Caleta de Famara, Lanzarote

The small fishing village of Caleta de Famara has achieved worldwide reknown as a surfers paradise. With the beach of San Juan playing host to international surf competitions and the geographic position creating ideal conditions, it is a magnet for the European surfing community.

Famara enjoys possibly one of the longest stretches of beach on the island of Lanzarote, curving round under the cliffs, which stand like sentinels protecting it from the rest of the island.

The strong currents mean that it is not advisable to swim in the sea at Famara — most people you find in the water are experienced surfers — these currents also explain the unusual phenomena that the beach is sandy in summer and rocky in the winter.

The strong winds also mean that it is not the most pleasant place to sit and sunbathe for most of the year; although it is a mecca for lovers of the extreme sport of kitesurfing, whose participants make a fantastic site skimming across the water, pulled by their large, brightly coloured kites.

As with surfing, there are a variety of schools in which you can learn this exhilarating sport.

There is a second, much smaller beach, known as San Juan, which is mainly used by the surfers and which plays host to one of the professional surfing competions every year.

Although not the best for sunworshippers, the beaches at Famara certainly make for a great walk, it is true to say that the scenery is simply some of the best on the island.

If you go in the late evening in the Autumn months, you will be blessed with some fantastic sunsets, as the sun slowly sinks into the Atlantic.

Top destination Caleta de Famara, Lanzarote