The Perfect 3 Days in Fuerteventura Itinerary

Last Updated on 4th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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A lunar-like landscape of windswept sand dunes, mammoth volcanoes, and charming little towns which look like they’ve been plucked straight out of the past: Fuerteventura is one Spanish destination you won’t forget in a hurry, even if you only have 72 hours on the island. Here’s a perfect 3 days in Fuerteventura itinerary you’ll want to follow.

Is three days enough time in Fuerteventura?

3 days is a perfectly sufficient time frame to get a feel for the island of Fuerteventura, try some of the local tapas, and marvel at the natural wonders of the volcanic island. I have to warn you that this itinerary is pretty jam-packed, and there isn’t much time for rest.

If you’re the kind of traveller who enjoys long lazy mornings at the beach or wish to travel at a slower pace, then I would say that you need at least 4 or 5 days in Fuerteventura so as to enjoy all of the activities I’ve listed here!

Getting around Fuerteventura

In order to see all of the more remote spots on this itinerary, you’ll need your own vehicle. Public transportation is limited between larger towns and the more off the beaten path places are only accessible via your own car.

We personally rented out car via Cicar (the most popular choice of car rental in the Canary Islands) and found it to be the best car rental experience we’ve ever had.

We actually flew into Lanzarote and brought the car we had rented on the ferry between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, before returning back to Lanzarote on the ferry to end our trip. Most car rental companies won’t allow you to bring cars between the islands in their terms and conditions, but we found that Cicar allowed us to do this as long as we let them know in advance.

Dining in Fuerteventura

During your trip, I would recommend doing what we did during our stay in Fuerteventura and opting to eat out in the town you’re staying in each evening and having a picnic for lunch as this will give you a lot more flexibility and you won’t have to worry about finding food and drinks in the more remote locations.

Each day, we would buy sandwiches at La Paneteca in Lajares and supplement this with fruit and snacks bought from the supermarket. If you’re staying in Corralejo, then you can easily stop off at Lajares while en route to further down the island.

Suggested itinerary for 3 days in Fuerteventura

Day 1: Northern Fuerteventura

Corralejo: If you’re arriving in Fuerteventura via Lanzarote, then the delightful port town of Corralejo is likely the first destination that you will encounter on the oldest Canary Island.

All pastel-hued houses and home to a buzzing nightlife, Corralejo is a must-see while on Fuerteventura and I actually recommend basing yourself here during your travels as it has plenty of restaurants for the evenings and a well-connected road network for the rest of your stay.

Trip to Lobos Island/ Climbing Calderón Hondo: The next activity of the day depends entirely on your personal preference. Both walking around Lobos Island and climbing into the volcanic crater that is Calderón Hondo take a few hours and so it depends on whether you would prefer to see the sea or enjoy more of the geology of the Canary Islands.

Popcorn Beach: Located on a back road to the southwest of Corralejo, visitors can enjoy one of the more unique natural phenomenon of the Canary Islands, the popcorn beach. This is where, instead of sand, the beach is covered in little pieces of what look like popcorn!

The popcorn is created from dead rhodoliths, a type of red corraline algae. When the algae die, they turn from red to white due to the calcite present in them. For more information, be sure to check out our article on how to visit the popcorn beach.

Barranco de los Enamorados: The Barranco de los Encantados is somewhat of a hidden gem of Fuerteventura on account of the fact that it’s relatively unknown and dates back up to 135,000 years.

The banks of fossilised sand dunes were created when the sea retracted (known in scientific terms as marine regression), which exposed the sand banks. Today you can walk between the banks.

The entrance to the ravine which you can reach by a normal car is close to El Cotillo and so it’s the perfect chance to visit this off the beaten path before the final stop of the day. For information about the ravine, check out our Barranco de los Enamorados guide.

El Cotillo: End your first day in Fuerteventura by enjoying what the island does best: fantastic sunset views. One of the best spots on the Canary Island to enoy the sunset is in El Cotillo, a charming little fishing town in the west of the island.

The town itself has a fun, laid-back vibe, making it popular with surfers and other water sports enthusiasts. There are a number of cafés and bars in town, making it the perfect spot to enjoy some tapas for dinner. I particularly recommend Las Cazuelitas.

Day 2: Eastern Fuerteventura

Las Playitas: The pastel hued houses beam under the intense sunshine in South Eastern Fuerteventura. Las Playitas is a delightful little town that’s the perfect stop off while travelling up or down the Fuerteventura coastline.

Though there is little by way of tourist attractions, the true charm of the town lies in the fact that you can easily wander around, snap photos of the beautiful houses and relax on the beach. The benches along the seafront make for a great spot to enjoy a picnic lunch and we loved eating our sandwiches while admiring the crashing waves.

La Entallada Lighthouse: After visiting Las Playitas, drive to the most beautiful lighthouse in Fuerteventura. One of the greatest draws of driving up to the lighthouse, other than to admire the Moorish architecture up close, is the fantastic viewpoint which lies directly in front of the lighthouse and is free to visit.

There is ample car parking directly in front of the light, and from there you can descend the steps onto the viewing platform and enjoy unencumbered views of the sea. Just be warned that it’s very windy up here, even in the summer and so bringing a jacket is essential.

La Atalayita: One of the more hidden gems on this Fuerteventura itinerary is La Atalayita. The Poblado de la Atalayita is a historically significant archaeological site located on the Spanish island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

This site is believed to have been home to the indigenous Guanches people and the reconstructed ruins can now be visited for free. There is a small interpretation centre at the site, though this was unfortunately closed during our visit and the opening times seem a bit erratic. Nonetheless, you can still spend an hour or so wandering this historic site.

Pozo Negro: A speck of a settlement comprising of little more than a handful of fishermen’s huts and a sprawling volcanic black pebble beach, Pozo Negro is somewhat off the beaten tourist track. Here you can grab at the only restaurant in town and admire the contrast of the blue sea with the black pebbles.

Las Salinas del Carmen: There is not much to see at Las Salinas del Carmen, but it’s an interest point to stop off at if you’re already heading to the north of the island. As well as one of the most famous whale skeletons of Fuerteventura, there’s a salt museum detailing the history of the salt flats of the island, as well as a little church.

Day 3: Central & Western Fuerteventura

Astronomical viewpoint of Sisacumbre: Start your day off by heading to one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the island. The astronomical viewpoint of Sisacumbre is one of the best places to see the landscapes of the mountain ranges during the day or the stars at night.

Hiking El Cardón: One of the best ways to get a bird’s eye view when visiting Fuerteventura is to go hiking in order to get a better lay of the land. We personally hiked the sendero el Tanquito, which lies in the heart of the island and will take you to a quiet and secluded hermitage in the mountains.

Cuevas de Ajuy: Comprising of deep pools, towering rock formations (some over 40 metres high), and intricate tunnels, as well as consolidated sand dunes, and oceanic sediments, the Cuevas de Ajuy (Ajuy caves in English) are some of the oldest geological formations in the Canary Islands.

As well as the caves themselves, the Ajuy Caves are surrounded by memorable landscapes and wildlife, making them a popular spot for outdoor activities such as hiking and birdwatching.

Arco de las Peñitas: If you’ve spent any time looking at photos of unique rock formations on Fuerteventura, then no doubt you’ll have come across Arco de las Peñitas, which is located to the West of the island.

The natural archway has been carved out of the rock by the sun, wind, and rain over thousands of years and is now one of the most popular photo spots in the Canary Islands.

The area was also used to film some of the film Eternals. The archway is located in the Parque Rural de Betancuria. For how to visit for yourself, here’s how to visit the Arco de las Peñitas (just be warned that the hike is somewhat strenuous and you have to climb with your hands for some parts of the hike).

Betancuria: The former capital of Fuerteventura is none other than beautiful Betancuria, a delightful town which is somewhat landlocked and is characterised by its beautiful historic architecture, which is framed with a backdrop of mountainous terrain. You’ll need a couple of hours in order to enjoy all that Betancuria has to offer.

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