Where to stay in Fuerteventura?

Corralejo, Fuerteventura's main resort where to stay

This seaside resort is quite simply the main tourist destination on Fuerteventura. It is located in the north, on the edge of the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park, one of the island's main attractions.

After the capital Puerto del Rosario, it's Fuerteventura's second-largest city. So it's easy to find places to eat, bars, boutiques and shops, as well as numerous hotels and vacation rentals. With its focus on tourism, expect to find resort-style establishments with swimming pools, sometimes offering self-contained apartments.

Thanks to these assets and its calm seafront, it's just as well suited to family vacations as it is to a more festive stay, thanks to the presence of a number of clubs and nightclubs.

In terms of activities, it's from here that you can reach the island of Lanzarote, to the north, by ferry. It's the perfect place to take a day trip. But you can also take a boat to the island of Lobos, known for its wild volcanic landscapes. It's only a few hundred meters away, and you can see it perfectly from the beach.

The region is also home to several beaches, some wilder than others. The best-known are those close to the center: the playas de Corralejo Viejo, de la Goleta and de los Verilitos. There are many small restaurants, bars and boutiques in the vicinity. For a more paradisiacal state of mind, however, the playas along the dunes to the south of Corralejo are the obvious choice. For ten kilometers or so, these are vast stretches of fine sand, set against a magnificent natural backdrop. No restaurants or shops, however. Nor any places to stay nearby!

The South-West, to stay in a wilder region

This area is located in the southwestern arm of the island. It is home to the Jandía Natural Park, with the Zarza peak, the island's highest point. As you may have gathered, the remoteness and volcanic nature of this area make it less touristy.

However, it is home to a number of seaside resorts, the best-known of which are Morro Jable and Costa Calma.

Morro Jable is probably the most beautiful of Fuerteventura's small coastal towns. With its large sandy beach, turquoise waters, marina and small town center, it's a particularly pleasant place to stay. It's also a great starting point for whale and dolphin watching in the Atlantic!

As for entertainment, there are restaurants of all kinds, especially local (Spanish) cuisine, as well as bars and shops. For accommodation, there are a number of fine resort hotels, as well as a large number of rentals. On the other hand, supply is relatively limited. So if Morro Jable is what you're looking for, don't wait to book, especially here as elsewhere in Fuerteventura.

Costa Calma is located a little further north-east. On the edge of a large arid zone, it is mainly residential and home to several hotel complexes with swimming pools. As the name suggests, the main reason for staying here is to enjoy the peace and quiet. There are a few restaurants and shops, but the choice is limited. For lazing around, you'll find some magnificent beaches to the south, notably Esmeralda and Sotavento. These are famous for surfing, sailing and kitesurfing.

To stay in this area is therefore a great alternative to staying by the ocean, while enjoying magnificent stretches of fine white sand. The proximity of Jandia Park is also a plus for hiking enthusiasts. On the other hand, you'll be around 1h30 drive from the more lively north of the island (Puerto del Rosario and Corralejo in particular).

To stay in Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura

Puerto del Rosario is the island's largest city and is considered its capital. It has a population of around 40,000. As you can imagine, this is the place to look for accommodation in Fuerteventura if you want to enjoy a bit of the hustle and bustle. You'll find restaurants, bars and a variety of shops. All things in proportion, of course.

On the beach front, you'll find La Chica, close to the port, in an urban area and mostly frequented by locals. But the main beach is Playa Blanca, about 1 km to the south. Much larger and more pleasant, it attracts many tourists.

On the cultural front, you can stroll through the historic heart of the town or browse the many museums. The main ones are the house-museum of Miguel Unamuno, an early 20th-century Spanish writer, and the Juan Ismael center dedicated to modern art. As you stroll along the waterfront, you'll also have the opportunity to observe outdoor sculptures scattered throughout the area. They are the work of Canadian artist Juan Bordes.

Puerto del Rosario is also home to Fuerteventura's airport and main ferry terminal. It is the gateway to other Canary Islands. It is therefore an almost unavoidable stopover during a stay in Fuerteventura. Apart from that, staying here is not necessarily the best way to enjoy the island. Only independent rentals are available, as hotels are virtually non-existent. As you can see, people come here mainly as a stopover on an itinerant holiday, when they want to visit the capital for a day or two.

Stay in other towns on Fuerteventura's east coast

Beyond the capital, which is also on this coast, there are several oceanfront villages with accommodation where you can stay in Fuerteventura. The main ones are Caleta de Fuste and Costa de Antigua, both just 5km south of the airport.

Caleta de Fuste is ideal for family vacations, with all the advantages of a seaside resort, but not too big. The beach at del Castillo is very large, offering a fine stretch of sand in calm waters. It also has a marina from which you can take a boat trip. In terms of accommodation, there are a few resorts, but it's mainly rental properties (villas, apartments) that are plentiful.

You'll also find all the amenities you need here, with plenty of places to eat and a variety of stores. There are also a few bars where you can go out at night, but if you really want to party, this is not necessarily the place to look for accommodation in Fuerteventura.

Costa de Antigua is just next door, to the north. Much quieter still, it is mainly residential. To stay here, you'll mainly find independent rentals or aparthotels, with a handful of resorts thrown in for good measure. Despite its direct proximity to the ocean, the beach is not very interesting. The main reason for staying here is to be close to the sea, in a quiet environment, and well situated for exploring the island.

To stay inland: a good idea?

As we've seen so far, the main places to stay in Fuerteventura are on the east and south coasts. But is inland accommodation also worthwhile?

Well, unlike other Canary Islands, there are no large towns in Fuerteventura that aren't right on the ocean. There are just a few villages, notably Lajares, La Oliva, and Villaverde in the northern part. Even if these have a certain charm, it's not necessarily worth staying there, except for the following reasons:

• you're looking to reduce your accommodation budget, or you're too late in booking your accommodation in Fuerteventura
• you're on an itinerant trip and want to stop off inland, or at least in a place that's different from the rest
• you're looking to get away from seaside resorts and prefer more authenticity.

Less touristy, there are few hotels in these areas, but mostly bed & breakfasts or rentals (houses, villas, apartments).

However, if you'd like to get away from the busiest resorts, but still stay by the ocean, you can head for El Cotillo. It's off the rest of the west coast, just a fifteen-minute drive from the villages mentioned above. Some sandy beaches here too, but wilder with rocky areas. And above all, a rough sea more suited to surfing than family bathing.