If you are going to Fuerteventura, odds are you are staying in Corralejo. This northern town is a tourist-hub and is filled with things to do. However, most tourists never get to see all of it as they stay in their resort. This list of things to do in Corralejo highlights just some of my favourite things to do in this old fishing town. Even though it is busy, there is still some culture to be discovered…
Things to do in Corralejo: Fuerteventura
Visit Lobos
If you are staying in Corralejo and look out to sea, you will see a mountain on an island. That is Lobos, a nature reserve just North of the island. A visit here is very easy; all along the seafront you will see stalls selling tickets across. I would really recommend getting them in advanced, or, at least early in the morning. They are not too pricey, but they are more than you expect.
When you are over there, you can really enjoy exploring the island. There is slightly more greenery here than the mainland and it has a unique feel. The island is also famous for nature and snorkelling here is really recommended. In fact, sharks are apparently most common here in Fuerteventura. You could also climb up the main mountain if you were after a bit more of an adventure.
Corralejo National Park
Just to the East of the town is the National Park, otherwise known as the sand dunes. Sand from the Sahara accumulates here and forms a miniature desert. If you have a car, drive down to these earlier in the day, but do not get out of the car until halfway down the road. This is because otherwise you have to walk for an eternity to get to the seaside.
If you are after some grammable photographs, this place is perfect. I just loved exploring the dunes and trying to recreate some iconic desert photos. There are also some lovely beaches here like Playa del Moro. Whilst typically busy, given the large size, you will certainly be able to find a little bit of paradise.
Visit La Oliva and Villaverde
Escape the busyness of the larger town and head into unchartered territory… La Oliva and Villaverde are two small towns just south of Corralejo. If you rent a car, or even just catch the bus, the journey is super easy and does not take long. The villages are typical of Canarian culture and are a must-see for any tourist.
In our personal opinion, some of the best restaurants on the island are here. Casa Marcos and El Moral offer some fine dining, whilst Manduca has a more chilled-out vibe. Villaverde is also known as the ‘Beverly Hills’ of Fuerteventura and is pretty to walk around.
You also can visit the windmills of La Oliva, which give you lovely views over the mountainous valley. It is also a perfect place for a picnic, but beware of the curious ground squirrels who like to beg for food…
Go Scuba-Diving
In the Canaries you simply have to go scuba-diving. Whilst not on-par with the Red Sea or the Maldives, the island is perfect for beginners.
It is easily one of the best things to do in Correlajo and you have various dive schools working with the hotels. In the past, we have used Dive Inn, who are a locally-run firm. They take you down to El Jablito, which is a small cove on the East coast.
However, other companies run around Lobos and some may even take you further afield. If you speak to your hotel, or even walk along the water-front, you can easily find somebody. For beginners, the prices are relatively steep (typically €60.00), whilst qualified divers pay about half).
Go Shopping
In the past fifteen years, the shops have really upped their game. Before that, apparently, all they sold were souvenirs, dodgy electricals and counterfeit trading cards. Now there is something for everyone and I was surprised at the selection.
Most of the shops are located on the central ‘strip’, with various small malls dotted around here and there. I personally like Las Palmeras. it is a more modern shopping centre that had some great options, especially for clothes. Another option is El Campanario, which probably has more options. They also throw you into Spanish culture, which I really appreciated.
Along the strip and the roads adjacent to it, you can also find some lovely little local shops. These sell authentic Canarian produce or very Boho-like interior items. I personally love this style so could have spent ages exploring these.
Acua Water Park
One of the main tourist things to do in Corralejo is the Acua Water Park. It is at the very top of the main strip and is easy to spot. There is a giant anime character guarding the entrance.
The park is relatively expensive (children are €31.00), but it is an easy trip out. Jack’s family absolutely love it, but then again they get resident prices, which are much cheaper.
Personally, this one is not for me, however some hotels do get free entrance, so check. I would also say that it is an easy way to keep kids entertained for hours on end, which is always a plus.
Eat Out
There are some great restaurants in Corralejo. There are also some awful ones. Typically, the best ones are actually more in the Old Town. Here it is less touristy and more local and you can find more authentic cuisine.
Along the waterfront you will find the main tourist places. The views here are lovely, especially the ones by the pier. Just make sure that you spend some time looking around at the food that comes out and prices.
Again, depending on your accessibility, I would recommend sticking to the Old Town and the ones by the pier. I am sure that there are some lovely other ones, but it is hit and miss. If you are looking for somewhere a bit hip, Waikiki is a great shout for breakfast.
Cocktails
There are some lovely bars in Corralejo and most of them are aimed at tourists. Again, it just takes a bit of walking around to pick up on the vibes.
The nicest ones are along the main waterfront. Start at the pier and then walk East towards the beaches. The pathway ends at Waikiki, which actually is a great option for cocktails. Alternatively, there are some great bars along the path. Mojito Bar is renowned for the views of Lobos and the chilled atmosphere.
Either way, the prices are all cheap and you will be amazed at how much you get. This goes for the food and drink, to be fair. Either way, a drink at night is certainly one of the top things to do in Corralejo.
Dune Buggies
This is one I have never done, mostly because I have done the route by car. However, if you are willing to pay about €80.00 to rent a dune buggy, this could be for you.
The route takes you off the beaten-track and throws you into the Fuerteventura wilderness. You get to go through the sands and Martian landscape, and truly get a feel for the place.
I would say that this is a great option if you do not have access to a car. With a bus, you only see so much and this is perfect for exploring off-piste. You can find stands that sell these everywhere along the strip – just look.
Visit Lanzarote
Whilst not in Fuerteventura, hopping over to Lanzarote is easily one of the top things to do in Corralejo.
Ferries to the other Canary Island run regularly and are pretty cheap too. You can even bring your car over. The ferries land in Playa Blanca, at the southern tip of the island. They run so regularly that you could very happily go exploring here for the day, then be back in Corralejo for dinner.
As I know we’ll be back soon, I am actually planning a trip where we can link the islands together. Stay tuned for that!
There you have it, my top 10 things to do in Corralejo, Fuerteventura. Whilst this list covers the main things, I have definitely missed things out. Other watersports like kite-surfing are really popular here, as is wind-surfing.
Either way, there really is something for everyone here. Just don’t get stuck in the tourist traps for too long.
Cover image source: Mercury Holidays
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Other posts that may help you:
- Flavours of Fuerteventura : A Guide to Canarian Cuisine
- My Top Ten Things to Do in Fuerteventura
- The Hidden Gems of Fuerteventura
Thank you for reading and I hope I have inspired you with a few ideas for things to do in Corralejo. If you have any questions about the items on my list or the city in general, please do get in touch in the comments below.
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Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
