Things to do
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Ajuy
Black sand and fishing boats mark this small village on the west coast, where a cliff path leads past fossil-studded rock to large sea caves. The walk from the beach to the caves takes about half an hour return, on uneven steps. Stay well back from the edge on windy days, when swell breaks high against the rocks. Seafood restaurants by the black beach fill at lunchtime with coach tours.
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Betancuria
Tucked into a sheltered valley in the hills, the island's first capital is a village of whitewashed houses around the church of Santa María. It is the place to see how the island looked before the resorts, with a small museum and cafés serving local goat's cheese. Tour coaches arrive mid-morning, so come early or late in the afternoon. Combine it with the Morro Velosa viewpoint on the road north.
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Calderón Hondo
From the village of Lajares a marked path climbs across lava fields to the rim of a deep volcanic crater, with views north to Lobos and Lanzarote. The walk takes about two hours return on loose, stony ground. Barbary ground squirrels gather near the top, though feeding them is discouraged. Go early: there is no shade on the path, and wind on the rim can be strong.
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Cofete Beach
Reached by a long gravel track over the Jandía mountains from Morro Jable, this wild Atlantic beach runs for kilometres under a sheer wall of peaks. Swimming here is dangerous: currents are strong and there are no lifeguards. Many hire car contracts exclude the track, so check before driving or take the island's four-wheel-drive bus. Allow half a day, and leave the beach well before dark.
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Corralejo
Ferries to Lobos and to Lanzarote leave from the harbour of this northern resort, which grew from a fishing village and keeps a lively old quarter of bars and seafood restaurants. The dunes start at the edge of town. Surf schools and kitesurf schools work the nearby reefs and beaches. Weekend evenings are busy around the harbour square, and parking in the centre fills early.
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Corralejo Dunes Natural Park
Pale sand dunes run for kilometres south of Corralejo, crossed by the main road, with the Grandes Playas beaches along their seaward edge. Walk inland from a roadside lay-by to lose the traffic within minutes. Afternoon wind lifts sand hard enough to sting, so mornings suit walking and the beaches suit kitesurfers later. Bring water and shade: there is almost none once off the beach.
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El Cotillo
Fishing boats still work the old harbour of this village on the northwest coast, where a stone tower watches over surf beaches to the south and calm lagoon coves to the north. Sunset from the cliffs draws a small crowd each evening. The southern beaches have big waves and strong currents; families swim in the sheltered northern lagoons. Fish restaurants along the harbour front serve the catch landed by the boats in the morning.
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Isla de Lobos
A short ferry ride from Corralejo harbour lands day visitors on a small protected islet of lava fields, a lagoon beach and a lighthouse. A loop path circles the island, with a side trail up the crater of Montaña La Caldera for views back to the dunes. Visits need a free online permit from the island council, booked ahead, and numbers are capped. Carry water and sun cover: services are minimal and shade is scarce.
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La Oliva
Inland in the north, this quiet town holds the Casa de los Coroneles, a large balconied mansion that was once the seat of the island's military governors, and a small gallery of Canarian art. The plain around it is dotted with old windmills and volcanic cones. Stop on the drive between Corralejo and El Cotillo. An hour covers the house and the gallery; check opening days before driving over.
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Mirador Morro Velosa
High on a ridge between Betancuria and Valle de Santa Inés, this viewpoint looks over a sweep of eroded volcanic hills that change colour with the light. A building designed by the Lanzarote artist César Manrique houses a café behind wide windows. Wind can be fierce on the terrace, so bring a layer. Late afternoon light turns the hills red and ochre, and the road down to Betancuria is narrow with sharp bends.
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Morro Jable
At the southern tip of the island, this fishing town backs onto a long golden beach with a lighthouse and a protected turtle hatchery near the promenade. Ferries leave the harbour for Gran Canaria, and the gravel track to Cofete starts above the town. Evenings along the old quarter's seafront are quieter than in the resorts to the north. Loungers cluster near town, and the beach grows emptier walking east.
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Oasis Wildlife
Set in gardens near La Lajita on the south coast, this zoo and botanical park keeps animals from several continents alongside a large cactus garden and a camel centre. Plan a half day to cover it at a relaxed pace, with animal presentations spread through the day. A free shuttle runs from several resorts. Arrive at opening to see the animals before the midday heat.
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Sotavento Beach
Shallow water and a tidal lagoon behind a long sandbar make this stretch of the Jandía coast near Costa Calma a magnet for windsurfers and kitesurfers. At low tide the lagoon becomes a walkable sheet of sand and warm pools. Wind blows strongest in summer, when international windsurfing competitions are held here. Families come in the calmer mornings, before the boards take over the water.
