Fuerteventura is one of the most dramatic and visually unique of the Canary Islands. Known for its endless beaches, volcanic terrain, strong winds, and Sahara-like sand dunes, it combines wild coastlines with remote desert landscapes and hidden natural wonders. This guide highlights the island’s most beautiful and memorable places — from iconic beaches like Cofete and Sotavento to natural pools, volcanic craters, caves, and one of the island’s most secret spots: La Columna de Jandía.
You’ll find practical tips, access details, suggested itineraries, and the best times to visit each location.
Highlights – The Most Beautiful Places in Fuerteventura
- Cofete Beach – wild, dramatic, enormous stretch of sand
- Sotavento Beach – lagoon, golden sands, world-famous kitesurfing spot
- Sicasumbre Astronomical Viewpoint – pristine night sky
- La Pared – rugged west-coast cliffs and sunsets
- Ajuy Caves – volcanic caves and black sand beach
- Calderón Hondo Volcano – panoramic crater and Barbary ground squirrels
- Aguas Verdes – natural volcanic pools
- El Cotillo – cliffs, lagoons, quiet coves
- Faro del Tostón – red-white lighthouse on the northern coast
- Popcorn Beach – unique rhodolith “popcorn” formations
- Barranco Encantado – sandstone formations and a hidden ravine
- Corralejo Natural Park – desert dunes framing turquoise waters
- La Columna de Jandía – a remote cave with a natural stone pillar
Cofete Beach – The Wild Heart of Fuerteventura
Why Visit
Cofete is considered one of the most spectacular beaches in Spain. Vast, remote, and backed by the Jandía mountain range, it offers a surreal sense of scale and isolation.
Good to Know
- Access via a long gravel road; 4×4 recommended but not required in dry weather
- Strong winds year-round
- Swimming is dangerous due to currents
- Best light: early morning or late afternoon
Sotavento Beach – Lagoon, Sandbars and Iconic Golden Coast
Why Visit
Sotavento is famous for its long sandbanks and shallow lagoon that appears during high tide. It’s ideal for photography, long walks, and kitesurfing.
Best Time
- Around high tide (check tide charts)
- Early morning for soft light and fewer people
Sicasumbre Astronomical Viewpoint – One of the Best Night Skies in the Canary Islands
Why Visit
This certified Starlight viewpoint offers completely dark skies away from towns, making it perfect for night sky observation and astrophotography.
Tips
- Nights can be cold even in summer
- Best visibility during new moon
La Pared – Rugged Cliffs and Powerful Sunsets
Why Visit
The west coast of Fuerteventura is wild, windswept, and dramatic. La Pared is one of the best places on the island for sunset photography.
Tips
- Strong gusts near cliff edges
- Sunset light creates beautiful contrasts on the rock formations
Ajuy Caves – Volcanic Formations and Black Sand Beach
Why Visit
The Ajuy caves are geologically fascinating and set beside a striking black beach. A short cliffside walk leads to massive basalt caves shaped by the Atlantic.
Practical Info
- Access is easy, but winds can be strong
- Best visited when ocean swell is low
Calderón Hondo – A Perfect Crater with Island-Wide Views
Why Visit
One of the most accessible volcanoes on the island, Calderón Hondo offers 360-degree views over the northern dunes and even to Lanzarote.
Wildlife
The area is inhabited by Barbary ground squirrels (Atlantoxerus getulus) — often mistaken for chipmunks or squirrels.
Hiking Notes
- 30–45 minutes to the summit
- Best at sunset for long shadows across the crater
Aguas Verdes – Natural Volcanic Pools
Why Visit
These natural pools formed in volcanic rock offer a wild and refreshing experience when the sea is calm.
Safety
- Avoid visiting during high swell
- Rocks can be wet and slippery
- Not a lifeguarded area
El Cotillo – Cliffs, Blue Lagoons and Peaceful Coves
Why Visit
El Cotillo combines rugged cliffs with calmer lagoon areas. It’s perfect for sunset, photography, and quiet, shallow-water beaches.
Faro del Tostón – Northern Lighthouse and Coastal Views
Why Visit
A photogenic lighthouse sitting on a rocky headland, surrounded by blue lagoons and panoramic coastline.
Popcorn Beach – A Unique Geological Curiosity
What It Really Is
The “popcorn” effect comes from dried white rhodoliths (calcified algae fragments), not actual stones or coral.
Notes
- Removing the “popcorn” from the beach is prohibited
- Best light: morning
Barranco Encantado – The Enchanted Ravine
Why Visit
A maze of sculpted sandstone formations that look almost otherworldly. A hidden gem for photography.
Important
- The entrance is unmarked
- Use GPS or satellite view to find the correct starting point
Corralejo Natural Park – Sand Dunes by the Sea
Why Visit
This desert-like landscape is the most iconic scene on Fuerteventura: endless white dunes meeting turquoise ocean.
Best Time
Sunrise is ideal for soft shadows and cooler temperatures.
La Columna de Jandía – A Hidden Cave With a Stone Pillar
Why Visit
One of the most secret places on the island — a remote cave with a natural column formed by erosion. It feels untouched and mysterious. La Columna de Jandía is difficult to find. There is no official trail, and the coastal terrain can be risky. There are also two other beautiful caves nearby, which makes the area even more fascinating but also more confusing to navigate.
I only managed to find the main cave on my second attempt, even though I had a map and information from the internet. The first time, I went too far into the mountains and walked several kilometres without success — though I didn’t mind it at all, because the views along the way were exceptional.
Warning
- No marked paths; requires navigation awareness
- The second time, I finally found it by using Google Maps and following the approximate direction marked on the satellite view.
- You need to be careful when approaching the cliffs — the terrain is exposed, windy, and sometimes unstable.
Suggested Itineraries
3–4 Day Itinerary
- Cofete
- Sotavento
- Ajuy
- La Pared (sunset)
- Corralejo Dunes
6–7 Day Itinerary
- Cofete
- Sotavento
- Sicasumbre viewpoint
- Ajuy Caves
- Calderón Hondo volcano
- Aguas Verdes
- El Cotillo + Faro del Tostón
- Popcorn Beach
- Barranco Encantado
- Corralejo Natural Park
- La Columna de Jandía (low tide only)
Practical Tips for Visiting Fuerteventura
Best Time to Visit
- Year-round destination
- November–May is cooler, with fewer crowds
Getting Around
- Renting a car is essential
- Some roads are gravel but manageable in dry conditions
- Winds can be strong — secure hats, scarves, and loose bags
Weather
- Stable climate year-round
- Strong UV index — sun protection is necessary
- Wind is constant and part of the island’s character
FAQ
Is Fuerteventura suitable for beginner travelers?
Yes — it’s easy to navigate and very safe.
Do I need a car?
Absolutely. Most places are not accessible by public transport.
Can you swim at Cofete?
No, the currents are dangerous. Ideal for walking and photography only.
Is La Columna de Jandía safe to visit?
Only at low tide and low swell. It is a remote, unmarked place.
Malvina Dunder 
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