Looking For Winter Sun? Why Fuerteventura Is Our Favourite Winter Sun Destination
Our idea of heaven on earth? Our perfect patch of paradise? It’s the northern coast of Fuerteventura, which is one of the four main Canary Islands. This is a place we visit year round, but it’s a particularly magical winter sun destination.
If you’re dreaming of winter sun in Europe, trying to escape endless grey skies (I can’t be the only one that’s sick of them), or looking for a warm, affordable family holiday destination, let me introduce you to the place we keep returning to again and again: Fuerteventura. We particularly love the northern corner around Corralejo, which has perfect beaches, amazing surf, and a laid back vibe.
We’ve travelled all over Europe with our boys, from city breaks to alpine adventures. And we love winter breaks as much as summer ones. But when winter rolls around and Christmas is over, all we can think about is sunshine, warmth, beaches and zero stress. Fuerteventura is always our first choice, and i’m going to explain why it should be yours too.
Fuerteventura is the one destination that consistently ticks every single box for us, but I can’t think of a family that I wouldn’t recommend it for. It offers easy travel, family-friendly beaches, warm temperatures. And the best thing? You’ll find the kind of laid-back atmosphere that makes travelling with kids feel simple. If you’re new to travelling with kids, it would make a great first trip.
Here’s exactly why Fuerteventura is our favourite winter sun destination for families, and why it might become yours too.
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
Why Choose Fuerteventura for Winter Sun?
When most of Europe is wrapped up in scarves and raincoats, Fuerteventura sits happily in its own little bubble of sunshine. It has a microclimate (just like the rest of the Canaries) that means it is always sunny, and it’s known as the island of eternal spring.
If you visit Fuerteventura in the winter you can expect:
- Daily highs of 20–25°C between November and March
- Plenty of sunshine and long, bright days. We’ve visited in December and in March, and been in the pool and swimming in the sea on both trips.
- Very little rain compared to the more popular island of Tenerife or mainland Spain
Landing in Feurteventura is an instant happiness boost: you leave dreary and grey England, and the plane doors open to sunny skies. It’s the best feeling in the world! Plus because the island is so small, you can grab an ice cream and hit the beach within an hour of landing at the airport.
No matter what time of year you visit Fuerteventura, you’ll never have to pack a coat. It can sometimes be a little windy (that’s islands for you!) but this is a refreshing break from the heat of the sunshine.
Family-Friendly Beaches (The Best in the Canary Islands)
There are four main Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura) and I’ve visited all four of them. But Fuerteventura is by far my favourite, and the one we choose to go back to again and again.
Fuerteventura has some of the best family beaches not just in the Canary Islands, but in all of Europe. And unlike Tenerife or Lanzarote, you’ll find white sand beaches and shallow turquoise water. There are even beaches that look like they’re completely covered in popcorn: a wonderful and unique phenomenon.
Flag Beach and the Corralejo Dunes
Our favourite beaches in Fuerteventura sit along the Corralejo Dunes. The boys take surf lessons along La Oliva Beach and then jump the waves at Flag Beach. You can read about our surf lessons with Protest Surf School here.
And the dunes themselves are a natural playground. Our boys could spend hours rolling down dunes, digging huge pits, climbing, racing, exploring. It really does rank as amongst my favourite parts of the world.
Travelling with younger kids? The water is shallow along many parts, and even the windy days feel fun, not cold. The wind also makes this one of the most popular spots on the island for wind surfing.
El Cotillo Lagoons
This is our top pick for younger kids. The reason? Because the lagoons are sheltered from the big Atlantic waves, creating natural shallow pools that feel like giant rockpools.
It’s an amazing spot for families and kids all ages, but younger kids in particular. You can benefit from crystal-clear water and safe swimming spots for everyone (though I would still stick to lifeguarded beaches). If you’re not comfortable with younger kids being in the water alone, or its your first beach holiday and you want somewhere easy, this is such a great spot to choose.
Costa Calma and Jandía
These are two well-known beach resorts in their own right, but they’re close enough together that you could visit both in the same trip. They are ideal spots for long beach walks, paddling, and watching kite surfers.
We love this area when we want quieter beaches and fewer crowds.
Stress-Free Travel From the UK
It’s practical but it’s important: getting to Fuerteventura from the UK is just so easy. And affordable too, with budget airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet both flying weekly from airports across the country. This is a huge part of why we love Fuerteventura so much for winter family travel. It’s straightforward and it doesn’t break the bank!
Short and Easy Flight
- Around 4 hours direct flight from the UK
- No time zone change (which means no jet lag, no overtired kids, and no resetting routines!)
- Affordable flights several times a day, meaning you can choose the flight times that work best for your family
Simple Driving
We ALWAYS hire a car when we visit Fuerteventura. We love the freedom of travelling where we want, when we want. And because some of the beaches are so remote, this is the only way to visit them.
Hiring a car is incredibly easy, and the roads in Fuerteventura are some of the quietest in the Canary Islands. Navigating between towns and beaches is straightforward, making it stress-free even for nervous drivers. In fact, it was driving in Fuerteventura that gave us the confidence to drive overseas, and then we started taking roadtrips every year. (Check out: Planning a Road Trip To France With Kids: What To Pack)
Family-Friendly Accommodation
Accomodation is abundant in Fuerteventura and you’ll find everything from villas with heated pools to all-inclusive resorts.
Our favourite place to stay (we’ve now visited 3 times) is Fuerteventura Origo Mare Resort. These are stand alone villas with separate bedrooms for the kids and parents (meaning you can have a nice evening when the kids are in bed) and a separate living room/kitchen space. BUT you’re staying on a resort with all the benefits that come with that. Swimming pools with a water park, sports facilities, and a lovely restaurant: you can even choose to book an all-inclusive package if you want to.
I will say that this accommodation works best if you hire a car, as it is quite a remote spot. But for us, that only adds to its charm.
Great Value for Money (Especially in Winter)
Compared to Tenerife or Lanzarote, Fuerteventura offers excellent value, especially during school holidays. Some of the reasons it’s worth choosing if you’re on a budget are that:
- Accommodation is often cheaper
- Food costs are reasonable (Restaurants here are cheaper than in the UK and in mainland Spain)
- Fuel and parking are affordable: in most spots, parking is completely free
- Many activities are free (beaches, dunes, hikes, etc)
As a travelling family who watches our budget, we’ve always appreciated that you can have an amazing winter holiday here without overspending. Our biggest expenses in Fuerteventura are our surf lessons for the boys, and ferry trips (we just love being on the water!)
You can take a boat ride from Fuerteventura to Tenerife, seeing two islands in just one day trip!
👉 Book your Fuerteventura to Tenerife ferry tickets here
👉 Use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for a reader exclusive discount
Best Things to Do in Fuerteventura With Kids
1. Lobos Island
There is nowhere better in the world to visit than Lobos Island if you’re looking for beautiful beaches, and the perfect water for snorkelling. Lobos Island is a short boat trip from Corralejo, and the only way you can get to this island is from Fuerteventura.
It’s a great spot for calm beaches, gentle snorkelling and a family-friendly walk, and in my opinion is the very best thing you can do if you choose to visit Fuertentura.
You can read my full review and our experience here: Lobos Island Canary Islands: A Beautiful, Untouched Escape (Worth the Trip?)
2. Surf Lessons
Fuertevenutra is famous for the quality of its surf, and it attracts surfers from all over the world, especially during the winter months. Older kids will love the surfing scene here, because it’s some of the best in Europe. Younger kids like my own can surf, but they may need one to one lessons until they hit a certain age.
You can read all about our experience of surfing in Fuerteventura here: Protest Surf School Fuerteventura Review: An Incredible Experience, Perfect For Kids
3. Ride Camels
Camel riding is a huge and historic activity in Fuerteventura, and the island is home to the largest population of camels in Europe. There are between 800 and 2,000 dromedary camels across the Canary Islands, and they have been present across the islands since the 15th century.
There are two main places where you can ride camels on the island of Fuerteventura. The first is the Oasis Wildlife park. The second is in Lajares, where you can enjoy Camel Rides up the volcano. This is a smaller and more intimate experience, and one that we loved every minute of. But you can’t book this experience online. Looking to get guarenteed tickets for your family camel riding experience? The only way to do this is with Oasis
👉 Book your tickets for the Oasis Wildlife Park experience in advance here
👉 Use the code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an extra reader-exclusive discount
Practical Tips for Planning a Winter Trip to Fuerteventura
- When to go: November to March. Like in most places, the Christmas period becomes more crowded (and more expensive) but outside of this Fuerteventura is quiet and doesn’t have too many crowds.
- Best areas for families: Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, Costa Calma
- What to pack: The good news is that you can leave your coat at home! But I do recommend bringing layers (it can be breezy), as well as swimwear, and suncream. You can check out our full winter sun packing list here: What To Pack For Winter Sun: A Free, Downloadable Family Packing List
- Car hire: I recommend hiring a car for exploring the beaches, especially if you want to visit the most remote spots
- Winds: Expect them! Fuerteventura is famous for its winds, but they’re part of the charm, and never bothered our boys
Final Thoughts: Why We Keep Going Back
Every family has that one destination that feels easy, special and magical: the place that always delivers. And if we’re looking for winter sun, or an easy week on the beach, then for us, that’s Fuerteventura.
It’s where winter melts away the moment you step out of the airport.
It’s where our boys run wild on beaches that feel endless, surf all day, and have salt in their hair.
It’s where we slow down, recharge and reconnect as a family.
If you’re looking for winter sun with kids, want a destination that won’t break the bank, or just need warmth and simplicity in your life, Fuerteventura might become your favourite too.
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Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
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