Fuerteventura’s an island of surprises. It’s 20 million years old for a start, with a rugged volcanic landscape that looks like the set of Star Wars! The resorts? Each one’s unique, so whether you’re after uninterrupted fun in the sun or a truly traditional treasure, you’ll find your match. Last but not least, there’s the beaches - caramel in colour and silky to the touch, why pay Caribbean prices when this Canarian classic has all the paradise sands you could ever wish for?

So, are you ready? Read this post and you’ll be booking your Fuerteventura holidays before you can say ‘Corralejo sand dunes!’

1. Visit the animals at Oasis Park

Where else can you hand-feed a 15ft-tall giraffe, witness a falcon fly at 350 km/hr and see a flock of flamingos strutting their stuff? As well as weird and wonderful animals like bennett’s wallabies, white-faced sakis and giant elands, Oasis Park is also the home of Europe’s biggest botanical garden – a prickly plot with more than 1500 species of cactus! The wildlife park is open 365 days a year and entry is 35€ per adult, but it’s easy to spend a whole day here just wandering the winding paths between the enclosures and catching the live shows. Animal enthusiasts and flora fans – you’d be wild to miss this!

2. Marvel at Corralejo Sand Dunes

Fuerteventura’s answer to the sun-soaked Sahara, Corralejo’s Sand Dunes are in a league of their own. Picture the softest butter-coloured sand stretching out before your eyes and you’re on the right track. Wander up the peaks, patterned from ripples of the wind and catch snaps of your footprints before they fade away. It’s no wonder this unspoilt beauty spot is one of Fuerteventura’s most sought-after stop-offs. The dunes lie within a huge national park that covers 24km², but they’re still tricky to find! Drive along the FV-1 towards Corralejo and you’ll know instantly when you’ve arrived. Watch out for the crossing pedestrians and blowing sands!

3. Spend a day in Corralejo

Things take a hipster twist in parts of Corralejo, so head to the harbour for quirky surf shops and shorefront cocktail bars galore. Check out the brightly-painted fish sculptures and surfboard bar signs that give this place the edge. Oh, and see if you can spot the huge shark statue that hangs above the Ocean Company souvenir shop! Looking for the main shopping street? Avenida Nuestra Senora Del Carmen lies on the other side of town, and this is where things get a little bit more commercial. Here you’ll stumble across Brit bars, souvenir stores and all your highstreet faves including Bershka, Zara and Mango.

4. Take a day trip to Lanzarote

Board a ferry in Corralejo and just 45 minutes later you could be stepping onto Lanzarote soil. You’ll need your passport to travel so don’t forget to bring it along with you on the day. The ferry docks in the busy resort of Playa Blanca with its stretching seafront promenade and caramel-coloured sands. It’s easy to while away the hours here thanks to spots such as the Marina Rubicon with its glass-fronted restaurants and cobbled street cafés. For take-home treasures, the artisan market within the Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort calls, and if you’re feeling peckish, it doesn’t get better than the complex’s very own, Don Giovanni’s.

5. Enjoy an afternoon in La Oliva

Small in size, big on charm, La Oliva is a traditional town that lies within a municipality of the same name. There are five top sights here in this historic haven and you’ll see them signposted throughout the town. If you’re into your art, add the Centro de Arte Canario Casa Mane to your itinerary with its eclectic combo of temporary and permanent exhibitions – there’s a lovely sculpture garden here too. One of the town’s prettiest spots is around the Church of Our Lady of Candelaria La Oliva. This wonderful whitewashed building can be admired both inside and out and is surrounded by swaying palms and a fabulous fountain.

6. Sink your toes into Costa Calma’s sand

The resort of Costa Calma stretches along Fuerteventura’s south east coast. Things are pretty low key around these parts and when it comes to sights there’s not much more than an arch-entrance shopping centre and a handful of restaurants. There’s one thing that gives this resort the edge though and that’s the unbeatable beach with its ochre-coloured sands. Spanning 2km and backed by some seriously stunning villas, these are the sands you see on Instagram but wonder where to find. Well ta-da… here they are! Plus, there’s a really cool café called Beach Bar Aureola where you can sit back and relax to the sound of live guitarists.

7. Have a night out in Caleta de Fuste

With more than 100 to choose from, it’d be rude not to swing by one of Caleta de Fuste’s eclectic restaurants! From sizzling steakhouses to peaceful pizza plots, there’s something for all vibes around these parts. Want something special? Try 15, a bougainvillea-draped delight that lies tucked away within the Castillo Centre. The service is friendly and personal and the plates are presented with style, while the homemade sangria really packs a punch! After dinner, where else but Piero’s Music Café? This neon-lit number spans across both sides of a cave-like courtyard. Watch on as tipsy tourists take to the mic, because karaoke night’s every night!

So, are you tempted by a trip to Fuerteventura? Check out our full destination guide here.