The best holiday resorts on Fuerteventura
Beach and wind are two essential factors for choosing the right holiday destination on Fuerteventura. Beaches, and that is the pure luxury of this Canary Island, are lined up in beauty along more than 200 kilometres of coastline. Anyone who has ever been to Fuerteventura knows that the wind is constant, which is why water sports enthusiasts can always surf somewhere here. This breeze is particularly welcome among beach holidaymakers in summer, although some simply wish there was no wind at all.
If you want to avoid the stronger winds or at least reduce the likelihood of having to hold on to your belongings all the time, you should choose holiday resorts in the shelter of the mountains. This applies to the Morro Jable holiday area in the south (Jandia mountains) and Corralejo in the north. The offshore island of Lanzarote acts as a protective shield here.
However, other things are also crucial for a great holiday. We present some of the most popular holiday resorts on Fuerteventura and tell you for whom a longer holiday is worthwhile.
Costa Calma
This is one of the most popular and second largest holiday resorts in the south of the island and is actually made exclusively for it. Without the hotels, flats, holiday homes, shopping centres and restaurants, there would only be the beach here. Costa Calma translates as "calm coast" and compared to other regions of the island, the sea here is actually more gentle, with little to no undercurrent, offshore winds and low waves. The large bay with a clean sandy beach is the main attraction of the holiday resort - there is plenty of space for sunbathing and lounging on the beach over a length of 1.5 kilometres. In the centre, a water sports school has everything you need to enjoy surfing in the sea. The surfing section is separate from the bathing area, so that everyone can find peace and quiet here.
Morro Jable / Jandia
Further south of Costa Calma, Morro Jable / Jandia is the largest tourist centre in the south of the island. Both towns merge seamlessly into one another and along the promenade that connects the two towns, you can experience the alternation between historic fishing village and modern urbanisation. Jandia not only refers to the new part of the holiday area, but also to the entire southern peninsula. This holiday region is particularly popular with German holidaymakers. Playa Matorral, not far from the lighthouse, is one of the most beautiful and popular stretches of beach on the entire island in the south. The hotels and apartment complexes are located above the beautiful beaches and offer fantastic views. With the highest mountain on the island (Pico de la Zarza), the landscape not only has a real highlight, but also a natural protective wall that softens many winds.
If you explore Morro Jable on foot, you will come across the Faro de Morro Jable, a lighthouse. It offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area and the best photo opportunities. Finally, the fishing village also has a small harbour where traditional fishing practices can still be observed when the boats come in with their catch of the day.
Caleta de Fuste
Just a few kilometres south of the airport, guests can start their holiday in Caleta de Fuste (also known as El Castillo). Originally a small fishing village, the town has developed into a lively holiday resort over the years. The area offers a range of accommodation, including hotels, resorts and holiday flats. One of the main attractions of Caleta de Fuste is the beautiful sandy beach, known as Playa del Castillo. The beach is well maintained and offers a safe and pleasant environment for swimming and sunbathing. It is also suitable for various water sports activities such as snorkelling, diving and windsurfing.
In addition to the beach, Caleta de Fuste also has a picturesque marina with a variety of restaurants, bars and shops. For those interested in history and culture, Caleta de Fuste offers the Castillo de Fuste, a fortress from the 18th century. It dates back to the 19th century. The castle has been restored and now houses a museum showing the history of Fuerteventura.
Corralejo
The holiday resort of Corralejo on Fuerteventura offers a good mix of everything. Before tourism, it was a small fishing village on the north coast with just 200 inhabitants - now it is an extremely popular holiday destination, especially among the British. Corralejo has a bit of everything: tradition, history, the Grande Playas, wind for surfing, promenades, dunes, harbour and old town flair.
One of Corralejo's main attractions is its extensive sandy beaches. The town's main beach stretches for several kilometres and offers golden sand, clear turquoise waters and breathtaking views of the neighbouring islands of Lobos and Lanzarote. The beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming and a variety of water sports activities such as windsurfing, kitesurfing and snorkelling.
The harbour area, known as the 'old town', has a charming atmosphere with its narrow streets, whitewashed buildings and traditional Canarian architecture. It is a great place to explore the town, savour the local cuisine and buy souvenirs and local handicrafts.
From the harbour, tourists can take a ferry to the nearby island of Lobos, a small uninhabited island known for its unspoilt beaches and nature trails. The island is a protected nature park and offers opportunities for hiking, bird watching and enjoying the unspoilt natural beauty.
El Cotillo
El Cotillo is a picturesque fishing village in the north, about 40 kilometres from the airport, charming, more original than others and with a quiet rhythm. Although the village is located on the somewhat rougher north-west coast, there are lagoons and beaches that are recommended for a family holiday with children. Cotillo is a relaxed and laid-back place, which is why surfers, individual and active holidaymakers like to stay here.
The Playa de Los Lagos in the town itself consists of a series of sheltered lagoons with calm and clear turquoise-coloured water. Playa de la Concha and Playa del Castillo are also located along the coast, both with white sand and crystal-clear water.
Surfers will find excellent conditions in El Cotillo. There are several breakwaters in the area that are suitable for both beginners and advanced surfers.
The village itself has a charming town centre with narrow streets, small squares and whitewashed houses. There are several shops, cafés and restaurants. Colourful fishing boats are moored in the harbour of El Cotillo and you can enjoy fresh seafood in the restaurants.