Lajares is Fuerteventura's laid-back surf-and-craft village, a scattering of low white houses on the volcanic plains of the north where surfers, artisans and long-stay travellers have created one of the coolest little scenes in the Canaries. There's no beach in the village itself and no resort sprawl — just great coffee, independent shops, a famous windmill and a short drive to some of the best waves on the island. It's a place that rewards slowing down, and it has become a firm favourite with surfers, digital nomads and anyone after something more bohemian than a big resort.
Set inland on the sun-baked northern tip of Fuerteventura, between the dune town of Corralejo and the wild north-west coast, Lajares punches far above its size for atmosphere. Come for the surf, the food and the easygoing, creative vibe.
What it's like
Lajares is small, flat and unhurried — a handful of streets of white bungalows spread across the plain, framed by low volcanic cones. What makes it special is the mix of people: local families, surfers from all over Europe, craftspeople and remote workers who've settled here for the light, the space and the waves. The result is a village with a disproportionate number of good cafés, brunch spots, yoga studios, surf shops and little boutiques selling handmade goods.
The mood is relaxed and international but still rooted in the island — you'll see the twin restored windmills that are the village symbol, a low church, and a weekly artisan market that draws people from across the north. It's not about sights; it's about the atmosphere, the coffee, and using the village as a base for the coast and the volcanoes.
What to see and do
Lajares lives and breathes surfing. A short drive north lies the celebrated North Shore, a stretch of reef breaks around El Cotillo and Majanicho that draws surfers of every level; the village is packed with surf schools, board hire and camps that run lessons and trips out to the breaks. Our guide to surfing in the Canary Islands explains where to go and when — and beginners are well catered for on the gentler sandy beaches nearby.
Inland, the village is the trailhead for one of Fuerteventura's best short walks: the climb up Calderón Hondo, a perfectly formed volcanic crater you can walk to the rim of, with sweeping views and often a few resident ground squirrels. It's an easy, rewarding hike straight from the edge of the village — see our guide to Calderón Hondo. Back in Lajares, browse the craft shops and time your visit for the Saturday artisan market.
Lajares has no beach of its own — it's an inland base. Bring or hire a car (or a board and a lift from your surf school) so you can reach El Cotillo's beaches, the North Shore breaks and Corralejo's dunes with ease.
Where to stay and eat
Accommodation is small-scale and characterful: surf camps and hostels, holiday villas, apartments and a growing number of stylish rural boltholes rather than big hotels. It suits surfers, couples, remote workers and independent travellers who want somewhere with personality and a car; our where to stay guide compares the island's bases.
Food is a real highlight for such a small place. Lajares is known for excellent cafés and brunch spots, wood-fired pizza, vegetarian and vegan-friendly kitchens and specialty coffee — a legacy of its international crowd — alongside honest Canarian cooking with fresh fish, goat's cheese and papas arrugadas and mojo. Our Canarian food guide has more; evenings are about a relaxed dinner and a drink rather than nightlife.
Getting there and around
Lajares sits in the north of Fuerteventura, around 15 minutes' drive from Corralejo and roughly 40 minutes from the airport near Puerto del Rosario. A hire car is the best way to make the most of a stay, opening up the beaches, breaks and volcanoes all around — see our guides to car hire and getting around. Buses do serve the village, but they're infrequent, so most visitors rely on a car or their surf school's transport.
Nearby
The dune-and-beach town of Corralejo, gateway to the great Grandes Playas and the boat to Isla de Lobos, is just up the road. West lies the laid-back fishing town of El Cotillo with its lagoons and beaches, while the whole north is scattered with volcanic cones and quiet coves. Start with our Fuerteventura hub to build a surf-and-nature trip around this likeable little village.