Fuerteventura

The sun-drenched beach resorts of Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste and Jandia provide the most popular places to stay for visitors to Fuerteventura. Corralejo's Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahía Real (Avenida Grandes Playas) is an excellent choice for a spot of luxury, offering lush tropical gardens and its own spa, while the Melia Gorriones (Playa Barca, Pájara) in Costa Calma is just as pleasant and is equipped with its own scuba-diving centre. Elsewhere, the attractive town of Morro del Jable plays host to comfortable self-catering option Sol Jandía Mar (Bentejuí 8).

Back in 2006 Puerto del Rosario’s Las Rotondas (Francisco Pi y Arsuaga 2) transformed the shopping experience on offer in Fuerteventura, a vast mall offering over 100 international high-street brands. Most resorts put on shuttle buses for guests, which contributes to the huge popularity of the mall among tourists. Meanwhile the high street in Corralejo offers more unique opportunities, thanks to a twice weekly street market that compliments the usual collection of well-known names. At the market you can shop for trinkets, gifts and handmade crafts, along with interesting local produce.

Seafood plays a big part in Fuerteventura’s cuisine, with most establishments offering a large selection of fresh fish on their menus. Rabbit, goat and gofio, or roasted cornmeal, are all popular should you head inland, while patatas arragudas, or wrinkled potatoes, are found everywhere, served with a fiery red mojo sauce. The three brothers that run El Cotillo’s Marisma restaurant (Santo Tomas) also catch the fresh seafood that they cook up, while Fazz’s (Playa Cho Leon 32) in Corralejo is great for authentic Canarian meals. Head to local favourite Casa Marcos (Carretera General 94) for excellent tapas, a spot that comes highly recommended.

Fuerteventura Carnival

February

A series of parades, street parties and funfair rides punctuate Fuerteventura’s Carnival celebrations, as February sees the island kick into party mode along with the rest of the Canaries.

Día de la Cruz

May

This religious fiesta commemorates the Passion and sees beautifully decorated crosses spring up across the island from Corralejo in the north to Gran Tarajal in the south, with bright costumes and street parties also featuring among the celebrations.

Fuertemúsica

June

Each year in June El Cotillo plays host to this music festival that draws an array of Spanish and international performers, and throws up a beach party atmosphere.

Día de la Hispanidad

12 October

Fuerteventura joins in with the rest of Spain on 12 October each year to celebrate the country’s national day, with historical displays complementing the street parties and abundance of wine.

International Kite Festival

November

Kite enthusiasts are attracted to Fuerteventura from all over Europe for this three day festival that takes place just south of Corralejo on the Playa del Burro beach. Visitors can watch demonstrations from the professionals before trying their hand at flying their own kite.