El Cotillo

El Cotillo is a small fishing village on the northwest coast of Fuerteventura, and it has become one of the island's most popular places for those who prefer quiet beaches and an easy-going atmosphere to large resorts. The village sits at the end of a road across the plain, facing the Atlantic, with a small harbour, a few streets of low white houses, restaurants and apartments, and a sense of being at the edge of the island. Most buildings are low and simple, and the development has remained modest compared with the south and east coasts.

The main historic building is the Castillo de El Tostón, a round stone tower beside the harbour, built in the early eighteenth century to protect the coast from pirate raids. Such raids were a problem for the Canary Islands for centuries, and the tower, also called the Torre del Tostón, was one of several defensive points along the coast. A short distance away, a lighthouse of the late nineteenth century now holds a small museum about traditional fishing, which shows how fishermen lived and worked. A small hermitage, the Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje, shows the religious life of the community.

The beaches are the main reason to come. North of the village, a series of sheltered coves with white sand and shallow turquoise lagoons form where reefs and rocks break the waves. They are known by names such as La Concha and Los Lagos, and at low tide they look like natural swimming pools, which makes them good for children. To the south, wilder beaches face the open Atlantic, with strong waves that attract surfers, and wind sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing are practised on suitable days. Some beaches are used by naturists. The sand is pale, and the water is clear but cool. Sunsets from the harbour and the castle are spectacular, and many visitors come in the evening to watch the sky change colour.

The harbour is a good place for fresh fish, served in simple restaurants where the catch of the day is grilled and accompanied by wrinkled potatoes and spicy sauces. A few shops and market stalls sell crafts and clothes. El Cotillo is easy to reach by car from Corralejo and La Oliva, and it makes a natural base for exploring the north of the island, including the Parque Natural de Corralejo.

It suits families, couples and surfers who like quiet places. Bring sun protection and be careful with currents on exposed beaches.