Why Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, must be on your bucket list
Thinking about coming to the Canary Islands and not sure about which of the islands to visit? The answer is easy - Fuerteventura. Here’s why!
Home to Shapedays Fitness retreats
Of course, we had to start with one of the most compelling reasons! Shapedays is located on this most magnificent island, and it forms the backdrop to all our fitness and healing programmes. We make the most of our spectacular surrounds to ensure how fitness retreats are fun, varied and soaking up the very best natural Fuerteventura has to offer. Be sure to contact us to find out more!
The “Beach of the Canary Islands”
With some 150km of golden or white sandy beaches and startling turquoise waters, it’s no wonder Fuerteventura is also known as the “beach of the Canary Islands”.
Ant teaching guests how to surf
A terrain like nowhere else in Europe
Fuerteventura got off to an early start as the first of the Canary Islands to begin emerging from the Atlantic Ocean… Millions of years ago. There has been no volcanic eruption on the island for more than a millennia, meaning erosion is left free to shape the island. The outcome is nothing short of breathtaking - expansive plains, low-lying and curvaceous hills, minimal vegetation - this really is an incredibly unique wilderness.
The Corralejo Natural Reserve
The Corralejo Natural Reserve is a natural park stretching some 10 kilometres from Puerto Remedio to La Salina. Here you can spot myriad local animal and plant species and be gob-smacked by the dune landscape, formed from mollusk shells and other sea organisms breaking down over the vast stretch of time.
The Shapedays vehicle ready to take off on the next Canary Islands wellness adventure
An island you can drive around in a day
That’s right - at 1,660km2 you can drive around the island in a day. However, you’re on holidays, right? So why not take three different routes - the Northern, Middle and Southern - across three different days? You’ll be sure to soak up all the sights this way!
Perfect weather year-round
Oh, paradise life really is beautiful one day and perfect the next! That’s especially true of Fuerteventura, which enjoys magnificent weather year-round. Closer to Morocco than Spain, the island enjoys a very mild winter indeed, with temperatures sitting around the high teens, low twenties. Come summer, the Mercury dials up, with averages in the high twenties.
The King of windy sport
It’s no surprise that Feurteventura’s wind makes it a must-visit destination for kitesurfers, windsurfers and surfers who flock to play and compete in world-class events, such as the Fuerteventura Windsurfing World Championships, along its magnificent shores. The sight of these colourful sails blowing above the water is mesmerising for those of us who prefer terra firma!
But wind sport isn’t the only activity on option. Far from it! Biking, snorkelling and hiking are just some of the adventures possible, all of which are available on a Shapedays fitness holiday. For those who enjoy something quieter and more in-fitting with the local traditions, why not try Canarian boules, which is similar to the French petanque.
Cheese, please
The local cheese, ‘majorero’, has become hot property in the culinary world. It’s one of three cheeses produced across the islands and comes with a coveted protected designation of origin, which celebrates its importance in local culture and tradition. Made from unpasteurised goat’s milk, it is a semi-hard cheese with a natural rind, nutty nose and buttery, yet acidic flavour.
Nighttime magic - the best stargazing in Spain
The rain in Spain might fall mainly on the plain, but the stars in Fuerteventura put on a dazzling display night-in, night-out! Star-gazing in Fuerteventura is so ideal, in fact, that the whole island is one of the three Starlight Reserves in the Canary Islands! An astronomical hot spot in Sicasumbre is very well set up for galaxy lovers, with info panels and instruments available for all to enjoy the night sky and its many starry jewels on offer.
It’s all in the name - Fuerteventura
The island was actually originally named Maxorata, in reference to the original inhabitants, the 'Majoreros', which comes from the ancient term ‘Majos’ or ‘Maxos’. It’s European history, however (Fuerteventura was the first of the Canary Islands conquered by Europeans), led to a new name, meaning ‘strong’ (fuerte) and ‘fortune’ (ventura). It’s believed this is a nod to the prevailing winds in the area.
Actually, whilst we’re on the topic of names, did you know the Canary Islands are not, in fact, named after canaries? The name finds its etymology in the Latin word for dogs, canaria. It’s thought this name came about in reference to the local sea lions, which the Romans called sea dogs. So, there you go! If you were coming for canaries, you might need to alter your expectations!
So, have you booked your holiday? We hope Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands have shot to the top of your list of must-visit destinations. You won’t be disappointed!