On an island such as Fuerteventura, which has been blessed by Mother Nature, the tourist routes around urban environments are often relegated to the background. However, during your holiday, we strongly recommend pencilling in a few days of exploring its historic villages and most picturesque locations. To help you plan your trip, we’ve made a list of Fuerteventura’s must-visit towns and villages.
Just because you’ve planned for a day of sightseeing around these beautiful towns and villages, this doesn’t mean that you can’t also visit their local beaches, partake in active sporting activities and enjoy wonderful local cuisine.
Fuerteventura’s must-visit towns and villages
For a clear idea about the distribution of Fuerteventura’s most beautiful towns and villages, we recommend splitting the island into ‘North’ and ‘South’. We will visit six of Fuerteventura’s main towns and villages, namely: La Oliva, Puerto del Rosario, Betancuria, Antigua, Pájara and Tuineje.
What to see in northern Fuerteventura
Northern Fuerteventura is home to a range of spectacular towns, such as La Oliva, Corralejo and Puerto del Rosario. Below we will give you a brief description of each one, so that you know what you have in store for your visit.
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La Oliva, Fuerteventura
La Oliva borrows its name from the area’s wild olive trees. Be sure not to eat these fruits, as they aren’t edible. Its historic centre contains the famous Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, which dates back to 1711. It is also home to the magnificent Casa de los Coroneles [House of the Colonels]—one of the Canary Islands’ most famous monuments—which is the oldest and largest residence on the archipelago.
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El Cotillo
This small village in the municipality of La Oliva offers everything that you could want from an island retreat: a beautiful historic centre, unspoiled beaches and a fantastic selection of restaurants. It’s not hard to work out why this is one of Fuerteventura’s most popular destinations. Be sure to catch one of the magnificent sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean, where the sun tinges the sky with gorgeous tones of pink, purple and orange.
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Corralejo: a city amongst sand dunes
Corralejo is one of Fuerteventura’s most visited cities. It is notable for its shopping centres and the impressive range of retail and restaurant options. From the marina, you’ll have a great view of ships setting sail towards the Island of Lobos. Corralejo is most famous, however, for its spectacular sand dunes. The Dunas de Corralejo Natural Park comprises beaches of fine golden sands and crystal clear waters, which wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean.
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Puerto del Rosario: a bustling capital city
Puerto del Rosario, also known as Puerto de Cabras, has been the island’s capital city since the twentieth century. It is Fuerteventura’s administrative hub, with fantastic cultural activities and an impressive range of hotel and dining options. Be sure to visit the Unamuno House-Museum, the La Alcogida Eco-Museum and the Juan Ismael Art Centre.
It is also home to several fantastic beaches, which are the perfect location for sports such as surfing and kitesurfing. Besides the capital city, the municipality is also home to other villages, such as: Casillas del Ángel, Tetir, La Asomada, el Matorral, Tefia, La Matilla, Guisguey and Los Llanos.
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Betancuria: a fine collection of traditional architecture
Betancuria was the original capital city of Fuerteventura. It is located in the mid-western part of the island, first founded by Norman knight Jean de Béthencourt. This inland village is surrounded by mountains, set within a semi-desert environment. Its biggest attraction is the Iglesia de Santa María, which was once the island’s cathedral. Betancuria’s typical whitewashed houses and rural architecture exude peace and tranquillity.
For hiking lovers, there’s nothing better than walking the Vega del Río Palmas or Agua de Bueyes hiking trails, which are found within the magnificent Betancuria Rural Park.
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Antigua: an indigenous village
The Antigua area of Fuerteventura was one of the last to be populated. The historic centre of Antigua extends outwards from the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Antigua, which lends its name to the town. Antigua is one of the only remaining indigenous villages on the island, home to several magical locations that we recommend visiting as you find your way between the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and the Centro Molino de la Antigua.
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Caleta de Fuste: a family favourite
Caleta de Fuste, found within the municipality of Antigua, is located in a tourist resort of outstanding natural beauty in central Fuerteventura. This town is famous for its peaceful beach with barely any waves, perfect for families looking for a relaxing day out.
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Las Salinas: a must-visit
Salinas del Carmen, a beautiful town on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, is home to several salt mines which are well worth visiting. They are island’s only operational saltworks. Built in 1910, these saltworks are used to extract salt from the ocean in a traditional method, with the product being used primarily for cooking. They are of huge ethnographic and aesthetic value.
Southern Fuerteventura’s must-visit towns and villages
There are two must-visit towns in southern Fuerteventura: Pájara and Tuineje. Make sure to find the time during your trip to visit these beautiful locations.
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Pájara and its beaches
The town of Pájara is home to two of the island’s most important and well-known beaches. These are the Playa de Sotavento, which is a white sandy beach that descends into crystal clear waters, and the famous Playa del Cofete.
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Ajuy: a charming village with caves
Ajuy is mainly known for the famous Ajuy caves. This small village, home to barely 150 inhabitants, boasts some magnificent cliffs that dominate the coastal landscape. This is a great option for a day trip, as you’ll have more than enough time to explore its caves and enjoy some time on the beach.
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Morro Jable
Morro Jable is located in the south of the Jandía Peninsula. The Playa de la Solana, featuring long stretches of fine white sands, is one of the most popular attractions. Be sure to check out the Matorral lighthouse and the Jandía salt marsh during your visit.
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Gran Tarajal
Gran Tarajal, in the southern municipality of Tuineje, is the closest city to the continent of Africa, located just 100 kilometres away. This could be considered as the island’s second most important city. This is a fantastic destination if you’re looking to sample the exquisite cuisine of Fuerteventura. If you like fish, we recommend heading to the Cofradía de Pescadores.
