Corralejo in northern Fuerteventura is a pretty resort surrounded by sand dunes and windswept, white-sand beaches. The former fishing village offers a charming Old Town, many watersports and a range of family-friendly attractions.
The popular resort and ferry port of Corralejo on the north coast of Fuerteventura is the island’s most northerly town. Once a fishing village, it’s now a thriving holiday resort and a favourite of Brits in particular. It’s only a 30-minute drive from Fuerteventura Airport.
Corralejo offers a pretty harbour, a clutch of cafes and restaurants by the quay, some old streets packed with character, some nightlife, a nature reserve, incredible views and beautiful beaches. These are favoured by water sports fans, and you can dive, snorkel, fish and take glass-bottomed boat trips from here.
The white sands lie just south of the resort and continue for around 6 miles (or 10 kilometres). Because of the dunes here, this is a protected area. Some slightly inland parts of the Parque Natural Dunas de Corralejo are dotted with cacti, and feel completely untouched.
This guide will show you all the best things to do in Corralejo. Including beaches in Corralejo, when to visit and how to get from Fuerteventura airport to Corralejo. Also covered is where to stay, shop and eat in the resort, Corralejo nightlife and even the top day trips to take. Read on to plan your trip to this lovely part of the Canary Islands.
The Best Time to Visit
The sunkissed island of Fuerteventura is blessed with warm weather all year round, with fresh breezes providing welcome respite from the searing heat of summer. During July and August – the hottest months – you can expect 11 hours of sunlight daily.
Corralejo has the least rainfall between May and September, and the most in January. For sea swimming, September is warmest with an average water temperature of about 23°C ( or 73°F). As it’s a bit cooler here between November and April, these months are ideal for hikers.
The busiest seasons in Corralejo tend to be winter and spring, particularly around Easter, Christmas, and the European school holiday periods.
How to Get to Corralejo
Fuerteventura Airport to Corralejo
There is no direct bus from Fuerteventura Airport (FUE) to Corralejo. However, you can take bus route 06 which can take you to Corralejo from Puerto del Rosario. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately an hour and costs €3.40.
Taxis from the airport are readily available, but aren’t the most affordable form of transport. A taxi from Fuerteventura Airport to Corralejo costs around €50.
What to Do in Corralejo
Explore Corralejo Natural Park
Parque Natural de Corralejo occupies over 10 square miles in northeastern Fuerteventura. The fine sands stretch between the Corralejo to Puerto del Rosario road, the coastline and the base of Montaña Roja.
This breathtaking National Park features the Canaries’ biggest sand dunes, azure waters, powdery sands and a dramatic volcanic backdrop. Even during high season, it’s easy to find an isolated spot here. Locally the area is also known as Grandes Playas – literally translating to large beaches. The sands don’t come from the Sahara desert, but have been formed here over time from broken-down shells.
The Corralejo to Puerto del Rosario (FV-1) road passes right by the bone-white sands of the National Park. You can park along here to access both the dunes and some of the island’s finest beaches.
Location: Google Maps
Discover Corralejo Grandes Playas
The Big Beaches of Corralejo can also be found within the National Park. These range from small, secluded nudist-friendly bays in the south to the beaches of the north complete with amenities and a lifeguard service. Bajo Negro beach is lined with sun loungers and parasols, El Pozo is a favourite with surfers, and El Médano is a popular place for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
There is a beach within Corralejo Natural Park for everyone. However, these beaches are not ideal for swimming, due to rip tides and strong ocean currents. So do take care and swim only within lifeguarded areas. While there are beach bars, toilets and showers in some spots, it’s wise to bring sufficient supplies of water and sunscreen along.
The best beaches for families are Bajo Negro, Los Matos or El Burro, while water sports fans should head to El Médano or El Pozo. Nudist coves can also be found at Playa Larga, El Viejo and El Caserón.
Location: Google Maps
Enjoy the Town Beaches
There are several beaches within the resort too, and Corralejo also offers ample bars and restaurants by the sea. The town beaches are also family-friendly. Here’s a little about the best beaches in Corralejo itself.
Playa Corralejo
Playa Corralejo offers all the facilities you could need, such as toilets, sheltered areas and restaurants. This clean beach is good for water sports, sunbathing and swimming.
Location: Google Maps
Playa Corralejo Viejo
This is the resort’s bigger beach. Here you can sunbathe or enjoy sand between your toes while sipping a drink at Waikiki Beach Club. This is a safe, tranquil beach with calm waters.
Location: Google Maps
Wander Along the Promenade
Corralejo’s promenade runs alongside the beaches for a kilometre and is lined with shops, bars, cafes and seafood restaurants. There are stunning views of Lanzarote and Lobos Island from here.
Sample Some Water Sports
The sea breezes of El Río strait provide perfect conditions for water sports. Due to abundant and colourful marine life, glass-bottomed boat trips, diving and fishing are also popular here.
Other water sports to sample in the area include surfing, windsurfing, paddleboarding and kitesurfing. High pressure makes the period between April and September particularly windy, but there are fresh ocean breezes all year round. Northern Fuerteventura experiences more consistent conditions than the south, which makes these parts ideal for sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Tuition and equipment hire is available for all levels and ages, from beginners to advanced. One of the top windsurfing and kitesurfing centres in Corralejo is Flag Beach Windsurf Center, which offers experienced windsurfing, surfing and kitesurfing instruction and hire.
Make a Splash at Acua Water Park
Acua Water Park in Corralejo is the island’s sole water park, and is open throughout the summer. The park offers a range of water-based attractions, plus eateries and entertainment.
A variety of activities suit everyone. These include wave pools, a lazy river, jacuzzi tubs, slower and faster water slides, mini-golf and a kids’ club.
Opening hours: Only open between April and October and closed the rest of the year. Opening hours are from 10am to 6pm. Check the official website to make sure it’s open.
Price: The entry price is €29 for adults and €22 for children (4-11 years old). Children younger than 4 go free.
Location: Google Maps
Stroll Around the Corralejo Old Town
Corralejo’s Old Town is situated close to the working fishing port to the north end of the resort. Avenida de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (location) is the main thoroughfare, and this stretches between the Old Town and via the resort to the motorway. It’s not as charming as the Old Town, though, which is packed with character plus many cafes, shops, bars and restaurants.
Strolling through the streets here is a joy, and you can take pictures of the pretty pastel-coloured houses. The marina here also offers ferry services to Lobos and Lanzarote.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
There are several places offering shopping in Corralejo, including a centre with live music at weekends and one with panoramic views as well as a good range of Corralejo shops.
Centro Comercial El Campanario
This Corralejo shopping centre is named for its striking bell tower, and has been built in a colonial Canarian style. The cobbled streets offer a good combination of shops, and there are views over the resort, Lobos and Lanzarote from the bell tower.
Sometimes entertainment takes place in the main square here. There’s live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, so on weekends there’s a great atmosphere. The centre also has a decent HiperDino supermarket inside. Markets are also held thrice-weekly, with El Rastro flea market on Saturdays and a craft market on Thursdays and Sundays. It’s a good place for picking up unique souvenirs.
Opening hours: The shopping centre is open every day from 9:30am to 9:30pm.
The flea market takes place on Saturday from 10am to 2pm.
The local craft market takes place on Thursday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
Location: Google Maps
Centro Comercial Las Palmeras
Las Palmeras Shopping Centre is around halfway down Avenida Nuestra Señora del Carmen (location). This open air mall in Corralejo has floors at ground and basement level, and offers a range of stores. These include shops selling clothing, accessories, sportswear and equipment, perfumes, cosmetics and more.
Free underground car parking is available at Centro Comercial Las Palmeras.
Opening hours: Every day from 9am to 10pm.
Location: Google Maps
Meet the Wild Chipmunks
There may be even more chipmunks than goats on the island of Fuerteventura. You can see them close to Corralejo’s beaches and also on the Mercadona hill. In fact the cute creatures are actually Barbary Ground Squirrels, an introduced species originating in Morocco and Algeria.
The little striped squirrels are very tame, and live in colonies with burrows. Don’t be tempted to feed them, though, as their population already threatens to overrun the island’s flora and fauna. Watching them run and climb is good fun, particularly for children, though they’re sure to charm the whole family.
See the Famous Popcorn Beach for Yourself
Popcorn beach is so-called due to the sands here, which look just like popped corn. It’s actually formed from a kind of coralline algae. When living these are red, but the calcite present within turns them white after they die. Wave action then creates small, rocky pieces that look just like popcorn – and are painful to walk on barefoot.
This ‘popcorn’ can be seen at several local beaches. The best known is Playa del Bajo de la Burra (location), as it has more popcorn formations than anywhere else. You can reach this beach via a one-hour hike from Corralejo, or drive to the spot which lies east of Majanicho.
Other beaches of the northern coast also feature ‘popcorn’, including those found within the resort. Wherever you find it, never take any away with you, as the fossilised rhodoliths are protected. There’s plenty of fun to be had when taking pictures and fooling around.
Hiking in Corralejo
Dunas de Corralejo
The otherworldly landscape of this circular trek from Corralejo takes you through the sand dunes and past aquamarine waters topped with foamy crescents. Due to walking on sand the route can be challenging, but it’s not technically difficult. Allow around an hour-and-three-quarters to complete it. The route is popular, but you may still enjoy some moments of peace.
Corralejo to Popcorn Beach
If you want to walk from Corralejo to explore Popcorn Beach, here’s a trail you can try. Use this map for a 8.9-km loop trail that goes to the popular Playa de Palomitas. The route also takes around an hour and 45 minutes and en route you’ll see beautiful coastal landscapes, crystal clear waters and of course the famed ‘popcorn’ formed from algae fossils.
Take a Day Trip to Lobos Island
Lobos Island lies between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, and the name comes from Lobos Marinos – the sea wolves that were once thought to inhabit the little island. In reality, though, they were monk seals, and efforts are now underway to repopulate Lobos with the creatures. They were eaten by ravenous seafarers, and died out during the 15th century.
Isla de Lobos only takes an hour to hike around, and after arriving you can spend time at Playa de la Concha beach, see the Faro de Martiño lighthouse or climb La Caldera mountain. The island is also favoured by birdwatchers, surfers, divers and snorkellers. In certain spots you can also fish or swim, and there are marked trails for cyclists and walkers.
Lobos Island is a very easy day trip, as it takes only 15 minutes to get there by ferry from Corralejo. Lobos Island has everything you need for a decent day trip.
You can either buy a simple round-trip ticket to the island, or book an organised tour with drinks and appetizers included.
Join a Day Trip to Lanzarote
Several ferries per day leave from Corralejo, bound for Playa Blanca in Lanzarote, and the trip takes only about half an hour. It’s certainly worthwhile, as many visitors see Lanzarote’s volcanic landscapes as the most beautiful in the Canary Islands. Great beaches and unusual César Manrique architecture also add to the appeal.
How to get to Lanzarote from Corralejo by ferry:
Naviera Armas has daily ferries and offers a direct route from Fuerteventura (Corralejo) to Lanzarote (Playa Blanca). This takes about 35 minutes, and costs around €60 for a return trip ticket.
Fred Olsen Express also offers a direct ferry route from Fuerteventura (Corralejo) to Lanzarote (Playa Blanca). There are ferry services daily and the duration is about 25 minutes. The cost is about €60 for a round trip.
Lineas Maritimas Romero also offers a direct route from Corralejo to Playa Blanca. It takes 30 minutes. A round-trip ticket costs €38 for adults and €20 for children.
Or you can book a full day tour with wine tasting and lunch (highly recommended!).
Book a Day Tour from Corralejo
There are some really nice tours from Corralejo that we can highly recommend.
Dune Buggy Tour
This on and off road adventure allows you to explore northern Fuerteventura by dunbe buggy. In addition to the dunes, you’ll visit the Volcanic Area of Villaverde.
Panoramic Fuerteventura Tour
Discover all of the island’s most breathtaking spots with this tour, encountering history, nature, dunes, beaches and fishing villages along the way.
Linger Over a Romantic Dinner
There is no shortage of great restaurants in Corralejo. Here are our top restaurant recommendations in the resort.
The Ugly Duckling
This Scandi-style eatery is one of the top-rated Corralejo restaurants, and serves a selection of healthy and yummy dishes.
La Playita
La Playita is a seafront restaurant specialising in seafood. It’s great for Spanish, Canary and Mediterranean fare.
Mar.ni
MAR.NI is one of the best restaurants in Corralejo, serving delicious, freshly prepared Italian dishes and seafood.
Everest Spice
A range of freshly cooked spicy Indian and Nepalese dishes is served at this great Corralejo restaurant.
L’Oca Blanca
This welcoming small restaurant offers Italian dishes prepared with a touch of French flair.
Grab Lunch at a Local Cafe
Corralejo’s cafe scene offers some great opportunities for lunch and snacks during the day. Enjoy a full English breakfast, a salad or a sandwich at Soho Palmera or head to H2O Juice Bar & Vegan Cafe when you feel in need of a healthy boost.
Trigō is best for great coffee and freshly-baked treats, while Secreto Energy is ideal for handmade ice creams and shakes plus gluten-free or vegan pies and cakes.
Check Out Corralejo’s Nightlife Scene
If you’re looking for things to do in Corralejo at night, then you might like to check out the resort’s bars, pubs and clubs. There’s a variety of nightlife in Corralejo to choose from.
When you’re looking for Corralejo nightclubs, Murphy’s Irish Bar is small in size and big on atmosphere, while Nico’s Belgian Beer House is a stylish joint serving cocktails and craft beers.
Flicks Karaoke & Disco Bar is one of the best bars in Corralejo for fans of singing and dancing, while the Robins Nest Bar offers a chilled-out, seaside vibe. The Rock Café Fuerteventura, meanwhile, can be found on the main street and is a popular live music venue.
Where to Stay in Corralejo
Luxury – Secrets Bahía Real Resort & Spa – Adults Only
Number one on the list of where to stay in Corralejo has to be the Secrets Bahía Real Resort. This award-winning adults only property is situated by the dunes and a perfect sweep of white sand, and has a couple of large lagoon-like pools set among the glorious gardens.
The resort is dotted with palms and styled like an Arabian desert palace. Restaurants include a fine dining establishment, and the hotel also offers an indoor pool, a hot tub, a cocktail bar and a luxurious spa with a sauna and steam bath.
Best – H10 Ocean Dreams Hotel Boutique – Adults Only
H10 Ocean Dreams is a four star boutique property right by Corralejo’s trademark sand dunes, and only a 10 minute walk from the beach. It’s also an adults only hotel with a tropical terrace with Balinese beds and a bar at the poolside.
The resort’s other appealing amenities include a wellness centre with steam room, sauna, whirlpool, Turkish bath and beauty salon. Live entertainment, a lobby bar, a gym, and an elegant yet laid-back restaurant complete the list.
Mid-Range – Hotel Boutique TAO Caleta Mar
Due to its position by the beach and National Park, Hotel Boutique TAO Caleta Mar offers panoramic views over Fuerteventura’s sand dunes and coastline. The resort boasts a trio of rooftop terraces, a coffee shop, two swimming pools, and lounge and pool bars.
Accommodation here comes with a private terrace or balcony, and the views from here are superb. Rooms are spacious and squeaky clean, and the staff very helpful and friendly. A great breakfast is served daily.
Budget – Luxury Cayetana
If you want an attractive self-catering apartment in a complex with great facilities, Luxury Cayetana offers a large pool with a sunny terrace, a gym, hammocks and a free WiFi area. Accommodation comes with a private patio or balcony, a fully equipped kitchen and a lounge with a cosy sofa bed.
A pleasant pool and terrace area gives guests a lovely spot in which to relax, and the beach and resort centre are around 20 to 30 minutes’ walk from here.
