Getty Images/Minden Pictures RM

Fuerteventura

Lying just 100km from the African coast, Fuerteventura recalls its neighbour Lanzarote, only with more colour. Resembling shallow piles of saffron, chilli and coriander, there are none of the mist-wreathed pines or cooling, hilly microclimates of Gran Canaria. Blown by the wind and baked by the sun, the island is truly an arresting spectacle: for the full-on, wide-angle perspective of the Martian-like landscape, climb up to the Mirador Astronómico de Sicasumbre and take it all in.

Most visitors, however, are more interested in mastering the waves and the wind than contemplating the raw aesthetics of the scenery. The second-largest island in the archipelago (after Tenerife), Fuerteventura has year-round sunshine (a blistering 3000 hours a year), and the biggest and best beaches in the Canaries.

The island was declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 2009.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Fuerteventura.

See
Playa de Cofete
This is the main beach in far-flung Cofete, near the southern tip of the island and the main draw on the island for many. It's huge, quite beautiful and entirely undeveloped, with fine honey-coloured sand and a rumbling backdrop of relentless Atlantic rollers and the turquoise ocean. Think twice about swimming here: the waves and currents are more formidable than the generally calmer waters on the other side of the island. If you know what you're doing and have your own gear, it's a good spot for surfers.
See
Villa Winter
This impressive structure, with its castle-like turret, was built by German engineer Gustav Winter in the 1930s. Rumours linking Winter to the Nazi party have never been confirmed, but conspiracy theories regarding Villa Winter abound. You can drive your car up to the mansion and then walk the last 100m or so. A caretaker lives here and for a small tip he may show you around the house, though when we last visited there was just a donation box left out at the entrance.
See
Casa de los Coroneles
This 18th-century building has been beautifully restored, retaining its traditional central patio and wooden galleries, while other buildings on the estate have collapsed around it. The ground floor houses an exhibition on women and agriculture, while upstairs you'll find exhibits on the history of the building itself and the island. Don’t miss the simple and very small chapel with its original tiled floor and minute cross above the door. In the distance, the volcano-shaped mountain is a sublime spectacle.
See
Parque Natural de Corralejo
This nature park of yellow dunes stretches along the east coast for about 10km south from Corralejo; it's also several kilometres wide, so covers a lot of territory and is excellent for hikes through sand. Breeziness also makes it popular with windsurfers and kiteboarders. The area is also known as Grandes Playas; sunloungers and umbrellas are available for hire in front of the two (eyesore) luxury hotels. The FV-1 runs through the park.
See
Mount Tindaya
Its summit reaches just 400m above sea level, but Mount Tindaya is the most important – and famous – mountain on the island. The peak, 6km south of La Oliva, has a special place in local history and mythology. More than 200 Guanche rock carvings have been found on the slopes, many in the shape of footprints seemingly pointing towards Tenerife's Mount Teide. A simple hiking trail reaches the summit, taking in some of the rock etchings en route, but ask at the tourist office in Corralejo as it was closed when we last visited.
See
Punta de Jandía Lighthouse
At the end of the dirt road from Morro Jable, the asphalt returns for a smooth ride to this lighthouse positioned over thundering Atlantic waves. The setting is dramatic and the journey here is, of course, half the experience. There's a small information centre within the lighthouse with information on the flora, fauna and geology of the Parque Natural de Jandía, while hikes along the coast reward visitors with stupendous, full-on views.
See
Ermita de San Pedro de Alcántara
Located in tiny La Ampuyenta, the 17th-century Ermita de San Pedro de Alcántara is surrounded by a stout protective wall built by the French from the Normandy area. Inside, the walls of the nave are decorated with large, engagingly naive frescoes that date from 1760. Although the Sistine Chapel comparisons are a trifle far fetched, the murals are undeniably stunning in their pastel colours and simple execution.
See
Museo del Queso Majorero
This superb museum is one of the island's best, with lots of interactive displays including a sit-down 'virtual goat milking' activity! Kids will enjoy the touch-button exhibits with information on the island's flora and fauna, while adults can get an education on Majorero cheese production, plus tips on tasting the finished product. There's a shop selling a range of cheeses and other local produce. For an extra €3 you can sample cheese in a degustación.
See
Iglesia de Santa María
This lovely church dates from 1620 and has a magnificent stone floor, carved wooden ceiling and an elaborate baroque altar. Don’t miss the sacristy with its display of vestments and altar ware, and carved wooden ceiling in shades of gold and red. Pirates destroyed the church’s Gothic predecessor in 1593. The entrance ticket also covers the Museo de Arte Sacro, with religious paintings and statues distributed through the church.