Hotels in El Cotillo
El Cotillo is a small fishing village at the northern end of Fuerteventura, on the west coast. The village is centred around the small harbour that is mostly used by local fishermen. The harbour where the boats are to be found is actually relatively new. The old harbour is only a short walk to the north over the headland that separates the two. There are several bars and restaurants close to the old harbour.
El Cotillo’s history.
As it is in a quiet spot on the island you can understand its history as a smuggler’s village. The tower was built around 1741 after repeated attacks by English pirates. The tower is known as EL Toston and also in Spanish by Castillo de Rico Roque, and was built for the commandante Andres Bonito. The tower is open to tourists and often hosts exhibitions such as paintings.
El Cotillo Beaches
There are miles of beaches to the south of this part of sunny Fuerteventura. The beaches are excellent, and even on a busy day they are too big to be overcrowded. To the north are the lagoon beaches of shallow clear water and white sand contrasting against the black volcanic rock. The biggest of the beaches, La Concha, has a large car park, a beach bar and a lovely beach. It gets very busy with locals and tourists. The smaller lagoon beaches are favourite places for naturists. There are more lagoon beaches to the east of the lighthouse.
A couple of miles to the north of El Cotillo there is a lighthouse which is also a fishing museum, and a pleasant afternoon can be spent wandering there and back.
Comprising a typical white-washed Spanish village and two picturesque harbours, it boasts beautiful blue water lagoons flanked by near-white sandy beaches and idyllic coves – some of which are popular with naturists. The village is divided into two parts – offshore breezes and a wild beach make one part a favourite with windsurfers, whilst the other with quiet lagoons and sandy coves make it a haven for families and children.
Along the seafront, a small selection of souvenir shops and restaurants provide pleasant pit stops and when you’re not strolling here, the sandy beaches offer calm seas ideal for swimming and sailing. Around the harbour, traditional cafes await and for explorers, the little villages is a great place to wander around. Alternatively, head for the vast sands of Corralejo, spend a day sunbathing or check out the buzzing shops, bars and discos.
