How should you plan your trip to Fuerteventura?
A long, narrow island, with 115 km by road between Corralejo and Morro Jable. Four days cover the Corralejo dunes, Isla de Lobos, inland Betancuria and the south of Jandía without spending the whole trip behind the wheel.
- Suggested time
- 4 days
- To go at your own pace
- May, June, September and October, with highs of 24 to 28 °C
Isla de Lobos requires a permit from the Cabildo (island council), requested online for a given day and time slot (10:00 to 14:00 or 14:00 to 18:00). Each application covers up to three permits, the boat ticket is separate, and the permit can be shown on paper or as a QR code. Check the Cabildo's website to see how many days ahead each date opens.
Activities in Fuerteventura
Lobos Island Ferry Trip
from €17
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)
Lobos Island Snorkelling Trip
from €27
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)
Water Taxi to Lobos Island
from €16
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. You book directly with the provider.
An island of long beaches and wind.
Choose one base in the north and one in the south: it is 115 km from Corralejo to Morro Jable.
Dunes, lagoons and a long island best taken slowly.
Fuerteventura is the longest of the Canary Islands and you feel it in the car: there are 115 km by road between Corralejo and Morro Jable. That is why it works better as two halves than as one continuous drive. The north is dunes, Lobos and fishing villages; the south is Jandía, windsurfing and long beaches. In between sits Betancuria, a quiet village inland. The island is a Biosphere Reserve and holds Starlight Reserve certification (renewed until 2029, according to the Cabildo), so an evening with no plans is worth it too.
Walk the sand in mid-afternoon, when the sun is gentler.
A board of majorero and papas arrugadas by the sea.
The Tostón lighthouse or La Concha cove.
You can also explore more Canary Islands getaways or compare this destination with other ideas.
What to see in Fuerteventura.
- 1Corralejo dunes
- 2Isla de Lobos
- 3Betancuria
- 4El Cotillo and La Concha
- 5Jandía and Sotavento
- 6Cofete
Corralejo dunes
A natural park in the north, in the municipality of La Oliva, with pale sand dunes beside the sea. There is no shade: bring water and a hat, and check the wind before choosing your stretch of beach.
Isla de Lobos
The Islote de Lobos Natural Park, about 15 minutes by boat from Corralejo. You explore it on foot and numbers are capped at 200 visitors at a time per time slot. You cannot land without the Cabildo's permit.
Betancuria
Founded in 1404 inland, it was the island's historic capital. Its centre is a Historic Ensemble, 34 km from the airport. It is the counterpoint to a day on the coast.
El Cotillo and La Concha
A fishing village on the west coast, about 20 km from Corralejo. La Concha is a half-moon cove of white sand. The Tostón lighthouse is about 5 km north of the village and a good place for sunset.
Jandía and Sotavento
Sotavento has two sandbars, 100 and 300 m from the shore, which form a lagoon of about 3 km, suitable for beginners at windsurfing or kitesurfing. Every summer La Barca de Sotavento hosts the Windsurf and Wingfoil World Championship.
Cofete
A beach on the Jandía peninsula. It is reached from Morro Jable by a dirt-and-stone track of about 8.5 km with difficult stretches, which the official Fuerteventura Tourism page rates as suitable for 4x4s; Tiadhe's line 111 also goes there. The beach has no lifeguards: bring water and food.
Two views of Fuerteventura.
A few details to help you picture your trip. Enlarge each photo, then carry on with the route.
Your trip, day by day.
Corralejo and the dunes
Arrive, drop your bags in Corralejo and walk the dunes in mid-afternoon, when the sun is lower and gentler. If you are going to Lobos tomorrow, have the permit ready.
Corralejo and the dunes
Arrive, drop your bags in Corralejo and walk the dunes in mid-afternoon, when the sun is lower and gentler. If you are going to Lobos tomorrow, have the permit ready.
Isla de Lobos
Pick the morning slot (10:00 to 14:00) and walk the island. In the afternoon, rest in Corralejo or take a short stroll round the harbour.
Corralejo and the dunes
Arrive, drop your bags in Corralejo and walk the dunes in mid-afternoon, when the sun is lower and gentler. If you are going to Lobos tomorrow, have the permit ready.
Isla de Lobos
Pick the morning slot (10:00 to 14:00) and walk the island. In the afternoon, rest in Corralejo or take a short stroll round the harbour.
El Cotillo and Betancuria
A beach morning at La Concha or El Cotillo, a fish lunch and an afternoon in Betancuria, about 60 km from Corralejo by road.
Corralejo and the dunes
Arrive, drop your bags in Corralejo and walk the dunes in mid-afternoon, when the sun is lower and gentler. If you are going to Lobos tomorrow, have the permit ready.
Isla de Lobos
Pick the morning slot (10:00 to 14:00) and walk the island. In the afternoon, rest in Corralejo or take a short stroll round the harbour.
El Cotillo and Betancuria
A beach morning at La Concha or El Cotillo, a fish lunch and an afternoon in Betancuria, about 60 km from Corralejo by road.
Jandía and Cofete
Cross to the south (115 km from Corralejo to Morro Jable). Beach time in Jandía or Sotavento and, if the day allows, Cofete along the track. If your flight leaves today, save Cofete for another trip: the airport is 89 km away.
A suggested editorial route. Adjust the timings to your bookings, the weather and your mobility.
This destination is part of the route: Canary Islands in 4 days
More ideas in Fuerteventura
Lanzarote Timanfaya Day Trip
from €83
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)
Lobos Island Catamaran Day Trip
from €75
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)
Complete Fuerteventura Tour
from €62
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. You book directly with the provider.
A getaway you can taste.
You don't need a list of twenty restaurants. You need to know what to look for, book a table if you want one, and give it time.
Queso majorero
A Protected Designation of Origin cheese, made with milk from the island's own goat breed. Ask for it tierno (young), semicurado (semi-cured) or curado (cured).
Fresh fish
Ask for the fish of the day in villages such as El Cotillo and Corralejo, and order papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) with mojo sauce.
Cabrito
Kid goat is a typical island dish, roasted or stewed. Ask how it is cooked that day.
Fuerteventura, with whoever you like.
As a couple
Lobos first thing, a fish lunch in El Cotillo and sunset at the Tostón lighthouse. Leave one day without a clock.
With children
La Concha, in El Cotillo, has a horseshoe-shaped reef that softens the swell, and a lifeguard. Lobos and Cofete mean walking and carrying water: pick one of the two.
In the wind
If windsurfing or kitesurfing is your thing, south Jandía is the place. If not, plan the day's beach according to the wind.
When to go.
May, June, September and October, with highs of 24 to 28 °C. The highlighted months are our recommendation; the figures are AEMET climate normals, not a forecast.
See the data in a table (with hours of sunshine)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May (recommended) | Jun (recommended) | Jul | Aug | Sep (recommended) | Oct (recommended) | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high (°C) | 20.6 | 21.0 | 22.2 | 22.9 | 24.1 | 25.8 | 27.3 | 27.8 | 27.5 | 26.1 | 24.0 | 22.0 |
| Avg. low (°C) | 14.7 | 14.8 | 15.5 | 16.0 | 17.1 | 19.1 | 20.8 | 21.5 | 21.2 | 19.8 | 17.7 | 15.9 |
| Rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | 2.5 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 3.2 |
| Hours of sunshine | 190 | 190 | 233 | 242 | 280 | 285 | 294 | 289 | 246 | 227 | 203 | 186 |
Getting there and where to stay.
The journey here
Fuerteventura airport is at El Matorral, about 5 km from Puerto del Rosario. From there it is about 36 km by road to Corralejo, 34 km to Betancuria and 89 km to Morro Jable. You need a car to get between areas. From Lanzarote, ferries run by Fred. Olsen Express, Naviera Armas and Líneas Romero, among others, link Playa Blanca with Corralejo in 25 to 35 minutes depending on the operator and the vessel. Isla de Lobos is reached by boat from Corralejo, a crossing of about 15 minutes.
Find Fuerteventura on the mapAirport transfer
If you fly into Fuerteventura airport, you can book a private or shared transfer to your accommodation in advance. Options, schedules and prices are on the SunTransfers website.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. You book directly with the provider.
Choose your base well
Corralejo is the most convenient base in the north: dunes, boats to Lobos and the ferry to Lanzarote. El Cotillo, on the west coast, is a small fishing village. For the Jandía beaches, stay in Costa Calma or Morro Jable, where the track to Cofete starts.
Three ways to choose your base
Corralejo
For the dunes, Lobos and the ferry to Lanzarote. It has plenty of services, and El Cotillo is 20 km away.
El Cotillo
If you want a small village, open sea and sunsets. Fewer places to stay and eat, and less noise.
Costa Calma or Morro Jable
For Jandía, Sotavento and the track to Cofete. They are far from the airport: allow 89 km to Morro Jable.
Where to stay in Fuerteventura
Once you have chosen your base, check availability, cancellation terms and prices for your dates on Booking.com. What you see there depends on the dates you search.
See places to stay in Fuerteventura on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. You book directly with the provider.
The wind rules this island. Check the forecast each morning and then decide whether your beach is in the north, west or south.
If the weather turns.
It rains little, about 16 days a year with 1 mm or more according to AEMET (the Spanish met office). If it does, use the day for Betancuria and a long lunch with queso majorero. Wind and cloud can also change a beach plan.
Two things that save you from a bad plan.
Sleeping in Corralejo and wanting to see Cofete in a day
It is 115 km to Morro Jable and then the track. Split the island between two bases or give a whole day to the south.
Going to Lobos without a permit
Without a permit from the Cabildo you cannot enter the islet. Apply online before you buy the boat ticket.
From plan to suitcase.
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Discover Fuerteventura with a guide.
These are the Civitatis activities, ordered by number of reviews. You'll find the price, reviews, duration and up-to-date conditions on the provider's website.
Lobos Island Ferry Trip
from €17
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab) Lobos Island Snorkelling Trip
from €27
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab) Water Taxi to Lobos Island
from €16
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab) Lanzarote Timanfaya Day Trip
from €83
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab) Lobos Island Catamaran Day Trip
from €75
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab) Complete Fuerteventura Tour
from €62
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. You book directly with the provider.
Information, with context.
. Itineraries and seasons: editorial suggestions by Conócela. Check opening times, rules and access at Turismo de Canarias ↗.
