Fuerteventura holidays

If you’re staying in Corralejo on Fuerteventura’s northern tip, you’ll have a huge choice of beaches. Right in the heart of the town is one of the most diverse beaches on the island. Playa Waikiki is nestled in a cosy bay and sheltered from the winds, making it great for sunbathing. But it still offers watersports facilities, and features the lively Corralejo atmosphere. Alternatively, the beaches in the natural park are quieter.

For those staying in the east coast resorts of Costa Caleta and Nuevo Horizonte, there are a number of popular beaches in this part of Fuerteventura. One of the best, however, is Caleta de Fuste. This is an ideal family beach, with the curved bay creating calm waters which are perfect for splashing around. The bay is around 600 metres in length, and much of it is covered with soft and comfortable fine sand.

Down on the Jandia Peninsula the beaches are much more secluded and natural than they are near Fuerteventura’s big resorts. Playa de Costa Calma’s beach offers two kilometres of soft sands. A little further south, Jandia is located in between two natural sandy hotspots. El Salmo’s rocky beach boasts unobstructed views of the Sotavento Lagoon, while Risco del Paso is backed by the sandy El Paso hillside.

Many resorts in Fuerteventura hold weekly flea markets and craft markets where you can find all sorts of inexpensive souvenirs. One of the most popular is Corralejo’s Sunday open-air market at the El Campanario shopping centre. Here, you’ll find everything from handmade jewellery and decorations to pottery, African-inspired wood carvings, and budget-friendly alternatives to designer accessories.

Fuerteventura’s capital, Puerto del Rosario, is a shopper’s paradise. You’ll find lots of international brands here, like H&M and C&A. Popular souvenirs to pick up include perfume, jewellery, homeware, cosmetics, and fashion. Olive oil, olive wood carvings, and aloe cosmetics are good local products to bring home. You’ll find gift shops in most of the tourist resorts up and down the island’s east coast.

If you’re looking for designer stores, be sure to have a stroll around some of Fuerteventura’s giant shopping centres. In Puerto del Rosario, Las Rotondas shopping centre is one of the best on the island. It’s got lots of international brands like Zara, Claire’s, and Benetton. For more local Spanish and European retailers, the Atlantic shopping mall in Antigua is home to more than 40 different stores.

Travellers are attracted to Fuerteventura’s natural beauty and opportunities for relaxation, so it’s not considered to be much of a party island. However, with many of the resorts in Fuerteventura being purpose-built for visitors, they're well equipped for entertainment. There are lots of pubs, bars, and restaurants offering a fun, but not over-the-top nightlife experience. If you’ve booked a stay at one of the island’s large resort hotels, the on-site bars are a great place to kick back. There are often evening shows and entertainment for kids, too. Alternatively, spend an evening at one of the local tapas bars.

Corralejo is considered to be the most lively resort on the island. It's a popular choice for young travellers looking for Irish bars, cocktail bars, beach bars, discos, and clubs. You’ll find the main hub of activity in the Old Town area. Alternatively, Costa Caleta is also quite busy after dark, with bars staying open until the early hours. The island’s only casino, Gran Casino Antigua, is located near Caleta. While it’s quite a small casino, it does inject a touch of Las Vegas energy into an otherwise peaceful destination.

Wherever you go in the Canary Islands, you’ll see locals wolfing down generous helpings of papas arrugadas, or wrinkled potatoes. These local spuds are boiled in salty water in their skins, before being roasted until crisp. They’re best served with mojo sauce, which comes in both red and green varieties.

Fuerteventura’s traditional cuisine is heavily based on local produce. Expect to see lots of stews made with goat and rabbit, and plenty of freshly-caught fish including bream and parrotfish. The hot breezes that drift over from the African coast also help to grow exotic fruits such as papaya and pineapple.

Majorero cheese is one of Fuerteventura’s best-loved specialities. This protected goat cheese is similar to manchego, with a strong nutty flavour. It can be used in lots of ways, including in pasta and potato-based dishes. On the island it’s often eaten with local pears.

After a traditional meal in the Canary Islands, it’s customary to knock back a glass of honey rum, made with locally produced honey. You’ll find honey rum all over the island, but Fuerteventura also has its own after-dinner speciality. Goat milk liqueur, or leche de cabra, is definitely worth sampling on your trip.

If you’re travelling with children who are picky eaters, rest assured that there’s much more to the Fuerteventura gastronomy scene than just traditional Canarian fare. In the big resorts such as Corralejo, you’ll find plenty of burger bars, pizzerias, hot dog joints, and lots of international fast-food chains.