Corralejo, Fuerteventura

Once just a tiny fishing village on the north coast of Fuerteventura, Corralejo is now a large, sprawling holiday resort. Tourism is booming, the town is spreading rapidly although the little port still retains its charm.

The waterfront promenade has numerous restaurants and cafes, many in converted historic houses and the main street in Corralejo is flanked with shops selling everything from video cameras to surfboards and watches.

Corralejo beaches and sand dunes

But the big appeal of Corralejo lies just outside the town - miles of golden sand dunes set in a protected nature reserve. The famous Corralejo dunes have featured in a number of films and TV shows. The hot sand can burn your toes, so wear sandals and the light reflected from the white sand can bring a quick tan or sunburn. Many people hire bikes to get to the outskirts of Corralejo and visit the massive sand dunes.

The white dunes drift towards the Antigua mountains on one side and have views of Lanzarote and the Isle of Lobos thrown in as well.

Flag beach just outside Corralejo has plenty of restaurants, bars and toilets and also life guards. It is one of the best places for windsurfing, kite surfing and kiting and there are also sun beds.

Naturists tend to use the area immediately either side of the two large hotels. The beach is dotted with small, circular stone shelters to give some privacy and shield from the wind.

Corralejo old town

The town of Corralejo itself still retains some of the charm of it's early days and there are spectacular views of Lanzarote and the Isle of Lobos from the old harbour area.

Corralejo marina

The original town of Corralejo is built around the old harbour which was used by local fishermen and fishing from the harbour wall is still popular. There is a small sheltered beach in the town itself that provides safe bathing.

From the harbour, you can also take trips in glass bottomed boats or sail in a catamaran. From the larger nearby port you can jump on to the regular ferry service to Lanzarote which takes about 20 minutes.

A number of boats also make the short journey to the Isle of Lobos every day. Originally called "the Island of Wolves" because of the colonies of sea wolves that set up home on the island until the 19th century, it is virtually uninhabited and has a beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear water and is well worth a visit.

Sport and recreation in Corralejo

Corralejo also boasts a water park and many amusement arcades and play parks. It is a lively resort popular with English tourists.

Water sports including windsurfing, kite boarding or kite surfing and surfing are popular on the spacious north east beaches nearby.

The development of Corralejo

Corralejo is an ever-growing resort. More and more apartments are springing up in Corralejo every year. It is a growing, lively, colourful town - less quiet and relaxed than Caleta de Fuste, for example.However, in the centre of it there is still a white golden sandy beach where you can sprawl out.

Most of the shops, bars and restaurants stretch along Corralejo main street which leads eventually down to the harbour.

With Corralejo forever expanding outwards, some of the newer apartments can be some distance from the centre of the town.

The latest development is called Tamaragua - also known as La Capellania - and is almost a mini town in itself. It takes about 15 minutes drive to get into Corralejo. Some villas have a private swimming pool otherwise there is a social club where for 3 Euros a day you can use the local social club's pool and facilities.

If travelling by car or taxi, the transfer time from Fuerteventura airport to Coralejo takes about 40-45 minutes. The bus service is also quite simple although perhaps not suitable if you are burdened with suitcases.

This involves a ten minute bus journey into Puerto del Rosario on the number 3 and then changing to the number 6 bus to Corralejo. The buses all terminate at the same place so changing from one to another is easy. It is quite a scenic journey passing the Caderilla de Roja, one of the extinct volcanoes on the island, and then te famous Corralejo sand dunes. If staying in El Cotillo, catch the number 8 bus from Corralejo, or the number 7 from Puerto del Rosario. Bus timetables are given on another page.

Getting about in Corralejo

Bike hire is popular amog holidaymakers to get to the outskirts of Corralejo and visit the sand dunes. Buses run from a central bus station.

Taxis are also cheap but sadly the mini-train service which used to run about the town of Corralejo but this has been suspended although there is a campaign to bring to back.

The market in Corralejo

Corralejo has one of the biggest markets on the island. It is held on Mondays and Fridays with the Friday market being the most popular with organised tourist excursions travelling in from other parts of the island.

It is held by the water park and some excursions from around the island combine a trip to the market with entrance to the water park.

Entertainment in Corralejo

Corralejo is a fully developed, established holiday resort. As such there are countless bars and restaurants to be found throughout the town catering for all tastes.

Nightlife is wide and varied with entertainment ranging from night clubs and karaoke bars to cabarets and shows.