Want to avoid the crowds at Fuerteventura’s main attractions?
The island still has a few hidden gems to discover. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites that aren’t too hard to get to.
These secret spots on Fuerteventura aren’t completely “secret” (nothing is), but you’ll find far fewer tourists than at other attractions.
Villages, beaches, rock formations… Discover Fuerteventura, off the beaten track.
Map of locations at the end of the article.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Our favorite car rental platform: DiscoverCars
1. Aguas Verdes natural pools – Fuerteventura’s ‘secret’ spot
Why we love
The Aguas Verdes natural pools are absolutely among the most beautiful on the island.
They are isolated on the west coast, which means there are few tourists (especially when the tide is out early in the morning…).
There are several pools, one of which is quite large and deep. The water is transparent and really makes you want to swim.
And the best thing about these pools are the rocks around them, because we love geology. The shapes and colors are magnificent, with different types of rock and structure. All this is combined with views of the coastline, which is magnificent.
If it hadn’t been for the uphill climb, we’d have stayed for half a day!
Practical advice
- Location: Playa del Valle, West Coast
- Corralejo to Playa del Valle = 45min drive
- Morro Jable to Playa del Valle = 1h15 drive
- The last 500m are unpaved, but not difficult.
- Once on the beach, climb the rocks on the right.
- Wear good shoes, as the rocks are not easy to climb.
- Be careful not to stay long after low tide.
CHOOSING A HOTEL IN Fuerteventura
Choosing where to stay:
Choose by hotel type:
- 5-star hotels
- Best boutique-hotels
- Best adults-only hotels
- Best all-inclusive hotels
- Best hotels for families
- Best resorts (quiet or lively)
Our favorite: Hotel INNSide – See prices, photos and availability
Select by city:
Why we love
We fell in love with the Pozo Negro valley. From the village access road, you can see an impressive old lava flow. But what you don’t see from the road (until you get there) are the primitive rock houses in the middle. In our opinion, this archaeological site is well worth a visit.
Then take the road back to the sea. Here you’ll find the small fishing village of Pozo Negro, with its sandy and pebbly beach, a few white houses contrasting with the natural surroundings, and small boats. We find it extremely relaxing!
Practical advice
- Location: east coast, between Caleta de Fuste and Gran Tarajal
- Corralejo to Pozo Negro = 55min drive
- Morro Jable to Pozo Negro = 55min drive
- Tarmac road to village
- Dirt road for the archaeological site detour (but maintained). The opening hours of the interpretation center are not clear, but access to the site is open during the day.
- No restaurant
See our articles on Pozo Negro and La Atalayita.
3. Playa Tierra Dorada – a superb, little-known beach
Why we love
We were very pleasantly surprised by this beach, which was one of our favorites.
Admittedly, the wind has picked up and the sand has stung us, but the scenery is idyllic.
To the north, a large sand dune has formed, allowing us to get some height to admire the beach.
In the center, lagoons form at low tide, providing a cool, quiet spot to cool off, and to the south, small dunes form against the dark-colored cliffs.
The mix of colors is exceptional.
See the article dedicated to this magnificent beach
Practical information
- Location: Village of Mal Nombre, east coast, south of Costa Calma
- Corralejo to Mal Nombre = 1h30 drive
- Morro Jable to Mal Nombre = 15min drive
- The road is tarred but has large holes, so drive slowly.
- Slope from parking lot
- Unsupervised beach
- Toilets and shower at the beach exit, near the parking lot
- Sun loungers for hire
- A restaurant on the beach
A LITTLE MORE patience
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4. Puertito de los Molinos
Why we love
First of all, we love it because Puertito de los Molinos is a beautiful, adorable place.
It has a lot to offer: a few white houses of a fishing village, a beautiful golden sandy beach, a colorful cliff, and rocks with natural pools.
Come at low tide to enjoy the large sandy beach and pools. Beware, however, that there are dangerous currents in the area.
And if the tide is really low (and you pay attention to the timetable), you can even discover large caves on the southern part of the beach.
Practical advice
- Location: Puertito de los Molinos, on the west coast
- Corralejo to Puertito de los Molinos = 40min drive
- Morro Jable to Puertito de los Molinos = 1h15 drive
- Tarmac road easy all the way
- For this place, you really must come when the tide is very very low.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Fuerteventura
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- A small car is all you need.
- But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
- Demand is high, so book early.
5. The cliffs of playa del Viejo Reyes
Why we love
We like more dramatic landscapes, and for us, one of Fuerteventura’s most beautiful beaches is at La Pared. Playa del Viejo Reyes is popular for learning to surf, but also boasts some of the most beautiful cliffs on the island.
And apart from the surfers, we just had one family who came down to explore the beach.
We recommend descending at low tide to walk along the cliffs and admire the different rock structures. Fascinating.
It is about 800m long.
Practical advice
- Location: La Pared, west coast
- Corralejo to La Pared = 1h20 drive
- Morro Jable to La Pared = 30min drive
- Last 200m on unpaved road
- Access to the beach via a long staircase
- To visit at low tide
- Toilets and showers at the end of the beach, at the top of the cliffs
- No deckchair rentals
- No restaurant on the beach
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Dolphin watching
- Boat to Lobos Island
- Buggy tour
- But also; surfing lessons, 4WD tour in Cofete, windsurfing, scuba diving…
7. Barranco Encantado (de los Enamorados)
Why we love
We love rock formations, especially naturally created slot canyons.
Here, the fossilized dunes have been sculpted and are magnificent to explore. However, the dunes have not been sculpted by water (as it rarely rains) but by wind and other phenomena.
The name means lovers’ ravine or enchanted ravine.
Practical advice
- Location: between El Cotillo and La Oliva, in the middle of nowhere
- Corralejo to Barranco Encantado parking lot = 30min drive
- Morro Jable to Barranco Encantado parking lot = 1h30 drive
- Access from the north requires a 4WD. The first part of the road to the south, although unpaved, is passable in a normal car, and then you have to walk.
- You can also organize a private 4WD tour and ask to go there.
- the south parking lot is at 28.629754, -14.005078. Don’t go any further if you don’t have a 4WD, as it’s sandy.
8. Faro de la Entallada
Why we love
Let’s move on to a little architecture. From the village of La Playitas, you can take a detour to climb the cliffs to see the La Entallada lighthouse.
You’ll see mostly people staying at La Playitas, but few other tourists.
We love its unique Moorish-style design. It was designed by architect Carlos Alcon and completed in 1955. The colored stone comes from a village in the center of the island.
And, just opposite the lighthouse, you can reach a viewpoint to admire the cliffs and maybe spot some whales or dolphins offshore!
It’s also the closest point from Africa to the Canaries: just 100km.
Practical advice
- Location: east coast, just north of Las Playitas
- Corralejo to lighthouse = 1h10 drive
- Morro Jable to lighthouse = 50min drive
- Tarmac road and large parking lot
- The road is just a little narrow at the end
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay in the Canaries a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
If you’d like to be notified when our guide to the Canaries is published, please subscribe:
9. La Lajita (outside Oasis Park)
Why we love
Many tourists know the name Lajita, but only because it’s home to the Oasis Park wildlife park and botanical garden. It is a very touristy place.
But just around the corner, we recommend a visit to the small town of La Lajita.
We find it has a lot of charm, a relaxed atmosphere and more locals than other places.
The beach is made up of small grey pebbles and black sand. And we love its typical church right next to the beach. Too bad it’s only open on Sundays. But it’s already got a lot of character on the outside.
Practical advice
- Location: east coast, just north of Costa Calma
- Corralejo to lighthouse = 1h15 drive
- Morro Jable to lighthouse = 30min drive
- Paved road and parking in town
9. Giniginamar and its shell house
Why we love
Yet another small village with a long beach of sand and black pebbles, a few white houses and the peaceful atmosphere of isolated villages.
Here we were particularly attracted by a few houses and buildings such as
- the house with seashell designs on the wall
- the church with its textures and openings
It’s a quick but original stop.
Practical advice
- Location: east coast, north of Costa Calma
- Corralejo to lighthouse = 1 hour 05 minutes drive
- Morro Jable to lighthouse = 40min drive
- Tarmac road to village
- Large parking lot
More photos in our article on Giniginamar.
10. Mills, abandoned farms… all the landscapes in the heart of the island
Why we love
And just drive into the heart of the island and to the west.
Most tourists stick to the east coast and its beautiful beaches. We recommend renting a car and exploring the central countryside.
For example, as we rounded a bend near the village of La Florida, we were intrigued by the ruins of this farmhouse set against a mountain backdrop in shades of brown to orange. The landscape is quite unique. It’s just a shame that there’s not really room to stop along the road and admire it.
And everywhere you look, you can admire windmills, some restored, others half-destroyed.
Practical advice
Go on an adventure!
- Arco del Jurado, a large arch by the sea
- The caves of Playa de la Solapa (at low tide)
- Barranco de Cho Cruz, another ravine with rock formations
- Playa de Las Razas and Playa Aguas Liques and their arch
- Calderon Hondo
- Arcos de la Penitas, a superb arch that can be reached via a steep path.
And of course, hiking…
Secret places in Fuerteventura – map and selection
What’s off the beaten track?
We know that some will disagree. The notion of “secret” or “off the beaten track” is a matter of perception;
We chose places where we were almost alone.
But with the development of tourism in Fuerteventura, these places will become increasingly popular.
Map of secret places in Fuerteventura
Below is a map to help you locate our selection of 10 hidden places.
Which places are popular with tourists?
In many articles, you actually find a list of places that are very well known, and not at all off the beaten track. We like them too, but we prefer to warn you. The crowds aren’t huge, but you won’t be lucky enough to be alone.
For example:
- Excursion to Lobos Island
- Ajuy and its caves
- Salt marshes: Salinas del Carmen
- Cofete
- Corralejo sand dunes
- Popcorn beach
- The lagoons of Playa de Sotavento de Jandia
- The “secret” natural pool of Caleta de Fuste
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Fuerteventura
- Best of
Most beautiful landscapes
Best things to do in Fuerteventura
Most beautiful beaches
Cities and villages
Natural pools
Boat tours
Secret places, off the beaten track
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Fuerteventura
How to get around
How to rent a car in Fuerteventura
Driving tips
Best excursions
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
