Search Results

El Hierro is the youngest of the Canary Islands. It is also the island with the greatest volcanic activity. The visitor centre, accessed along the road to La Restinga, has two buildings: one of which takes an overview of Canarian volcanism and the volcanoes of El Hierro, while the other uses optical and sonic effects to reimagine the volcanic eruption of October 2011 that occurred underwater in the area around La Restinga.

The town of El Cotillo, on the north-western side of Fuerteventura, is an historic fishing village. Besides the culture and history, water sports are also offered. There are numerous outlets and schools with options such as surfing, kitesurfing, paddle surfing, windsurfing, and the newly-arrived wing foiling. With a wide variety of embarkation points in the area, sports fanatics can enter the water south of El Cotillo, on the east coast, towards the north coast (after the Tostón Lighthouse), or from the tranquillity of one of the local natural lagoons.

The Tefía Mill is located in the municipality of Puerto del Rosario, in the dry, open landscape of Majorero. It is one of the 23 mills declared as an Asset of Cultural Interest in Fuerteventura. A visit to a mill is a great way to learn about the economy of the island in past centuries. Since the arrival of the conquerors in the 15th century to well into the twentieth century, the mills ground grain to make gofio (or Canarian flour) for the local people, with the mill owner taking a share of the profits. Nearby, the Ecomuseum of La Alcogida has typical Fuerteventura architecture and showcases the traditional crafts of the island.

On the east of the Majorera coast, between Las Salinas and Gran Tarajal, is the Pozo Negro beach. The area is unusual in Fuerteventura for its dark sand, pebbles, and wide, geographically-significant valley characterised by spectacular badlands – or uncultivable terrain – created by a volcanic wash from the Liria and La Laguna craters thousands of years ago. Great for swimming, the Pozo Negro beach is quiet with a solitary, atmospheric ocean feeling. There are few tourists, two restaurants, a hostel with capacity for 60 people, and a municipal camping area with huts and caravans to rent.

Located in the municipality of Tuineje, a few kilometres north of the towns of Gran Tarajal and Las Playitas, the lighthouse reflects traditional Fuerteventura architecture. Just over 100 kilometres in a straight line to Morocco and the Port of Tarfaya, the navigation station is the closest point in the entire Canary Islands to the African continent. Standing 200 metres tall with wooden, cliff-top stair access, the viewpoint offers spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. There is also a wonderful vista of the interior of the island with sights of the Natural Monument of the Cuchillos de Vigán. There is a jaw-dropping volcanic landscape and endemic birds such as Egyptian vultures, crows, and raptors (including the Barbary falcon).

The oldest rocks in the Canary Islands are located in a cave network in the town of Ajuy, north of Pájara. The geological wonder, that has been declared a national monument, consists of sedimentary substrates formed in the deep ocean during the Cretaceous period, between 100 and 150 million years ago. The dating of the caves is astonishingly far in the past when it is considered that the island of Fuerteventura was formed 30 million years ago. During a trip to the cave site, tourists can also visit a local fossilized dune and some old lime kilns located very close to the ocean.

The town of Sabinosa sits on a volcanic slope in the west of El Hierro. Despite being a quiet and isolated town, in recent years it has gained special prominence, due to the unbeatable conditions for paragliders. Elite athletes from all over the world have chosen this departure point for training and competition.

In the extreme northwest of Fuerteventura, the Tostón Lighthouse is one of three important lighthouses in the Bocaina Strait, the other two being Pechiguera (Lanzarote) and Martiño (Lobos Islote). The lighthouse is a must-see location in the north of El Cotillo known for spectacular sunsets and the famous crystalline water lagoons protected by reefs that offer ideal swimming conditions for all the family.

The former and current lighthouses of Fuencaliente coexist, located in the municipality which shares their name on the island’s southern tip. Las Salinas is nearby, a place rich in history where beautiful shades of sea salt are dried. In order to arrive, you must cross the Teneguía volcanic badlands

Located in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, The Cliff of the Giants (Los Gigantes) lives up to its name. It is one of the most spectacular landscapes in Tenerife. The 600-metre-tall basalt slab has a great wealth of local, protected wildlife and is a tremendous sight whether viewed by land or sea. The Giants, a grand part of the natural heritage of Tenerife, is a great spot for nature lovers and those looking for a get-away with lots of marine life. Boat trips are recommended.