Fuerteventura’s volcanic origin gives a great natural beauty, with miles and miles of white sand and turquoise sea, sun for the whole year and a very characteristic flora and fauna you’ll discover in the different natural parks. It is perfect for water sports such as surfing , diving , windsurfing and kitesurfing , with a lot of schools and training courses specilized in these sports , and it is also a good place for hiking .

Some things you should not miss if you visit Fuerteventura

Cofete Beach is located in the south of island and surrounded by mountains. It is easily reached from Morro Jable by a narrow road, though its complicated access makes it not too crowded . There are 12 miles of pristine beach , where there is no building but only open sea, has become one of the most famous of all the Canary Islands. Here takes place the traditional release of turtles to begin their new life in freedom. In the dock of Morro Jable you can also visit the turtles’s kindergarden. It opens to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 h.

Corralejo’s Dunes and its great beaches in the municipality of La Oliva, running from Three Islands hotel to Barreta’s beach . They are placed within the Natural Park of Corralejo’s Dunes , which has more than 2600 acres, and forms a landscape of exceptional beauty. Feel the tingle of turquoise waters on your feet and relax with that wonderful feeling that happens when you are in these desert dunes next to the crystal clear sea. Within the park it is also the mountain Esmeralda , a natural area of ​​great historical and geological value, some call it the magic mountain.

Opposite the Dunes Park there is Islote de Lobos, a small island attached to Fuerteventura which owes its name to the ancient seals that at some point came to populate the island, also known as sea lions. You can reach it by taking one of the boats that leave from the port of Corralejo. You can tour Islote de Lobos on foot or by bicycle, visiting some of its points of interest, such as the mountain of La Caldera, its coves and swim in its natural pools or explore the wonderful deep sea.

We’ll be there. If you want to come too, check out our flights here.

A train to the clouds

A front row seat to touch the sky. That's Gran Canaria, an island with many points to observe the firmament. High peaks and clear, dark skies are some of the advantages to its contemplation in the island. Also, and thanks to the phenomenon called by locals 'Panza de Burro', which makes the clouds gather low above sea level, and that blocks the light pollution of cities.

Some companies, such as the Astronomical Observatory Temisas, thst carries out ​​many of such activities in different places of the island. And AstroEduca with its teaching about astronomy.

Tejeda and the summits of Gran Canaria

The protected landscape of great beauty of Las Cumbres, spans a very important sector of the north and northeast of the island of Gran Canaria, in the municipalities of Artenara, Gáldar, Guide, Moya, Tejeda, Valleseco, Valsequillo and San Mateo.

Crowning the summit, in the center of the island is the highest point of Gran Canaria, Pico de las Nieves. Let´s dare to climb it by bike!

The best waves for surfers

On Gran Canaria there are many schools to learn surfing, windsurfing and kite if you are a begginer, or toimprove your level if you already have some knowledge. One way to release adrenaline while you enjoy the famous beaches of the island like Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés, Mogán, Puerto Rico, Agaete, Meloneras and San Augustine, to name some of the most emblematic.

Vegueta: Extremely charming neighborhood

Vegueta is really beautiful and concentrates the main architectural attractions of Las Palmas. Near the beach of Las Canteras is one of the biggest attractions of the city.

It is recommended to visit the area slowly, savoring its rich architecture and some of her jewelry as Literary Cabinet, the squares of Santa Ana, the Holy Spirit and of Santo Domingo and churches that dot.

It is also highly recommended a bath in one of the best urban beaches: Las Canteras. A good place to enjoy beautiful sunsets.

Sailors villages

As Agaete, where you'll find plenty of restaurants to enjoy a tasty meal of local fish and other fresh seafood. Do not leave without trying a good grilled fish-based groupers, traveling, mullet and octopus or fish paella.

Should come to the old salt Agaete, now converted into a fantastic natural pools.

Teror. Pure essence

Teror Teror or Villa Mariana is one of the oldest settlements on the island and an old town in the area around his basilica declared historical-artistic heritage. The Basilica of the Virgen del Pino, is a place of pilgrimage for all the inhabitants of Gran Canaria. And Teror Square, a good place to appreciate the typical Canarian architecture balconies.

The village is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty and ecological value as the Natural Park Doramas Azuaje, with ravines and Moya, Pino Santo or Parque de Sintes.

A place well worth discovering! Check out our flights here.

Porto welcomes its visitors with the best of its rich cuisine. It is placed in an exceptional location, on the banks of the Duero and bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. That favours that in Porto you can eat good seafood, taste the best wines and delight your assorted pastries.

You can find restaurants to suit all tastes and all pockets. You can eat very well for only 5 € in its houses of meals, or in Michelin-starred restaurants, like The Yeatman.

One thing to consider when you sit in a restaurant is that the appetizer being served first, and without asking, is not a present. It has to be paid. This leads sometimes to misunderstandings.

Also, it's common to start a meal at any restaurant with a soup, preparing rich and in many different ways.

One of the areas with more choice of restaurants is Ribeira. It is a very lively place, from which you have the best views over the city. Here you can come to eat the grilled octopus or cod Chez Lapin and "Guts Oporto" da Filha da Mãe Preta.

In the Rua de Aviz there were many of the bookstores in the city. Today it is a hive of trends. Among the new art galleries we found the Book restaurant, where once was sited Livraria Aviz. You will see that all around this place reminds its past as a library.

Wine tourism is one of the best options for the city and its delicacies. To do this it is advisable to cross to the other side of the river, where we can find wineries like Vila Nova de Gai. On this side of the river you can also taste many recipes for cod, which are so famous throughout Portugal, El Bacalhoeiro (Avenida Diogo Leite, 74).

The Café Santiago has a good reputation in serving the best francesinhas, one classic of Oporto´s cuisine. You know that it is true when you see the big queues at their gates in order to get one in Rua Passos Manuel 226. Francesinha is a slice of bread filled with different types of sausage and meat, and covered with melted cheese and bathed in hot sauce. You can imagine that with these kind of ingredients it is a very heavy dish that will fill you with lots of energy; even more if you accompany it, as usual, with a few chips and a cold beer.

In order to know what products are popular in Porto, approach the Bolhao market. It was built in 1914, and it is one of the emblematic buildings to live day by day of tripeiros (gutties). Curious adjective, right? Citizens of Oporto are know tripeiros because, during preparations for the conquest of Ceuta in 1415, they had to turn to the issue all the meat and keep only the gut. Now, as tripas à moda do Porto is in the dish in town!

Francesinha by jfcfar| Tripas a moda do Porto by MariaCartas

A place well worth discovering! Check out our flights here.

The anonymous graffiti artists of Bilbao provide both locals and visitors with a creative, refreshing look at street art. But, scattered across the city you can also find a number of veritable street-art masterpieces. One such example is the stunning Puente La Salve Mural, painted in 2013, showcasing the theme of tolerance, peaceful coexistence, freedom and human rights.

Similarly, a mural entitled Futurismo primitivo (Primitive Futurism)– at Bilbao La Vieja, 29 – the work of the artist, Sixe, stands out on the facade of a building in Old Bilbao. Enthusiasts of street art are urged to see it for themselves, in addition to another piece, El fin justificado (The End Justified) – Urazurrutia, 58 – painted by Aryz, which features red skeletons on a concrete canvas. It is one of the best known examples of street art in Bilbao.

But, there is another unusual form of artistic expression in the city, known as the marcianitos pixelados (Pixelated Martians), by the French artist Space Invader. Dotted across various points in the city (the Arenal Bridge, Iturribide, Ronda Street…), these uncanny inhabitants formed part of the 2008 exhibition, Percepción [S]tencible –[S]tencible Perception – to which end some 40 mosaics were placed across the city. Although some have now been lost, most of them remain intact in the most unsuspecting spots.

Bilbao is also graced with several works by the Brazilian artist, Erb Mon. His pictorial expression leans heavily on geometry and a primitive-futuristic style with intense colouring and the liberal use of universal symbols and encrypted languages. If you fancy seeing one of his works, head for Aretxaga Street (on the corner of San Francisco Street), where you will come across his Eskerrik Asko. Erb Mon has also developed a manifestation of poetic Euskera in the form of murals typified by the use of the most austere colouring. In García Salaza street, for instance, you can admire a mural of his written in Basque entitled Bi(i)tsa, produced in collaboration with the literary creator, Amânturi.

Bilbao is a multi-faceted city which holds many surprises. Why wait to discover it? Check out our flights here.

Text by Tensi Sánchez of I Love Bilbao

Photos by Espacio Actitudes