While holidays to Fuerteventura are increasingly popular, the island remains hugely unspoilt and there are many places to discover that are truly away from it all. This naturally beautiful island has a rugged mountainous centre surrounded by over 50 kilometres of stunning white and black sands.

You’re never far away from one of the island’s National Parks either. Corralejo Natural Park boasts 10 kilometres of rolling sand dunes that run down the northeast coast, and Jandia National Park in the south, encompasses many of the island’s best beaches along with the spectacular surrounding mountains.

Just like the other Canary Islands, Fuerteventura offers an excellent base, however you like to holiday, whether it’s a family getaway to make some new memories, a special trip just the two of you, or a cheap Fuerteventura holiday. You can even do an island hopping day trip among the Canaries if you can’t choose between them.

Best beaches in Europe

Fuerteventura holidays offer modern resorts, sleepy villages and historical towns, but what all the resorts have in common is their fantastic beaches – and beaches are a cheap holiday-seekers paradise. Fuerteventura has some of the largest and most impressive beaches in the whole of Europe, wrapping around the entire island and only briefly interrupted by cliffs and coves.

The beaches of popular tourist spot Corralejo include a small area close to the heart of the resort known as Corralejo Viejo, as well as the rustic, 300-metre long El Caseron. The star attraction though is Playa Grande. It goes on further than the eye can see, with tonnes of space to throw down a towel, and it stretches back from the sea into the rolling Corralejo dunes.

For the Atlantic at its most tranquil, head to Costa Calma, and in particular Esmerelda beach. Its gentle waves are ideal for a family splash about. From here, beaches continue south all the way to the unspoilt Jandia area. Between Jandia and Sotavento you can stroll all the way along the coast passing endless lagoons and dunes.

In the far south of the island is the perfectly isolated Cofete beach. It’ll take about 20 to 30 minutes drive along a dirt track, but, it’s well worth it when you get there to enjoy the silence and breathtaking views of the Jandia Mountains.

Wind and water

The long expanses of coastline and gusty winds of Fuerteventura make it ideal for watersports. Whether you’re a novice or a dab hand, the island is a great place to take part in surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, waterskiing, diving or just flying a kite in the warm breeze.

The winds are generally stronger in the summer months, making them a welcome antidote to the heat and also providing the perfect conditions for floating along in the water. Make a beeline to Sotavento in the south if you are interested in these adrenaline-fuelled sports. Here, you can watch the Professional Windsurfers Association world windsurfing speed and slalom event, usually running from July into August.

Or, if you are planning a holiday to Fuerteventura in November, the International Kite Festival is held in Cotillo, in the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park. Go there to watch professional kite flyers and enthusiasts from around the world. Fortunately, even at this time, Fuerteventura boasts a warm climate and as it’s not the peak season, you’re more likely to grab an impressive cheap Fuerteventura holiday too.

Local attractions and parties

Good road and bus links between the main resorts mean you’re never too far from any of the island’s attractions, after all, it’d only take an hour and a half to get from one end of the island to the other anyway! You could choose to take a bus or taxi wherever you need to go, or opt for one of the more unconventional modes of transport available. Ride a Harley Davidson or three-wheeler motorbike along the mountain roads, tackle the back roads in a 4×4, or take a camel ride across the dunes.

For fun days out for all the family, Fuerteventura’s only waterpark, Acua Family Park, is situated near Corralejo and offers fun for everyone. Dare to go on the tallest and fastest shoots, enjoy a slow paced lazy river, or hit the mini slides for the little adrenaline seekers. Booking your tickets online can see some exclusive discounts, and they offer a bus transfer from several points across the island.

Try Oasis Animal Park near Costa Calma to see with some incredible wildlife. With a variety of options to see and learn about the animals, as well as get up close and personal with camel rides and elephant feeding, it’s a great day out for all. There’s several restaurants here too, but also plenty of picnic spots if you’re keeping the cost down.

The Canary Islands are known for fiesta season. Every village and town across Fuerteventura holds its own carnival celebrations between January and April, with most held in February. It’s hard not to be drawn in by these quirky and colourful parties.

At one with nature

The seas around the Fuerteventura are brimming with wildlife. Even when just paddling at the shoreline you can catch a glimpse of the colourful sea creatures, or take a boat trip further out to spot the dolphins, turtles and whales that are native to this area.

Fuerteventura holidays offer the chance to see turtles up close and personal, and you may even get a chance to see them be released back to the waters – visit Cofete beach between August and early September.

Away from the coastal resorts, located inland from Puerto del Rosario, the small village of Tefia gives a taste of true Fuerteventura. The whole village serves as an outdoor museum showing how islanders lived 100 years ago. Within its quaint stone buildings are local people making pottery, lace and baskets to buy, as well as bread and the traditional island meat of goat, cooked in a home-made oven.

There are also chances to visit two neighbouring islands, which have very different appeals. The small island of Los Lobos to the north has a real castaway feel. It is a tranquil nature reserve where you get the chance to see plants and animals not found anywhere else on the planet.

Or, head further north to Lanzarote. Here you can visit popular tourist haunts or take the Volcano Express to see striking lava fields and have food cooked in a ‘natural oven’.

Eating out

If the thought of sitting with a glass of vino, listening to the waves with a plate of fresh, home-cooked food is making your mouth water, then you’ll love Fuerteventura. From seafood caught that day to traditional stews, goats cheese or spicy potatoes, the local cuisine has lots to offer. These traditional eateries have a certain charming allure as you walk down the cobbled streets to find them, and once you’re inside, the friendly atmosphere will make you feel right at home.

Even if you have more home-grown tastes, most places in Fuerteventura have international and British alternatives, so everyone will be kept happy. Corralejo and Costa Caleta have the widest selection of places to eat. Head to La Taberna in Corralejo for a succulent, sizzling steak, or, go Italian at Gin Bahia and enjoy delicious pizzas or pastas, as well as a vast gin menu. In Costa Caleta is where you’ll find a classic Great British roast, or if it’s pub classics like burgers, ribs or lasagne you’re after, Mustang Sally’s is a great family pick.

You’ll find that dining out is very reaonably priced, so even if you’re staying All Inclusive or on a cheap holiday in Fuerteventura, a night or two out is definitely worth it to try something new and soak up the atmosphere.