EL COTILLO

It is the best place to stay if you are looking for peace and tradition. The beauty is that this village which is located in the north-west of Fuerteventura is also home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island. 

The small town is one of the few areas on the coast that it is managed to keep its traditional charm intact.

If you are not looking for nightlife and shopping areas, you could opt for a b&b in the village.

But in addition to its village, El Cotillo is also famous for its beaches, among the most beautiful on the island if not in the Canary Islands. Here the sand is very white and there are both long stretches of open coast and small bays.

If you want to experience the atmosphere of a seaside town and love tranquility, this is the right place.

There is no shortage of solutions for accommodation, many of these are in typical houses, recently renovated with a touch of luxury and design.

What to see in the Cotillo Center

The town center is charming but very small! The old port of El Cotillo is located in a bay in the center of the village and there are usually very few boats housed. It is surrounded by high rocks and there is a small artificial beach that is always little exposed to wind and currents.

South of the center is the new port protected from the wind by a massive concrete wall.

The emblem of the city is the Tostón lighthouse, an ancient circular-shaped military settlement dating back to 1790 born to defend and monitor this stretch of coast and the north west of the island. Today the structure can be visited and inside you will also find a Tourist Information Point.

Where to eat in El Cotillo

In the Caleta del Cotillo you will find a lot of restaurants with tables overlooking the sea, a beautiful location at sunset. Here you will find some of the best restaurants in El Cotillo, even if they are certainly not the cheapest, they are certainly the most fascinating ones, especially the very popular ones Restaurante la Vaca Azul perfect for enjoying excellent grilled fish at sunset. If you are looking for something more rustic, stop at Central Bar (el chiringuito de Yolanda).

Walk to the Faro del Tostón

If you feel like walking, I recommend that you cross the town and proceed from the center to the north for at about 4 km, on your left you will see the many beautiful beaches in the north of El Cotillo until you reach a small peninsula where there is the particular lighthouse of the Tostón. It is called a lighthouse but it is actually a complex of three lighthouses, and is painted red and white.

The lighthouse complex houses a very nice museum on traditional fishing in Fuerteventura and there is also a nice sea view bar.

Inside the building is the little one Museum of traditional fishing, a visit not to be missed if you want to know how this activity is linked to the history of Fuerteventura and its inhabitants. A journey into the past, through photographs, audio and an exhibition of objects that will reveal how people lived on the island before the tourism boom. The visit should include access to the top of one of the lighthouse towers, which was closed for safety reasons when we were there.

The museum also offers a small bar and a point sale of souvenirs, the only activity nearby.

The best beaches in El Cotillo

If you want to see all the beaches of El Cotillo and enjoy them in peace, I recommend that you dedicate at least two days to their exploration and divide the visit between the coast to the north and south of the country. I state that here you will not find bathing establishments but only wild nature and a few stone walls to shelter you from the wind, so arm yourself with an umbrella or awning, but above all bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

La Concha

One of the most famous for its particular shape and its clear waters. Here the waves are often calm and even on windy days it is possible to swim in peace, moreover there are numerous circular stone walls to create your own little oasis of tranquility. And if the day were extremely windy you will find shelter among the rocks at both ends of the bay that create a natural refuge from the wind.

With low tide at the north end of la Concha there are many beauties natural pools with clear and warm water among the rocks where many fish often gather, a perfect place for small children to play. 

The beach is equipped with public toilets and showers and there is also a kiosk for those who want to eat or drink something.

Piedra playa

Piedra playa is the first to the south of the village, huge and partially sheltered from the wind by a large cliff.

It is located just 1 km from the center of El Cotillo. It's a secluded beach and has a rustic feel. If you are a water sports enthusiast, this beach is definitely a must visit, as it is one of the favorite places for water sports lovers, since the strong waves allow them to practice all kinds of activities for hours, including: Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Likewise, if you want to relax a bit or sunbathe you can also do it in Piedra Playa. It is important to be careful when bathing since wind, waves and water currents can be very strong, especially during the winter.

The road is quite bumpy so it would be better to use a 4WD, however it is also possible to get there by car. At the top of the cliffs there is a place available to park cars.

Piedra Playa is consisting mainly of fine golden sand with crystal clear waters. The rocky walls that complete the landscape give a more natural and rustic aspect to the whole area.

It is important to remember this beach she is almost a virgin, so it does not offer services or restaurants and lifeguards provide assistance only during the peak months.

Playa la escalera - Águila 

La Escalera or Bahía del Águila is located in the municipality of La Oliva on the island of Fuerteventura. It's a virgin beach, lonely and picturesque. An enchanting place that has a lot to offer to nature lovers.

Due to the remoteness of the area, not many visit it, this allows to maintain the integrity of the landscape and the natural beauty of this area.

La Escalera beach is 600 meters long, access is difficult, to reach the beach you have to go down a very steep staircase that gives the beach its name. The presence of numerous cliffs and other rock formations only adds to the beauty of the place.

The type of sand is golden and the water is crystal clear with a strong swell. 

Being located in a remote desert area there are no services or restaurants.

Playa de Esquinzo (and path to the Barranco de los Encantados)

Further south is the Esquinzo beach, very popular with surfers. If you are lucky and you arrive here at low tide you will be able to enjoy the calm waters of a beautiful natural swimming pool between the cliffs which is located on one side of the beach.

Near Playa de Esquinzo starts the path to the barranco de los Encantados (or de los Enamorados) a canyon carved by water and wind where the fog often channels itself creating truly magical atmospheres.

If you would like to visit El Cotillo and need more information, do not hesitate to contact us !! And if you liked the article, leave a comment!