5+ Beautiful Towns in Fuerteventura You Won’t Want to Miss

Last Updated on 16th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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From its pristine beaches to its rich cultural heritage, this sun-drenched island also boasts a number of beautiful settlements worth visiting. Here are some of the best villages and towns in Fuerteventura you won’t want to miss on your next Spain trip.

Fuerteventura is the second largest of the Canary Islands by size and is a hub of adventure and history. The island offers visitors a wealth of experiences to choose from, meaning it’s great to visit for almost every taste and budget.

If you’re planning a trip to Fuerteventura, be sure to check out our suggested 3 days in Fuerteventura itinerary.

For beach-goers, Fuerteventura is home to both tranquil towns and bustling resorts, which in turn offer long stretches of golden sand and crystal-clear waters. For history buffs, the charming town of Betancuria is a can’t miss.

For nature lovers, Jandía Natural Park is a must-see. This protected area is known for its diverse flora and fauna and offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

And for those seeking a unique and unforgettable experience, the Arco de las Peñitas is a unique rock formation, while the popcorn beach is one of the more unusual phenomenon in the entirety of the Canary Isles.

With its warm climate, vibrant culture, and diverse volcanic landscapes (which are entirely unique in Europe, if not the world), this island is the perfect place to escape from the daily grind and immerse yourself in a world of adventure and history.

I personally prefer the northern half of the island, which is a little less built up, has more nature to discover, and has more of a laid-back vibe.

The southern portion of the island has better resorts and beaches, so if that’s what you’re after, then that’s the place to head to! If you’re visiting the island for the first time, here’s a Fuerteventura itinerary.

Best villages and towns in Fuerteventura

Ajuy

The rather touristic town of Ajuy is nestled on the western coast of Fuerteventura and is incredibly popular thanks to the caves of Ajuy, which lie a short walk away from the town centre.

The caves were formed by volcanic activity and have been hewn out by the crashing waves over the millennia. Comprising of deep pools, towering rock formations, and intricate tunnels, they are some of the oldest geological formations in the Canary Islands.

The town of Ajuy itself was formerly a fishing village but has since been transformed into somewhat of a tourist hotspot thanks to its proximity to the Cuevas de Ajuy. We’d read online that some of the restaurants in town are meant to be quite good for seafood, but the queues were huge and the village itself felt a bit like a tourist trap so we didn’t stay too long.

Antigua

This small town lies landlocked in the very heart of the island, surrounded by breathtaking volcanoes and rugged hills. The town is also home to a cheese museum, whereby visitors can taste some of the local fare and learn about the history of Antigua, as well as its surroundings. At the site of the cheese museum, there’s a small windmill.

Betancuria

Betancuria is renowned for its rich history as both the former capital of Fuerteventura and as a religious center. The picturesque town is located in the heart of the island’s countryside, away from the coast.

In addition to its role as the former capital of Fuerteventura, Betancuria was also the capital of the Kingdom of the Canary Isles from 1404 to 1448. The town was founded in 1404 by Jean de Béthencourt, a Norman conqueror, and takes its name from him.

Following a devastating pirate raid in 1593, the former capital was destroyed, but was soon rebuilt and remained the capital of Fuerteventura until 1834. Thanks to its rich history, Betancuria remains a popular tourist destination on the island, renowned for its historic buildings and charming cafes.

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. 

Though not the capital of the island (that distinction goes to a southern town), this is the hub of culture and activity when it comes to the northern part of the island. Some of the top highlights include taking a boat trip to the nearby island of Lobos and exploring the sand dunes of Corralejo in the National Park.

El Cotillo

El Cotillo is a small town in the northwest of Fuerteventura, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The settlement boasts a permanent population of around 1300 inhabitants, though this swells in the summer time when all of the hotels and inns are full for the high season.

The town is best-known for its beaches, with boast sandy stretches and crystal clear waters. You could easily while away a few hours swimming in the water or even going surfing and kite-surfing.

Afterwards, you can head into town, where you’ll find a smattering of restaurants serving sea-inspired dishes and bars which are open well into the early hours of the morning.

Lajares

Located in the northern central part of Fuerteventura, the little town of Lajares is a popular tourist hot spot, particularly among surfers and outdoor lovers thanks to its laid-back vibe and wealth of chic cafés.

Lajares is also known for its vibrant art community. A weekly market features local artists and artisans showcasing their work. Even if there’s no market when you’re in town, there are a number of shops and galleries you can peruse at your leisure.

Visitors can spy the historic Lajares Windmill from back when most of the community made their incomes from farming, and discover the unique Lajares Volcano, a geological formation of great interest.

La Oliva

Named for the olive groves which surround it, the charming little village of La Oliva is located in the central northern part of Fuerteventura. The settlement is home to a few attractions which are of interest to tourists, including a grain museum (Casa de la Cilla) and a late 16th-century church, the church of Candelaria.

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.

The little fishing town comprises of a small narrow streets stacked up on one another while ascending the hill. Wonderful for those who love rural architectural photography, we enjoyed meandering the little roads and spying cats and succulent plants.

Las Playitas means ‘little beaches,’ and there are indeed a number of beautiful secluded beaches surrounding the town. Thanks to its fairly compact size, you only need an hour or two in order to fully discover all that Las Playitas has to offer.

Majanicho

A charming fishing town with its very own popcorn beach, the little settlement of Majanicho lies to the southwest of Corralejo in the northern part of the island. A speck of a settlement, there is little by way of attractions, but it’s a particularly beautiful spot to watch the sunset.

Pozo Negro

A sleepy little village which is characterised by its volcanic black sand beach, Pozo Negro is situated on the southeastern coast of Fuerteventura, somewhere between the towns of Las Salinas and Gran Tarajal.

There has been a settlement where the modern Pozo Negro now lies for at least six centuries and the modern cafés and shops sit in close proximity to the archaeological site of La Atalayita, which is a historic settlement of the ruins of 115 buildings.

Puertito de Los Molinos

Located on the western side of the island, Puertito de Los Molinos is also fondly referred to simply as El Puerito by some locals. There are fewer than two dozen permanent residents and the main attraction in the village is the beach, which boasts golden sand and crystal clear waters.

Puerto del Rosario

The largest town in Fuerteventura is also its capital. Puerto del Rosario is also known as Puerto de Cabras and has been the capital since the 20th-century, though the town itself has been an important centre for maritime trade since the 19th-century.

Located in the central part of Fuerteventura, the town was originally a small fishing village, but has grown over the years into a bustling port city. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Puerto del Rosario underwent significant development, leading to its current mix of modern and traditional architecture, including museums, shops, and restaurants.

Salinas del Carmen

If you’ve looked up hidden gems of Fuerteventura, then no doubt you’ve probably come across snaps of the giant whale skeleton, which lies next to the old salt flats in the little village of Salinas del Carmen. There are actually a number of whale skeletons dotted across the island, though this is probably the most famous.

This speck of a settlement consists solely of a handful of homes, a small café (which we couldn’t visit as we only had our credit cards and they only accepted cash!), and a simple whitewashed church with a wooden interior.

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