Most people visit the island for the beautiful beaches which, unlike Tenerife and Lanzarote, are soft golden and sandy. Whilst the island has several extinct volcanoes, it’s mostly flat and in springtime the plains are covered in beautiful carpets of wild flowers.
Parts of the island are very busy and commercialised, often losing their identity in a desire to offer tourists a taste of home, but away from the big resorts the true Fuerteventura can be found by hiring a car and seeking out tiny villages and hamlets. There, agriculture is still the mainstay and Spanish the only language.
Fuerteventura Mini Guide
Fuerteventura is a wild and windswept island and its romance is reflected in the many names it has been given over the ages. One is 'great adventure', as it was described by one of the explorers who found it. Another is 'strong wind', and Fuerteventura is also known as the island of the eternal spring. Fuerteventura is part of the
Canary Islands and has a population of just over 70,000 people.
It was originally settled by neighbouring North Africans the Mahoreros tribe who were cave-dwellers, and after years of European governance the people of Fuerteventura were allowed to rule themselves in 1912.
The pleasant climate, which remains between 18-24 degrees Celsius, and the 3,000 hours of sunshine every year means that Fuerteventura is extremely popular with European tourists.
The first hotel was built on the island in 1965, after the construction of the Fuerteventura Airport at El Mattoral. Now there is a proper infrastructure for tourists and especially families with a zoo, a water park and golf courses on the island. The island has miles of coastline and around 150 beaches as well as sand dunes, so is a paradise for people who are looking for sun, sea and sand. It is the second largest of the Canary Islands and can claim to have the longest beaches in the archipelago.
There is a vast array of marine life including dolphins, marlin, turtles and whales and Fuerteventura has long been an attraction for deep sea divers and fishermen. Trade winds in the summer and Atlantic swells in the winter mean that surfers are always visiting Fuerteventura to chase the large waves which appear on the north and west coast.
The windsurfing on the island is also excellent and the PWA world speed and slalom windsurfing event takes place in the south at Sotavento. The volcanic landscape of the island is very intriguing following many eruptions which means the exploration in a four by four vehicle is rewarding. There has not been an eruption for over 7,000 years so it is safe to do so.
Fuerteventura has a number of flats and apartments for rent and visitors may want to consider booking a package holiday so they can get the best deals. There are long and short term rental options and everything on offer including luxury villas which can accommodate large groups of people. Erika Properties, Fuerte Rentals and Lazy Days holidays are just a few of the companies which can help you find what you are looking for.
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