Español
English
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Nederlands
Português
日本語
中文
Lajares is a small village in the north of Fuerteventura, surrounded by volcanic cones, dry-stone walls and fields of jable sand. It has no beach of its own, but the northern coast is a short drive away, and this mix of tranquillity and proximity to the sea has made it a refuge for many surfers.
There’s a square with cafés, surf shops and white, single-storey houses. Almost all the accommodation consists of independent villas with kitchens and, often, private pools. Here are the areas that work well and the places we hand-pick before recommending them.
How to choose an area in Lajares
You can walk around the village in a few minutes, so it all depends on whether you’d rather be close to everything or have more space:
- The centre, by the chapel: around the Ermita de San Antonio de Padua and the square, you’ll find cafés, surf shops and the Saturday market.
- The outskirts towards the volcanoes: one or two kilometres from the centre, on the way to Las Calderas, villas with gardens, private pools and mountain views are clustered together.
- The northern-coast side: houses facing Majanicho and El Cotillo are a little closer to the waves.
The nearest beaches are about six kilometres away, so a car is almost essential. A villa on the outskirts is a good choice for groups and families; for a couple wanting breakfast in the square, the centre is more convenient.
Villas and houses to stay in Lajares
All our picks have a kitchen, and almost all have a pool. Several properties are adults-only, and none allows parties, in keeping with the village’s peaceful character. See the accommodation in Lajares page for the other options we reviewed.
Villa Lajares Red House Fuerteventura
The most central option: it’s about 40 metres from the chapel, just a step from the square. It offers two independent houses, one with a bedroom for couples and another with three bedrooms for six adults, both with a kitchen and terrace. Adults only; check-in is from 15:00 to 21:30, and you’ll need to let them know your arrival time.
Villa Shepherd Lajares - LUXURY VILLA FUERTEVENTURA
Adults only, with an outdoor pool, a garden and a 350 m² villa for groups of up to eight. The Wi-Fi can handle video calls, and private parking is free. It suits anyone combining beach time with walking or cycling routes; just make sure you arrive before 20:00.
If you’re looking for an entire house with a pool for your group, these villas on the outskirts offer more space and more peace and quiet.
Rosa de la laguna
Four bedrooms for eight people, a private pool and a terrace with a barbecue facing the mountain. The kitchen, with a dishwasher and oven, is well suited to longer stays with family or friends. The beaches are about six kilometres away, and quiet hours run from midnight to eight in the morning.
Villa Los Volcanes
Three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a private pool with a garden: a practical choice for six people who don’t want to queue for the shower. There’s free private parking, and Majanicho, La Derecha and El Hierro are about six kilometres away. Wi-Fi is only available in the communal areas, and check-in is from 16:00.
Beautiful spacious villa with private heated pool in Lajares
The one to choose if you’re travelling with your dog: pets stay free, and the villa has 180 m² of space, three bedrooms for six people and a heated pool that’s especially welcome in winter. It’s just over a kilometre from the village, so you’ll need a car to get to the square or the beach.
Finca Felix Appartement met Private Pool!
Designed for two adults, this independent house has a private pool, a garden and a terrace overlooking the mountain. It suits couples who alternate windsurfing, diving or hiking with quiet afternoons. Parking is public, and quiet hours start at ten at night.
Things to do in Lajares and the surrounding area
The classic excursion is to Las Calderas, a group of volcanoes with deep craters formed around 50,000 years ago. Marked trails start in the village; the best-known one climbs to the rim of Calderón Hondo, where you’re likely to spot Barbary ground squirrels.
On Saturdays, from 10:00 to 14:00, the square hosts a craft market selling jewellery, bags and natural cosmetics, with live music. The rest of the week, head to the coast: the waves at Majanicho, the calm lagoons at El Cotillo and, to the east, the dunes of Corralejo.
When to visit Lajares
The weather is mild all year round. Swells that attract surfers arrive from autumn to spring, while summer brings steadier trade winds, ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Winter nights get chilly, so a heated pool is a welcome extra.
The San Antonio de Padua festivities take place in the first half of June, with a procession, Canarian wrestling and open-air parties around the 13th. Each November, the village is the starting point for the Las Calderas Trail Race, which includes several distances across the volcanoes, a hiking route and children’s races.
Getting there and getting around
Fuerteventura Airport, near Puerto del Rosario, is about 40 minutes away by car. By sea, the usual route is the ferry from Playa Blanca in Lanzarote to Corralejo. Bus route 08, between Corralejo and El Cotillo, stops in the village, though hiring a car is a good idea for exploring the beaches and volcanoes.
The island council and La Oliva Town Hall are improving the FV-109 as it passes through the centre, with accessibility and drainage works. For everything else, see our guide to getting to Fuerteventura.
Lajares is one of the bases covered in our guide to where to stay in Fuerteventura: if you’d prefer a town with more amenities, see where to stay in Corralejo or, in the centre of the island, where to stay in Caleta de Fuste. To compare the islands, start with where to stay in the Canary Islands.
Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions we’re most often asked by people planning a stay in Lajares.
Is Lajares worth staying in?
Yes, if you’re looking for peace and nature rather than nightlife. Lajares is a small village in northern Fuerteventura, surrounded by volcanoes and a few minutes by car from El Cotillo and the northern coast, one of the island’s best surfing stretches. It has cafés, surf shops and a craft market on Saturdays. On the other hand, there’s no beach in the village and almost all the accommodation is in villas, so having a car is a good idea.
Is it better to stay in central Lajares or on the outskirts?
In the centre, near the Ermita de San Antonio de Padua, the square, cafés and market are just a few steps away, which is handy for couples who want to go out for dinner without taking the car. The outskirts, one or two kilometres away, are home to more spacious, quieter villas with private pools, gardens and mountain views. The outskirts are a better fit for groups and families; the centre works well for short stays.
Is there a beach in Lajares?
No. Lajares is inland, and the nearest beaches are about six kilometres away. To the north are Majanicho, El Hierro and La Derecha, with waves that surfers love. To the west, El Cotillo has calm lagoons that are good for children, as well as long, open beaches. The dunes at Corralejo are a little farther away, to the east. You can reach any of them in a short drive.
How do you get to Lajares without a car?
Tiadhe bus route 08, which connects Corralejo and El Cotillo, stops in Lajares. From Corralejo, route 06 goes to Puerto del Rosario, where you can connect to the airport. The buses are useful for getting there and taking the odd trip, but not for exploring beaches and trails freely, so most visitors hire a car. Check the latest timetables on the Tiadhe website before travelling.
When is the best time to visit Lajares?
Any month works, as the weather is mild all year round. The best waves reach the northern coast from autumn to spring, while summer brings more wind, which is popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers. The San Antonio de Padua festivities take place around 13 June, and the Las Calderas Trail Race starts in the village in November. Book ahead if you’re visiting at these times.
