DISCOVER FUERTEVENTURA
Discover all the regions, entertainment and leisure activities of the island of Fuerteventura. Visit the island whilst on holiday and enjoy the Canarian climate.
"Fuerteventura has a history that very few people know about today. Currently it is known as a paradise island and of great tourist interest but it was not until the 70s that the image and trajectory of this island as a holiday destination was given a turn. In the past, it was used as a place for the "indissoluble" and was practically depopulated at the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1405, after three years of conquest and colonization, Fuerteventura became a lordship. Some authors call the island «Maxorata», named after the biggest of the kingdoms the island was divided into; however there is a place name –recorded by Norman authors— our focus in order to approach the age of the ancient prehistoric kingdoms in Fuerteventura. This place name is «Erbania» or «Herbania», and a research trend relates this name to «Arbani» —the place where the wall is—. It makes reference to the wall, made of dry stone, which divided the island of Fuerteventura into two parts, near Jandia’s isthmus, a wall of which there are still some remains nowadays. The island was divided into two tribes or kingdoms, ruled by two kings. Despite hostility between the two kingdoms, this was not permanent, as both tribes had a feeling of belonging to the same ethnic group, which they showed when they cooperated against a foreign enemy (the Normans) or when they adopted a pacific relationship in festivities and rituals that were common to the whole population in Fuerteventura.
It was not until the 18th century that Fuerteventura's economic take-off occurred with the start of foreign trade. It was in the mid-seventies that the current transformation of Fuerteventura took place as a result of the interest in the island as a tourist destination, which continues to grow and evolve today".
UNIQUE PLACES
Another coastal town worth visiting is El Cotillo. A small town with a fishing tradition located on the north coast of the island. Some of its main attractions are its idyllic beaches and coves, which leave no one indifferent. Piedra Playa is an extensive beach of fine sand. The wind and the waves have made it one of the favourite places for surfing lovers, an ideal place for those who want to enjoy water sports. On the other hand, those who prefer a quieter and calmer atmosphere can visit the other small coves with crystal-clear waters, such as Los Lagos de Cotillo, Los Charcos and El Caletón.
During your visit to Cotillo, don't forget to visit the village, walk around its streets and visit the historical places of the area, such as the Faro del Tostón, which houses the Museum of Traditional Fishing, the old harbour with lovely bars and restaurants, and the Castle of El Tostón, built in the 15th century to protect the village from African attacks.
The so-called Sacred Mountain of Tindaya is a mountain about 400 metres high near the municipality of La Oliva. It is believed that the ancient aboriginal tribes that inhabited the island of Fuerteventura attributed magical properties to it. Engravings of these same tribes have been found in the area with great archaeological value. In addition to the history and secrets of Tindaya Mountain, the place has a unique and mysterious beauty. The solitary mountain is in the middle of an arid landscape and there are trails that allow you to appreciate the beauty of the place up close and enjoy this magical setting. The incredible view from the mountain will leave you speechless.
Cofete beach is an extensive virgin beach more than 12 kilometres long, protected by a mountain range of about 800 metres. This stunning beach of fine sand and blue water is truly one of Fuerteventura's treasures and worth a visit. There is little to say about this beach, but that it is a real paradise. Moreover, since you have to walk a few kilometres to get there, it is an uncrowded place, ideal to enjoy the tranquillity and the impressive landscape. We also recommend a quick visit to the village of Cofete, built in the mid-19th century. This small village of only a handful of houses is the home to about thirty inhabitants who make their living from fishing.
Morro Jable, in the south of Fuerteventura is home to some of the most spectacular and paradise like beaches on the island. In the past only a small and modest fishing village, today it is one of the most popular and preferred destinations for travellers. If you are in the area we recommend a visit to El Matorral Beach, with its fine golden sand. If you are looking for a different, more off the beaten track spot, try Las Coloradas Beach, with its dark sand and pebbles. Morro Jable also has an important port from where several maritime lines communicate Fuerteventura with Gran Canaria.
Few people know that Betancuria, apart from being the oldest enclave in Fuerteventura, also was the capital of the island for no less than 5 centuries. A visit to Betancuria is almost a must for those who want to taste the island's gastronomy in some of the best restaurants. Let yourself be carried away by the charm of the place as you stroll through the streets of the old town. The historical area of Betancuria is small, although it has a special charm. It is worth visiting the curious Church of Santa Maria, a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance, Mudejar and Baroque styles, and its beautiful bell tower. If you want to know more about the history of the area, we recommend a visit to the Archaeological Museum. Otherwise, you can enjoy getting lost in its little plazas and cobbled streets.
Over recent years Tarajalejo has become more modern and more tourist orientated, but it has not lost its essence as a town with a seafaring tradition. This small fishing village located on the south coast of the island tucked away in a valley full of palm trees has a large black sandy beach.
During your visit to Tarajalejo, we recommend you visit the old fishing port and its beautiful black sand beach. Tarajalejo beach is more than 1 kilometre long and is usually frequented by the island's own inhabitants, it is never crowded and is an ideal place for water sports. If you are a lover of tranquility, tradition, sun and sea, then Tarajalejo will guarantee you an unforgettable day!
The Corralejo Dunes are part of the Corralejo Natural Park. The area was declared a protected area by the Canary Islands Government due to its scenic beauty and scientific interest. They also contain a high degree of biodiversity and species endemic to the island. Among these fine white sand dunes are some of the most beautiful and most visited beaches on Fuerteventura. Some of these most outstanding beaches are Playa de Alzada, Playa del Moro, El Dormidero or El Pozo, all of them with turquoise crystal clear waters. A true beach paradise. If you are a sports lover, you should know that Corralejo has become an attractive spot for a number of water sports such as surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and stand up paddle.
Corralejo is one of the main tourist centres on the island of Fuerteventura. In addition to the Corralejo Natural Park and Dunes, the area has picturesque fine sandy beaches and coves. The town's harbour is a lovely place for a stroll and is the staring point for some recommendable boat trips. The town of Corralejo is knowns for it's good atmosphere and lively streets, as well as for it's incredible natural landscapes just around the corner. During your visit to the town don't forget to visit the Plaza Patricio Calero, right in the heart of Corralejo; visit the El Campanario shopping centre and its cute local craft shops and finish the day enjoying some tapas and cocktails in the bars and restaurants of the "old town".
Whoever knows Lobos Island knows that it is an untouched natural paradise. The small island of just 4.5 square kilometres takes its name from the sea lions that until recently frequented its shores. As it is a very important place in terms of biodiversity it was declared a Natural Park in the eighties. Access is easy, it only takes about 15 minutes by boat to get there from the Port of Corralejo. There are several companies offering these transport services. It is important to know that to protect the fragile biodiversity and untouched beauty of the place access to the island is limited to 400 people per day, so prior to a visit a visiting permit must be requested. It is a very simple procedure and easily obtained online. The same companies that make the journey will usually apply for the permits for their clients as well. Once on the island, besides enjoying the landscape, don't forget to visit La Concha Beach and the Puertito de Lobos. This cute little harbour with its very photogenic wooden walkway has become a true instagram hit over recent years.
HOLLYWOOD ON THE ISLAND
Major productions on the natural set of Fuerteventura
That Fuerteventura has recently become the place chosen by famous film directors to shoot scenes from their films is no coincidence. On the one hand, the climate, where in general the weather is always good, with more than three thousand hours of sunshine a year, mild temperatures and almost no rain; on the other hand, the natural landscapes, desert settings, virgin beaches, lunar landscapes and, finally, modern infrastructures and a wide range of top-level professional services which make the island a the perfect setting for filming and campaigns, and great international and national directors recognize this.
After filming in Washington, London and the Alcazaba Monumental Complex in Almería, the actors and crew of the American film, directed by Patty Jenkins, came to Fuerteventura. The first set of 'Wonder Woman' was the Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo, where village huts were built to house the adventures of this superhero play, which evokes George Orwell's dystopian novel '1984', set in the 1980s during the Cold War.
After filming in the north of the island, the film crew moved to the south of Fuerteventura, specifically to the beaches of Jandía, and later travelled to Tenerife.
If you're a fan of this science fiction movie saga, you probably also know that this installment was not the best of the Star Wars saga. Not that the critics were particularly harsh on the film, but everyone agrees that the film was a rehash of scenes already seen and that it lacked that magic touch that fans of the saga like so much.
Nevertheless, despite the fact that the script was not very well received by the fans, the story gave the island of Fuerteventura a prominent role, making it one of the films shot in the Canary Islands where the landscape can best be appreciated.
One of the films will be produced by Disney under the title 'The Eternal Ones', one of the biggest blockbusters to be shot in Europe this year. Filming will begin in several locations in Fuerteventura next October and the American production company expects the film to have its world premiere on 6 November 2020. The film stars Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff and Brian Tyree Henry.
The famous film director Ridley Scott choose Fuerteventura as the main setting for his film Exodus. Shooting the most famous sequence of the movie here on the island, namely the opening of the waters of the Red Sea. But not only that, during six weeks
prestigious actors such as Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton and Aaron Paul travelled around different parts of the island to shoot the images of this super production. The views of El Cotillo, Cofete, Barranco de Buen Paso, the Natural Park of the Dunes of Corralejo and the Natural Park of Jandía were captured by Scott's cameras for this Hollywood blockbuster, which has reached millions of viewers since its premiere in December 2014.
Allied's team, led by American Robert Zemeckis, moved the film set to Fuerteventura. Brad Pitt, the film's protagonist, travelled to the director's objectives in arid, unpopulated areas in the centre of the island and part of the virgin coast in the north for the beach and desert scenes in the film. A romantic thriller set in the Second World War starring Pitt and Marion Cotillard, in which we can see the landscapes of Fuerteventura on the big screen.
National directors are no strangers to the possibilities and comforts that Fuerteventura offers for filming. The well-known home-based actress Maribel Verdú moved to the island to shoot part of the film El faro de las orcas for four weeks under the direction of Gerardo Olivares. On this occasion, deserted beaches and sandy landscapes simulated scenes from Patagonia, where the film's story, based on real events, is centred. The Jandia peninsula and the village of Las Playitas were some of the locations chosen by Olivares for the shooting of the film.
Paramount Pictures also shot "The Dictator" ("Finchley dreams") on Fuerteventura, the comedy film starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Megan Fox and Ben Kingsley. This feature film, directed by Larry Charles, after passing through New York and Morocco, shot part of its scenes in two Spanish locations: Seville and Fuerteventura. Filming on the Canary Island began in the dunes of Corralejo, after that they moved to the capital Puerto del Rosario, where a war scenario has been recreated with tanks and armoured vehicles. The area of El Cotillo (La Oliva) also featured in some scenes of this film, which mobilised 150 extras in the Canary Islands alone.
Solo (2018) - Filmaffinity
Fuerteventura. Septiembre de 2014. En busca de la ola perfecta, el joven surfista Álvaro Vizcaíno se precipita por un acantilado en la zona más inaccesible de la isla. Lo que iba a ser una increíble jornada deportiva se transforma en 48 horas de agonía extrema. Con el cuerpo malherido y la cadera rota, deberá vencer a una naturaleza implacable y hacer frente a sus propios miedos para intentar sobrevivir... Basada en hechos reales. (FILMAFFINITY)
MUSIC ON THE ISLAND
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