Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura was the last of the main Canary Islands Archipelago we had yet to explore. We have been regular visitors to the nearby island of Lanzarote, who's seafront of Playa Blanca and the Faro de Punta Pechiguera Antiguo lighthouse adorn the horizon along the perpetual beaches of Fuerteventura's northern town of Corralejo, the base for our stay. So we immediately felt at home on this Canary island.
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| The beaches of Corralejo, Fuerteventura |
Corralejo is a fishing port first and a tourist destination second. As such it benefits from a busy, bustling centre with bars and seafront restaurants catering for locals and tourists alike. It also enjoys a huge expanse of sprawling beaches that are part of the Parque Natural de Corralejo to the east of the town. The windy beaches that hug stunning turquoise seas are hugely popular with surfers and windsurfers and the sky can often be crammed with colourful parachutes and kites making for quite a spectacle. As a result the town attracts a younger demographic than typical Canarian resorts and the evenings are a little livelier for it.
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El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
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For those of a less adventurous disposition the beaches are also a fabulous destination for early morning walks or runs along the sand. The views of the nearby island of Lobos are the perfect accompaniment to a stomp along the golden sand dunes. An excellent choice of restaurants and the unspoilt beaches made Corralejco a perfect base to explore the island.
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El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
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And with exploring in mind, a short twenty minute drive from Corralejo on the west coast of the island is the pretty fishing harbour of El Cotillo. From here you can walk along the volcanic beaches and sand dunes to the El Toston Lighthouse. In fact, you get three lighthouses for the price of one and it's a superb deserted spot to enjoy the mesmerising strength of the Atlantic Ocean.
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| El Toston Lighthouse, Fuerteventura |
By the time you've walked back to El Cotillo (which takes approximately an hour) you'll have earned a hearty lunch and a cold beer at one of the many seafront fish restaurants that surround the pretty harbour.
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| El Cotillo, Fuerteventura |
Traversing the island to the east coast, Puerto del Rosario is the capital of Fuerteventura. On the outskirts of the city is the Gavioto Point Lighthouse which is situated on an industrial estate and stands adjacent to a huge wind turbine. It's not the the prettiest setting for a lighthouse, but it is certainly dramatic.....and an excellent spot to deploy a wind turbine. Hold on to your hat!
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| Gavioto Point Lighthouse, Fuerteventura |
We visited Puerto del Rosario on a national holiday so it was very quiet and most places were closed. Even so, we managed to grab a cappuccino at a café surrounded by palm trees with a view of the sea. This small city is easy to navigate and the lovely waterfront is adorned with statutes and works of art that encourage you to explore. It felt like a place we would want to return to.
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Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura
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Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura
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Another day hitting the road we travelled to the small central town of La Oliva which had a lovely named church, the Our Lady of La Candelaria. There is an arts and food market where the locals sell their produce and handmade crafts.
Just outside La Oliva is the Mirador de Vallebrón. The views of the Plateau and Tindaya Mountain are breath-taking from the two viewing platforms, just be prepared for that famous Feuertevetura wind.
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| Mirador de Vallebrón, Fuerteventura |
Any trip to Fuerteventura must take in a trip to the nearby island of Lobos. The island is a twenty minute boat ride from the port at Corralejo and you should plan to spend four or five hours exploring the protected nature reserve. Facilities are limited on the island so go prepared with sunscreen and water.
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| Punta Martiño lighthouse, Lobos |
After landing at the small jetty we meandered the length of the island enjoying the remote setting with the promise of the Punta Martiño lighthouse at the north of the island. The lighthouse is in a spectacular location, resplendent in it's solitude. It takes about an hour to walk there and you can continue on the circular path that will eventually return you back to the landing via more wonderful fauna and scenery, including the impressive Montaña La Caldera. The mountain is the remnant of an old volcano. There is a steep path to reach the top, but that was well beyond my fear of heights threshold.
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| Montaña La Caldera, Lobos |
As I mentioned, with Corralejo being a working fishing port with a younger crowd the eating options are a step up on your typical resort offerings. Here's a quick round up of some of our favourite restaurants.
- Restaurant 3 Calici is tucked away as part of the Centro Comercial El Campanario, which is out of the main town. Drop in here for fabulous wine and Italian tapas, the charming owners will make it an evening to remember.
- Bar La Lonja which is a big seafood restaurant on the harbour, and it's location is perfect for relaxing with a cold Dorada beer whilst watching the world go by.
- Pizzeria Big Wave boasts to serve the the best pizza on the island, and I'd have to agree.
- The family run Gregorio El Pescador serves excellent spinach croquettes and a superb vegetarian paella.
- Restaurante La Taberna - Juan & Ana was another delightful, family run restaurant. A good house red in a nice atmosphere.
Next time on Fuerteventura we explore the south of the island.
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| Fuerteventura |
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