Holiday rentals in Fuerteventura

With more than 100 miles of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and rugged landscapes formed by ancient volcanic eruptions, Fuerteventura is the second-largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, located off the coast of West Africa. Home to large stretches of coastline untouched by human development, it was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2009 and today caters both to travelers looking to escape from it all and those with a penchant for modern amenities. Find golfing, shopping, and all manner of water sports at Caleta de Fuste on the island’s east coast, or spend your vacation visiting a different beach every day, each more remote than the last. Highlights include the tranquil shores of Costa Calma in the south; the wild, pristine expanses of Cofete in the west; and La Concha in the north, near the fishing village of El Cotillo in the La Oliva municipality. The half-moon-shaped beach is sheltered by a natural lava reef that teems with life. Wherever you wind up, don’t forget to sample the local goat cheese, majorero, delicious with a touch of Canarian palm honey.

Just reading about Fuerteventura’s 3,000 hours of annual sunshine is enough to make many a snowbird fantasize about renting one of Fuerteventura’s villas — if not relocating permanently. With an arid, desert-like climate, the Canaries enjoy warm and pleasant weather all year long and very little rainfall (fewer than 8 inches a year on the coast). The temperature is usually in the 70s or low 80s Fahrenheit, whether it’s January or June, and the water is a few degrees cooler, ranging from around 64 in the winter to 73 or so in the summer, so its crystal-clear seas are good for diving at any time of year. Surfers love the waves generated by the steady afternoon trade winds that blow across the island; occasional hot gusts can sweep over from Africa, bringing temperature spikes and reduced visibility thanks to the desert sand.

Corralejo Natural Park

Located in the northeast of the island, this natural park is home to the largest sand dunes in the Canaries. Find a beach cove for sunbathing or bring your hiking shoes for a trek up the Montaña Roja, a dramatic 1,000-foot red mountain volcano whose summit offers breathtaking views.

Isla de Lobos

Accessible by ferry boat or private charter from Puerto de Corralejo, this 1.8-square-mile island nature reserve is home to a variety of sea birds and native flora. Visitors can experience it by means of walking trails that lead to a lighthouse, a windmill, and a beach lagoon, or get a glimpse of the sea life offshore with a snorkel or diving excursion.

Betancuria Old Town

The oldest city on the island, colonial Betancuria was founded in 1404 and was Fuerteventura’s capital until 1834. It’s home to the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography, with exhibits on the earliest inhabitants of the Canaries, and a wealth of historic churches, including the church of Santa María de la Concepción and the old Franciscan convent of San Buenaventura.