El Cotillo

Pronounced 'El Coateeyo', El Cotillo is a small rustic little fishing village is dedicated to the virgin of good travel (Virgin de Buen Viaje) these words can be seen painted on the cliffs in the old harbour.

Situated on the northwest corner of Fuerteventura, El Cotillo is a peaceful place but it offers some good restaurants, bars, a few shops and more recently, lots of new accommodation.

Like it or not, El Cotillo looks set to become the newest tourist resort on the island. The main reason for this has to be the fantastic beaches and lagoons that lie to the south of this little harbor town.

If you turn left as you head into Cotillo you head towards the cliffs. From here there are several footpaths that lead down to the Playa del Castillo, one of the nicest beaches in this region.

Further to the south are the beaches of Playa del Ajibe de la Cueva and the Playa del Aguila, both wild and remote. Here you'll find nothing but steely blue sky, dark blue ocean with white foam, and fine white sand. This is truly the surfing and windsurfing Mecca of the island.



The best advice here is to only enter the water if the waves are reasonably gentle-looking. This is normally during the summer months. If it's windy, (a lot of the time it is!) there are several nice places for sheltered sunbathing between the lava stones.


If you've hired a normal car you'd be best to turn right in the town and head towards the lagoons.


Unless you are going to eat at one of the superb fish restaurants in town, don't forget to bring food along with you and of course, plenty of drinking water.



The old harbor, with its small bars and restaurants, is the most picturesque part of town and it is here you'll find most of the bars and restaurants. Just to the north of the Cotillo Lagoons is the Faro  lighthouse.