With golden beaches that rival the Caribbean, bountiful nature, fun activities and incredible food, Fuerteventura is the family fave that ticks every box.
We explore the north and the south of the island and what is has to offer.
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NORTH
Corralejo
Creative Director Mark Hayman sampled the best of island life with wife Margaret and kids Cassius, 15, Elliot, 13, and 10-year-old Audrey.
THE PAD Suite-Hotel Atlantis Fuerteventura Resort sits on the edge of the island’s northern-most former fishing village, Corralejo.
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A sprawling complex of suites, restaurants and six pools connected by beautiful palm-lined paths, it’s an oasis of calm. We stayed in a junior suite, which may seem like a bit of a squeeze, but the extra sofa bed and rollout provided plenty of space for our three kids.
Inside, a room divider creates a separate room, which is a welcome touch for different bedtimes. The resort has heaps going on day and night, but each suite has its own entrance and private balcony to escape the bustle.
EXPLORE Anyone with teens will agree that giving them freedom with limits is the perfect recipe for an enjoyable holiday. Atlantis’ pools, sports areas and disco are all within a gated area, meaning Cassius and Elliot could roam around, make friends and enjoy a taste of independence.
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During the day the entertainment team organises volleyball, football and table tennis games. In the evening the disco is great for kids, while you can enjoy a few mojitos in the adjacent bar. Embarrassingly for our lot, us parents ended up on the dance floor, too. Big tennis fan?
The hotel boasts three fabulous courts, which you can hire for £11 per hour. And if you’re keen to up your game, book a lesson, from £22 an hour.
REFUEL One of the greatest draws to an all-inclusive for parents is not having to cook – or worry about the bill! The kids loved the endless breakfast buffet and lunch served in the two main restaurants – think doughnuts and pancakes – but the Pool Snack Bar, which opens out on to the main pool and sports area, is the ultimate place to chill.Plus, if you’re clamouring for a real cup of Java, it serves spot-on coffee.
In the evening, dine in the Atrium and Rambutan – make sure you book in the hotel foyer before 10am. Rambutan is buffet-style Asian cuisine, while Atrium offers a Spanish set menu – book older kids in for an adult meal.
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DON’T MISS Hire bikes and cycle to the sand dunes at Dunas de Corralejo, just a 20-minute ride from the resort, £10 per day including a helmet and lock (Easyriders-bikecenter.com). The scenery is like something out of Mad Max with acres of desert and volcanic mountains in the horizon – Insta gold!
Book it
Classic Collection Holidays (Classic-collection.co.uk) offers seven nights at Suite-Hotel Atlantis Fuerteventura Resort from £800 per person on an all-inclusive basis, including return flights from London Gatwick (Atlantisfuerteventuraresort.com).
SOUTH
Morro del Jable
Deputy Editor Gayle Schoales, partner Nick and son Jude, seven, found leapin’ lemurs and cheeky chipmunks in southern Fuerteventura.
THE PAD With killer views across the Atlantic, gorgeous grounds and the biggest lagoon-style pool we’ve ever seen, Tui Magic Life is a wonderful four-star resort just 8km outside the harbour town of Morro del Jable on the southern tip of Fuerteventura.
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There’s a packed itinerary of activities for adults and kids including football, yoga, tennis, darts and archery – download the Tui Magic Life app for schedules and to book. There’s also an onsite kids’ club, as well as nightly flamenco shows and cabaret acts.
If you just want to chillax, there are plenty of secluded sunbeds on the idyllic terrace overlooking the ocean.
Don’t skip a trip down the steps to the gorgeous Esquinzo beach – it’s a steep walk, but you’ll find dozens of chipmunks living among the rocks.
Bring some seeds and you’ll have the skittish critters literally eating out of the palm of your hand.
EXPLORE Head to the beach at Jandia – the newer part of Morro del Jable – where you can rent a double sunbed and parasol for £11 a day and enjoy turquoise waters, beach bars, surf school and a kids’ playground. Afterwards, mooch along the beach towards the old town, stopping at beachside cafe Diferencias for a jug of delicious ice-cold sangria, £6, as the sun sets.
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REFUEL Serving everything from paella and pizza to pasta and steak, Magic Life’s buffet restaurant is so good even picky eater Jude was in seventh heaven. There are also three speciality restaurants: Downtown, dishing up street food like tacos and drumsticks, The Flavour for a global menu and The Bodega for tapas, including chorizo in cider and locally produced goat’s cheese (FYI, there are more goats than people on the island).
Away from the resort, wander the cobbled streets in the Morro del Jable old town, where you’ll find a cluster of bars and restaurants, including the rustic Restaurante Charly for fresh-caught sole and chips, £10.
DON’T MISS With more than 250 types of animals, glorious views sweeping down to the sea and a massive cactus garden, Oasis Park wildlife centre is a must-visit. We took a guided tour with Martina, who made Jude her honorary assistant to feed the giraffes and camels.
Tickets cost from £52 for adults and £34 for children (Gotui.com). The highlight, however, was the Lemur Experience, when you get to go inside the enclosure. Sit still enough and one of the leaping lemurs might perch on your head, £8 for adults, £6 for kids (Fuerteventuraoasispark.com).
Book it
Tui offers seven nights at Tui Magic Life from £639 per person on an all-inclusive basis when booked online, including return flights from London Gatwick and transfers (Tui.co.uk).
