The village of Corralejo in Fuerteventura

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Presentation

General presentation

The village of Corralejo in Fuerteventura. Corralejo viewed from the volcano Bayuyo (author Andy Mitchell). Click to enlarge the image.

Corralejo is a resort town in the far north of the island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands; by area and by population Corralejo is the largest resort on the island. The locality is indeed located north of a desert of white dunes which offers splendid sandy beaches, very popular with holidaymakers. This desert area - named El Jable - is protected by a natural park, the Natural Park of Dunes of Corralejo.

Corralejo is part of the municipality of La Oliva, but is much more populated than the capital of the municipality. With about 15,000 inhabitants, Corralejo is the second most populous city of the island of Fuerteventura after the capital Puerto del Rosario. This former fishing village has become a tourist center very lively but without much charm.

Situation

The village of Corralejo in Fuerteventura. Corralejo viewed from the island of Los Lobos. Click to enlarge the image.

Corralejo is at the northern end of Fuerteventura near the Strait of La Bocaina (Estrecho de la Bocaina) between Fuerteventura to Lanzarote. In this strait, east of the port of Corralejo lies the small island of Los Lobos (“Island of the Wolves”) protected by a natural park (Parque Natural del Islote de los Lobos).

South of Corralejo are the huge white dunes Dunes Natural Park Corralejo (Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo).

By ferry, Corralejo is only 15 km from Playa Blanca, located at the southern tip of the island of Lanzarote. The resort is 16 km from the capital of the municipality, La Oliva, the FV-101 road. The FV-1 road, Puerto del Rosario, the capital of Fuerteventura, is distant 33 km to the south. The airport of Fuerteventura is a little further south, about 40 km.

The village of Corralejo in Fuerteventura. Seen from Los Lobos. Click to enlarge the image.

The village of Corralejo in Fuerteventura. the Camino de las Calderas between Lajares and Corralejo (author Andy Mitchell). Click to enlarge the image.

East of Corralejo extends Malpaís (“the Badland”), consisting of an area of recent volcanoes, Holocene, aligned in a northeast to southwest, from the Caldera of island of Lobos towards Lajares.

A dirt road (El Camino de las Calderas) connects the two localities along this volcanic chain through arid landscapes of lava and black pozzolan. The most spectacular of these volcanoes is probably the Calderón Hondo (278 m), near Lajares, but the closest to Corralejo is égueulé volcano Bayuyo (269 m), which serves as background to the resort. One can make the ascent of Bayuyo from Corralejo or from the road to La Oliva, 1 km south of Corralejo. Tracks leading to the volcano and trails go up on the edges of the crater: it is a huge cone of black slag. From the top dramatic view over the crater below and later on Corralejo, the sand dunes of El Jable, the island of Los Lobos and Lanzarote.

Visits

The village of Corralejo
Corralejo was the seventeenth century port of smugglers and pirates was where imported food (goats, grains, cheeses ...) without paying taxes. A small fishing village was founded in the nineteenth century; in 1940 the village still had only twelve houses. In the 1950s, the land was sold to foreign tourism promoters and holiday apartments made their first appearance; then there was on site no electricity or running water. Tourism development really began in the 1970s, including the construction of two large hotels "Riu Tres Islas” and "Riu Oliva Beach" in the dunes area - before the dunes Corralejo only were protected by a natural park. In the 1980s, it was the construction boom, the village became an important tourist center with an area now reached 5 km². The resort has a sea water desalination plant powered by two turbines. In this short story remains a quiet center organized around the Plaza Pública, a typical Spanish village, with benches and stone tiles, inhabited by Canary Islanders. Around this center, south and east, has developed a wide belt of hotels, holiday homes and shopping centers, the greater the shopping center El Campanario. The main shopping street is the Avenida Nuestra Señora del Carmen (formerly Carrer General Franco), a palm-lined avenue that leads to the old village to the south of the town center. In an adjacent street, the Calle Anzuelo, are the chic boutiques, surf shops and trendy restaurants. From the harbor, a sea promenade lined with restaurants and cafes, the Paseo Marítimo, leads to the gates of the Natural Park of Dunes of Corralejo. Without real charm, Corralejo has animation and vibrant nightlife of cosmopolitan tourist resorts. It attracts a clientele of tourists who come mostly for surfing, diving or relaxing on the long white sandy beaches.
The beaches of Corralejo
The beaches are the main attraction of Corralejo. It is possible to swim on two beautiful small beaches of the city center, the Playa del Muelle Chico and Playa Las Clavellinas, which are more sheltered than the outer tracks to the station; away is the Playa de Las Agujas; behind these beaches lies the hotel zone of Corralejo. But the beaches that make the success of Corralejo are located southeast of the village in the protected area of the Dunes of Corralejo; they are called “Grandes Playas de Corralejo”. The “Grandes Playas de Corralejo” is 3 km south of the village and extend over 11 km; they consist of five close beaches that are separated by very thick lava flows. The most popular section of the beach is located just outside the Riu Tres Islas and Oliva Beach, the Playa del Médano and Playa El Bajo Negro, sandy beaches with a gleaming white in the sun. La Playa El Bajo Negro is 500 meters long and 45 meters wide. At about 1.5 km south of the hotel zone, where the road does not pass near the beach is a nudist area. Further south are the Playa de Los Matos, the Playa del Moro, narrower but more natural, the Playa Alzada and Playita del Porís. The beaches of Corralejo usually end in the sea by a stony bottom; more sea currents can be strong and unpredictable: the red flag indicates that swimming is prohibited due to strong currents; the yellow flag indicates to remain close to shore. Thanks to the trade winds these beaches are suitable for windsurfing and kite-surf, with a strong but steady breeze. To dive the best sites are located in the Strait of El Río (“River”) that separates Corralejo to the island of Los Lobos and around this small island. Northwest of Corralejo, on the northern tip of the island, lies the Playa de Majanicho, a beach 150 meters long and 20 meters wide, sheltered and less crowded than the Grandes Playas; This golden sand beach is partially nude.
The port Corralejo
Corralejo has an important port that provides some of the exchanges between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote (the port of Playa Blanca is ½ hour sea). The port also receives cruise ships.

Practical information

The tourism office
Address: Avenida Marítima 2, 35660 Corralejo. The Tourist Office (Oficina de Turismo) is located on the Paseo Marítimo at the small pier (Muelle Chico). Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 am to 15 pm; Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9 am to 15 pm. Phone: 00 34 928 866 235 There is an annex of the Tourist Office in the ferry terminal (Muelle Grande) (phone: 00 34928537183). Site on the Web: www.corralejograndesplayas.com
Holiday Calendar
Fiesta del Carmen: about July 16. solemn procession of fishing boats in honor of the patron saint of fishermen, the Virgin of Mount Carmel, followed by festivities in the village.
Weather and forecasts

Bus lines
The bus station (Estación de guaguas) is located on the Avenida Juan Carlos I, at number 8, on the western outskirts of the village. Telephone: 00 34928866235. The # 6 bus runs every 30 minutes Corralejo to Puerto del Rosario by the coastal road FV-1, stopping near the hotel Oliva Beach, opposite the dunes (price: € 3.40, journey time 40 mm). Timetable on page: www.tiadhe.com/rutas/06.htm The line 8 connects every hour, 13 times a day, Corralejo to El Cotillo, via La Oliva (price: € 3.10, journey time 40 mm). Timetable on page: www.tiadhe.com/rutas/08.htm Line 7 connects Puerto del Rosario to El Cotillo; the bus 14 h 15 through Corralejo. Timetable on page: www.tiadhe.com/rutas/07.htm
Taxi
The taxi rank is located Avenida Nuestra Señora del Carmen, at the corner of the street of Lepanto (Calle Lepanto). Another taxi rank is located between the two Riu hotels to Grandes Playas.
Car rental
Many car rental agencies on the Avenida Nuestra Señora del Carmen.
Ferries
The port of Corralejo takes advantage of the many regular connections by car ferry between Fuerteventura and the port of Playa Blanca on the island of Lanzarote, a distance of 15 km. Two companies operate this route since the Great Pier Corralejo (Muelle Grande): the company Naviera Armas, with a conventional ferry, the Volcán de Tindaya (crossing 25 minutes) and the company Fred Olsen Express with a fast catamaran, Bocayna Express (12 minutes journey). Each company provides six sailings per day (four Sundays) each way, between 7 am and 20 pm. Naviera Armas : Phone: 00 34 902 456 500 Detailed schedule at: www.navieraarmas.com Price: about 72 € return, by date, for a car and a person. Fred Olsen Express: Phone: 00 34 902 100 107 Detailed schedule at: www.fredolsen.es Price: about 60 € return, by date, for a car and a person. Free shuttle service between Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen.
Medical Center
Address: Avenida Juan Carlos I, 28. Phone: 00 34 928 535 480
local Police
Address: Paseo Atlántico, 1. Phone: 00 34 928 866 107
Sea Excursions
The company Grupo Lobos has regular flights, with two ships for pedestrians, between the port of Corralejo and the small island of Los Lobos, where cars are prohibited. September crossings daily in summer, five in winter (duration 15 minutes), 10 am to 16: 30 pm; last return of the island to 17 h. Times may change due to lack of demand or due to weather conditions (make sure the schedule back to the arrival on the island). Price: about 15 € return; children € 7.50. Ticket sales at the kiosk on the Paseo Marítimo, near the Pescadería. Phone: 00 34 619 307 949, 00 34 646 531 068 or 00 34 699 687 294 Site on the Web: www.excursionesmaritimaslobos.com The Grupo Lobos also offers trips to Los Lobos glass bottom boat for an underwater viewing (up to 3 crossings per day, crossing time: 1 hour). Price: 18 €; € 9 for children. Also trips to Lanzarote (range Papagallo).
Surf schools
Ventura Surf Center
The Ventura Surf Center is located on Playa Las Clavellinas, a beach in the city center, where conditions are ideal for beginners. During an hour for € 35; board rental from € 10 per hour. Address: Avenida Marítima 54. Phone: 00 34 928 866 295 Site on the Web: www.ventura-surf.com
Flag Beach Windsurf Center
The Flag Beach Windsurf Center is installed on the Grandes Playas, 200 m north of the Riu Tres Islas. Introductory course to surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing. Equipment rental. Phone: 00 34 928 866 389 Site on the Web: www.flagbeach.com
Diving schools
Dive Center Corralejo
The Dive Center Corralejo is a renowned diving center, the first of Corralejo, founded in 1979; it exempts diving courses PADI Learning (www.padi.com). It is Calle Nuestra Señora del Pino, at number 22, on the back of the Grand Pier, near the Hotel Caledonia Dunas Club. over the price: 30 €. Phone: 00 34 928 535 906 Site on the Web: www.divecentercorralejo.com
Diving center Punta Amanay
Founded in 1992, the Diving Center Punta Amanay is near the Dunas Club, Calle El Pulpo 5. It provides courses in PADI Learning. Dive sites in the "river" (the strait between Corralejo and the island of Los Lobos) and around Los Lobos. Diving: 30 €. Equipment rental: € 10. Phone: 00 34 656 447 657 Site on the Web: www.punta-amanay.com
Sailing schools
The sailing school Catlanza, based in Puerto Calero in Lanzarote, has an annex at the port of Corralejo. Offers catamaran excursions, including to the beach of Papagayo in Lanzarote, swimming, diving, jet skiing. Phone: 00 34 928 513 022 Site on the Web: www.catlanza.com
Hotels
Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real
The Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahía Real ***** is a luxury hotel in the early Grandes Playas, just before the protected area of the Natural Park of the Dunes of Corralejo; this may be the best hotel in Fuerteventura. This is a hotel in the architecture of oriental inspiration, featuring 170 rooms and 72 suites with terrace; Some suites have a surface of 160 m². The hotel has five restaurants: the elegant gourmet restaurant “La Cúpula” Catalan chef Carles Gaig with a Michelin star; a Spanish and international cuisine restaurant, Las Columnas, an Italian restaurant Giardinetto, a Japanese restaurant, Yamatori. From 160 € per night for a double room. Address: Avenida Grandes Playas s/n Phone: 00 34 928 536 444 Site on the Web: www.atlantisbahiareal.com
Riu Palace Tres Islas and Oliva Beach
The two hotels of the hotel group Riu Mallorcan, Palace Tres Islas and Oliva Beach, are within the protected area of the Natural Park of the Dunes of Corralejo, right on the beach. These hotels were built in 1975 when the area was not classified as a Natural Park. Their concession was to end in 2017 to the Oliva Beach and in 2037 for the Tres Islas and demolished hotels but concession extensions are envisaged. Such constructions would not be allowed today in this area. Palace Tres Islas is a 4-star hotel while Oliva Beach is a 3-star hotel for holidays with "all inclusive". Both hotels offer many sports activities, including water. Address: Avenida de las Grandes Playas Telephone Tres Islas: 00 34 928 535 700 Phone Oliva Beach 00 34 928 535 334 Site on the Web: www.riu.com
Barceló Corralejo Bay
Hotel Barceló Corralejo Bay is located at the beginning of the Avenida de las Grandes Playas near the city center. This is a 4-star hotel of 231 rooms, some with views of the sea. Phone: 00 34 928 536 050 Site on the Web: www.barcelo.com