The best things to do in Fuerteventura

We were working for most of our time in Fuerteventura, so when the weekend came – or we had time off – we made the most of exploring the island. From beaches to hikes to quaint Spanish towns, these were our favourite things to do.

The best things to do in Fuerteventura

Visit El Cotillo

El Cotillo is a town on the west of the island not far from Corralejo. It has beaches on either side and a small harbour and waterfront where you can sit and watch the waves. The white and blue buildings give the town a slightly Greek feel and it’s a lovely spot to wander around just looking at the streets and the many murals dotted around. There are also a number of great bars and restaurants here – but they’re popular so try to book first. 

Explore Corralejo 

Since we were staying in Corralejo, we spent a lot of time wandering the small seaside town. From the beaches and small streets lined with restaurants to the outer shopping areas, there’s a lot to see and do in Corralejo. It has a pretty marina and lots of nearby walking routes. We also loved exploring Parque Abandonado, an abandoned theme park next to the Acua Water Park which can easily be accessed.

Spend an afternoon in Betancuria

Betancuria is the oldest town on the island and is considered one of the prettiest places in Spain. It’s a tiny, quaint place with a church square, flower-lined paths, and a few restaurants. It’s a great place to stop for lunch as you drive between different areas on the island, and you can easily take in the whole town in about an hour.

Stop at the many viewpoints

As you drive the winding mountain roads that run through the middle of Fuerteventura, you’ll notice a few stopping points or miradors. These offer some of the best views across the volcanic landscape to the coast, and act as rest points on longer drives. You’ll probably come across lots of chipmunks in these areas, but try to avoid feeding them as it’s not advised by the local government.

Take a trip to Ajuy Caves

One of the top attractions in Fuerteventura is the Ajuy caves on the island’s west coast. In the small seaside town of Ajuy, these caves are some of the oldest formations in the Canary Islands. You can enter one of the caves and it's free to enter. You can go as far as the main cave, or walk much further along the coast if you have time. Be warned that the path is rocky and uneven so sturdy flat shoes are advised.

Go for a hike

Fuerteventura is volcanic and almost entirely a cratered, rocky, and mountainous landscape. You won’t find many forests or green areas, but the high points make for amazing views. These were our favourite hikes on the island:

• Caldera Hondo

• Isla Los Lobos

• Volcanes de Bayuyo

• Corralejo National Park

• Paseo Marítimo Bristol

Get the boat to Isla los Lobos

One of our favourite days out in Fuerteventura was in Isla los Lobos. It's easy to catch the ferry over from Corralejo, and it offers a unique and pristine landscape for swimming, relaxing at the beach, and hiking.

Find out our day out and our other favourite walking routes in our blog: The best hikes in Fuerteventura.

Go to the beach

Whether you’re relaxing or riding waves, hitting the beach is one of the most popular reasons for visiting Fuerteventura. Our favourites were:

• Playa de Moro

• Grandas Playas

• Dormidero

• La Golita

• La Concha in El Cotillo

• Cofete

• Sotavento

• Playa del Bajo de la Burro

• La Concha on Isla los Lobos

Discover more about these beaches in our blog: The best beaches in Fuerteventura.

Other places to visit in Fuerteventura 

We didn’t have a chance to explore the entire island, but if you’ve got more time and want to see every town and sight possible, then these were the remaining destinations on our list. If you organise your time well and map out your journey in advance, you could hit three or four of these spots in one day.

Towns and villages

• Antigua

• Pajara

• Majanicho

• La Oliva

• Caleta de Fuste

• Molinos de Villaverde

Sights and attractions

• Jandia peninsula

• Aguas Verdes

• Piscina natural near Matorral

• Faro de Entalada

• Baranco de la Madre del Agua looks beautiful in photos but recent reviews said it was dried up. Instead, we saw it from above at some of the viewpoints on the way to Betancuria from Ajuy.

Find out more about how we spent our time in Fuerteventura in our blog: Three weeks in Fuerteventura.