Corralejo Holidays

You could be excused for thinking you’d touched down on African shores in Corralejo. This town, on Fuerteventura’s northern tip, is pitched up by some supersized, Saharan-style sand dunes. But this is Spain’s Canary Islands, not Africa. So you can expect a traditional, low-rise old town, as well as a modern side, with a shopping centre, lively bars and a waterpark.

On a Canary Island known for its beaches, Corralejo doesn’t disappoint. There are some curves of sand in the heart of town, like the wafer-coloured Waikiki Beach, where the waves are youngster-friendly. On the outskirts, meanwhile, you’ve got Flag Beach. Like its name suggests, this is the place for kite and windsurfing. Plus, it’s backed by the town’s headliner, the desert-like dunes of Corralejo Natural Park.

Corralejo does best-of-both well. Its old town’s built around a busy harbour, so you can watch fishermen come and go, or duck into a tapas bar for a traditional meal. It’s also the launchpad for ferries to idyllic Lobos Island and Lanzarote. Just 15 minutes’ walk away, there’s a modern hub. Here, the main street’s packed with karaoke bars and globe-trotting restaurants. There’s a pint-sized shopping centre, too.