Fuerteventura Guide - Things to do on the island!
I run a local wingfoil school, FuerteWingfoil, here in Fuerteventura and I’ve been living on the island for many years. Over time, many of my students have asked me for tips on what to do during their stay.
So I decided to create this guide with some of my favorite things to do on Fuerteventura, with some activities, places to visit and things you shouldn’t miss when you’re here.
Things to do in North Fuerteventura
Things to do in North FuerteventuraThe north of Fuerteventura has much life to it, compared to the south. It has its surf towns, restaurants, small unique boutiques and plenty of nice places to stop for coffee etc.
Have coffee/lunch in Lajares
Lajares is a small town located between Corralejo and El Cotillo. The town has a laid-back vibe with a few nice cafés,
restaurants, and small local shops.
If you’re looking for a good lunch spot, three great options are:
- Öken, which serves great sushi, bowls, and coffee.
- Surfescape Secret Garden – a hidden garden restaurant with Asian-inspired food. Surfescape is also a great place to spend a few hours working online if you’re visiting the island as a digital nomad.
- OUM – for super nice Lebanese food, it’s a great spot just close to the volcano “Calderon Hondo” with a nice terrasse. This place is also great to head to for dinner.
For coffee or a quick stop:
- VALA Food Open – brunch place with nice “breakfast dishes” coffee, smoothies, matcha etc.
- Amiga Mia is a popular café in town, nice smoothies.
- Right next to it you’ll find Alberta, a great place to grab pizza slices takeaway. I stop there often when going between Corralejo and Cotillo and need something fast but good to eat.
On Saturdays, Lajares hosts a small local market where you can find handmade products, from Fuerteventura.
Visit El Cotillo
El Cotillo is a small, cozy, coastal town with some nice restaurants and unique shops. We use to go here either in the
day to grab lunch, or for the sunset. Some of our favorite spots are:
- Tsunami – for good, special burgers
- La Vaca Azul – for fish (they are closed right now but open again soon in a new location in El Cotillo)
- Pez Gordo – nice rooftop with great food, especially their caesar shrimp salad
We also like going to El Cotillo for the sunset, and usually stop by Aqui for a drink beforehand. They make really good cocktails.
If you want an easier dinner in Cotillo there is a very good pizzeria, Marameo.
Some nice shops to check out:
- Makhoul Swimwear – unique swimwear for women
- Mouja – interior, jewelry, interesting finds
- Lapa Studio – unique clothes, local brands, jewelry, fun little finds
- Lomé Store – unique women’s clothes, some nice t-shirts for men, jewelry and even some home decor like cups and small decorations
We usually end up buying something every time we visit Cotillo, in one of these stores…
Also, close to Cotillo you also have some impressive cliffs with beautiful beaches below. Two nice spots are:
- Playa de Esquinzo
- Playa de la Escalera
(Not really the main place for swimming, more for the views. Or surfing).
Barranco Encantado
A hidden little canyon area where you can go for a walk with rock formations. Close to Lajares/El Cotillo. A special spot, great place if you want to take some nice photos.
Spend evenings in Corralejo
Corralejo is a great place to spend the evenings if you are in the north of Fuerteventura. It’s livelier than for example El Cotillo
or Lajares at night, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and live music almost every evening.
If you want a drink before dinner, we usually go to Calle Iglesia, where you’ll find many bars to choose from.
Some of our favorite spots for dinner are:
- Me Gustas Tu – the place we have been the most in Corralejo. Small tapas plates – be sure to order the
salmon pierogi, kopytka gnocchi & crispy king prawns. - Pulperia – another great tapas place. Here it’s not possible to book a table but you can have a drink in the bar outside while waiting for a table. Great things to eat here are
their ceviche, falafel, shrimp tacos and octopus. - Gildas Tapas – yet another tapas place, nice vibe. A favorite here is
their meatballs in tomato sauce. - La Oca Blanca – if you want a more “fine” dinner, more a traditional restaurant than a hangout.
If you’re looking for a later drink after dinner, many people head to Babel or Cheers, which are right next to each other. These are great for late nights.
If you’re looking for more bars/restaurants in Corralejo, I also have a guide for best restaurants in Corralejo that you can check out. There I also mention some restaurants/bars in Lajares and Cotillo.
Hike Vulcano Calderon Hondo
A vulcano that you can hike up to, in Lajares. Either you can park just next to the volcano and do a short hike up, or you can park a little further to do a slightly longer hike. It’s almost in the middle of Lajares so it’s a nice thing to do before/after a coffee/lunch stop in Lajares.
See the Sand Dunes of Corralejo
If you’re in the north you should check out the Corralejo Natural Park and its famous sand dunes. Even if you’re just driving through, the road through the dunes is worth it. On one side you have the ocean, and on the other side huge sand dunes that almost feel like a desert landscape.
There are also some beautiful beaches along this stretch. Playa del Alzada is a nice spot, and right next to it there’s a smaller, more hidden beach which apparently is called “Playita del Porís”, with crystal clear blue water.
Head to the beach - some beaches in North Fuerteventura
- Playita del Poris (in the sand dunes of Corralejo)
- Playa Alzada (also close to the sand dunes)
- Corralejo (Waikiki Beach/Corralejo Viejo & Playa de la Goleta, more in the center of Corralejo)
- La Concha (in El Cotillo)
Things to do in Center of Fuerteventura
The center of Fuerteventura isn’t really where most tourists stay, but it has interesting places worth visiting. It’s great for a road trip stop when traveling from north to south or vice versa.
Trip to Betancuria - a old, historical & beautiful town
Betancuria is a charming old town in the center of the island. It’s not very big, so you can walk through it pretty quickly, but it’s a nice stop if you’re traveling north or south and want a break along the way. Or even to go only by itself.
A highlight is the café/restaurant La Sombra, set in a unique tropical-style environment. You can also head to “La casa de la naturaleza” a quick ride from Betancuria, also a great place to eat/have a drink.
Hike Barranco de las Peñitas
If you’re into hiking: Near Betancuria you’ll find Barranco de las Peñitas, a cool valley with rock formations and one of the most scenic areas in the center of the island.
From here you can also hike to Arco de las Peñitas, a natural rock arch that has become a popular viewpoint and photo spot on the island.
Visit Puertito de Los Molinos
A small village on the west coast. There is a special bohemian bar “Bohemias del Amor” where you can grab a coffee or a drink (if you go there, remember to bring some cash since they don’t accept cards and there is no ATM nearby).
In the summer, you can reach and see some caves there. And just behind Bohemias Del Amor there are some natural pools which you can see and swim in (in low tide).
Ajuy
Ajuy is a small fishing village on the west coast of the island, not too far from Betancuria. Or from La Pared in the south. It’s known for its black sand beach, and mostly the famous sea caves. From the village, you can take a short coastal walk to the Ajuy Caves, where waves crash into huge natural caves in the cliffs.
There are a few local restaurants by the beach where you can sit outside and enjoy fresh fish while looking out over the ocean. The perfect place to try some local dishes, here you mostly find a typical canarian restaurants (compared to other places like Corralejo, Lajares, Cotillo where you can find many types of food).
Things to do in South Fuerteventura
I run my wingfoil school in the north of Fuerteventura, which is also my favorite place to stay. But I’ve lived for a long time in the south as well. Compared to the north, it’s a bit quieter, with fewer restaurants and less nightlife.
That said, it’s nice down south also. You have the calm with long stretches of beautiful blue beaches. If you’re staying in the north, it’s worth taking a day trip to explore the south. The drive takes around 1 hour 20 minutes, so it’s easy to do in a day.
Grab a coffee in café Adeyu, Tarajalejo/lunch in El Ramon in La Lajita
I lived in this small local village a few years ago, and now I always stop here (Café Adeyu) for a coffee when heading south. It’s a tiny local spot right by the water, with a really peaceful vibe, the perfect place to take a break and enjoy the calm.
El Ramón is another calm spot right by the sea, in the next village “La Lajita”, perfect for a relaxed, local lunch stop while exploring southern Fuerteventura.
Sotavento Lagoon
One of the most famous spots in the south of the island is the Lagoon of Sotavento. The lagoon stretches along long sandy beaches and shallow turquoise waters, making it perfect for watersports like kitesurfing and windsurf.
One of the most beautiful and tropical-feeling areas is right by the Rene Egli Kite Center, just below the Melia Hotel. Even if you’re not doing watersports, it’s a perfect place to relax, take photos, and enjoy the tropical vibe of the south of Fuerteventura.
Morro Jable
Morro Jable is a tourist town in the south of the island, but it has a very pleasant beach promenade and a long stretch of beautiful blue sand, perfect for swimming. There are also a few restaurants along the beach if you want to grab a bite.
One spot here to go to is Mirador de Morro Jable, right below the church you’ll probably notice in town. The viewpoint offers a nice view over the town and coastline, and it’s a great place for photos and just to take in the scenery.
La Pared
La Pared is one of the best spots in southern Fuerteventura to watch the sunset. It’s a small seaside town, with majestic cliffs with the beach below. It’s also a famous surf spot. In the little town there is a cafe called Café Caveto where you can stop for a coffee or after-surf drink.
Mirador Sicasumbre
If you are nearby, this is a cool viewpoint with panoramic views over the island’s volcanic landscapes and the ocean. Not so far from La Pared. “Mirador Astronomico de Sicasumbre”.
Head to the beach - some beaches in South Fuerteventura
- Costa Calma
- Morro Jable
- Esquinzo
- Sotavento Lagoon
And of course: try watersports, like wingfoil
Fuerteventura is famous for watersports, and many people visit the island just for that. Visitors come from all over the world. Some take a few lessons to try it out, while others plan their entire trip around practicing wingfoil every day.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience, trying a session on the water is a great way to enjoy the waves and the wind.
And it’s easy to combine with exploring the beaches, villages, and local cafés around the island. So if you’re in Fuerteventura, giving watersports a try is a classic island experience.
Want to try wingfoil with me while visiting Fuerteventura?
Whether you’re a beginner or already have experience, a lesson is a fun way to enjoy the waves and wind. Book your session and make your visit unforgettable!