Playa del Castillo is a sandy beach on the north-west coast of Fuerteventura, on the edge of El Cotillo in the municipality of La Oliva, Canary Islands. It takes its name from El Tostón Castle (Castillo de El Tostón), the old coastal tower at El Cotillo. Cliffs rise behind the sand and the beach lies open to the Atlantic, which makes it a regular spot for surfers and kitesurfers. There are no bars or toilets on the beach itself.
Castillo Beach (El Cotillo)
Local name: Playa del Castillo
Golden-sand surf beach beneath the cliffs of El Cotillo, open to the Atlantic swell and the sunset.
- Entrance
- Free: a public beach with no ticket.
- Parking
- Two free car parks, about 240 m and 675 m away in a straight line.
- Difficulty
- No trail: the beach lies below the cliffs, so you walk down from the clifftop to the sand.
- Transport
- The nearest bus stop is about 715 m away in a straight line.
- Advance booking
- Not needed.
- Hours
- Open at all times.
- Address
- Playa del Castillo, Las Palmas, Spain
What makes it special
From the clifftop the whole beach opens out below you: pale sand, surfers sitting out past the break waiting for their wave, kites over the water when the wind picks up. You can stay up top for the panorama or walk down and spend the full day on the sand, running along the water's edge, watching the surf, swimming when the sea allows.
The water is clear. The evenings are the real draw. The beach looks west over open ocean, and the sun goes down straight into the sea with nothing between you and the horizon.
Good to know
- No bars or toilets on the beach and no drinking water close by: bring food and plenty to drink.
- The nearest public toilets are about 700 m away in a straight line; El Cotillo, close by, has shops and cafés.
- There is no shade on the sand. Bring a hat and sun protection.
- Surfers and kitesurfers share the water, so swim well away from their lines.
Getting there
Two car parks lie about 240 m and 675 m from the beach in a straight line. The sand sits below the cliffs, so the last stretch is a walk down from the clifftop to the beach. The nearest bus stop is about 715 m away in a straight line, which leaves a walk of similar length from the bus to the top of the cliffs before the descent.
Best time to visit
Best: late afternoon into sunset, when the light comes in low from the west across the sea.
Avoid: the middle of the day in summer, when the sun is overhead and the sand is fully exposed.
The beach looks west onto open ocean, and there is nothing on the sand to shelter under.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Castillo Beach (El Cotillo) on the map
Breaking surf and currents run along this open Atlantic shore, and the clifftop edge above it is unfenced. Swim only when the sea is calm, never turn your back on the waves, and keep back from the edge.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Playa del Castillo good for surfing?
Yes. The beach is open to the Atlantic swell and is a regular spot for surfers and kitesurfers.Can you swim at Playa del Castillo?
The water is clear, but this is an open Atlantic shore with breaking waves and currents. Swim only when the sea is calm and keep away from the surfers.Are there toilets or cafés at the beach?
None on the beach, and no drinking water close by. The nearest public toilets are about 700 m away in a straight line, and El Cotillo has shops and cafés. Bring your own food and drink.Where do you park for Playa del Castillo?
There are two free car parks, about 240 m and 675 m from the beach in a straight line. From the clifftop you walk down to the sand.