Fuerteventura

This town is Fuerteventura’s main place of interest. Note the 16th- and 17th-century house façades and check out the naïve-style pastel-painted side altars of the Church of Santa María before taking a meal at the restaurant just down from the church, where you can also purchase island products. Either book a tour through hotel or travel kiosks in resort towns or hire a car and get there under your own steam.

Phone:

+34 928 822 028

Opening hours:

N/a

Address:

N/a

This is the island’s biggest and longest-running attraction. It is in a delightful setting with narrow, shady tracks and brightly coloured plants. The most popular attraction is the herd of baby camels (there are some 220 in total), the parrots, crocodiles, giraffes, meerkats and the new sea lion show.

Phone:

+34 928 161 135

Opening hours:

9am-6pm daily

Address:

Carretera General de Jandía, Morro Jable

Taking a trip on the pirate ship Pedro Sartana offers the opportunity to learn to live, work and fish like a pirate. You can swim and snorkel before or after lunch (served on board), and there are competitions to boot. Children are likely to love the whole experience.

Phone:

+34 670 745 191

Opening hours:

Departure time advised when you phone

Address:

Moored by the lighthouse in the harbour at Morro Jable

This is an open-air museum showcasing a slice of rural village life as it was a century ago, set in the centre of the island. Houses of the well-to-do, modest farmers and those of craftsmen are displayed. Included is an inky, dark, low-ceilinged café-bar where locals gather for great coffee, brandies and liqueurs.

Phone:

+34 928 175 434

Opening hours:

9.30am-5.30pm Tue-Fri, Sun

Address:

Tefía

Not many artefacts or relics of the island’s original inhabitants, the Guanches, remain but what has been found has been collected here in this modest little museum. Make sure to pick up the booklet from the desk for a translation of the Spanish captions.

Phone:

+34 928 878 241

Opening hours:

10am-5pm Tue-Sat; 11am-2pm Sun

Address:

Calle Roberto Roldón (main road), Betancuria

Poet Miguel Unamuno spent most of his time on the island at this hotel. The small exhibition of the furnishings and memorabilia explains his time spent in Fuerteventura to which he was exiled in 1924 for writing an article criticising King Alfonso XII.

Phone:

+34 928 862 376

Opening hours:

9am-2pm Mon-Fri

Address:

Calle Virgen del Rosario, Puerta del Rosario

Although a smart place with slightly formal service, this is a friendly restaurant at the foot of the lighthouse in the port. Local and international dishes, plus Canarian dishes such as shoulder of lamb and goat stew, are a good bet washed down with the house sangria. Book a table on the front of the large first-floor terrace which looks out over the port for the best seat in Caleta.

Phone:

+34 928 163 877

Opening hours:

12.30pm-11pm Mon-Sat

Address:

Muelle del Castillo, Caleta del Fuste

Thatched parasols and laurel trees surrounded by bougainvillea, citrus trees and a cactus garden is the setting for this picture-postcard restaurant where smiling waitresses in traditional dress take the orders. Local dishes include smoked pork fillet, Lanzarote smoked salmon, mackerel fillets, home-made cakes and home-made wines from the barrel.

Phone:

+34 928 878 282

Opening hours:

11am-4pm Mon-Sat

Address:

Plaza Iglesia, Betancuria

The clientele at this trendy, modern café are mostly surf dudes and kite boarders, watching and listening to the MTV and surfing action videos shown on screens. If the noise gets too much, there is a peaceful terrace outside. Spare ribs, pasta, burgers, tapas, baguettes, salads, good breakfasts and great coffee are on offer.

Phone:

+34 928 875 996

Opening hours:

8am-12.30am daily

Address:

CC El Pameral (on the main road next to petrol station), Costa Calma

The Anglo-Irish-Canarian crew of this luxury 23m-catamaran ensures that everyone has fun on this trip, visiting Lanzarote’s Papagayo beaches. There are snorkelling opportunities (sometimes dolphins are sighted) and chances to jet ski. Other boat trips leave from the same place, depending on weather and conditions.

Phone:

+34 928 513 022

Opening hours:

Boats leave 10am daily

Address:

Corralejo Harbour