- Fuerteventura is all about beaches, with some of the longest and emptiest in the Canaries
- Corralejo in the north is livelier, Costa Calma and Morro Jable in the south are quieter and great for families
- Transfers run from about 10 minutes (Caleta de Fuste) to around 1h15 (Morro Jable)
- The Canaries are on UK time, so no jet lag
- Airports
- Fuerteventura (FUE)
- Best time to go
- All year; October-May for winter sun, May-October for the warmest sea
- Type
- Island
Fuerteventura is the beach lover's Canary Island. Long and fairly flat, it has more than 150 beaches, from the white dunes of Corralejo to the endless lagoons of Sotavento, and a dry, almost lunar interior of volcanoes and goat farms. It is less built up than Tenerife or Gran Canaria and the whole island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Flights from the UK take about 4h15 from London and slightly longer from the north, and there are direct services from most major UK airports. The island is on the same time as the UK all year. Plugs are the two-pin European type, you drive on the right, and prices are a little lower than mainland Spain because the Canaries charge IGIC, a lower local sales tax, instead of VAT. Expect wind: it keeps temperatures pleasant but can whip up sand on exposed beaches. For the bigger picture see our Canary Islands and Spain guides.
Where to stay
- Corralejo – the northern resort, about 40 minutes from the airport. A proper town with an old harbour, plenty of bars and restaurants, and the Corralejo dunes on the doorstep. Good for couples and groups who want some nightlife.
- Caleta de Fuste – only about 10 minutes from the airport, with a sheltered sandy bay, a marina and lots of all-inclusive hotels. Handy for short breaks and young families, though the beach is smaller than elsewhere.
- Costa Calma – about an hour south, with calm, lagoon-like beaches and a relaxed, low-rise feel. Popular with families and couples looking for peace and quiet.
- Morro Jable and Jandía – at the southern tip, around 1h15 from the airport. A long white beach backed by big resort hotels, a fishing village at one end and the wild west coast nearby.
- El Cotillo – a low-key fishing village in the north-west with turquoise lagoons and big surf beaches, best with a hire car.
Things to do
- Corralejo Natural Park – rolling white dunes running down to the sea, with wide beaches along the main road south of town.
- Isla de Lobos – a short boat trip from Corralejo to a tiny protected island with a walking trail and a lovely lagoon. Visitor numbers are controlled, so book ahead in busy months.
- Sotavento beach – kilometres of sand and shallow lagoons near Costa Calma, and a world-class spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
- Cofete – a remote, spectacular beach on the far side of the Jandía peninsula, reached by a rough track. Swimming is dangerous here because of strong currents.
- Betancuria – the old island capital, a pretty village in a green valley with a historic church.
- Ajuy caves – sea caves and fossil-rich cliffs on the west coast.
- Day trip to Lanzarote – ferries from Corralejo reach Playa Blanca in about 30 minutes.
The north and east coasts can be very windy. If you want calm water for young children, the lagoon beaches around Costa Calma and the bay at Caleta de Fuste are usually the most sheltered.
Best time to visit
| Season | Weather | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| November-March | About 20-23 °C by day, sea around 19 °C | Winter sun, walking |
| April-June | Warm, about 23-26 °C | Good value, quieter beaches |
| July-September | About 27-30 °C, windiest in July and August | Summer holidays, kitesurfing |
| October | Warm with the sea at its warmest | Half-term, swimming |
Getting there
Fuerteventura airport (FUE) is on the east coast just south of the capital, Puerto del Rosario. Direct flights run from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and other UK airports, with more routes in winter. Most package holidays include a coach transfer; private transfers and taxis are quicker.
Getting around
Public buses (Tiadhe) link the airport with Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Costa Calma and Morro Jable, but services to villages are limited. Hiring a car for a few days is the best way to see the island, and roads are generally quiet and easy. Check whether your hire agreement covers dirt tracks before driving to Cofete. Ferries connect Corralejo with Lanzarote, and there are flights and ferries to Gran Canaria.
Top attractions in Fuerteventura
LandmarkAlhambra
A hilltop palace-fortress of carved stucco, tiled courtyards and water gardens, the Alhambra is the high point of…
LandmarkPark Güell
Gaudí's hillside park of mosaic benches, gingerbread-style lodges and a famous dragon, with sweeping views over…
MuseumPrado Museum
One of the world's great art museums, the Prado holds Spain's royal collection, from Velázquez's Las Meninas to Goya's…
LandmarkReal Alcázar
A dazzling Mudéjar palace and gardens in the heart of Seville, still used by the Spanish royal family and famous as the…
LandmarkSagrada Família
Gaudí's unfinished basilica, with its forest-like nave and glowing stained glass, is Barcelona's must-book sight.
NatureSerra de Tramuntana
A UNESCO-listed mountain range of stone villages, olive terraces and hairpin roads along Mallorca's north-west coast.
Fuerteventura on the map
Frequently asked questions
Which part of Fuerteventura is best?
Corralejo suits people who want a lively town with beaches nearby; Costa Calma and Morro Jable are better for quiet beach holidays and families. Caleta de Fuste is the easiest for a short break thanks to the short transfer.
Is Fuerteventura warm in winter?
Yes, daytime temperatures are usually in the low 20s °C from December to February, although evenings are cooler and the wind can make it feel fresher. The sea is cool, about 18-19 °C.
Fuerteventura or Lanzarote?
Fuerteventura has more and better beaches; Lanzarote has more sights, such as the Timanfaya volcanoes and César Manrique's buildings. They are only a short ferry apart, so you can easily see both.
How long is the transfer from Fuerteventura airport?
About 10 minutes to Caleta de Fuste, 40 minutes to Corralejo, an hour to Costa Calma and around 1h15 to Morro Jable. Shared coach transfers take longer because of hotel stops.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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