🇪🇸Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura offers families endless beaches, volcanic landscapes, and calm natural lagoons. Discover the best things to do with kids on this stunning Canary Island.

Your family guide

Sun, sand, and slow days: Fuerteventura with your family

“Watch the wind pick up mid-afternoon on Playa de Sotavento: that's when the kitesurfers arrive and the lagoon transforms from paddling pool to spectacle.”

— San & Jo

Fuerteventura is the kind of place that slows you down in the best possible way. There are no hectic city centres to navigate, no overwhelming must-see lists to tick off. Life here unfolds along the coast, in quiet fishing villages, and on some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. If your family loves the water, this island was made for you.

The beaches alone could fill an entire holiday. From the towering sand dunes of Parque Natural de Corralejo to the wild, remote feel of Playa de Cofete on the Jandía Peninsula, Fuerteventura offers a huge variety of coastline. Calm lagoons make it easy for little ones to splash safely, while windswept stretches keep older kids and teens entertained with kitesurfing and bodyboarding.

Beyond the beach, there is a surprisingly rich world to explore. Volcanic craters, ancient sea caves, a tiny uninhabited island just offshore, and a fascinating local food culture all add up to a destination that rewards curious families. Fuerteventura is not just a beach holiday. It is a proper adventure, just at a wonderfully unhurried pace.

Year-round sunshineBest April to October

Beaches for every familyCalm lagoons to surf spots

UNESCO Biosphere ReserveProtected dunes and volcanic landscape

Best things to do

Best things to do in Fuerteventura

Parque Natural de Corralejo

The largest sand dunes in the Canary Islands stretch across 3,000 hectares right next to the sea. Walking through this desert-by-the-ocean feels genuinely otherworldly, and kids absolutely love running down the dunes. The protected park means the landscape stays beautifully unspoilt.

Go early morning to beat the heat and get the dunes to yourselves

2-3 hours

Isla de Lobos day trip

This tiny uninhabited island sits just 2-3 kilometres off the coast near Corralejo and feels like a world away. With a volcanic peak to climb, clear water for snorkelling, and almost no development, it's a genuinely special family outing. Visitor numbers are limited, so you need to arrange permission in advance.

Book your permit well ahead, especially in peak season

Full day

Calderon Hondo volcanic crater hike

This 50,000-year-old volcanic crater is reached via an accessible trail that most families can manage comfortably. The views from the top stretch across the arid landscape all the way to Lanzarote on a clear day. It is one of those moments that reminds you just how dramatic this island really is.

Bring plenty of water and sun protection, there is very little shade on the trail

2-3 hours

Ajuy Caves and black sand beach

Playa Ajuy is a striking black sand beach on the west coast, and the sea caves carved into the cliffs behind it are genuinely fascinating to explore. The caves contain some of the oldest rocks in the entire Canary Islands archipelago. Kids find the combination of dark sand and dramatic caves absolutely thrilling.

Visit at low tide to walk further into the caves safely

2-3 hours

Dolphin watching boat trip

Heading out on the water to spot dolphins is a highlight for families of all ages. The waters around Fuerteventura are home to several dolphin species, and sightings are common. It is one of those experiences that children talk about long after the holiday is over.

Morning trips tend to have calmer seas and better sighting chances

2-3 hours

Betancuria historic village

The oldest town on Fuerteventura sits in a green valley surrounded by volcanic mountains and feels completely different from the coastal resorts. The small streets, old church, and local museum give your family a real sense of the island's history. It pairs perfectly with a stop at the Mirador de Morro Velosa viewpoint just above the village.

The island model at Mirador de Morro Velosa is a great way to help kids understand the geography of Fuerteventura

Half day

El Cotillo lagoons

This whitewashed fishing village in the north of the island has a series of natural lagoons formed by a protective reef. The water inside is calm, shallow, and warm, making it one of the safest swimming spots on the island for younger children. The village itself is charming and far quieter than the main resort areas.

The lagoons on the north side of El Cotillo are the calmest for small children

Half day

Playa de Sotavento and the kitesurfing lagoon

This 9-kilometre stretch of fine sand on the Jandía Peninsula is one of the most spectacular beaches in Europe. At low tide, a huge shallow lagoon forms that is perfect for paddling and exploring. Older kids and teens will love watching the world-class kitesurfers and windsurfers carving through the water.

Check tide times before you go, the lagoon is at its best at low tide

Half day to full day

Our verdict

How Fuerteventura scores for families

Kids

Calm lagoons, safe swimming, endless sand, and boat trips make this a genuinely brilliant destination for children of all ages.

Culture

Betancuria, the Ajuy Caves, and the island's Guanche heritage add real depth if you want to go beyond the beach.

Food

Fresh fish, wrinkly potatoes, and local goat's cheese are genuinely delicious. Resort areas have plenty of family-friendly options too.

Nature

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with volcanic craters, giant sand dunes, sea caves, and a turtle nursery. Nature lovers will be very happy here.

Budget

Mid-range overall. Self-catering keeps costs down, but resort restaurants and boat trips add up quickly.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay in Fuerteventura?

4 days

Short break

Enough for the dunes, a beach or two, and a day trip to Lobos Island

sweet spot

7 days

Sweet spot

One week lets you explore the north and south, hike a crater, visit Betancuria, and still have proper beach days

10 days

Full explorer

Two weeks means you can slow right down, discover hidden beaches, and really soak up the island pace

Fun facts

Things to know about Fuerteventura

Hollywood came here

Fuerteventura's dramatic volcanic landscape was used as a filming location for Planet of the Apes in 1968 and Exodus: Gods and Kings in 2014. The arid terrain looked convincingly like another planet entirely.

The world's most dramatic swim

Every year since 1999, swimmers have raced from Lobos Island back to the main island of Fuerteventura across open Atlantic water. Both amateur and professional swimmers take part in this annual open-water challenge.

Whale skeletons on the beach

On the remote beaches of the Jandía Peninsula in the south, you can actually find whale skeletons washed ashore. The peninsula is also home to a turtle nursery, making it one of the most extraordinary stretches of coastline in Europe.

Taste Fuerteventura

What to eat with your family in Fuerteventura

Papas arrugadas con mojo

Kids love it

La Arroceria, Corralejo

These small salt-boiled wrinkly potatoes are the ultimate Canarian comfort food. They come with two dipping sauces: a red mojo made with paprika, and a green mojo made with coriander. Kids almost always love them, and they appear on virtually every menu on the island.

Majorero goat's cheese

Local favourite

La Arroceria, Corralejo

Fuerteventura's most celebrated local product comes from free-range majorero goats that roam the island. The fresh version is mild and creamy, while the aged version has more flavour. It is often served with palm honey or alongside bread as a starter.

Vieja a la plancha (grilled parrotfish)

Must try

Cantante, Corralejo

Vieja is the local name for parrotfish, and it is one of the most traditional dishes you will find on the island. Grilled simply and served with papas arrugadas and mojo, it is fresh, light, and genuinely delicious. Look for it at any restaurant near the coast.

Gofio

Daily treat

La Arroceria, Corralejo

Gofio is a toasted cereal flour that has been a staple of Canarian cooking for centuries. You will find it stirred into stews, shaped into dough balls, and mixed into desserts. It is earthy, filling, and completely unique to the islands.

Grilled limpets (lapas)

Safe choice

Cantante, Corralejo

Fresh limpets grilled with garlic, butter, and lemon juice are a beloved Canarian snack. They are served in their shells straight from the grill and taste of the sea in the best possible way. Older kids who are adventurous eaters tend to love them.

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