For the drive to Jandía, the tourist hotspot in the south, you should expect a travel time of a good hour. I have put together a few sights for you.

The north

La Oliva

La Oliva is located in the interior of the island. This traditional village has plenty to offer. A visit to the manor house Casa de los Coroneles is well worth it. It was built in the 17th century and served as the residence and seat of government for the military commanders. The house has been open to visitors since 2006. Admission costs €3, and the house is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Just a few meters away is the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, one of the most beautiful churches in Fuerteventura.

Parque Natural de Corralejo

The Parque Natural de Corralejo is located in the northeast of the island and is one of Fuerteventura's absolute highlights. This nature reserve consists of the largest dune area in the Canary Islands, stretching for miles along the coast. The white sand and the turquoise water of the Atlantic create a breathtaking contrast.

You can reach the dunes easily via the coastal road; there are several parking areas where you can stop to walk through the fine sand. The area is also very popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers due to the constant breeze. From the dunes, you have a fantastic view of the neighboring islands of Lanzarote and Los Lobos.

El Cotillo

The village of El Cotillo is located in the northwest of the island. Here, you can enjoy a relaxed holiday away from the large hotel complexes. Tranquility, idyll, and hospitality are top priorities here. The town offers excellent conditions for surfers, which is why many young people stay here.

In 1743, the watchtower Castillo del Tostón was built on the cliffs at the edge of the village. Today, the tower houses an exhibition by a local artist who also sells his paintings there. The watchtower can be visited for €1.50. Also very much worth seeing is the Faro del Tostón. It is located about three kilometers from El Cotillo. Depending on how much time you have, you can simply walk there or drive for a few minutes. The red-and-white striped lighthouse is 30 meters high and stands in a scenic location.

Upon closer inspection, you will notice that there are actually three lighthouses here. The first dates back to 1897 and is only six meters tall. The octagonal, 15-meter-high white lighthouse dates from 1960. Finally, in 1986, the current 30-meter-high lighthouse was built to alert ships to the strait between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. On the ground floor of the lighthouse, there is a Fishing Museum. It can be visited from Tuesday to Saturday, between 10:45 AM and 5:00 PM. Around the lighthouse, there is an 800-meter nature trail with several information boards.

The south

The south, like the north, also has a Parque Natural with dune landscapes. However, it does not have paved roads, so rental car companies prohibit visiting the area with standard passenger cars. Many tourists drive over the sand tracks anyway. If the vehicle is damaged in the process, you must cover the costs yourself. To be on the safe side, it is recommended to rent a Jeep or take part in a Jeep safari to the south. This way, you are fully covered.

Morro Jable

On the way to the nature park, you can make a short stop in Morro Jable. Until the 1970s, Morro Jable was a small fishing village. That changed when the village received a paved road connection. Since then, Morro Jable has developed into a popular resort and is very popular with beach holidaymakers because of its nearly four-kilometer-long sandy beach. However, the town center has retained its original charm. If you like, you can take a short walk to the Morro Jable lighthouse.

Cofete

If you continue to follow the road, which is now unpaved, you will pass the small village of Cofete. Only two families live here, and they jointly run the only restaurant. Their livelihood is well-secured, as all guided tours stop here for a lunch break with traditional paella. Directly behind the village, a bumpy road leads to the beautiful beach.

The beach is a nature reserve, so no construction is allowed here. You will not find any swimmers here; due to the currents and the often heavy surf on the west coast, taking a refreshing dip is life-threatening and strictly prohibited. Every year, fatal swimming accidents involving reckless tourists are reported here.

Villa Winter

Many legends surround the Villa Winter. To this day, it has not been fully clarified what happened inside and beneath the building. What is clear is that the German Gustav Winter came to the Canary Islands in the 1920s and built a power plant in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. Afterward, he arrived in Fuerteventura with a suitcase full of money and bought land to establish a military base. Then, the construction of the Villa Winter took place, which is said to have played a central role in World War II.

A cave system is said to be located under the villa. Allegedly, there was a U-boat base here to defy the Allies in the Atlantic. Two airfields for the Luftwaffe were built in Jandía. What actually went on in the Villa Winter has never been truly explained. I visited this place in the 1980s as part of a Jeep safari and was deeply impressed. You can find out more on the Villa Winter website.

More excursion tips for Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura can be explored very well independently. Here you can see the highlights awaiting you.

Fuerteventura 2021

Cruiseport Guide Fuerteventura

Here you will find information about the location of the port, public transportation, rental cars, and options for independent excursions.

The Cruiseport of Fuerteventura

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