Family Time in Fuerteventura

It's been a hot minute since we managed a proper family break together, so we were all very ready for our holiday to Fuerteventura.

As with any trip, I spent time beforehand checking out things to do and see as we're not the sort of family to be able to sit by the pool for a week - though the pool at our hotel, R2 Rio Calma in Costa Calma, was Oli's favourite part of the trip!

Many of the top rated activities online were quite spendy, so we decided on one big expense - car hire - and one big experience, and spent the rest of our energy exploring some of the free, or inexpensive things to do as a family in Fuerteventura.

Dolphin Cruise

So this was our big experience, saved for the last full day of our holiday, and it was definitely worth it.

We booked with Magic and Sailing in Morro Jable - on the day of the experience a transfer was arranged from our hotel to meet a coach further along the route, and we were taken straight to the marina to board our boat. It was completely full, so do book in advance for these experiences.

As we left the marina, the multi-lingual guide explained the safety procedures, timetable for the two-hour experience, and that they were in communication with boats around the island to immediately locate the best sightings. Dolphins, and even whales, live in the waters around Fuerteventura year-round, so the chances of a sighting are really high - and certainly within around twenty minutes we were following a pod of dolphins as they played in the waves.

We watched the dolphins for around an hour, then the boat sped along the rugged coastlines, treating us to spectacular views and a complimentary drink, before weighing anchor in a secluded cove where we were given the opportunity to dive into the ocean - Oli loved the idea, but immediately decided it was too cold for her!

The 2-Hour Dolphin Watching Experience cost around £42 each, and was one of our favourite experiences throughout our trip.

Camel Rides

The most well-known camel-riding experience on Fuerteventura is at the Oasis Wildlife Centre, but we decided against a visit here, as the tickets were on the higher-priced side (with 'experiences' an extra cost) and since we live near a zoo, it wasn't something we felt we needed to do with our limited holiday time.

I spotted a pin on Google near the town of Lajares in northern Fuerteventura, simply named Excursiones en Camello, which was only bookable via telephone but had excellent reviews, so we booked and headed north.

The half-hour camel trek was so much fun - as we were led through the desert-like landscape, our multi-lingual guide, Nico, spent time explaining how he breeds and cares for the camels, their history and heritage on the island, and had a unique way of explaining the difference between one- and two-humped camels. Longer excursions traverse to the volcano caldera, but we were happy with the length of time as the seats were not the most comfortable!

We paid around 12 Euros each, though added a tip; there's no age restriction, it's child-dependent, and there's no car-parking except by the side of the road - and there's a bar, Oúm, opposite the camel-stop for refreshments after the trek.

Ecomuseo de la Alcogida

Before travelling to Fuerteventura we didn't actually know all that much about it, history- and culture-wise. So we made it a mission to visit a few museums while there, and this unusual site was one of Oli's favourite activities throughout the whole holiday!

Ecomuseo de la Alcogida, near Tefia in the mid-western region, is a representation of an old Majorero hamlet, spread over seven buildings which show different traditions, economic statuses, and histories of the island's inhabitants. Artisans occasionally visit to demonstrate traditional crafts, there are displays, videos, and reconstructions of everything from bedrooms to mill machinery, and we visited animals including a donkey, camel, and some curious goats.

My top tip here? Duck! The doors are so low in places that Taz - and even my five-foot-three self! - both banged our heads on doorframes! On arrival we were provided with a basic map, which Oli loved taking charge of - be aware the route is very rocky, crosses a main road, and may not be particularly accessible in places. It was free to park, cost €5 each, with children going free, and we spent around an hour and a half meandering through the site.

Museo del Queso Majorero

 It's not a secret that I'm a little bit of a cheese-fiend, so when I realised that Fuerteventura has actual Cheese Museums, I had to add one to the list! The Museo del Queso Majorero is just to the north of the town of Antigua in central Fuerteventura, easily reached and clearly signposted at the side of the road.

We spent around an hour and a half here, exploring the whitewashed windmill, through the cactus garden (with some of the hugest cacti I've ever seen!), and interacting with the different displays throughout the rooms of the museum which told the history and making of cheese on the island.

Oli was getting a bit grumpy by the time we left as it was making us really hungry - and though there's a café on site we decided to head to our next stop and find somewhere there. The museum visit cost €4 for adults and €2.50 for children over 3, and there's a lovely little gift shop on site too, selling crafts, gifts, and, of course, cheese!

Explore Betancura

Betancuria is a small town in the mid-western part of Fuerteventura, but it is also one of the most important colonial sites, and was the island's capital until the 1830's - chosen as its inland site provided the best defence from pirates - and was recognised as a heritage site in the late 1970's.

We stopped here for lunch in a charming restaurant with a tree-shaded terrace, then wandered around cobblestone paths, admiring the pretty architecture, including the Church of Santa María - considered to be the island's original cathedral.

Hidden among the picturesque streets of the Old Town is a fascinating hidden gem - the Museo Arqueológico de Fuerteventura. A modern and spacious interior houses finds from across Fuerteventura's history, and attempts to untangle a long, yet sparsely documented history, from the original inhabitants - known as the Maho - to modern day. One of the most fascinating exhibitions is on the third floor and uses 3D facial reconstructions, alongside modern photography, to bring the faces of the ancient cultures back to life: 'La  Búsqueda de Caras Ancestrales' translates as 'The Quest for Ancestral Faces' and to see these forgotten faces brought back to life was a truly moving moment during our travels.

Entry to this beautiful museum is free, and is well worth a visit - as is Betancuria itself - to immerse yourself in the history and heritage of Fuerteventura. On-street parking is free here, and the roads aren't always paved so do take car. The restaurants here were priced higher than many of the other places we stopped, but them's the breaks with tourist spots!

Will you be adding any of these sights to your list on your next family holiday to Fuerteventura?