Things to See and Do in Fuerteventura
1 ... DUNES OF FUERTEVENTURALike a miniature Sahara, the island of Fuerteventura is sandy and waterless, windy and parched. For millennia, sands have blown here across the 60 miles from Africa, covering the volcanic layer beneath, creating endless dune landscapes and great hills of pale sand.
Right behind Fuerteventura’s main resort,
Corralejo, on the island’s northern tip, rises its largest and most impressive single area of dunes. This complex system of pale sands, stretching about 10km along the coast and reaching 2-3km inland from the shore, has been declared a protected zone known as the Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo. It is here that you will find the
Riu Palace Tres Islas Hotel and
Riu Oliva Beach Resort Hotel, which were established here before the creation of the park.
Fuerteventura has another major dune area at the Istmo de la Pared, the narrow isthmus of mountainous dunes separating Jandia Peninsula from the rest of the island. The dunes are neither barren nor lifeless. As well as forming spectacular beaches, they also support unusual plant species that can thrive in these dry, salty sands.
2 ... ISLA DE LOBOSThis curious offshore island has no restaurants and no shade, yet makes an enjoyable destination for a day out. Take a picnic and be prepared for the breeze and hot, unsheltered sunshine. This small volcanic island [occupying only 4.4 sq km, is situated in the El Rio strait between Fuerteventura and
Lanzarote. Catch the ferry from Corralejo in the morning and it arrives about 30 minutes later and then head off to the right on the main wide track which leads through terrain of lava and sand. The volcanic rock is streaked and coloured with little plants. You will see Caleta de la Rasca bay which has views towards the dunes of Fuerteventura.
After about an hour you will reach the lighthouse [faro] at Punta Martino which is at the other end of the island. From here you will get a great view of across Lobos and Fuerteventura and the other way the pale beaches on Lanzarote’s southern shore.
The island owes its name to the seals - lobos marinos - which once made their home on its sandy shores. According to history, the French adventurer de la Salle, dropped anchor by the island in 1402. He and his crew were saved from starvation by seal meat.
The island was inhabited by its only residents - the lighthouse keeper and his family - until 1968 and has since remained uninhabited. Thanks to this it has retained its original ecosystem and the whole of the island is a nature reserve.
3 ... SOTAVENTOThis is a 22km belt of beaches and is nicknamed “Rhapsody in Blue” due to the combination of wonderful beaches and azure, crystal-clear water. For swimming, sunbathing and windsurfing, this strand is a coastal paradise, with kilometre after kilometre of fine, white sand that creeps its way almost imperceptibly into the Atlantic.
For 10 hyperactive days each July, its drowsy calm is shattered by daytime action and frantic nightlife as the beach hosts a left of the Windsurfing World Championship. Kite boarding is also a part of this wind-powered display of prowess.
4 ... IGLESIA DE NUESTRA SENORA DE REGLAThe parish church of Our Lady of Regla at Pajara, in Fuerteventura’s western hills, is architecturally one of Fuerteventura’s most important historic buildings. Built in sections - a roof beam in the presbytery is marked with the date 1687 - it has an altar that lovers of the baroque will appreciate. The fascinating decorations above the doors on the pink sandstone main porch are much older, and in a style believed to have been inspired by contact with the Aztecs. The village itself is shady and enticing, a rustic farming community in a pleasant fertile setting.
5 ... BETANCURIANamed after the 15th century Norman conqueror of this island - Jean de Bettencourt [Juan de Betancuria] - this bright white village in the very centre of Fuerteventura remained the capital until 1834. Betancuria still keeps something of its historic, aristocratic character. De Betancuria built his capital here in the belief that being so far from the sea, it would be safe from the Moorish pirates who terrorised the coasts. He was proved wrong. Pirates repeatedly attacked the town, and in 1593 destroyed the original Norman-style cathedral and took away 600 captives as slaves.
The church was rebuilt in 1620 in an interesting mixture of styles, with a painted ceiling, a fine baroque altarpiece and ancient gravestones forming part of the floor. It became a cathedral again in 1924.
Many village houses still have facades and doorways dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Across the church square, a museum devoted to religious art displays de Betancuria’s original standard, the Pendon de la Conquista. A museum of archaeology houses Guanche relics, which are exceptionally plentiful here.
6 ... LA OLIVABuilt in the early 17th century as a residence of Fuerteventura’s military governors, this little town was the island’s seat of government until 1880. Several fine old mansions, once homes of officials and wealthy landowners, survive from those days, though some are now derelict. The grandest of them is the long white La Casa de los Coroneles [the Colonel’s House] or La Casa de la Marquesa, dating from 1650 and once belonging to the Cabrera Bethencourt family - their family crest can be seen above the entrance. Nearby, the surprising and enjoyable Centro de Arte Canario showcases modern art from the islands. There is also the Casa de la Cilla, Museo del Grano, an old granary with a small exhibition.
7 ... TURTLES IN COFETEIn Cofete, a heavenly beach with fine blonde sand of a little over 13km, in the municipality of Pajara, a small camp dedicated to raising turtles [las Tortugas] has been set up. It is an initiative of the project to reintroduce the loggerhead turtle [Caretta Caretta]. The campsite, named Tortuga, follows the development of the nests buried in the area.
8 ... TEFIAJust 15km east of
Puerto del Rosario, this small settlement is home to one of Fuerteventura’s historical attractions. Ecomuseo de la Alcogida is a living museum comprising 7 restored houses. The exhibition illustrates the former life of the islanders, their occupations relating to farming and crafts, and also explains the process of the houses’ construction.
Located on the road from La Oliva to Betancuria this is an interesting open-air museum. Specially designed for child, they can see how grain is ground in the mill, watch homemade bread and cheese being made, take care of the animals and watch the potters and weavers at work. They also organise workshops and traditional games such as sack races, tug-o-war and hoops.
9 ... SAN BUENAVENTURA AND POZO DEL DIABLOOn the northern outskirts of Betancuria is the Franciscan abbey of San Buenaventura - the oldest abbey on the island. Its roof collapsed in the mid-19th century and what remains today are merely scenic ruins.
Next to the abbey stands Pozo del Diablo - Devil’s Pit. According to legend, Satan was chained to this rock and forced to carry stones used in the building of the abbey.
10 ... PARQUE DE LOS CAMELLOSThe small village of La Lajita lies 6km north of
Costa Calma. Visitors come here to the Zoo which is home to 200 species of exotic birds and mammals from around the world. A local garden centre sells specimens of tropical and subtropical flora, as well as native plants. Other attractions include half-hour camel rides and parrot shows.
