Are you looking to visit the Ajuy Caves on Fuerteventura? Keep reading to find out more!
If youʻre booking your trip to Fuerteventura last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!
🌊 Top Activities Tours in Fuerteventura:
- Fuerteventura: Panoramic Highlights Tour (my TOP pick – goes to Ajuy Caves!)
- Corralejo: Round-Trip Ferry to Isla de Lobos (popular half-day trip!)
- Fuerteventura 3-Hour Dune Buggy Tour
- 4-Hour Catamaran Trip with Lunch to Lobos Island
🛌 Top Hotels in Fuerteventura:
- Hotel Vacanzy Urban Boutique (adults-only in Corralejo- my top pick!)
- La Buena Vida by Comfortable Luxury (Corralejo)
- Hotel el Mirador de Fuerteventura (Luxury in Puerto del Rosario)
🚗 Looking for the best way to get around Fuerteventura? Click here to check rental car rates for Fuerteventura!
The Ajuy Caves were one of my favorite places I visited on Fuerteventura! From the black sands to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks and echoing in the dark caves – I just loved the mystery of it all!
And, I highly recommend everyone heading to the island to pay them a visit and experience this for themselves!
To help out, this guide details a bit of the history of the Ajuy Caves (Cuevas de Ajuy) and how to visit them on a tour (and independently)!
We also go over some of the main things to do in Ajuy, including a site nearby that is worth checking out on your way into the Fuerteventura village.
Did we miss anything you’d like to know before visiting the Ajuy Caves? Let us know in the comments!
What are the Ajuy Caves (Cuevas de Ajuy)?
The Ajuy Caves, called the Cuevas de Ajuy in Spanish, are a breathtaking geological formation on the western side of Fuerteventura, around 7km from the town of Pajara.
These ancient limestone caves (there are two of them) allowed me to dive into the island’s geological history when visiting on a tour from Corralejo (I give more details about that below!).
Formed during the Cretaceous period about 100 million years ago, they’re the oldest formations in the Canary Islands and carry immense geological and paleontological significance.
The Ajuy Caves were declared a Natural Monument in 1994 and you can visit them and see them in person today.
The Fuerteventura caves are nestled in the coastal village of Ajuy within the Betancuria Rural Park and are an easy day trip from Corralejo and other places on the island.
There is a short hike (on a well-trodden path along the coast) to reach the caves and it begins at Ajuy Beach (on the right side if you’re facing the water).
This guide will detail how to see them on a tour and what to do in Ajuy Village if you decide to hang around for longer than just lunch!
How the Ajuy Caves Were Formed
The Ajuy Caves boast a rich geological history dating back to the Cretaceous period, about 100 million years ago.
As the oldest formations in the Canary Islands, they were created by the submarine flow of lava and sediment rising to the surface, initiating the island’s formation.
The caves are part of Fuerteventura’s basal complex, which emerged from a depth of 3,000 meters, forming the foundation that supports both Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.
Since they were designated a Natural Monument back in 1994, the caves are protected and maintained.
They hold immense geological and paleontological significance for the Canaries and are among the 150 sites of primary geological interest across the globe.
Over time, the caves have served various purposes, including serving as pirate hideouts and storm shelters.
The coastal village of Ajuy, where the caves are found, was actually the entry point for Jean de Béthencourt, the conqueror of the Canary Islands in the early fifteenth century.
How to Visit the Ajuy Caves
You can visit the Ajuy Caves independently or on a tour. I actually visited them as part of the Fuerteventura Panoramic tour (which is one of my favorite tours I have ever taken in Europe).
If you’re visiting independently, it is free and quite easy to get to.
But, I would recommend visiting either early in the morning or before dusk as the tour groups will be hanging out in the village during the day as it is one of the best things to do on Fuerteventura.
I think visiting the Ajuy Caves with a tour is the easiest way to see them personally (if you don’t have a car).
The Fuerteventura panoramic highlights tour is an 8-hour tour that will pick you up in a minivan from various places on the island (Corralejo, Lajares, Villaverde, and Cotillo).
You will have a driver and knowledgeable guide, and will get a chance to see some of the best spots on Fuerteventura!
Some of the stops you will make are Sand Dunes Natural Park, Sotavento Beach, Pajara, and eventually Ajuy.
In Ajuy, you can independently walk to the caves (they are only 30 minutes away on foot) before enjoying a local seafood lunch at a restaurant in Ajuy.
Then, your tour will head to the Natural Park of Betancuria where you’ll get to see gorgeous views of the Canyon of La Peñita.
You will have plenty of time to explore Betancuria (don’t miss the chance to get some ice cream there!) before checking out views of Tindaya Mountain, also known as ‘Sacred Mountain’.
This tour is not wheelchair-accessible and lunch is not included.
If you’re looking to take this trip to the Ajuy Caves and beyond from the center or the north of the island, you will have to get your own transportation to one of the places it picks up from.
>> Click here to check tour rates and availability
Other Things to Do in Ajuy (and Nearby)
If you are visiting the Ajuy Caves without a tour, there are a few other cool things in the area. Here are a few things to do in Ajuy and nearby:
Hang out With the Local Wildlife
It will be only about 30 seconds before you realize you are in chipmunk territory. They are everywhere around here and are not shy at all.
In fact, if you’re eating or snacking on something, they will come toward you and try to be your friend. Take some photos of them but do not feed them. Human food is harmful to them.
Enjoy One of the Best Restaurants in Ajuy
Ajuy is filled with quite a few restaurants for a town of such few people. But, not all Ajuy restaurants are created equal.
Some of the most popular (and top-rated) Ajuy restaurants are:
- Restaurante La Maresia
- Cafe del Mar Ajuy
- La Jaule de Oro
- La Pescadora Ajuy
I enjoyed lunch at La Jaule de Oro because the area was teeming with tourists that were on variations of the same tour that I was on.
La Jalue de Oro has a 4.5 rating on Google and served seafood for lunch, alongside a killer view of the sea.
But, the other restaurants above are all highly-rated and a great option if you are limited based on the number of people hanging out in Ajuy.
Mirador de Las Peñitas
Not too far from Ajuy village is Mirador de Las Peñitas, a stunning viewpoint.
Located within Betancuria Rural Park, this scenic spot offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including rugged mountains, deep valleys, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Mirador de Las Peñitas features the small, picturesque Ermita de la Peña chapel perched on a rocky outcrop.
The area is ideal for hiking, photography, and appreciating the island’s diverse natural beauty. It is a great stop on your way in (or out) of Ajuy!
Did we miss any information you’d like to know before visiting the Ajuy Caves? Let us know your thoughts (and tips!) in the comments.
More Fuerteventura Travel Guides
- Best Corralejo excursions
- Corralejo things to do
- Airbnbs in Corralejo
- Things to do in Puerto del Rosario
- Places to visit on Lanzarote
- Best things to do in Fuerteventura
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