10 Best things to do in El Cotillo, Fuerteventura

El Cotillo used to be a small fishing village in Fuerteventura and nowadays it's a quiet place for a holiday on the island, with plenty of amazing beaches nearby, some of each are ideal for surfers.

El Cotillo is situated on the northwest coast of Fuerteventura and it's home to some of the best beaches on the island. La Concha beach was voted among the most beautiful beaches in Europe by Tripadvisor users and it is truly a small paradise, with all the lagoons and crystal clear waters. The village offers some nice hotels and good restaurants, and it's usually a quiet place, in comparison with other resorts on the island like Corralejo.

What to do in El Cotillo

The village gained lots of popularity in the last years, and it is all because of the beautiful landscape, which is so peaceful and relaxing.

The beaches are the main attractions in El Cotillo, especially Playa de La Concha, ideal for families, which is easy to find and offers easy car parking. From here you can continue your road towards the lagoons in El Cotillo, a series of small beaches, very private and with beautiful white sand.

1. La Concha beach

La Concha beach is featured on many postcards of Fuerteventura and it's been named as one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe by Tripadvisor and many other travel publications.

The white sand, turquoise water, the view... everything makes it idyllic and a great place to visit in El Cotillo.

One thing we need to mention about Playa de la Concha is that it's often quite windy here and there are no sunbeds or umbrellas for hire. If you plan to spend several hours here you should bring your own beach tent or parasol, otherwise, you will definitely get a sunburn. Also, the beach looks different depending on the tide, so when the tide is high the water gets deep quickly and when the tide is low, it's a great place to be with kids, as they can fully enjoy this beautiful beach.

There are no restaurants or shops on the beach, so it's recommended to bring something with you to eat and drink.

2. El Cotillo lagoons

The lagoons are El Cotillo's own collection of private beaches, secluded, with wonderful calm waters, ideal also for families with small children.

You can get here by car or on foot, and it is worth spending here at least a few hours to explore around the lagoons.

We love coming here at low tide in summer, when the water is warm, with almost no waves and it is probably the calmest image you will see of the Atlantic Ocean.

There are no bars or shops, so if you plan to spend the day here it is advisable to bring some snacks or you will have to go back to El Cotillo in order to have lunch.

People come here because of the wild and untouched landscape, where you can admire the true beauty of Fuerteventura, with its marvelous beaches and endless dunes of sand.

3. Surfing in El Cotillo

El Cotillo is one of the best spots for surfing in Fuerteventura and there are people coming here also from Lajares, Corralejo and all over the island, just to ride the great ocean waves.

If you're inexperienced and you want to learn, El Cotillo is a great place to be in Fuerteventura, as there are many local surfing schools to choose from. In El Cotillo, you can also try SUP or kitesurfing, as the location of the village is ideal for water sports in general.

4. Playa del Castillo (Piedra Playa)

If you are interested in surfing, then once you get to El Cotillo village you should head left, towards Playa del Castillo, also known as Playa Piedra. This beach is extremely popular among surfers in El Cotillo but you can also enjoy the views and the landscape even if you don't surf.

Continuing from Playa Piedra there are 2 more beaches which are wild and with big waves, also ideal for surfing. 

5. Castillo de El Toston 

On your way to Playa Piedra, you will pass Castillo de El Toston (Castillo del Cotillo), which is a small circular structure, which can be visited for a small entrance fee of 1,5 euros. You will find out more about Fuerteventura's history and it also has beautiful views of the ocean.

6. El Cotillo lighthouse

On the road towards the lagoons, about 5 km from El Cotillo, you will pass by El Toston Lighthouse, where you will find a small museum and a cafe.

The Traditional Fishing Museum is showcasing aspects of traditional fishing in Fuerteventura and also offers panoramic 360 degrees views towards the ocean and also Lanzarote.

• It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am till 6 pm.
• Entrance fee: 3 Euros

7. El Cotillo Market

Every Friday evening there is a small market in El Cotillo. It's a nice place to look around for souvenirs and maybe afterward, get dinner and watch the beautiful sunset in El Cotillo.

8. Watch the sunset

Since the village is situated on the west coast, El Cotillo is the best place to admire one of the most dramatic sunsets in Fuerteventura, so even if you are staying somewhere else on the island, it is worth visiting El Cotillo just to be able to see the sunset and the colors of the sky at golden hour.

9. Fuerteventura en Musica (FEM)

FEM is an annual event organized on the beach in El Cotillo.

The entrance is free and it's a really popular music festival especially among the Spaniards, who come from all over Spain in order to attend. It's a really nice and chilled vibe and it lasts for 2 days (Friday and Saturday).

10. Discover the bars and restaurants in El Cotillo

La Vaca Azul is a well-known restaurant in Fuerteventura, and there are people coming to the village just to eat here. You will find fresh fish and seafood, great serving and nice views from the terrace. It is easy to find, there are signs that guide you to the restaurant.

Azzurro is another good restaurant, which is a bit harder to find, on the road that takes to Faro El Toston.

It serves both Spanish and Italian dishes, also with fresh fish and seafood.

Places to stay in El Cotillo

El Cotillo does not have many hotels like the bigger resorts, so private apartment rentals are the most popular options in terms of accommodation.

You can find lots of nice apartments in El Cotillo on Airbnb, with breathtaking ocean views, which would offer you more privacy than a hotel, a fully fitted kitchen and more space than a hotel room. 

The most popular hotel in the village is by far the Hotel Cotillo Beach, a 3 stars hotel with beautiful ocean views. All the rooms have a balcony and pretty spacious and the location is ideal if you like surfing, since you will be close to some of the best locations in Fuerteventura. There are some mixed reviews about this hotel, especially regarding the food served, so you should take this into consideration. However, if you are decided to stay near El Cotillo beach, then this is one of your best choices.

If you think El Cotillo is not for you, then find out more about where to stay in Fuerteventura.

Driving distance to El Cotillo

• from the Airport 45 km; 40 minutes drive
• from Corralejo 20 km; 22 minutes drive
• from Puerto del Rosario 38 km; 35 minutes drive
• from Caleta de Fuste 51 km; 50 minutes drive
• from Costa Calma 90 km; 1 h 30 minutes drive
• from Morro Jable 110 km; 1 h 40 minutes drive