You like the Canary Islands? Well, they are a great tourist destination, not only among Spaniards but among other Europeans from colder countries who come here to enjoy the sun and warmer temperatures. English or German, for example.
Today our destination in the Canary Islands is Corralejo, on the island of Fuerteventura. As the title says, land of dunes, beaches and sea.
Fuerteventura
The Canaries are in the Atlantic Ocean, just under a hundred kilometers off the coast of Africa. Fuerteventura has been, for ten years now, a reserve, so to the attractions that I named you before you must add the existence of a great nature.
The capital of the island is Puerto del Rosario, former Puerto Cabras. It is the fourth most populated island of the Canarian group and has an area of 1659 square kilometers, so it is very extensive. Furthermore, geologists say, is the oldest of the group.
Corrajeo is a town that is to the north of the island, and is one of its most tourist destinations because it forms the Corralejo Natural Park, a coastal strip of 2 by 5, 10 kilometers that is to the northeast of the island and owns two contrasting sectors. From the south side the landscape is volcanic, dramatic, rough, red and ocher, very volcanic. On the north side the dunes golden and the White Sands and turquoise sea.
Corralejo and its beauties
Ferries to Lanzarote depart from the port of Corralejo, just 15 minutes away, so it may be our last destination in Fuerteventura. Thus, we can go through the Corralejo town center, old and quaint. It is a group of low white houses, with blue windows and doors, a very Mediterranean atmosphere, houses that are hostels, shops and restaurants, twisted into little streets that go around a thousand times.
Then there are the Corralejo beaches, within the Natural Park. You can get there by car but not enter with it so you have to leave it parked at the entrance and enter walking. We must think about what we want to do once inside: if we go to the volcanic area then we must wear boots or shoes because there is a beautiful 300-meter path that takes us to the Montaña Roja volcano.
From up here the views are spectacular, you can see the islands of La Graciosa and Lanzarote, so they are the best postcards. On the other hand, if we are also going to enjoy the sun and the sea, we must bring towel, protector, towel and an umbrella if we plan to stay a long time so as not to suffer the punishment of the sun's rays. We can also do some activity in the sea, taking advantage of the fact that the waters are not very deep and that there is a great diversity of underwater fauna.
On the beaches of Cornejo we can do paddle surfing, surfing, diving, sport fishing or kiteboarding and also boat trips. Surfing can only be practiced at certain times of the year, especially at the base of the caldera, which is where a good quality wave is formed.
By boat you can reach Isla de Lobos, just two kilometers away. The boat ride is charming and you can spend a long time on the other island, another beauty of Fuerteventura (in fact, the excursion leaves in the morning and returns in the afternoon and costs around 30 euros). The Isla de Lobos has six square kilometers and about 120 meters of altitude, nothing more.
Here, although the island is small, some 130 species of plants and the underwater surroundings have been declared a reserve so it is a pearl, a real treasure. The island has a restaurant and an area where you can camp, although the beaches are virgin, the golden sands and the crystal clear waters. The best beaches are the La Concha beach, big, golden, and the El Puertito beach, more rustic, on the edge of a small town, with lagoons and turquoise waters.
We name above the Dunes of Corralejo, located about five kilometers from the town of Corralejo. This part is, since 1994, a protected park, with a multitude of birds. The dunes are on the side of the road that goes in the direction of Puerto del Rosario so they always have visitors.
Summarizing, What activities can you do in Corralejo? Go by catamaran to Isla de Lobos, go on a schooner through the south of the island of Fuerteventura, discover the Timanfaya National Park, make a quad or jeep safari ride, walk through the dunes, ride an electric bike, Do excursions to La Oliva, Morro Jable or Betancuria… And of course enjoy the local night and gastronomy.
The old town of Corrajelo has terraces, bars, restaurants and many pubs of local and international cuisine. They are good places to enjoy fish, tapas, leg sandwiches, different rice dishes, seafood, paellas or kid, lamb and roast suckling pig ... We must not lose sight of the fact that Corralejo is historically a fishing village so its gastronomy is always fresh, always tasty.
And of course, one always wants to take souvenirs, go shopping, so there is always a time to visit the shops and stores. The souvenir that you cannot miss? Fresh aloe vera.
Finally, if you have the time and desire to visit a water park here is the Aqua Water Park, with many slides, wave pools, mini golf, jacuzzis and areas with sand. It is located on Avenida de Nuestra Señora del Carmen and is generally open from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, with an entrance fee of around 22 euros per adult.