Amanda PhillipsFuerteventura offers everything you have come to expect from a holiday in the Canary Islands. Whether it’s perfect beaches to relax on with family or delicious restaurant to dine in while the day turns into evening, this sun-drenched island off the coast of Africa sure knows how to treat its guests. Not sure if it’s for you? Here’s six reasons why we think everyone should visit Fuerteventura.
1. Enjoy a day at the beach
We’ve said it ourselves before: Fuerteventura is the best Canary Island for beaches. Fuerteventura boasts over 150 km of beaches, all of them delicately crafted with natural soft white sand and serene turquoise waters. All the island’s beaches are beauties in their own right, but we recommend the Parque Natural de Corralejo – a natural park that rolls along the coast for 10km with impressive sand dunes peeking out the volcanic landscape.
2. Watersports
Fuerteventura’s picture-perfect coastline makes it a prime location for watersports. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are both big business on the island and in July you’ll even be able to catch the World Championships for windsurfing in Playa de Sotavento.
3. Bustling tourist resorts
Like all great Spanish holiday destinations, Fuerteventura is home to several resorts that have all the amenities you need for a fun-filled break. Corralejo is a favourite with tourists, where you’ll find tapas bars along the beach and karaoke bars to see you into the evening. Caleta de Fuste is also another popular spot, especially for families looking for watersports while the Jandia Peninsula is known for its cocktail bars and its duty-free shopping centre.
4. Quieter towns for a cultural day out
Fuerteventura’s cultural hub is the Betancuria Old Town – the island’s original capital. Founded in the 15th Century, it is now Fuerteventura’s main cultural attraction and even has an archaeological museum that details how its ancient inhabitants lived.
5. Local cheese
While in Fuerteventura, make sure you treat your taste-buds to a slice of the local cheese. Keep an eye out for queso Majorero, a goat milk cheese that regularly uses olive oil, paprika, or a mix of cornmeal and wheat meal in its production.
6. Beautiful volcanic landscapes
Fuerteventura earned itself UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status in 2009 thanks to its volcanic landscape and pristine beaches. In order to make the most of its organic landscape, locals have shied away from building high-rises providing unbeatable views of dormant volcanoes, stunning cliffs, windmills, hidden villages and cactus plantations.
