Fuerteventura literally means “strong winds” and that was indeed the prevalent feature of the island when we visited for 12 days in December. With a mild and dry climate and not far off the Moroccan coast, the second-largest of the Canary Islands is a popular winter destination for European tourists who come for the beaches on Fuerteventura.
We arrive in the South of the Island by Fred Olsen ferry from Gran Canaria. From the harbor we walk over to the nearby town of Morro Jable – a strip of colourful houses built into a dry wadi not so long ago. A balmy breeze wafts through the alleys. At a small café we have some cortados and a cheese sandwich. Arabic is spoken at the neighbouring tables and Morro Jable definitely has a North African vibe to it.
Nothing in the desert landscape behind us would recommend this spot for a settlement, were it not for the broad white sand beach beginning here and stretching for many kilometres along the coast of the Jandía Peninsula. The island bus we take soon passes rows of hotel blocks. Hundreds of hollow squares, balcony upon balcony of two deck chairs and drawn curtains are set back from the beach. Most of the larger hotels have shut down due to the Corona pandemic. But a number of tourists are staying in the smaller hotels or bungalow parks and making dots on the largely empty beach.
A tiny harbor town
Gran Tarajal, the tiny harbour town where we have rented a flat, attracts very few tourists. Some foreigners are staying on sailing boats in the yacht harbour. The sand on the small beach is a dark grey, and the sea promenade including the complete harbour front and bay allows for a maximum jogging route of perhaps 5 kilometres, but there is a small stretch of cafés and restaurants at the seafront.
Fuerteventura clearly is a beach and water sports destination. We aren’t beach people, and with winter storms, red flags, and high waves the water doesn’t look enticing anyway. Some people walk or run along the beach, a teddy bear is wearing a unicorn sweater to keep warm (sitting in the dunes). Below, only two older men shuffle waist-deep into the water. Over the next days we manage to do some sightseeing and hiking instead.
We climb Pico Zarza, the island’s highest mountain. At 807 metres that’s not more than a longish desert walk, which will definitely make it among our top-1000 island hikes. And we cross the island at its smallest point at the Isthmus of La Pared.
An immersion into local culture
Several museums on Fuerteventura introduce the local culture and traditions. The Salinas de Carmen today house a museum, where we can visit the restored old salt production pools. Exhibits and videos explain the procedure of sea salt making. Without even using pumps, the local salt entrepreneurs coaxed high waves onto the coastland and then drained the water into shallow pools. The saltwater was then gradually simmered down by the tropical sun until salt crystals could be scraped out from the flat basins.
Cheese!
In the cheese museum in Antigua, we learn about the production of the local Majorero goat cheese for which the island is famous. In fact, the locals predominantly subsisted on this cheese in former centuries and goats were the only animals that could survive on the dry land. Cheese prices and cheese export was often highly regulated to prevent mass starvation.
The mill museum in Tiscamanita, one of the most pleasant rural villages on Fuerteventura according to our guide book, is closed for undisclosed reasons. At least the restored, white-washed windmill looks nice on the pictures. The village however seems pretty average to us at best.
Betancouria is another one of those traditional villages popular with tourists for its atmosphere. For a brief period in the 15th century Betancuria even was the island’s capital. The church, where a bishop was once meant to reside (but never actually arrived), and about 5 nearby houses are photogenic enough. They all house tourist cafés and souvenir shops, and we notice the broad pedestrian walkways and routes. Clearly, the intention is to keep hundreds of bus tourists away from the village’s narrow roads. In non-Corona times, the place must be brimming with bus excursions from Fuerteventura’s beaches in the south. We walk around the decaying old monastery just outside the village. Afterwards, we continue to the Barranco del Malpaso, a peaceful canyon where a dam and a failed reservoir project left a seasonal lake and some burgeoning greenery.
Touristy Corralejo
For the last few days, we move to Corralejo in the North of Fuerteventura. Famous for its beaches, Corralejo is a thriving tourist town with shopping malls, surf shops, restaurants, and beach bars. Most of them are open. Here, we encounter the highest number of tourists we have seen on the Canary Islands so far this year.
Surfer beaches on Fuerteventura
A mountain bike ride along the north coast leads us past all the popular surfer beaches on Fuerteventura. A walk along the protected Corralejo Dunes to the eastern beaches brings us to a spot where the kite surfers congregate. The nearby island of Los Lobos is uninhabited, but a small ferryboat shuttles day tourists for hiking, surfing or lounging on the beach. We spend a whole very relaxing day walking all over the small island.
Meanwhile we are back on the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria for more climbing and hiking.
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Never been to the Canary Islands but they are definitely on the list. I like that you hear North African influences around you. The ruins look pretty atmospheric too. Hopefully we can make it here one day not too far off.
We visited 3 Canary Islands but missed out on Fuerteventura. I love the broad expanses of beach and small fishing harbours. I might not want to get in the high waves. But is is always fun to watch the braver surfers. Interesting to visit during the pandemic when tourist numbers are lower. But that is exactly the way I like it!
Yes, it was a very good time for a visit. In Germany we had a strict lock-down at this time, while on the Canary Islands they had some restrictions, but most places stayed open.
I can’t imagine how kite surfers controlled their kites while there were so many in the air at the same time. But it looks like visiting during corona time gave you a better time in exploring without too many people around. One good thing that came out from this pandemic.
Good and bad at the same time. We appreciated that there were not so many tourists. On the other hand the empty large bus parking lots, empty restaurants and beaches also feel creepy. Because we knew why they were empty.
Oh my! Take me there! How scenic is this, I love the beach views, the ruins and the windmill. I would sit and watch those surfers all day long, while snacking on some cheese.
If you lilke sitting on the beach – you would love it. Although Fuerteventura is really very windy.
I have never been to Canary Islands but have definitely got it on my list. I would love to visit those amazing beach villages, as the blues are so tempting. I especially would love to visit Betancuria to see the churches and the old buildings. I also would love to go to the cheese museum, sounds delicious.
Unfortunately the cheese museum was explanation only – no tasting possibilities. But the local cheese is sold in small shops as well as in the bigger supermarkets.
Haven’t visited this place yet but it looks charming. The fine sand and the opportunity to surf is enough reason to visit this little paradise. Thank you for sharing about your experience at Fuerteventura.
For surfers Fuerteventura is one of the hotspots in Europe!
Enjoyed learning a little bit more about the Canary Islands. I was surprised to learn, actually, that there’s a desert there. I had always thought it was more tropical. Sounds like a place mostly without too many tourists, and with many opportunities to relax and explore.
Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are actually very dry with larger stretches of desert. There are some tourist hotspots where it is quite lively.
Ooo i’ve always wanted to go the Canary Islands. I already adore Spain so this unique island culture would be a fascinating take on the Espana I know and love. I can see why all my kitesurfer friends go there…it’s the wind mecca, and a whole lot of fun.
Yes it is! Even if you don’t kitesurf it is fun just to watch the kitesurfers.
The architecture and beach are lovely, but I just might head there for the cheese. Lol! JK, but it seems like a gorgeous spot for a bit of R&R. So beautiful!