Fuerteventura in 5 Days: everything you need to know

Fuerteventura is the second largest island in the Canary Islands. It is a natural paradise with beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear water. Despite its size and natural and cultural heritage, it is possible to see the most important sights of Fuerteventura in 5 days.

Nature, water sports, boat trips... If you plan well, the mild temperatures of this Canary Island paradise will allow you to enjoy thousands of outdoor activities. Plan your trip with this list of things to see and do on the island below.

One of the essential things to do on your 5-day trip to Fuerteventura is to visit Lobos Island, declared a National Park and bird protection area.

This is a very small island located next to the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park, just over 10 minutes by boat.

You can reach this natural park by car on the FV-1 road from Puerto del Rosario and then explore it on foot, enjoying its beautiful dunes and beaches, before taking a boat to Lobos Island.

Lose yourself in the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park

One of the most geologically valuable places in Fuerteventura is the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park, a collection of almost 3,000 hectares of dunes and beaches. The road to the park is quite easy and also very attractive: there you will find some of the best beaches on the island, where I recommend stopping for a dip. Beyond the uniqueness of the park itself, another reason to visit is the colourful variety of birds that you can spot during your visit.

On the other hand, it is very common to take advantage of the trip to visit the Grandes Playas de Corralejo, known throughout the island. These are a group of beautiful and very comfortable beaches. They have all kinds of services, such as beach bars and lifeguards, so you can stop for lunch or a cocktail while watching the sunset.

When visiting the park, you can book different activities, although this is not necessary. However, if you want to add some fun to your plan, you can book a buggy tour of the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park, where you can explore the volcanic area in a buggy or 4x4 vehicle as a passenger. To get to the next activity, you will need to book a boat trip from Fuerteventura.

Book a buggy tour of the Corralejo dunes

Visit Lobos Island

Lobos Island gets its name from the ancient sea lions that used to inhabit it. However, they are no longer found on the island due to fishing activity. Currently, various measures are being taken to try to bring these animals back. Given its size, it won't take you more than an hour to tour the entire island. When you're done, you can choose from a variety of activities. For example, there are companies that organise excursions with water activities.

You can also snorkel in the crystal-clear waters to discover the seabed, or climb the Caldera Volcano, the perfect place to enjoy breathtaking views of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. If you want to spend the day on Lobos Island, you'll be pleased to know that the islet has a restaurant. This restaurant is owned by the only two inhabitants of the area and serves fresh fish dishes such as fried fish and paella.

At the end of your visit to this incredible island, take the ferry back to the Corralejo Dunes Natural Park. From there, you can easily return to your hotel by car.

On your 5-day trip to Fuerteventura, you can even spend one of the days visiting Lanzarote. There are many companies that organise trips to the neighbouring island.

I also recommend rounding off the day by trying your hand at some water sports, which you can do in both Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

Take a boat trip to Lanzarote

One of the most popular excursions is a visit to Timanfaya, the Aloe Vera Museum, Charco de los Clicos and La Geria. This option allows you to see the most important places in Lanzarote, so it is highly recommended if you have not been to this island before.

This tour includes the return ferry; transport around Lanzarote accompanied by a professional guide; entry to Timanfaya National Park, where you can enjoy a unique volcanic landscape; a visit to the Aloe Vera Museum, where you will learn about the different types, therapeutic properties and history of this fabulous plant; and a complete tour of Lanzarote's wine-growing area, La Geria, where you can also enjoy a tasting of local wines.

During this 6.5-hour excursion, you will also have the opportunity to contemplate the island's amazing landscapes, tinged with red, black and ochre due to the volcanic formations in the area.

Try water activities

You already know that Fuerteventura is famous for its beaches, which are a paradise of white sand and crystal-clear waters. Although lying on your towel watching the time go by is great, there are other ways to enjoy this summer oasis, such as water activities.

If you're a beginner, there are many companies that offer instructors to ensure your safety at all times. What's more, not all water activities involve high risks. You can start by trying a surfing lesson, an ideal sport to do in Fuerteventura thanks to the Atlantic's perfect waves, or go kayaking to discover beautiful coves and beaches.

Beyond these, in Fuerteventura you can book a paddle surfing lesson, go diving, windsurfing, jet skiing or parasailing. Discover which one is right for you and check out the different options near you.

End the day with a magnificent dinner

Boats to Lanzarote depart from Corralejo, where they arrive after the excursion. Therefore, I suggest you end the day with a magnificent dinner in this fishing village. There are many recommended restaurants in the town. If you're looking for a casual place to enjoy some tapas, I recommend Casa Gilda. If you're looking for something more elegant with a taste of the sea, go for the Rompeolas restaurant.

Tindaya Mountain has been one of the most important places in Fuerteventura throughout its history. For its part, Bajo de la Burra beach is one of the most famous on the island. If you go by car, it will only take half an hour to get to this beach from Tindaya Mountain.

Climb Tindaya Mountain

Tindaya Mountain is also known as the Sacred Mountain, a name it received from the ancient natives of the island, who believed that the site had magical properties. It is of great archaeological value due to the rock engravings it houses. All this, added to its morphology, has led to Tindaya Mountain being declared a Point of Geological Interest, a Natural Monument and a Site of Cultural Interest.

It is 400 metres high and is located in the municipality of La Oliva, in the Llano de Esquinzo. On Tindaya Mountain, you can see birds that are rare in other places, such as the Saharan sandgrouse and the houbara bustard. You may also encounter unusual animals, such as Atlantic lizards. Take advantage of the excursion to visit the Bailadero de Las Brujas cave, where the indigenous people performed rituals.

After spending a few hours on this magical mountain, just a 35-minute drive away on the FV-10, you will find a very special beach where you can end your third day relaxing with some popcorn...

Discover Bajo de la Burra beach

Fuerteventura has a beach that you've probably seen on social media. Bajo de la Burra beach is colloquially known as 'popcorn beach'. This is due to the presence of rhodoliths, which are remains of calcareous algae that are surprisingly similar to popcorn.

Such is the resemblance that many people think that Bajo de la Burra beach is artificial, but quite the opposite is true. In fact, during your visit, don't be tempted to take a rodolito home as a souvenir. You will find numerous signs prohibiting and discouraging this practice. The 'popcorn beach' is located between Corralejo and Majanicho.

Bajo de la Burra beach is about a 30-minute drive from Tindaya Mountain. It is not possible to reach this beach by public transport, but you can get there by bike, for example by booking a bike tour of the island of Fuerteventura, which includes a stop at the popcorn beach for a dip.

End the day with dinner in Puerto de Corralejo

Just a 10-minute drive will take you back to Puerto de Corralejo, where a wide range of restaurants await you to end the day sampling the delicious Canarian cuisine. Here are a few recommendations:

• Restaurante Platanera: The tastiest fresh fish on the island awaits you at this restaurant. Located at Av/ Juan Carlos I, nº 3, Corralejo.
• Bar Buena Onda: Burgers and cocktails for surfers. Located at C/ La Niña, nº 3, Corralejo
• Baobab: A paradise for vegetarians, vegans and lovers of this exquisite cuisine. Located at C/ José Segura Torres, nº 14, Corralejo.

The fourth day in Fuerteventura is all about rest and relaxation. After three days of intense sightseeing, it's time to slow down and unwind. Although it's important to explore and get to know the cities, it's also important to enjoy them from a more peaceful perspective. The two places are only 20 minutes apart by car.

Relax in Costa Calma

Costa Calma is a coastal town of great importance and tourist interest in Fuerteventura. In this corner of the island, white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water reign supreme. The tide is usually calm in Costa Calma, making it an ideal place to enjoy a day at the beach if you are travelling with young children.

Among all the beaches you will find, there are a few that are my favourites. First on the list is Sotavento Beach, an oasis of almost ten kilometres of sand. Here you will find the Sotavento Lagoon, the Risco del Paso cove and La Barca Beach, famous for being ideal for water sports.

Another of my favourite beaches in Costa Calma is ** La Esmeralda**, where you'll find a variety of beach bars where you can have lunch and try the local cuisine.

Visit Oasis Wildlife

This town in Fuerteventura offers more than just relaxation and beaches. Another option is a visit to Oasis Wildlife, a nature reserve dedicated to the protection of endangered animals. In this park, you can immerse yourself in the African continent, seeing everything from lemurs to sea lions.

In addition to this visit, you can also explore the African market or the Jandía Natural Park.

Discover Morro Jable

I'd like to take advantage of the previous suggestion to recommend an excursion to one of the most famous coastal towns in Fuerteventura. Morro Jable is a fishing village located on a hill overlooking the sea. It is known for its rich cuisine, with many bars and restaurants where you can sample authentic Canarian cuisine. For unique views, I recommend heading to the Mirador de la Iglesia del Carmen viewpoint.

Afterwards, you can walk along the beautiful promenade that runs through the village until you reach the Morro Jable Lighthouse, located in the Playa del Matorral Natural Area. This lighthouse is 60 metres high and still serves as a guide for boats today. Very close to the lighthouse is the Saladar de Jandía, a paradise for bird lovers where you can spot hoopoes, grey herons and turnstones. Finally, visit the Port of Morro Jable, famous throughout the island for being one of the most important ports.

By the way, you can also visit Morro Jable on board a Segway, on a fun tour that will take you to this and other of the most idyllic corners of Fuerteventura.

The last day of your 5-day trip to Fuerteventura will bring your visit to the island to a spectacular close. The Ajuy Caves are located in the Betancuria Rural Park, in the municipality of Ajuy.

The second destination is a visit to the island's capital, Puerto del Rosario. Between the two destinations, there is a beautiful 50-minute drive across the island.

Discover the Ajuy Caves

The Ajuy Caves are of great scientific value, as they form part of the base that supports Fuerteventura, making them one of the 150 most interesting geological sites on the planet. They are also the first geological formations in the Canary Islands. This Natural Monument covers more than 30 hectares of unique and surprising nature. I recommend taking a camera with you to capture the incredible views.

In addition to all of the above, the route to the caves is very easy. Just drive to Ajuy beach, where you will begin your walk to the caves. The hike is less than 500 metres and is very beautiful, with dunes and lime kilns. If you have time, you can even stop at the beach for a dip.

When you have finished your visit to the caves, you can go up to the village of Ajuy, stroll through its streets, discover its most typical shops and enjoy some Canarian cuisine in some of its best restaurants, such as La Jaula de Oro.

Explore Puerto del Rosario

After resting and enjoying your meal, you can end the day by strolling through the capital of Fuerteventura, doing some cultural sightseeing in a museum or enjoying a bit of sport to round off your trip to this beautiful island.

To get from Ajuy to Puerto del Rosario, you can go by car. The journey takes about 40 minutes and is the best option. However, you can also choose to go by bus, although you will also have to hire a taxi.

Despite being the capital, Puerto del Rosario is not exactly one of the most touristy places on the island. However, that is what makes it so special. Here you will find various monuments and activities that you will love.

Discover the main monuments of Puerto del Rosario

One of the most attractive sights for art lovers is the Unamuno House Museum, where the famous writer lived for four months after his exile by Primo de Rivera.

Outside the museum, you will find a statue of the author. Upon entering, you will be completely immersed in Unamuno's mind, learning about everything from his most eccentric habits to some of his personal belongings.

I also recommend visiting the town's church, a 19th-century temple, as well as the Puerto del Rosario pier, an ideal spot to watch the sunset.

Enjoy an afternoon at the beach

Finally, the city has beautiful beaches where you can cool off on sunny days. Some of the best are Playa Blanca, Playa Chica and Playa de Puerto Lajas. The latter is perfect for surfing.

The best way to get around Fuerteventura and the rest of the Canary Islands is by car. A private vehicle gives you complete independence when it comes to organising your itinerary. It also gives you extra flexibility, allowing you to change your plans on the day and go with the flow.

You have two options: ** rent a car in Fuerteventura** or take your own by ferry. My personal recommendation is to go for the first option, as there are many car rental companies on the island. You can also fly to Fuerteventura.

But you can also choose to discover the island from another perspective: the Atlantic Ocean. In Fuerteventura, you will find many ways to enjoy the sea breeze and beautiful landscapes that you would not otherwise be able to access:

• By sailboat: On this excursion, you will enjoy typical Canarian cuisine, go snorkelling and, if you are lucky, you may even see dolphins or whales. Sounds good, doesn't it?
• On a glass-bottom boat: If you really enjoy watching marine animals, this trip will give you the chance to see dolphins, turtles and colourful fish, as well as go snorkelling or kayaking. A truly complete plan!
• On a pirate boat: This is an experience that adults also enjoy, but if you're travelling with children, it's a great plan. Traditional Canarian menu, snorkelling, dolphin and whale watching... What more could you ask for?

If you are travelling with several people, it may be more convenient to book a single accommodation for the entire trip. This way, you won't have to carry your luggage around. The most common option is to rent accommodation in Corralejo. This town is located in the north of the island, where most of Fuerteventura's tourist attractions are located. There is also a wide range of accommodation in Corralejo, from resorts to tourist accommodation, hostels and guesthouses.

However, my advice is to divide your stay on the island between the north and the south. This will shorten the distances you have to travel on each day of your trip. As for the south of Fuerteventura, both Morro Jable and Costa Calma are good options. This is where you will discover the best beaches on the island.

You may also be interested in these other itineraries:

• What to see and do in Fuerteventura in 3 days
• What to see and do in Fuerteventura in 4 days