El Cotillo: love at first sight

Entering El Cotillo for the first time, I immediately understood that it was a special place. Like when you meet a girl you fall madly in love with or get into a car that you then decide to buy.
It was the afternoon of a Christmas Eve and there were few people around. In El Cotillo there were only a few shops open: surfer shops, restaurants, a few gift and souvenir shops and a supermarket where few people made their last minute purchases.

I immediately understood three things:
I had arrived in a quiet village, surfing was a religion here because in a few hundred meters I had already crossed 3 small shops dedicated to this sport and, thirdly, the people seemed simple and kind to me.

Here you are! At this point in history it is too late to turn back! The surf, the beautiful people, the tranquillity, the waves, the sun and the sea view restaurants have done it all by themselves.

El Cotillo, Lajares and surfing

I haven’t told you about some very nice things that I noticed coming back here a couple of days later (when there were more people around and also traffic along the road).
First of all Lajares.
Passing by this village (without stopping), there are dozens and dozens of people stopped at the bars/restaurants on the road with surfboards on cars, vans and Jeeps.
It really feels like going through the 60s and finding yourself in a different era for a few minutes.
A feeling of beauty, joy and fun in the road between Corralejo and El Cotillo that catapults you from the 21st century made of technology, haste and problems, to the glorious 60s full of beautiful music, friendship, colors and great events.
For my generation that hasn’t been able to experience this period, it’s truly spectacular to see vans full of surf and surfers congregating in the bars on their way to the waves of El Cotillo.
I have also seen many surfers in the south of Fuerteventura, but they are more resort areas, hotels, shopping and older tourists.
Let’s be clear:
All wonderful people, but the atmosphere is different from El Cotillo although surfing is a wonderful sport everywhere and, I assure you, among the articles on this site/blog, you will surely read about my attempt to learn that I probably ended up submerged by a wave in El Cotillo.

…and where else could I try to go surfing, if not here?

The story continues…

In April 2024, I finally managed to stay here for a few days.
I wanted to understand whether love at second sight is the same as love at first sight.
El Cotillo morning, noon and night.
And at night too, of course.
Yes.
Without a doubt.
El Cotillo all his life.

Beaches

First I would like to tell you about the beaches:

I’ve basically settled on Piedra Playa.
The reasons for this?

1. I’m obsessed with surfing
2. It’s divine
3. There are lots of people, but it’s never too crowded.
4. It was close to my accommodation and I always walked there
   

There are three other spectacular beaches in El Cotillo, which aren’t frequented by surfers but are nevertheless very popular.
The three beaches are strung together and form a single lagoon: Los Lagos, Marfolin and La Concha.
Los Lagos seemed to me to be the most secluded and is visited by those who want to stay in peace.
Access to the water is via rocks, which perhaps makes it less “hospitable”.
Marfolin is popular and is close to a small building with some bars and restaurants (and parking)
La Concha is down there with lots of people, beautiful, in all its glory.
Maybe next time I’ll go there…

Eating and drinking in El Cotillo

Breakfast

On this trip, I chose an apartment for my visit to El Cotillo.
However, I have to admit that I am very lazy.
Especially on holiday.
Especially in the mornings.
And I am glad that I found a very Spanish “panaderia” (bakery) to have breakfast early in the morning.
El Goloso is on the opposite side of El Cotillo from my accommodation.
It’s good to walk there early in the morning.
This is the only bakery/bar that opens before 8am (7.30am).
I always arrived around 7.45am and there was the usual German family with two small children, some workers and on the last morning a small group of young surfers.
In addition to the many baked desserts and the classic coffee, El Goloso has two typical Spanish breakfast items: the tostada con jamon o aceite (toasted bread with ham or olive oil) and the cafè con leche ( coffee with milk similar to capuccino).
If you have lived in Spain for a while (thank goodness I did an Erasmus programme there), they are a must.

Lunch

For lunch I have always tried to use my apartment as more as possible.
The terrace, the table and chairs and the nearest supermarket.
Of course, I avoided elaborate dishes.
Fruit, salad and liquids at will.

Dinner

Dinner is another sacred and sacrosanct thing.
After a day at the beach, walks, a bit of surfing, heat and sun, I need to sit down and eat well.
Since my accommodation was right on the doorstep, I went in search of a place to eat on Calle la Caleta (where the colorful fish and big sign “El Cotillo” are).
I ate at the El Roque restaurant a few nights.
Always fish dishes.
Always with a good glass of house wine.
The view at sunset has its charm.

However, if you prefer to go into the heart of the village, there is certainly no shortage of restaurants or places to eat.
There are several tapas places and of course the classic restaurants with a view.
If you like it more modern, in the area mentioned above there is NaNa, a very modern fusion restaurant overlooking the sea.
It has a very youthful atmosphere but is not too loud.

My long walks

El Cotillo offers many beautiful walks, especially in the evening.
You can walk around the entire town centre, which leads to Playa del Muellito (the small beach in the centre).
There are many small stores, narrow streets and restaurants.
And then there’s the ocean and the waves, the people out for a stroll.
You can get lost and find your way back and get lost again.

Or go to the whale skeleton behind the old stove and admire the sunset from there.
Remember a sweatshirt, because if it’s windy in the evening, it could get chilly.

Ermita de Nuestra Seňora del buen viaje

One morning, after breakfast, I walked on and on and came across this little church (actually a hermitage).

The hermitage of Our Lady of the Good Voyage in El Cotillo ( Ermita de Nuestra Seňora del buen viaje) is a historic building that was founded in 1680 by Sebastián Trujillo Ruiz. It served as a landmark for fishermen and boats heading for the port of El Cotillo. The hermitage has been rebuilt and restored several times over the centuries.
Today, it is part of the cultural heritage of Fuerteventura and is a protected monument in Spain.