Regional Info
Municipality of La Oliva
Located in the north of Fuerteventura, the municipality of La Oliva, which includes the island of Los Lobos, has an area of 356.13m2 (21.5% of the total area of the island). It comprises of the village of La Oliva, and the villages of Parque Holandes, Tindaya, Vallebrón, La Caldereta, El Cotillo, El Roque, Lajares, Villaverde, and Corralejo, as well as the recent area now known as La Capellania, located between Villaverde and Corralejo.
Among the numerous attractions in the municipality of La Oliva, its natural areas are not to be missed, such as Tindaya Mountain, containing important archaeological and geological elements, or Corralejo Natural Park, with its spectacular sand dunes; Lobos Park is home to around 130 animal and vegetable species that inhabit a landscape practically untouched by Man, and Malpais de la Arena, declared a Natural Monument, has its origins in volcanic eruptions that occurred around ten thousand years ago, producing a landscape of great beauty. Finally, the Protected Area of Vallebron conserves man-made structures designed for farming the land located in the midst of a fertile valley.
Corralejo Natural Park lies in the northern part of the island and is made up of a large area of sand dunes, a solidified lava stream, and the Montaña Roja (Red Mountain) volcanic cone. Its considerable sandy habitat contains plant species such as the Canarian Bean-Caper, Shrubby Sea-blite and a member of the amaranthus family. It also has the largest colony of birds known as the Houbara Bustard on the island.
Lobos Island
At one time, (15th c.) Lobos Island was considered amazing because of the size of the colony of Mediterranean Monk Seals that lived there. None remain today, however Lobo Island is still home to around 130 species of plants and a variety of animals that need to be protected and preserved to avoid history repeating itself. A small islet (around 5m2), Lobos Island is situated some 2 km northeast of Fuerteventura, separated by a stretch of water no deeper than 10 m called El Río, in the Bocaina Straits. The island is clearly visible from Corralejo. Its coastline is dotted with waterlogged areas that form salt marshes of extreme biological importance, where several species of birds come to nest on the cliff faces of La Caldera Mountain, particularly Herring gulls and Cory shearwaters. The beautiful seabed surrounding the isle, which has been declared a Submarine Natural Reserve, contains great ecological wealth.
Lobos Isle lighthouse was the birthplace of the poet and potter, Josefina Plá, a benchmark in contemporary Hispanic-American literature.
About Corralejo
Located just 35 minutes by car from the airport, the once small fishing village of Corralejo is now one of the most popular holiday resorts on the island. Although it has grown somewhat in the last 5 years, it thankfully still retains its original charm, the ‘old town’ with its cobbled side streets, shops, bars and restaurants, has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The first hotels and apartments introduced the island into tourism in the 1960s and since then it has grown into a resort popular with couples and families who want to take advantage of the summer and winter seasons.
There are plenty of traditional Canarian restaurants, the perfect place to experience some of the local dishes, or just sit and enjoy a drink in one of the many café/bars and take pleasure in the spectacular vista of Lanzarote and Lobos Island.
Corralejo Harbour
One of Corralejo’s most striking sights, are the protected sand dunes which you will drive through as you enter the town, with a massive expanse of ‘Sahara’ like desert on one side and the pristine soft beaches and turquoise ocean on the other, it is a stunning spectacle.
Watersports are extremely popular here, especially windsurfing, surfing and kite-boarding, one of the best beaches for this, is Flag Beach, which is part of an incredible stretch of beach, from Punta de Tivas to Playa de Viejo.
One of the newest attractions to Corralejo, is the Baku Water Park, which also has a Rock Climbing wall, ‘The Animal Experience’ where you can watch the sea-lion show, and interact with the anaimals, there is also a Bowling Alley and Restaurant. Next door to this is where you will find the Corralejo Market, held each week on Mondays and Fridays. Another new addition to Corralejo is El Campanario, the colourful new commercial centre with its own bell tower and cobbled streets, giving the impression of shopping in a typical old Spanish town. If you would like a day trip to another island, Lanzarote can be reached by ferry, leaving every hour from the harbour, the Fred Olsen Express takes just 15 minutes to cross the Bocaina Straights.
Property development on the edges of Corralejo has seen the town spreading a little further South. This area, known as Parque Natural is where you will find various properties, from apartments to luxury villas. Some of the views from this elevated position are quite stunning.
So whether you are looking for an apartment with a terrace from which to enjoy the spectacular scenery, or a villa on its own private pitch and putt Golf Course, this area is a must. If you prefer to be closer to the town, there are many types of re-sale property on the market for you to consider. Corralejo has it all.
About El Cotillo
El Cotillo has many characteristics, a very pretty fishing village which has kept its charm and tranquility. Located on the west coast, just 20 minutes drive from Corralejo, it is perfectly located to watch the wonderful sunsets that Fuerteventura experience.
There are 2 harbours, one is still a working harbour where you can watch the local fisherman bring in the fresh fish of the day and the picturesque old harbour, which has a couple of wonderful restaurants where you can try that catch of the day whilst watching an incredible sunset.
The Magnificent Lagoons in El Cotillo
The left side of the village is where you will find the ‘Toston’ tower, now used as an exhibition gallery for local artists, this round fort was built in the late 1790s and was used to protect the village from invading pirates. From here you will find an expanse of cliffs with pathways running down to the beautiful Playa el Castillo beach, this area is very popular with surfers and has an incredibly strong riptide. Further along you will find a number of beaches best reached by a 4 x 4 along the dirt tracks.
To the right of the old harbour you will find an area which is developing, with a new 4* hotel and construction of apartments both tourist and residencial. This is the area where you will find Los Lagos, ‘The Lagoons’. The beaches here are pure white shell sand and the sheltered shallow lagoons are perfect for children to swim and snorkel in.
The Lighthouse on the headland is currently being renovated and will become a fisherman’s museum. Further around the coast between El Cotillo and Corralejo, there is a dirt track, only passable with a 4 x 4, this is where the more experienced windsurfers and surfers can be found, especially in the winter months when the swell is quite spectacular.
If you are a beach and watersports enthusiast, or just enjoy quiet evenings with a few restaurants and bars from where you can watch the sun vanish over the horizon, then El Cotillo is the perfect place to invest in a property for a holiday home.
About Lajares, Villaverde and La Oliva
These three very pretty and individual rural villages, are becoming increasingly popular for property purchase. Located around 15-20 minutes from Corralejo and El Cotillo, they are perfectly positioned for owning a rural retreat in which to live, or rent out.
Fuerteventura landscape © Picture A. Collinson
The village of Lajares has grown quite a lot in the last few years. Having its own football ground built in 1990 and a couple of very good restaurants. There are also tapas bars, a French bakery, a pharmacy, and being only 10 minutes from El Cotillo where you will find surf shops and board hire. The village has an old church and two windmills, one which up until only 20 years ago was still in use. Lajares is also well known for the local lace shop ‘Artisania Lajares’ which is a stop off point for tourist coaches.
Villaverde located 15 minutes from Corralejo, is known for having some of the most beautiful houses in the area, as the village is elevated, some of the properties have wonderful views towards the sea and dunes of Corralejo. The village has an agricultural museum and it’s possible to buy the famous Fuerteventura goats cheese here. There are two or three very good restaurants, Casa Marcos has won awards for his wonderful tapas dishes and there is also a bakery, supermarket and the ‘Hotel Mahoh’ which is a beautiful rural hotel and restaurant. The scenery is quite stunning with the ‘Montaña de la Arena’ quite visible.
La Oliva is the next village to Villaverde, just 20 minutes from Corralejo and a very interesting village, the home of the ‘Casa de los Coroneles’ can be found here, where the important members of the military used to reside. La Oliva has a very pretty church with bell tower and there is also an Art Gallery and a Market. The Ayuntamiento (the council) is also located here and with shops, restaurants, pharmacy and post office, it is an area proving popular with house-buyers, where many new villas are being built for the client that wishes for peace and quiet, but with only a short car journey to the busy resort of Corralejo.
About Caleta de Fuste (Municipality of Antigua)
The resort of Caleta de Fuste, also known as El Castillo, is proving to be a popular location for couples and families and lies close to the airport, just 10km away.
Unlike Corralejo, it is a purpose built tourist resort and is centred around a horseshoe shape beach which is surrounded by a breakwater, making the area safe for children to swim.
Caleta has plenty to offer, with the main avenue having shops, bars and restaurants and a small marina from where you can hire watersports equipment. The nightlife is varied, with live music and restaurants and bars to cater for all tastes.
Caleta de Fuste (El Castillo)
The area is also home to two excellent Golf Courses. The 18 hole championship Par 70 6,069 metre Course at 'The Fuerteventura Golf Resort', where the Spanish Open was held in 2004, and the Golf Resort Salinas.
The golf course “Golf Resort Salinas de Antigua”, promoted by Ramiterra SL, of the Raminova Group and designed by twice world champion Manuel Piñero (target) is composed of 18 holes, par 70, with a maximum distance of 5,395 metres for men and 4,690 metres for ladies
Opposite the Golf Courses, is the Atlantico Shopping Complex, with a large supermarket, shops, eating areas, a cinema (Spanish films only) and a 10 pin bowling alley, and recently opened are 4* and 5* hotels.
The town of Caleta has expanded in recent years with an area now known as Chipmonk Mountain, which has an elevated position offering great views of the Golf Course and coast line. This part of Caleta is popular for holiday accommodation, and large areas of residential property have also grown to accommodate the number of people looking for investment property. Located just outside the main part of town, Chipmonk Mountain it is a little quieter, so is ideal if you prefer to be away from the centre and enjoy a leisurely stroll down to the bars and restaurants and evening entertainment.
Caleta de Fuste is centrally located, making it an ideal place to hire a car and explore the rest of this beautiful Island.
