Fuerteventura
The Canary Islands' beach island, with miles of pale sand, dunes and warm winds that make it one of Europe's top spots for watersports.
Fuerteventura is the Canary Islands' beach island, a long, low strip of land in the Atlantic closest to the African coast. It is famous for its sand: huge pale beaches, the dunes of Corralejo in the north and the wild, remote sands of the south. Steady winds make it one of Europe's best places for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Quieter and more laid-back than the bigger islands, the whole of Fuerteventura is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with warm, dry weather all year.
What Fuerteventura is known for
Fuerteventura is known for having the best beaches in the Canaries, and there are a lot of them. The island has more than 150 km of coast, much of it pale sand, from the long shallow bays of the south at Sotavento and Jandia to the bright dunes of the Corralejo Natural Park in the north. The water is clear and the beaches rarely feel crowded. All that coast and the steady trade winds have made the island a magnet for windsurfers and kitesurfers, who come for some of the most reliable conditions in Europe. Away from the water, Fuerteventura is flat, open and quiet, with a slower pace than Tenerife or Gran Canaria, and a landscape that feels more like a desert than a tropical island. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, known for clear night skies and old goat-farming traditions that still produce its famous Majorero cheese. Visit the old inland capital of Betancuria for a sense of the island's history. For sand, sea and space, few places do it better.
Things to do in Fuerteventura
For beaches, head to the dunes and shallow water of Corralejo Natural Park in the north, or the long sands of Sotavento and Jandia in the south. If you want to try a watersport, the steady winds make this one of Europe's best places to learn windsurfing or kitesurfing. Nature lovers can explore the remote, cliff-backed beach of Cofete, while history fans should visit Betancuria, the quiet old capital inland. For a taste of local life, stop at a farm to try the island's Majorero goat cheese. Whichever way you want to play, Fuerteventura has it.
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Where to stay in Fuerteventura
Where you base yourself depends on what you want. Corralejo in the north is lively, close to the dunes and good for watersports. The Jandia peninsula and Costa Calma in the south have the longest beaches and big resorts. For something quieter and more local, the towns of the centre and the old capital, Betancuria, offer a slower stay.
Food and drink in Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura's food centres on the sea and its farms. The island is famous for Majorero, a goat cheese with protected status that you will see on most menus. Try it alongside fresh fish, papas arrugadas with mojo, and hearty goat stews. Simple beachside restaurants serving the day's catch are part of the island's easy charm.
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Best time to visit Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura is a year-round destination, warm and dry even in winter, which makes it a popular escape from the northern European cold. Spring and autumn are ideal for the beach. Summer is warm but tempered by the constant breeze, which also makes it the best time for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The wind is part of island life, so pack a light layer for the evenings.
Getting to Fuerteventura and around
Fuerteventura Airport (FUE) is near the capital, Puerto del Rosario, and takes direct flights from the UK and Europe all year. Ferries connect the island with Lanzarote and the other Canary Islands, with a short, frequent crossing from Corralejo to Lanzarote. On the island, hiring a car is the best way to reach the more remote beaches in the south and north, though buses link the main resorts and towns.
Nearest Airport in Fuerteventura
Travel tips for visiting Fuerteventura
Hire a car to reach the best remote beaches, like Cofete, which buses do not serve. Pack for wind, as the island's steady breeze is constant, especially in summer. Beginners can take a windsurfing or kitesurfing lesson at one of the many schools. Stay on marked tracks in the Corralejo dunes, which are a protected nature park. Try the local Majorero goat cheese, ideally at a farm or local restaurant. Bring strong sun protection, as the island is open with little natural shade.
Events happening in Fuerteventura
What's on in Fuerteventura during your travel dates - annual festivals events.
FAQs about visiting Fuerteventura
Helpful answers for planning your visit to Fuerteventura.
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