La Oliva
The northernmost area of Fuerteventura is occupied by La Oliva, one of this particular Canary Island’s six municipalities. Here are to be found several areas of interest that no visitor to Fuerteventura should miss. Beaches, sand dunes, volcanic mountains, protected areas, leisure resorts, islands, water sports… This municipality is, unquestionably, one of Fuerteventura’s main tourist hubs.
In the centre of the municipal area is its capital, La Oliva, a small town whose outstanding features are the church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, the Museo de las Tradiciones [folk museum], and the Casa de los Coroneles [Colonels’ House], a seventeenth-century mansion with links to the island’s military powers.
The most populated town in this municipality is Corralejo, about 15 kilometres to the north, and renowned for the Corralejo Dunes. This tourist-orientated town offers a range of options for exploring the Dunas de Corralejo Natural Park and the islet of Lobos.
The town of Corralejo combines a traditional urban centre with huge hotel complexes. There are also several urban beaches and a harbour from which boats depart for the islet of Lobos and for the neighbouring island of Lanzarote. It is a good place to organise sailing excursions and activities such as diving, surfing or fishing, and is also the point of access to the Natural Park’s sand dunes. In Corralejo, you will find countless beaches, many extremely popular with surfers, and a mini desert overlooking the Atlantic.
Depending on your itinerary, an alternative presented by La Oliva is to spend an afternoon at the Acua Water Park, a particularly fine aqua park that will delight children and adults alike.
The area beyond Corralejo also offers attractive options. One of these is the north-western coast, where the town of El Cotillo lies. This part of the coastline is quite fascinating, as it has lighthouses, rocky areas and tiny coves such as the famous La Concha beach. This sandy beach, one of the jewels of Fuerteventura’s coastline, has shallow waters, whose attractive turquoise colour contrasts vividly with the whiteness of the sands. The cove is very sheltered from the Atlantic currents, so it is completely safe to bathe here.
In El Cotillo, visitors can take the opportunity to enjoy some excellent fish dishes and typical Canary Island cuisine, as the town has a wide variety of restaurants. Another possibility is to visit one of the cheese-making dairies to taste and buy goat’s cheese.
However, La Oliva is not all about the sea, as its territory also extends inland to the Tindaya mountain, an ancient volcano which was once a sacred site—as can be seen from the prehistoric engravings present.
La Oliva, on the northern edge of the remarkable island of Fuerteventura, is an area that cannot fail to impress. If you would like to find out more, as well as to prepare for your trip, don’t forget to read our guides on what to see and do in Fuerteventura.