Corralejo's position in northern Fuerteventura makes it the perfect launchpad for exploring both the island and neighbouring Lanzarote. Here are the day trips that shouldn't be missed.
Corralejo's position at the northern tip of Fuerteventura is ideal for exploring — both the island itself and the wider region. Here are the best day trips, from a 20-minute ferry ride to a full-day driving adventure into the island's dramatic interior.
Lobos Island: 20 Minutes by Ferry
The tiny volcanic island of Isla de Lobos (named after the monk seals that once lived here, not wolves) lies just 2km off Corralejo's northern tip. At just 4.5km², it's a world of its own — completely car-free, largely uninhabited (one family of lighthouse keepers), and protected as a natural park within the Canaries Biosphere Reserve.
A circular walking trail (2–3 hours) takes you around the island's volcanic cone, past a small saltwater lagoon used by migrating birds, and through rocky coastal scenery of remarkable clarity. Snorkelling from the beaches reveals exceptional marine life in crystal-clear water. A single small restaurant serves simple fish dishes at the landing pier.
Ferries depart several times daily from Corralejo port; book in advance during peak season as visitor numbers are restricted by permit. Return ticket €15–€20.
Lanzarote: 25 Minutes by Ferry
The island of Lanzarote, just 11km across the water, feels like a different world. Where Fuerteventura is soft sand and gentle hills, Lanzarote is dramatic — an island so thoroughly reshaped by volcanic eruptions in the 18th and 19th centuries that entire villages were buried under lava. Today it's a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve celebrated for both its natural landscapes and the extraordinary art and architecture of local artist César Manrique.
Must-see on a Lanzarote day trip:
- Timanfaya National Park: A national park covering the lava fields and volcanic calderas of the 18th-century eruptions. Geothermal demonstrations (boiling water poured into a crack in the ground, hay bursting into flame over a ventilation shaft) make it memorably dramatic.
- Jameos del Agua: A cave system created by a lava tube running under the sea — inside, a unique blind albino crab found nowhere else on Earth lives in the underground lagoon. César Manrique turned the cave into a stunning concert hall and garden.
- Cueva de los Verdes: An extraordinary lava tube (5km long) explored by guided tour.
- Mirador del Río: A clifftop viewpoint designed by Manrique, looking out across the narrow channel to Fuerteventura and the Chinijo Archipelago.
Fast ferries run from Corralejo to Playa Blanca in Lanzarote in approximately 25 minutes. Car hire is available at the Lanzarote port for day visitors.
El Cotillo: 25 Minutes by Car
The fishing village of El Cotillo on Fuerteventura's west coast (25km from Corralejo) has a completely different character — quieter, more bohemian, beloved by surfers and those who prefer to avoid the mainstream tourist circuit. The natural lagoons north of the village are among the best swimming spots on the island, the fish restaurants by the old harbour are excellent, and the old Toston watchtower makes for a striking photograph at sunset.
Combine El Cotillo with a swim at the beautiful Playa del Castillo (the sheltered beach beside the tower) and lunch at one of the harbour restaurants for a perfect half-day or full-day excursion.
Betancuria: 50 Minutes by Car
Hidden in a mountain valley in the centre of the island, Betancuria was Fuerteventura's capital for nearly 500 years — until raids from the Barbary Coast became so frequent that the capital was moved to a more defensible coastal location. The small town retains an atmosphere of antiquity rare in the Canaries — a 15th-century cathedral, colonial streets, palm-shaded squares, and excellent local restaurants serving traditional Canarian food.
The drive through the island's volcanic interior to get there is part of the experience — stop at the Mirador de Morro Velosa for extraordinary panoramic views across the island's mountainous spine.
Cofete Beach: Full-Day Adventure
The spectacular, remote beach at the tip of the Jandia peninsula is Fuerteventura's ultimate day-trip destination — though reaching it requires either a 4x4 on the rough mountain track or an organised jeep tour. The reward is a 12km arc of wild Atlantic sand that feels entirely disconnected from the modern world. A tiny bar serves simple food; the beach is largely empty even in peak season. Waves are powerful and the undertow significant — it's a place for appreciation and photography rather than swimming.
Puerto del Rosario: The Real Fuerteventura
The island's capital is often overlooked by tourists, but it offers an authentic window into everyday Canarian life — good tapas bars, a pleasant waterfront area, local markets, and the Cesar Manrique house museum. Worth combining with a visit to the nearby Caleta de Fuste beach resort. 40 minutes from Corralejo by car.