Fuerteventura, am I the only one to think it's a pretty awful holiday destination?

[hmmSleep]

Just got back from 9 days in Fuerteventura. Not sure what I was expecting, but from the reviews I'd read and the popularity of the place think I was expecting something else. Starting to wonder if I'm just really fussy!

I've travelled quite a bit, to very varied destinations staying in anything from run down youth hostels, wooden huts to five star hotels. We stayed in Jandia and hired a car to explore the rest of the island. Yes the beaches were nice, golden sand, clean, clear blue sea, and the weather was great if a bit windy. However I couldn't really see any other redeeming features. The food was mediocre, had a couple of nice paellas but otherwise pretty awful for the money. The landscape feels a bit like holidaying in a quarry, and the architecture is fairly uninteresting, (think I was hoping for pretty Spanish type fishing villages). Entertainment wise think Blackpool / skegness, arcades, bad tribute acts. Could go on but feel I'm being a bit of a grump!

Was really just wondering if I'm the only one to have this impression or am I missing something? Are the other islands better or does anyone have better alternatives for future winter sun holidays? Have done winter holidays to Australia, South America and the Maldives prior to children but unfortunately a bit out of our price range these days. Think I might just be expecting too much for the money!

Must add I actually really enjoyed myself, watching the kids building sand castles and splashing in the sea etc, just wouldn't go back.

We have been to Fuerteventura several times but not for about the last 10 years. However, we always stayed at the northern end of the island, in Carralejo. We once drove through Jandia and I thought it was pretty awful so don't judge the whole island by that one spot. However, people don't go to Fuerteventura for culture, architecture or scenery. It is famous for its windsurfing (the reason we went), otherwise - like much of the Canaries - you just go to lie on a beach and laze in the sun.

So, you want

• winter sun
• on a budget/not too long haul
• with decent food/culture/architecture

I'd suggest Morocco or Tunisia (though avoid the concrete coastal resorts).

annh We did drive to Carralejo, thought the sand dunes were nice but otherwise thought that was pretty awful too. Think you're right though, it is good for lazing on a sunny beach, just not what I normally want to do for a full 9 days, (horrid pale burn if I look out of the window complexion!).

minipie That's exactly what I'm looking for, did consider Morocco, might look into that for next year.

By the way, I think that there are some bits of the Canaries that are more "authentic", but haven't been there.

They are volcanic islands so you can't expect much else from the landscape but I agree that that island is a pretty souless place - we've just got back from Playa Blanca on Lanzarote and had a lovely time. It's not too commercialsed where we were and no arcades/tribute acts.

I love Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, Les Jardins de Cactus, Mirador Del Rio etc - But never go to Puerto del Carmen - dire.

oh and it's cheaper than France!

I havent been to Fuerteventura but have been to Lanzarote. I woudlnt go again or to any of the other canary islands so i agree with you. To be fair I think its just a cse that for most people its a fairly short journey, warm and has nice beaches.

It's the geographer/geologist in me!

Took lots of photos to bore inxtruct my A level groups

But you go to a rock in the middle of the Atlantic then really what do you expect?

Lucycat I've been to the Galapagos Islands, they're volcanic, and they are AMAZING!

Oh dear. I'm going to Correlejo in June with my friend. Just me and her. We have 8 children between us and frankly anywhere would do as long as it's warm and not possible to be summoned home to deal with domestic arrangements. Just going to relax and read, no sightseeing. Nothing you say will put me off!

But would you take your children for a sun and sand holiday to Galapagos? and can you imagine trying to get any kind of permission to build a bland resort a la Jandia style in the Galapagos.

I've been too btw but the Canaries are a little easier on the pocket for the average A level student (and me now as a teacher with children)

and I still say that Lanzarote is more interesting than Fuerteventura.

But how far do you want to fly with your children?

We went to Corralejo about 6 years ago, first year it was lovely, 2nd year it was like hell on earth subway, macdonalds, waterparks.
Nasty nasty nasty, wouldnt go again

zoggs, please don't be put off, like I said at the end of my op I did have a good time, mainly because the kids were happy, and to be honest once you're a parent that's what makes a holiday!

Lucycat We're heading to Isle of Wight next, so very close to home. But as for future winter holidays, until the kids are older and easier to travel further with think we'll stick to visiting friends in Norway, seeing the Northern lights etc. Sunshine way overrated anyway

feeling and mosschops glad I'm not the only one!

zoggs just realised you're not taking the kids, , you'll still have a fab time, the beaches and weather are great.

We went in 2023. It’s still a crap hole. It’s 50 shades of brown, no culture, very little wildlife. Very little culture. Half built buildings covered in graffiti makes the place look like a ghetto. We travelled over via ferry to lanzagrotty which wasn't any better. We were the same as you, enjoyed the beach but that was it. We have amazing beaches in cornwall and the foods way better.

I always steer clear of these destinations. Children find ways to have fun wherever you are and they mostly enjoy time with their parents.

There are far nicer and cheaper options such as the south of France, coastal areas of southern Spain if you prefer Spain. Portugal is also fantastic for a short haul option and quite warm.

people don't go to Fuerteventura for culture, architecture or scenery. It is famous for its windsurfing (the reason we went), otherwise - like much of the Canaries - you just go to lie on a beach and laze in the sun.
This.
This is true of all the Canary islands and why they are a popular holiday destination especially in winter.
I like Corralejo but it doesn't pretend to be cultured. If I want culture I will go elsewhere.

@hmmSleep We took DDs to Galápagos Islands aged 12 and 10. Just amazing for them. With 2 other families on the boat. Easter holidays.

Id not think about Africa in the summer. Or anywhere Mediterranean now in August. Just too hot. Sweden has beaches and a lot more culture. Denmark too.

Without long haul only the Canaries offer warmth in the winter. We've been many times, mainly to Playa Blanca, pre and post Xmas and always had warm weather even if its not sunny every day it's never cold. I was swimming in the heated pool in Dec 2022 when it was snowing in the UK.
I think there's lots to see, some lovely prom walks and nice places for coffee but agree the restaurants aren't the best but we don't tend to eat out so that doesn't bother us. It's always been my happy place even when I lived in Spain for a decade.

However, you've got me a bit worried as I have booked a post Xmas trip to Fuerteventura and was hoping for a similar experience. I've been on a day trip from PB many, many years ago when there was almost nothing there so have no idea what it's like now. To be honest though, if the weather is OK and the place we're staying is as good as it looks I'll be happy.

@fussychica I've been to Playa Blanca many times. Rest assured if you like that you will like Corralejo, it has a very similar feel. Id say there's a better choice of restaurants and it's more compact. It does lack the very long promenade but the coast is lovely in a different way.
It's literally across the water from PB so I imagine the weather is very similar. I've only been to Fuertaventua in summer but in recent years I've been to Lanzarote in January, February and March. I swam in the sea in January this year.

I'm ready for a change from Playa Blanca for next winter. Thinking about Corralejo.

Dubai isn’t much further for a winter holiday. Long haul is definitely worth it. So much more choice and better scenery.

Thanks for that Zerro, good to know. We're actually off to PB again pre Xmas so I'll be able to compare pretty quickly when we go to Fuerteventura at the end of Jan.

I meant to say Dubai IS much better!!! Not much further!

We fancied a bit of Winter warmth this year and are going to Tenerife. It may not have a good reputation but there are some nice parts to see aswell as the brit resorts. There's loads for kids to do, aswell as places like candelaria if you fancy something more cultured. It is also quite green.

Fuerteventura just seems windy and quite barren looking with little to do for adults or kids, apart from surfing.

Holy thread revival Batman! 2010 must be a record of some sort.

I was a regular visitor to Fuerteventura in the 1980’s and early 90’s. It was described as the undiscovered Canary island in the guide books. It was great. Mainly dirt roads and virtually no tourists.

Then it got discovered and you have what it is today.

Corralejo is awful. Some of the quieter beaches are nice, with good surfing conditions, but the tourist strip and Corralejo town is just dire. Full of British tourists and seedy bars charging them a fortune for shit food.

We stayed in lajares and it's so much nicer. A lot cheaper, a very surf-centered and the restaurants are lovely. It's not on the coast though, so this is probably why it isn't overcrowded with pissed up Brits.

El Catillo is quite nice too, although some restaurant owners hate tourists and make you feel pretty unwelcome, even if you speak to them in Spanish.