Spain and more specifically the Canary Islands are extremely popular with tourists. It can’t come as much of a surprise, therefore, that some spots struggle with overtourism. One of them is Fuerteventura. While it might not be as popular as other Canary Islands like Tenerife, it still sees 120 tourists per local, according to a recent survey.
According to the research by Which? Travel, tourists now outnumber locals on the island by 120 to one. That figure places it among the most overcrowded destinations in Europe when looking at the number of visitors per resident.
Fuerteventura may not attract the same level of publicity as its larger neighbour, but its sunny climate and stunning landscapes are clearly a draw.
The Canary Islands as a whole received a record-breaking 1.55 million international arrivals in March 2025, up 0.9% compared to the same month the year before, despite widespread protests by residents over mass tourism.
The Which? report was based on data from the European Commission and looked at three key areas: overnight stays, tourist density per square kilometre, and tourists per resident.
It found that while cities like Paris and Athens were expected to feature, less obvious destinations like Fuerteventura were also bearing the brunt.
Travel experts at Lonely Planet describe Fuerteventura as the oldest and most arid of the Canary Islands, known for its soft volcanic mountains, desert landscapes and lush green oases.
They say its resorts, such as Corralejo in the north and Jandía in the south, are busy all year-round, with temperatures staying around 20C even in winter.
Fuerteventura is also popular for its beaches, hiking routes, and water sports like surfing, kayaking and windsurfing.
According to Lonely Planet, towns like Corralejo are famous for their nightlife and sand dunes, which also attract surfers from across the globe.
The remote Cofete beach on the Jandía peninsula is another highlight, and is known for its eight miles of golden sand.
For those looking to explore more than just the coastline, the island’s interior has mountains, historic villages and even workshops where visitors can try their hand at traditional cheese-making.
But while the tourism industry remains a key part of the island’s economy, the sheer number of visitors is becoming harder to manage, and locals have protested in the past.
