Honestly speaking, Fuerteventura is a true paradise, especially for sea and nature lovers. Four days in paradise will leave you eager to return… But if you only have this amount of time to spend on the island, then here are the unmissables.
We are Guacimara and Pedro, born in Tenerife, and through our Tenerifelicidad project we’ve embarked on a journey around the world in a campervan, with no return date, and starting with a six-month tour of the Canary Islands.
UNMISSABLES IN FUERTEVENTURA IN FOUR DAYS
Fuerteventura, lying in the Atlantic Ocean and forming part of the Canary Islands, is renowned for its beaches of golden sands, crystal-clear waters and its year-round warm climate. But Fuerteventura is also about tradition, culture, architecture and food. So on a four-day visit to the island, you can’t afford to miss the following:
Sotavento Beach
Picture paradise in your mind and Sotavento is sure to surpass it.
This beach, which has nothing to envy of the idyllic beaches of the Caribbean, stretches for more than 3 kilometres of white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, which are quite shallow.
Its magic has been preserved due to the fact that it has remained wild and undeveloped, accompanied only by the force of the wind that whips it, making it a paradise also for water sports. In fact, this beach hosts the World Kitesurfing Championships every year.
But, far from what it might seem, being very long and shallow, it’s also ideal for a day’s relaxation in calm waters, even with children.
Betancuria, one of Spain’s prettiest towns
Betancuria is not only one of the prettiest little towns in Fuerteventura, but we’d go so far as to say that it’s one of the prettiest in the Canaries as a whole. It is even considered by many to be the historical capital of the Canaries, as it is one of the most important colonial landmarks on the Islands.
The Norman knight, Jean de Bethencourt, founded Betancuria in 1404 in an inland valley for a clear purpose: as it was not by the sea, it could be better defended against pirates.
A stroll past its white colonial buildings and through its peaceful cobbled streets takes you back to another era… And right in the centre you’ll find several restaurants located in colonial houses with wonderful terraces. A good plan would be to stop for lunch or for a drink as you restore your energy before continuing to explore the island.
The Corralejo Dunes
This small desert beside the sea forms part of the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park.
Although at first glance it looks like a desert of sand dunes, it is actually a place of outstanding natural value, having been declared a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA).
Eurasian stone-curlews, great bustards, Canarian houbaras and kestrels are just some of the birds to be found in the area.
A simple stroll will completely immerse you in nature and we can promise you that the contrast between the dunes and the turquoise sea is one of those images that will stay with you always.
There are also beaches for everyone in the area: those ideal for water sports such as surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing can be found to the south, for example the beaches of El Moro and El Burro; there are calmer beaches ideal for families to the north, such as El Pozo, El Viejo and Bajo Negro; there are also nudist beaches.
Tindaya, Fuerteventura’s magical mountain
Tindaya is considered the magical mountain of Fuerteventura. And although it’s not very high (225 metres from the ground on which it stands and 400 metres above sea level), visitors are intrigued by it due to its archaeological heritage.
It was a sacred mountain for the ancient indigenous inhabitants of the Canaries, who believed it to have magical powers, as can be seen from more than 300 foot-shaped carvings of great archaeological value discovered there.
There are several hiking routes that lead to the foot of the mountain and enable you to explore this natural site of national interest, which has also been declared a Biosphere Reserve.
Cofete, the wilder side of the island
Cofete is not only the most impressive beach on Fuerteventura, but it’s also one of the most spectacular of all of the Canary Islands. When asked if it’s worth the effort getting there (along dirt tracks), the answer is a resounding YES.
This unsurfaced road, 18km in length and with no towns nearby, is precisely what enables this beach to remain so unspoiled, wild and majestic.
But there are a few things you should bear in mind:
- Ideally you should allow yourself at least half a day for your visit, as it would be a pity to have to leave as soon as you arrive. And you’ll see what we mean once you get there.
- Although it’s a true picture-postcard landscape, you should take great care, as it’s a wild beach, with strong currents and large waves, and strong winds are also very common.
- Although the access road is unsurfaced, you can get there in any kind of car, but you should make sure you don’t move your vehicle from the car park, as in some places the sand is very loose and cars can get stuck in it.
With this itinerary you can learn a bit about the essence of this very special, magical island. But we have one last recommendation:
Fuerteventura, the island of cheeses
If there’s one thing that stands out in the cuisine of Fuerteventura, it’s its cheeses, made from goat’s milk (the goat is the symbol of the island and they roam freely in many parts).
Many Fuerteventura cheeses have deservedly won international awards, so we recommend you try some of them during your stay.
Do you want to find out more about the Canary Islands? Take a look at our articles on Tenerife and Lanzarote!
