A short break in Fuerteventura with my partner was the perfect way to escape the UK’s grey March skies. Offering year-round warm weather and beaches for days, this Canary Island had me singing its praises from the moment we landed until…well, actually I haven’t stopped. Here’s how I spent 5 days in Fuerteventura.
Day 1 – Touchdown in Fuerteventura
After weeks of treating everyone I know to a daily holiday countdown (you’re welcome, friends), we arrived at Fuerteventura Airport and hopped into our rental car. Chanting “turn right short, turn left long” to avoid causing chaos on any European-style roundabouts, we headed south to our hotel.
Highway to heaven
The resulting road trip took us past sparkling seascapes, mountains from Mars, quaint villages and even a salt museum. I can’t recommend driving here enough, as the roads were quiet and it really gave us the freedom to explore. We reached our hotel, Sol Beach House at Melia Fuerteventura, just in time for dinner and drinks accompanied by a live jazz band – bliss.
Day 2 – A walk to Costa Calma
One refreshing night’s sleep later, after indulging in a delicious buffet breakfast, we went on a coastal walk to the nearby town of Costa Calma. You’ll need plenty of water for this 3.5km hike, but the sights along the way are well worth the effort. Alternatively, you could drive, take a taxi or rent a bicycle from the hotel.
Keep Calma and carry on
Costa Calma is a lovely seaside resort with a sandy beach that’s especially popular with windsurfers. We chose to watch the world go by from the pretty sea view terrace at the Villa del Mar restaurant, which was an ideal pick for a late lunch – trust me, try the gnocchi. On our way back, we grabbed some picnic ingredients from the local supermarket and ate a light dinner on our private balcony as the sun went down.
Day 3 – Caleta de Fuste
Time for an adventure! We loaded up the car with beach towels and sun cream and set off towards Caleta de Fuste, a bustling tourist resort beside a calm, protected bay. This town is a beachy heaven, with a long stretch of sand, an attractive marina and plenty of bars and restaurants.
Visiting Caleta de Fuste is a must
After a morning of soaking up the sun, we hired a pedalo and set out to sea (just kidding, there’s a distinct area marked by colourful buoys). This was a great way to do some open water swimming – but remember to keep an eye on the boat so your clothes don’t drift away! We finished the day with a tasty curry at the Taj Indian Tandoori, before getting back to the hotel for cocktails in the stylish terrace bar.
Day 4 – Pool day
All that trekking and road tripping was great fun, but we felt we hadn’t given our hotel the attention it deserved; our last full day was therefore declared a Pool Day. Sol Beach House at Melia Fuerteventura has an inviting infinity pool with views over the dunes and the sea. With plenty of sun loungers and sun shades, as well as pool-side service for drinks and snacks, taking the time to lounge on the sun terrace was probably the most relaxed I’ve ever been.
To infinity and beyond
Later, we had our last supper at The Kitchen, the hotel’s buffet restaurant. The food here was unbelievable, with different specials each night, as well as fresh bread, salad, pasta, meats and desserts. There was even an extensive gluten-free corner, much to the delight of my partner, and we wistfully toasted the final night of our holiday with a few more cocktails.
Day 5 – Puerto del Rosario and home
We booked a late flight home to make the most of our time in Fuerteventura, so on our final day we packed the car and set off towards the island’s capital. Puerto del Rosario is a working harbour town alongside a stunning beach. It’s also just a short drive from the airport, making it a convenient destination for a last hurrah. There are sculptures and murals on almost every corner here, so if you have time I’d really recommend doing some street art spotting.
Puerto del Rosario: our last port of call
After a sunny 5 days in Fuerteventura, we returned to the UK with just one burning question – when’s the next flight back to the Canaries?
