The name says it plainly: Malpaís means ‘bad land’ in Spanish. And indeed, this designation has a long history – it comes from the farmers and settlers who found no yield in this inhospitable terrain, no foothold for their roots, no reason for hope. Yet what was once bad land is today one of the most fascinating nature reserves across the entire Canary Islands.
Get up from your sun lounger, grab a bike and set off, and a different island reveals itself – wilder, quieter, infinitely more vast. Fuerteventura is made for cyclists – by chance, by its geography, and by a climate that allows for a ride almost every day of the year. From gentle coastal roads to proper mountain passes and MTB trails on the Jandía Peninsula, every rider finds their route here.
Fuerteventura's museums bring the island's geology, history and rural culture to life – from the salt pans of the Museo de la Sal and the open-air village of Ecomuseo La Alcogida to the Cueva del Llano volcanic tunnel. Explore historic windmills, the archaeological sites of the Majos and contemporary art at Casa Mané. A guide to the island's most fascinating cultural treasures.
Between Corralejo and Lajares in the north of Fuerteventura stretches the Bayuyo Formation, one of the most impressive volcanic landscapes in the Canary Islands. Our guide takes you to the craters of Calderón Hondo and Bayuyo, along the signposted volcanic nature trail and to the best viewpoints over the dunes, Isla de Lobos and Lanzarote.
Fuerteventura is far more than sun, beach and sea: the island is a quiet adventure for anyone willing to look beyond the picture-postcard scenery. Discover hiking trails through lava deserts, car and cycle tours, world-class water sports, museums, theme parks, golf courses and lively local markets. A complete overview of the best activities and excursions on the island.
Cycling on Fuerteventura is not a cosy bike holiday – it is a challenge with relentless climbs, volcanic scree and heat that rewards every drop of sweat. Three demanding routes through Jandía, from Betancuria to Ajuy and up the Pico de la Zarza put riders to the test. Including difficulty ratings, best time of year, equipment and hydration tips.
There are moments on a golf course that you never forget – like when the first shot of the morning lands in the silence and the Atlantic glistens on the horizon. Golfing on Fuerteventura is no ordinary golfing experience. With four 18-hole courses, over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and dramatic volcanic scenery, the island has quietly become one of Europe's most interesting golfing destinations.
The sun bathes the horizon in warm gold, the wind brushes gently across the water, and the fishing rod traces a long, elegant arc out into the vastness of the Atlantic. Fishing on Fuerteventura is more than just a hobby – it is an encounter with one of Europe's wildest and most beautiful coastal landscapes. Anyone who loves sea fishing in the Canary Islands will find a fishing ground here that is second to none.
Diving on Fuerteventura is one of the most impressive underwater experiences in the Canary Islands. Volcanic reefs, visibility of 30 metres and more, and encounters with angel sharks, moray eels and rays await at spots from El Río in the north to the famous moray eel reefs off Jandía. Our guide covers the best dive sites, recommended diving schools and everything you need to know about medical certificates.
Fuerteventura is one of Europe's most fascinating sailing destinations, with steady trade winds that make sailing possible all year round. Discover guided sailing tours, RYA-certified sailing schools, yacht charters, Hobie Cat hire and the traditional Vela Latina regattas. Including providers, prices for 2026 and the most beautiful sailing areas around Isla de Lobos and the Jandía Peninsula.
Fuerteventura is known as the Hawaii of Europe – a mecca for surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers, from the reef breaks of the North Shore to the world-cup lagoon of Sotavento. This guide covers the best spots, the top schools and stations, 2026 rental prices and practical tips for your session on the water.
Tucked away on the wild southern peninsula of Jandía, far from tourist centres and tarmac roads, a building awaits its visitors that raises more questions than it can answer. Even 39 years after the death of its builder Gustav Winter, the villa still captivates the curious, researchers and adventurers alike.
Around 80 beaches and coves are scattered along Fuerteventura’s coastline – some well-developed and bustling, others so secluded that you might think you were the first person ever to set foot on that sand. From the world-class surf of the Playas de Sotavento to the legendary Playa Cofete at the end of the world, this diversity is the true wonder of Fuerteventura.
There are moments on Fuerteventura when you realise that this island is more than just beaches and surf. Gripping the handlebars of a quad bike, kicking up little clouds of red dust, with a gravel track stretching out into the vastness of the hinterland. Here is everything you need to know about quad, buggy and motorbike tours – providers, prices and safety tips for 2026.
Discover the five most beautiful holiday destinations in the north of Fuerteventura – from the surfing village of El Cotillo to the famous sand dunes of Corralejo. Explore quiet villages such as Lajares, Tefía and Tetir, and La Oliva, the cultural heart of the island. A guide for anyone seeking authentic island life beyond the big resorts.
There are moments on holiday when you leave the sun lounger behind and long for the smell of rubber and tarmac and the deep rumble of an engine right beneath your seat. Fuerteventura delivers exactly that: two great go-kart tracks – the Karting Club Ocios del Sur in the south and Gran Karting Fuerteventura in the east – offer an adrenaline-fuelled experience for families and racing enthusiasts alike.
The centre of Fuerteventura hides the island's most beautiful places, far away from the big resorts. From the historic former capital Betancuria and the Aztec-adorned church portal in Pájara to the sea caves of Ajuy and the quiet black-sand villages of Tarajalejo and Giniginamar. A journey through the heart of an island that has not yet been fully tamed.
There are moments on Fuerteventura when you feel as though time has stood still. When the wind from the Atlantic sweeps across the vast plains, when the late afternoon light bathes the volcanic hills in gold and the soft snorting of a horse is the only sound far and wide – that’s when you realise why horse riding on Fuerteventura is an unforgettable experience for so many holidaymakers.
Anyone who has ever driven a hire car along the dead-straight road through the Jandía Peninsula knows exactly what we’re talking about: to the left, the deep-blue Atlantic Ocean; to the right, golden sand stretching all the way to the horizon. This part of the island is considered the most touristy – and yet, or perhaps precisely because of this, it has its very own, irresistible character. From La Pared to Morro Jable, these are the most beautiful places in the south of Fuerteventura.
There are places that leave you speechless at first sight. Fuerteventura is one such place – the oldest island in the Canary archipelago, closer to the Sahara than to any European city. Anyone stepping off the aeroplane for the first time realises immediately: something is different here. Here, the earth still breathes.
There are places on Fuerteventura that you don’t go looking for – and which, for that very reason, hold a special place in your heart. Las Playitas is one such place. ‘The little beaches’, as the name suggests, nestle along the east coast of Fuerteventura, about five kilometres east of Gran Tarajal, and welcome visitors with a tranquillity that has become almost a rarity in these times of mass tourism.
Ajuy – also known as Puerto de La Peña – is a tiny fishing village on Fuerteventura's wild west coast, where conquerors once landed and lime was shipped across the Canaries. Today it charms visitors with black-sand beaches, the spectacular sea caves of Caleta Negra and seafood restaurants serving the rare delicacy percebes.
Anyone seeing Fuerteventura for the first time might think they've ended up in the wrong place – too barren, too dry, too quiet. Yet it is precisely this tranquillity that stays with you. The second-largest Canary Island does not flaunt its beauty – you have to seek it out.
White sand. Endless wind. And people who celebrate life as if every day were a party – because on Fuerteventura, it really can be. A look at the Fuerteventura travel information reveals when the island takes a break – and when it really gets going.
Fuerteventura's viewpoints – the so-called miradores – tower over the landscape like stages and offer panoramas that remain etched in the memory. From the iconic Mirador de Morro Velosa above Betancuria to the starry skies of Sicasumbre, these six spots reveal the island's rugged volcanic beauty.
If you really want to get to know Fuerteventura – the secluded coves in the north, the endless dunes of Corralejo, the rugged cliffs at Cofete – you'll need a hire car. This guide covers the requirements for hiring a car on the island, from minimum age and driving licence to credit card, plus tips on booking early and checking the small print.
Away from the tourist crowds, Fuerteventura reveals a rugged, breathtakingly beautiful side. Here are thirteen must-see places — hidden gems, panoramic views and walks that leave you with images you won't easily forget.
Fuerteventura is seen by many as an island of beaches – a place where you kick off your shoes, feel the wind on your face and lose all track of time. But anyone who thinks the Canary Island off the north-west coast of Africa has nothing to offer beyond swimming and sunshine is sorely mistaken. Behind the horizon of sand and Atlantic lies a world full of history, wilderness and quiet beauty – a world one wants to explore, slowly and with open eyes.
Three striking structures are scattered across the north-west, south-west and south-east of Fuerteventura – each at the ends of the earth, each a silent witness to the eternal interplay between land, wind and water. Anyone who has ever stood before one of these white towers, whilst the Atlantic roars against the rocks, will understand why they are never forgotten.
Fuerteventura's nature reserves include the iconic dunes of Corralejo in the north, the mysterious island of Los Lobos, the fossilised limestone deposits of Ajuy – older than the Canary Islands themselves – and large parts of the Jandía Peninsula in the south. It's another world: ancient, tranquil and breathtakingly beautiful.
Anyone who wanders across the island's endless plains, with the reddish-brown volcanic rock beneath their feet, the wind at their back and the sun beating down mercilessly, will quickly realise that water is not something to be taken for granted here. Here on Fuerteventura, drinking water has always been the most precious thing the island has to offer – its blue gold.
There are certain kinds of trips where you get into the car in the morning and, by the evening, you're not quite sure where the time has gone. Fuerteventura is exactly that sort of island. Anyone who hires a car here and simply sets off will realise straight away: this isn't a beach holiday. It's a road trip – with all the trimmings.