With such vast expanses of golden sand, Fuerteventura is the perfect location for a relaxing beach holiday. Here, you’ll find some of the most impressive Blue Flag bays in Europe.

The main beach at Corralejo consists of light, golden sand and is suitable for bathing - although the sea bed is quite rocky. Caleta de Fuste has a man-made golden sand beach, while the sand dunes just outside Corralejo stretch for over 11 kilometres and offer the ideal spot for sunbathing in peace and tranquillity.

Fuerteventura’s long coastline is famous for watersports. Arguably the most popular is windsurfing, found on the north and east shorelines. Tuition and equipment hiring centres, which cater for beginners upwards, can be found in the main resorts. Surfing and kiteboarding takes place along the west coast.

Mountain biking is a popular way to admire the scenery, while keen golfers can play a round at the island’s championship 18-hole course. Many of the main resort complexes have leisure amenities including crazy golf, ten pin bowling and horse-riding.

You’ll find an excellent choice of places to eat in Fuerteventura. Whether you seek international cuisine or traditional Canarian dishes, the island has something for everyone.

Besides paella, tortilla and tapas, typical local meals are based on fish - usually served with potatoes and a special spicy sauce ‘mojo picon’. Another traditional dish is the popular ‘sanocho canario’, a dish based on a fish salad accompanied with a hot sauce. Native drinks to the island include rum and honey-rum as well as Spanish wines.

Entertainment is fairly low-key in Fuerteventura compared with neighbouring Canary Islands. Smaller resorts offer peaceful seclusion and a relaxed pace of life, with romantic dining and drinking under the stars.

The main resort of Corralejo has a good selection of restaurants and a couple of discos. From laidback beach bars and live rock music, to a surfers’ hangout and themed sports pub you’ll find something to suit every taste. The town square also has live entertainment most evenings including flamenco, folklore and music.

• Watch the action at the annual World Windsurfing Championship at Playa de Sotavento from mid-July to mid-August.

• Picnic on a real desert island - boat trips go daily from Corralejo to the uninhabited Isla de Lobos. Remember to take sunshades and plenty of water.

• Explore 10 kilometres of untouched dunes between Corralejo and Parque Hollandes.

• Visit the historic former capital Betancuria, a sparkling white village with houses dating back to the 15th Century. At the museum of archaeology, you can trace the Guanche population who lived on Fuerteventura 4,000 years ago.