Hidden Gems Travel Tips

Hike Calderon Hóndo

It’s an extinct volcano with a caldera (crater) that stands out, since its original shape is very well preserved (not eroded unlike the rest of most volcanos of Fuerteventura). You can hike up and around the crater, giving you an amazing view down the steep edges to where once was lava boiling inside. Bonus point of this hike: you will come across some chipmunks (not natively found in this area, but introduced long ago), that will beg for food.

Playa el Majanicho

This beach is also called the ‘popcorn’-beach, as it shores are filled with remains of ‘calcareous alga’, which come in the shape of popcorn. Next to the beach is a pretty small and cute fishing village and outside the bay you can find good waves for surfing.

Museo de las Salinas

In this museum you can visit the ancient salt pans used for salt production, which are still intact to this day in the area of the museum. You can find the explanation of the production chain of the salt in the earlier days. Furthermore, this museum is one of the places of the island where you can find the display of a big whale skeleton (speckled over the island you can find 7 in total in different places). The one here is a young female fin whale stranded on the island in April 2000 and 19m long.

Mirador astronomico

This astronomical viewpoint is an attraction also in daylight, since it allows an amazing view over some pretty Martian landscapes. The surrounding is a so-called light reserve, since no lights from any city do disturb the view to the night sky here. If you come for star gazing, make sure to bring some warm clothing since the place is pretty exposed to the wind, which can get pretty chill once the sun sets.

Betancuria

Probably the cutest and most original town of Fuerteventura, it served as the earlier capital. In winding narrow alleys, you find colonial style cute houses decorated with lush flowers. Stroll around and take a seat in one of the cute restaurants. Here you can also shop some souvenirs, famous products from Fuerteventura include Aloe Vera gels and goat cheese.

Caves of Ajuy

Legend has it that pirates had hidden their treasures in these caves that were accessible only from the water. Nowadays a small and steep path leads to the first cave in the row and you can climb in there from above. The path also leads through an area where limestone was cut in earlier years and you can find some ancient furnaces.

Morro Jable

This sleepy town is a main tourist center, but if you are looking for something more interesting than just the long white sandy beach, take a look at the lighthouse (next to another whale skeleton) and the harbour, where giant seagulls are often fed which makes up for a huge spectacle.

Playa de Cofete

This beach is pretty remote as you reach it only via a ~20km offroad piste. However, it is well worth it since it is a 10km long beach in front of the most beautiful mountain scenery. This mountain range includes the highest peak of Fuerteventura with 807m. The beach includes some curiosities like the Cofete graveyard right next to the beach and the Villa Winter, built by a german engineer in this remote place for still speculated reasons like building a submarine.

Isla de Lobos

This island off the coast of Corralejo makes up for a beautiful daytrip by boat. It got its name from the seals that lived here but are long extinct now. It is basically a mini version of Fuerteventura, a little greener and offering a moderate hike around the island. You can get up to the highest peak and enjoy the view to Lanzarote (the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura) or watch birds in the saltwater lagoons. The south offers beautiful little lagoons with incredibly turquoise water for bathing.