11 Best Sights in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

This famous stretch of pure white sand rivals Corralejo for the title of best Fuerteventura beach. It extends for 6½ glorious km (4 miles)—at low tide you can walk over to neighboring beaches for 9 km (5½ miles). A sandbank that runs parallel to the beach creates a shallow lagoon that's perfect for swimming and for getting down the basics of windsurfing. Nude sunning is favored here, except directly in front of hotels—these areas are also the only place where amenities are available. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: nudists; solitude; sunrise; windsurfing.

On Fuerteventura's most northwesterly tip, this fishing village has quaint and colorful houses and a sleepy, lost-in-time feel. Go at sunset, when the surrounding sands take on a red-orange glow, and peek into the 17th-century Castillo de El Tostón (Tostón Tower), which often holds temporary art exhibits.

The town's Church Museum contains a replica of the banner carried by the Norman conqueror Juan de Bethancourt when he seized Fuerteventura in the 15th century. Most of the artwork was salvaged from the nearby convent, now in ruins. The museum is generally open weekday mornings but has no official hours.

In Antigua, 8 km (5 miles) east of Betancuria, you can visit a restored white Don Quixote–style windmill that was once used for grinding gofio (toasted grain) flour and is now part of a museum devoted to Fuerteventura's cheese-making tradition. Next to the windmill are a craft shop and cactus garden. Incidentally, the modern metal windmills throughout the island were imported from the United States and are used for pumping water.

Like so many of the Fuerteventura beaches, this is yet another stretch of perfect white sands. Playa Costa Calma is actually made up of three beaches, a large one flanked by two smaller ones. You can walk along all three at low tide, but don't be caught by the rising tide: the rocky outcrops between the beaches will prevent your return. Lounge chair and umbrella rental is available near the hotels. Windy conditions draw windsurfers here. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Barlovento is spectacularly unspoiled. The fact that it can be reached only by 4x4s or other heavy-duty vehicles means it receives few visitors; in low season you might well have this 6-km (4-mile) stretch practically to yourself. Take plenty of drinking water, and watch out for strong currents, especially when the wind is strong. Amenities: none. Best for: nudists; solitude; sunset; windsurfing.

Along with Barlovento next door, Playa de Cofete is one of Spain's most pristine beaches. This 14-km (9-mile) strip of golden sand faces north, making it the perfect spot for sunbathing, walking, and just getting away from it all. Currents are strong here, particularly when it's gusty, so inexperienced swimmers should skip this one. Take plenty of drinking water. Amenities: none. Best for: nudists; solitude; sunset; walking; windsurfing.

Also known as Grandes Playas, Playa de Corralejo runs about 3½ km (2 miles) south from the Tres Islas hotel to the Playa de la Barreta. Its white sands are fringed by high sand dunes on one side and the ocean and Isla de Lobos on the other, so views are magnificent. Like many Fuerteventura beaches, it's windy, so waves can be rough. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available on some parts of the beach, and nude sunbathing is common at the more remote spots. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: nudists; sunrise; walking; windsurfing.

The long stretch of powdery white sand and safe swimming conditions make Morro Jable's beach one of the island's most emblematic. It gets busy on weekends and during the summer, and finding a space for your towel can be difficult unless you're prepared to walk a ways. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are both available. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

On the northwest side of the island, this beach has a castle that once repelled pirates. The small stretch of white sand is rather isolated and is popular with locals. The beach is backed by dramatic ocher cliffs, and the sea tends to be rough. Amenities: none. Best for: nudists; solitude; sunset; windsurfing.

The weatherworn colonial church of Santa María de Betancuria was built in the early 15th century as the island's main church when Betancuria was the capital. The church was almost completely destroyed by Berbers in 1593 and then rebuilt. Outside Mass times, the church has no official opening hours, though weekday mornings are often a safe bet.