El Cotillo on Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura and El Cotillo – “Our home“

FreshSurf is located on the west side of the north of the Canary Island of Fuerteventura. In addition to shifting sand dunes in the northeast, mountain scenery in the interior and cliffs in the west, the island offers many large sandy beaches. Our town of El Cotillo enchants visitors from day one with its beautiful and varied coastline. The former small fishing village stands for harmony, recreation and absolute relaxation.

8th surf school El Cotillo

9th Surfcamp El Cotillo

10. catering in El Cotillo

11th restaurants in El Cotillo

12. activities El Cotillo

13. arrival El Cotillo

14. questions about El Cotillo

El Cotillo offers a varied coastal landscape. A few kilometers along the coast to the west you come to a cliff from which you can look out over the sea with its white foaming waves from a height of up to 20 meters.

However, if you follow the coast eastwards, you will reach picturesque lagoon beaches that are gently hugged by dunes. The small bays separated by rocks or stones enchant with their white, fine-grained sand and crystal-clear, turquoise waters. They are perfect for a wonderful swim and, of course, sun worshippers also get their money’s worth. The beach is also ideal for the little ones: as the beach slopes gently down to the water, it is also suitable for children to swim in.

Sometimes it’s good to know something about the area where you’re going on vacation … It is definitely an environment of contrasts: alongside the picturesque, paradisiacal beaches, the crystal-clear water and the beautiful lagoons, on the side facing away from the sea there are bare mountains, “eaten” volcanic craters, endless stone deserts, dilapidated dry stone walls, barren scree and sand steppes with greenish camelthorn plants, strange sand spoil heaps in the middle of the country, empty terraced fields, dusty ruins and mini-villages. At first glance, the atmosphere seems strange, but at second glance, this landscape has a charm all of its own.

Tours through our small fishing village El Cotillo

What can you see in El Cotillo?

“Sunshine and beaming faces in El Cotillo!” – That’s what we wish for ourselves and you every day. The reality here is as follows: On Fuerteventura, the sun shines for around 3,000 hours a year – an average of eight hours a day. The climate is stable all year round, which has earned the Canary Islands the nickname “islands of eternal spring”.

Fuerteventura is definitely a location with a year-round bathing season. The temperature fluctuations throughout the year are rather small. While the average temperature in the summer months is around 24°C, it only drops to around 19°C in the winter months (but even during this time, the thermometer shows well over 20°C on many days). So, if you prefer to stay in Germany in the summer, why not take advantage of the great winter to come here?

Weather and temperatures on Fuerteventura at a glance

The climate on the Canary Islands is mainly characterized by the trade winds and the cool Canary Current. In summer, the influence of the nearby Sahara can be felt when the “Scirocco”, a hot and dry wind blows in from North Africa, causing temperatures to soar and the air to become thick with dust and sand.

Rainfall is extremely rare on Fuerteventura, which is great for vacationing and sunbathing, but unfortunately also the unpleasant side of water scarcity. In some years, there is almost no rainfall at all and all the “fresh water” for households, hotels and plants has to be obtained from the sea via desalination plants. This is where mankind is forced to intervene in the natural household and every vacationer on Fuerteventura should be called upon to use water supplies as sparingly as possible in order not to put unnecessary strain on nature.

Probably the most famous beach in El Cotillo is Piedra Playa, our home surf spot. On the way there, you can walk along the cliffs and have a great view over the ocean towards Gran Canaria. Once you reach the end of the cliffs, you can see the full splendor of the beautiful long sandy beach of El Cotillo. It is divided into 4 areas by the coastal formation. The first area, directly in front of the cliffs, is also called Playa del Castillo. This is particularly suitable for swimming in the summer months due to its sheltered orientation. Depending on which direction the wind you can also relax and sunbathe here.

On the opposite side of Cotillo is Playa de Los Lagos, the lagoon beach.

Los Lagos are a series of natural, very sheltered beaches that are located at the exit of the village of El Cotillo, on the road to the lighthouse, and end at Playa de la Concha. These are family beaches with very fine, white sand that are completely safe thanks to the reef that prevents the waves from entering the beach and are incredibly rich in marine life, so you should definitely inspect them with diving goggles and fins.

In summer, the beaches are usually busier, but always more than reasonable. There are no toilets here, but there are bars and restaurants nearby. To get to Los Lagos, take the road that leads to the lighthouse and when you pass the Hotel Cotillo Beach (on the right), you can take one of the roads on the left that lead to the sea and the park, where there is no problem with parking.

Playa de Los Lagos is a beach for families and is perfect for observing fish and marine life. As there are no waves, it is very safe. It is similar to Playa de la Concha, but a little more “urban” due to the buildings that surround it.

The 3 lighthouses of Cotillo

Take a walk north along the coast to the lighthouse (Faro de Tostón). It takes about an hour to walk there, or you can also try jogging. For the lazy ones, go by car! When you get there, you can have a well-deserved coffee or a beer in the small café inside (open from 10:30 to 17:30 and closed on Sundays and Mondays). When it’s open, you can also visit the fishing exhibition and climb to the top of the central tower for a small fee. From there you have a panoramic view of El Cotillo, the lagoons, the entire northern end of Fuerteventura and also Lanzarote on the other side of the ocean.

The three lighthouses, built in different years, are located in the same place, at “Punta Ballena”. The first lighthouse, 11 meters above sea level (six meters above the ground), is from 1897. The building where the lighthouse keeper lives is rectangular and the lighthouse is set at the corner of the site, which is not the case with any other lighthouse. Due to the low height of the beacon, there were visibility problems in heavy weather and in 1963 a higher, octagonal tower of 13.5 meters was built at the rear of the residential building. In 1986, the 37 meter high, round, modern lighthouse was put into operation. The beacons of this tower are generated by stored solar energy.

El Tostón – an old defense tower

In 1587, the then King Filipe II sent Leonardo Torriani to the Canary Islands to plan a ring of defensive fortifications; the offshore cliffs made the port of El Tostón difficult to access for those unfamiliar with the area, but after various landing attempts and raids by English corsairs around 1740, a fort was also built here, as in Costa Caleta (Caleta de Fustes), by the military commander of the Canary Islands at the time, Andreas Bonito de Pignatelly.Exhibitions are held in this fort near the new harbor of today’s El Cotillo, which are open daily except Sundays.

Take a leisurely stroll through the village to the Tostón Tower of El Cotillo, which overlooks the new harbor and the surfers’ beach. It is an iconic building and one of the few in Fuerteventura that was built in the early 1700s to protect the harbor from pirates. It only costs a few euros to visit. From up there you have a great panoramic view. There is also usually an art exhibition inside.

Relax and watch the sunsets

This is probably one of the most popular things to do in El Cotillo. As El Cotillo is located on the west coast, it is ideally situated to enjoy great sunsets. So find a spot in front of a nice bar or restaurant overlooking the sea and enjoy the spectacle. Some suggestions are Café Aguayre at the new harbor and the terrace of Bar Toston in the old harbor.

El Cotillo market

A small artisan market is held every Friday from late afternoon into the evening. This takes place in the small square on the main road into the village that leads to the new harbor.
There are a number of stalls selling handmade jewelry and other goods. Fortunately, there are not as many stalls selling the same fake handbags etc. as at most of the larger markets on the island. There is often live music here too.

Visit the labyrinth

If you fancy a stroll (or a drive and a walk), you can visit the little-known labyrinth of El Cotillo. It’s located in the hills behind the Piedra Playa water sports beach. If you have kids with you, they’ll have a great time following the path from the outside to the center.

El Roque de la Mar

The black basalt rock “El Roque de la Mar” rises diagonally opposite the pirate tower. This has been connected to the mainland by a massive concrete barrier for several years to protect the new, small yacht and fishing harbor from heavy seas, but five years ago there was such a severe storm that some boats were torn away and destroyed despite the barrier. Photos of this day of disaster can be seen in the surrounding restaurants.

Surfers and surfers will find paradisiacal surf spots on the island as well as an incomparable atmosphere between palm trees and the sea. The surf spots on Fuerteventura offer constant swell all year round and have the right waves for every surfing level.

In general, the surf spots on the North Shore are away from tourist activities. The waves are long and perfect, the majority are reef breaks. There are also long sandy beaches – perfect for beginners (like our home beach in El Cotillo). The water temperature varies between 18 °C in winter and 22 °C in summer. The outside temperature is still very high even in winter, with an average temperature of 25 °C. Surfing is mostly done in board shorts or thinner wetsuits. Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands are Europe’s number one winter surfing destination.

Which is the best surf school in El Cotillo?

Find out what our surf school stands for and what values we want to convey. Passion, enthusiasm and passion for and about surfing in El Cotillo – that’s what FreshSurf stands for. What is important to us and why are we the best surf school to teach you how to surf? Because we focus on you and you learn to surf safely with us. Why should you learn to surf with our surf school? We work with and for you every day to find the most suitable conditions for you. What equipment do you need to surf? We use high-quality surfboards and wetsuits.

Learn to surf with us – at our surf school on Fuerteventura in El Cotillo

Get to know us better and find out why we are the right surf school for you.

We look forward to getting to know you soon!

Which is the best surf camp in El Cotillo?

Our surf house is located opposite the lagoon beach in El Cotillo. It offers two double rooms, one single room and one triple room, three bathrooms and super nice communal areas inside and outside. In the communal dining area, we spoil you with fruit, snacks and small treats. On a terrace in front of the house you can relax after the Surf session relax and enjoy the sun. The Surfhouse is one of the highlights of our accommodation on Fuerteventura.

Do I live right by the sea?

Yes, you live directly on the lagoon beach. In 2 minutes you’re on the beach and your feet are in the ocean. You can hear the sea when the wind is blowing in the right direction and can enjoy life in your home by the sea. The surf camp in El Cotillo offers everything you need for a successful surfing vacation.

How many supermarkets are there in El Cotillo?

There are 4 supermarkets in El Cotillo. You can find out where they are here. You can also find information on where to eat out here. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, everyone will find what they are looking for here. El Cotillo offers a wide selection and great options for eating out.

Restaurant suggestions – Restaurant Guide El Cotillo

Where can you eat and drink in El Cotillo?

Cooking for yourself is super tasty and healthy, but maybe you’d like to take a day off and let the kitchen be a place of peace and quiet? Good idea! The restaurants in El Cotillo offer delicious food and drink – delicious food and drinks, both for the really big appetite and for a small snack in between.

From Sottovento to Bagus and El Goloso: the restaurants and cafés are highly recommended. But which one should you choose? As a little help, we have tried our way through the various menus and put together a little guide for El Cotillo. We wish you bon appétit!

Activities on Fuerteventura

How can I actively relax in El Cotillo?

Besides surfing, Fuerteventura definitely has a lot more to offer. Our range of sports and leisure activities is diverse. In addition to surfing, you can take advantage of many other offers. Some are active, others more passive – but your well-being and that of your fellow travelers is always our priority. We only work with partners or people that we have known for a long time and where we are enthusiastic about the quality and service offered.

Yoga, diving, kitesurfing, exploring the island, snorkeling or longboarding – you can have lots of active fun. Of course, that’s not all there is to do in your free time. At our surf school, we can organize other activities for you and fulfil your wishes. We can provide you with information on a wide range of options, tips for hiking routes or recommendations for a day trip.

Arrival in El Cotillo

How do I get to El Cotillo?

How to get from Fuerteventura Airport to El Cotillo?
It’s time for your vacation on the island of Fuerteventura and we’ll explain how to get from the airport to El Cotillo. There are four alternatives:

Transfers airport – Cotillo
This is the fastest and most convenient way to get to your accommodation in Cotillo. A driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals terminal and you will be at your accommodation, surf camp, apartment or wherever you would like to stay in 40 minutes. Prices and availability can be found here.

Transfer with shuttle bus

A cheap, but not exactly quick, transfer option. As the shuttle bus stops at many hotels, such a transfer can take two to three hours. You can find more information on the website of our cooperation partner Shuttlespain.

Car rental
This is undoubtedly the best option for exploring the island of Fuerteventura and you can pick up your car directly at Fuerteventura airport when you arrive. There are numerous car rental companies where you can rent a car at a good price for the duration of your stay.

Bus / Guagua
The cheapest alternative, but also definitely the slowest. To get from the airport to El Cotillo, you have to take two buses:

Airport – Puerto del Rosario: Line 3 or 10.
Puerto del Rosario – El Cotillo: Line 7.

Cab
At the exit terminal of the airport you will find a cab rank where you can take a cab. This is a quick way to get to your accommodation.