One of the lesser-known Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever lay your eyes on. From golden sandy beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see to rugged volcanoes just begging you to hike to the top, this natural paradise is a wonderful destination if you want to get back to nature.
Although Fuerteventura is part of Spain, it’s located just off the northwestern coast of Morocco. Because of this, the island enjoys blissfully warm and sunny weather all year round, making it a great place to escape to in the middle of winter.
Whatever type of vacation you’re seeking, you’ll never be stuck for what to do in Fuerteventura. With hiking trails, excellent surfing spots, volcanic beaches, and natural lagoons, the island is ideal for lovers of the great outdoors. Throw into the mix sleepy fishing villages, stunning viewpoints, hidden caves, and fascinating local wildlife, and Fuerteventura is the ideal place to get away from it all.
With such a great choice of things to see and do, you may not know where to begin. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the absolute best things to do in Fuerteventura. Add these activities and attractions to your Fuerteventura bucket list, and you’re guaranteed to have an amazing time exploring the Hawaii of Europe!
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15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Fuerteventura
1. Drive a Buggy through the Corralejo Natural Park
The Corralejo Natural Park is one of the top Fuerteventura attractions – and for good reason, too. The park is tucked away in the very north of the island and boasts a massive 5 miles of beaches. While these golden stretches of sand are absolutely stunning, the real star of the show is the collection of sand dunes.
These giant mounds cover 6,425 acres and will make you feel like you’re in the middle of the Sahara Desert. There’s far too much ground to cover on foot, so we recommend you sign up for a buggy tour to make the most of your visit.
This adventurous tour begins by going up and down the undulating sand dunes in the Corralejo Natural Park. After that, it’s on to the magnificent volcanic area of Villaverde before arriving at your final destination – Parque Holandés. It’s the perfect balance of high-speed adventure and island sightseeing.
2. Pick Up Gourmet Salt at Museo Las Salinas del Carmen
You’ll find one of the most unique things to do in Fuerteventura on the eastern side of the island, just south of Caleta de Fuste. This spot is home to the salt museum Museo Las Salinas del Carmen. Wandering around a salt museum may not sound like the most exciting way to spend a day, but the salt-collecting process is surprisingly fascinating!
When you arrive at the museum, the first thing you’ll see is the collection of salt ponds. There are around 10 collection ponds where the saltwater is taken from the sea and almost 1,000 condensation ponds where the salt is extracted.
Here you can find out how salt is naturally taken from the foam of the sea. If you want to get a little more involved, you can even sign up to be a salt worker for the day.
The best part of the museum is the gift shop. It’s loaded with one-of-a-kind items you’ll only find in Fuerteventura. As well as natural salt in all kinds of colors and shapes, you’ll also find local wines, dipping sauces, chocolates, lava jewelry, and artwork.
3. Fall Over Laughing at the Tran Tran International Clown Festival
Planning on visiting the island in September? Then you’ve got to check out the Tran Tran International Clown Festival. One of the most fun things to do in Fuerteventura at this time of year, this festival attracts more than 100 circus performers from all over the world who wow audiences with 60+ shows.
All the performances are free and take place in various locations throughout Gran Tarajal. While locations do vary from year to year, you’ll find most shows on the Gran Tarajal Beach, the main square, and various streets. One of the highlights of the event you’ve got to check out is the main parade. Be on the lookout for posters announcing the time and location.
Despite its name, the festival isn’t filled with just clowns. You can see shows from all kinds of fun performers, from magicians, acrobats, and jugglers to comedians, street artists, and dancers.
4. See Where it all Began at Calderón Hondo
For some of the best Fuerteventura sightseeing opportunities, spend the day at Calderón Hondo. This giant volcano is the reason the island exists! It was thanks to its volcanic activity 50,000 years ago that the paradise of Fuerteventura came to be.
The only way to get to the crater of the volcano is to hike the 3-mile circular trail from Lajares in La Olivia. If you keep up a decent pace, it should only take you about an hour to complete. The trek has a fairly moderate elevation of 525 feet, so you need to have a decent fitness level to get through it.
Your efforts will be greatly rewarded when you reach the top with astounding views that stretch across Fuerteventura and all the way over to the south of Lanzarote. The lava fields that were created after the volcanic eruption look truly spectacular from here.
The landscape is completely volcanic, and there’s absolutely no natural shade. Because of this, we suggest you wear plenty of sunscreen and bring a lot of water with you.
5. Test Your Palate With Goat Meat
The Canary Islands are home to loads of interesting dishes, and one of the top things to do in Fuerteventura is to try goat meat. Sheep and cows are pretty scarce on the island, making alternative meats such as goat and rabbit very popular.
Fuerteventura boasts its own breed of goat (the Majorera goat), which has become a symbol of the island. It’s such a loved animal that locals often have bumper stickers on their vehicles with “Fuerteventura” written in the shape of the goat!
When cooked properly, goat meat has a really tender feel and delicate flavor. It has a similar texture to lamb, but the taste is much more subtle. It’s most commonly pan-fried and doused in a rich tomato-based sauce or simmered for hours in a stew.
Casa Luis is one of the best places in Fuerteventura to try goat meat. This traditional Canarian restaurant doesn’t have a set menu. Instead, your server will tell you which dishes are available that day. Because it’s so popular, stewed goat and fried goat are always available.
6. Stock up on Wellness Products at Finca Canarias Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is one of the latest wellness trends, featuring in all kinds of products designed to keep you healthy. Because it’s so popular, many places are charging an arm and a leg for the stuff. If you want to try aloe vera but don’t want to empty your bank account, stop by Finca Canarias Aloe Vera during your trip to Fuerteventura!
Finca Canarias Aloe Vera invites you to visit the farm and see how the plant is harvested and transformed into all kinds of products. As you explore the farm, you’ll learn all about the amazing health benefits of this simple plant and the best ways to use it.
There’s an excellent gift shop at the end of the tour teeming with healing aloe vera products that have been made onsite. You’ll find everything from body washes, shampoos, and conditioners to serums, moisturizers, and face creams. The farm also sells a cooling aftersun product which is the perfect thing to ease the pain of sunburn.
7. Let Your Cares Wash Away at El Cotillo
There are many peaceful fishing villages dotted along Fuertventura’s coastline, and El Cotillo is one you’ve absolutely got to visit. Tucked away from the major tourist resorts on the northwestern side of the island, El Cotillo is the best place to catch a glimpse of what the island looked like before it became a popular vacation destination.
The highlight of the sleepy town is the collection of stunning beaches. Almost too good to be true, these tranquil bays feature powder-soft golden sand dotted with dramatic volcanic rock formations and warm turquoise waters that gently lap the shore. They really are some of the best sights in Fuerteventura!
Most of the beaches have gentle waves that are perfect for swimming. But a number of them have excellent conditions for watersports, such as surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddle surfing, and wing foiling.
As well as the beaches, El Cotillo is also home to a small harbor lined by tempting fish and seafood restaurants. It’s a wonderful place for a sun-kissed stroll before stopping for lunch.
8. Pick up Local Ingredients at Mercado de las Tradiciones
If you’re planning on making a lot of your own meals, you’ve got to visit Mercado de las Tradiciones. One of the must-do things in Fuerteventura, this market is a paradise for foodies, brimming with all kinds of fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients.
Located in La Oliva, this gastronomic market is open from 10 am to 2 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays inside a marvelous building known as Casa del Coronel. Take a look around, and you’ll find all sorts of delicious treats – from fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices to freshly-baked bread, cookies, cakes, and candies.
Mercado de las Tradiciones also offers a tempting array of locally-made jams in flavors you’re probably not used to (cactus jam, anyone?), as well as local wines, liquors, cheese, and charcuterie. As most of the shoppers here are local, the prices are great. You’ll pay much less and get better quality ingredients shopping here than you will in a supermarket.
9. Take a Day Trip to Isla de Lobos
While there are countless excellent things to do in Fuerteventura, taking a day trip to the nearby Isla de Lobos is a great idea. Located off the northeastern coast of the island, visiting Isla de Lobos is as close to being stranded on a deserted island as you ever want to be.
If you’re staying in the popular vacation resort of Corralejo and you want a bit of downtime, head to the port and hop on the ferry to the island. Once populated exclusively by monk seals, today Isla de Lobos is home to just a handful of people who live in rustic shacks along El Puertito.
You won’t find any major attractions or landmarks here, but that’s the point. There are plenty of gorgeous beaches where you can take a siesta in the sunshine and hiking trails you can follow to explore the volcanic island. When you’re ready to rejoin society, hop on the ferry, and in a few minutes, you’ll be back in bustling Corralejo.
10. Fall in Love with Majorero Cheese
Not only does the Majorero species of goat produce excellent goat meat, but they also create some of the most delicious cheese you’ll taste in your life. Made with 100% goat milk, Majorero cheese is a one-of-a-kind local product you’ll find for sale in markets, grocery stores, and restaurants throughout Fuerteventura.
This unique cheese tastes so great that it’s won national and international awards! Although it’s a hard cheese, it has a smooth, creamy texture with a slightly spicy and acidic flavor. It comes in large rounds and is often coated on the outside with olive oil, paprika, or roasted gofio.
In restaurants, it’s most commonly served cold in slices as part of a cheese and meat platter. You can find it in almost every grocery store on the island. But for a fun day out, we suggest buying it from the Majorero Cheese Museum. Here you can find out exactly how the cheese is made and browse many different varieties before choosing your favorite.
11. Explore the Secret Caves in Ajuy
You’ll find one of the coolest things to do in Fuerteventura in Ajuy. This remote part of the island is home to a number of remarkable caves that were created by lava flowing underwater around 100 million years ago. The rocks emerged from almost 10,000 feet under the sea and formed the base for these caves, as well as the rest of Fuerteventura.
Declared a natural monument in 1987, these mysterious caves form part of the Betancuria Rural Park and are located on the coastline, just steps away from the water. You need to follow a short trek along the coast to visit the caves, but it’s definitely worth it. Along the way, you’ll spot some ancient fossil dunes, as well as natural blowholes that allow the water to surge from the sea through the rocks.
When you first enter the caves, you’ll be overwhelmed with a feeling of insignificance. The caves are so huge, ancient, and dramatic that they can’t help but put everything into perspective.
12. Be amazed by the International Kite Festival
If you’re planning on visiting the island in November, you’ve got to check out the International Kite Festival. One of the most fun Fuerteventura activities, this family-friendly festival takes place in the Corralejo Natural Park, among the sand dunes.
The festival has been running since 1987, and it gets bigger and better every year. It started out with a small group of people who were passionate about flying kites and gradually expanded until it became the internationally-recognized festival it is today.
During the event, the sky above the park is filled with kites of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Look up, and you’ll see kites that look like everything you could possibly imagine, from jellyfish, killer whales, and tigers to teddy bears, gnomes, and crabs. Some of the kites are so large that it’s amazing they stay up in the air!
As well as all the kite flying, there are loads of other events and activities that make up the festival. Check the website to find out exactly what’s happening and when.
13. Hike to the Top of Pico de la Zarza
If you’re up for a challenge, make plans to hike to the top of Pico de la Zarza. The highest point in Fuerteventura, Pico de la Zarza is more than 2,500 feet above sea level and rewards anyone who reaches its point with unbelievable views.
The mountain is found within the Jandía Natural Park in the south of the island, and climbing it is the best way to understand just how diverse the landscape of Fuerteventura is. The further you climb, the more the landscape changes from golden sand and turquoise waters to thick bushes and pine trees. By the time you reach the peak, you’ll find yourself in an alien-like landscape surrounded by multi-colored volcanic rocks and soil.
From the top of Pico de la Zarza, you’ll discover one of the top things to see in Fuerteventura. From so high up, you can see all across the island and even over to the neighboring island of Lanzarote on a clear day.
14. Go Swimming with a Sea Lion
There aren’t too many places you can go swimming with a sea lion, but the Canary Islands is one of them. Definitely one of the most fun things to do in Fuerteventura, you can swim with two resident sea lions in Caleta de Fuste.
Donna and Debbie have been living in the area for 16+ years, and they’ve recently been accompanied by newbie Nami who is currently being trained to swim with children with disabilities. Although all the sea lions were born in captivity, they’re not stuck in pools. They’re free to swim around in the port and do whatever they like while waiting for human visitors.
After you’ve donned your wet suit and life jacket, you’ll be ready to get into the water with the fun and friendly sea lions. You’ll get kisses and hugs from them and get to play games with them while they show you their tricks and talents. It’s a great way to get up close to animals that don’t have to live in zoos.
15. Experience a True Taste of Fuerteventura with Gofio
If you want to experience the authentic side of the island, one of the best things to do in Fuerteventura is to try gofio. This traditional food dates back to the original settlers of the Canary Islands and is used in everything from savory appetizers to sweet desserts.
Gofio is a kind of flour made from roasted corn. It’s incredibly nutritious and has a nutty, almost cookie-like flavor. The powder can be eaten on its own, kneaded into a dough, or combined with other ingredients to complement dishes.
Some of the most popular gofio dishes include gofio ice cream, gofio escaldado (a type of savory stew), gofio mousse, and gofio soup. Sometimes it’s even sprinkled on the top of completed dishes to add an extra boost of nutrition and flavor.
You can buy gofio from farmers’ markets and grocery stores. If you don’t want to make it yourself, you can also find it on most restaurant and cafe menus in some form throughout the island.
There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Fuerteventura. What’s your favorite thing to do in Fuerteventura?
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