Costa De La Luz Holiday Guide

Built in the 1950’s Barbate is a modern town synonymous with the sea and the fishing industry that dates back to the Roman times. In the summer months it’s busy with families enjoying the beach and its long promenade that has many bars and restaurants.

For a more laid back and carefree environment visit one of the three unspoilt villages that neighbour Barbate.

Zahara de los Atunes is a peaceful fishing village with its own distinctive charm. You will be guaranteed to find a tranquil spot for relaxing on the endless beach of fine golden sand. Enjoy the local catch of the day at the many restaurants and tapas bars while soaking up the atmosphere of this untouched hamlet.

Los Canos de Meca is a surfer’s paradise. A small yet perfectly formed village with a relaxed hippie feeling to it, the epitome of shabby chic. Stroll along the wide unspoilt sands watching surfers catch the waves, or walk to the lighthouse at the end of the beach to see where Lord Nelson won the battle of Trafalgar, then ease yourself into the night with a cocktail at one of the straw hut bars.

Zahora is a small place quickly gaining a reputation as a hideaway for people wanting to experience a more chilled out environment. Bask on the beautiful beach and absorb the stunning surroundings of untouched coastline backed by cliffs and pine forests. Little else can be found here apart from a few bars on the beach, which makes it the ideal place to escape the pressures of the modern world.

The winding streets of Conil’s old town are bursting with restaurants, tapas bars and ice cream parlours (heladerias). On the warm summer nights you can attend the open-air dances and concerts that take place, or just sit back and enjoy one of the many street entertainers.

The beaches in the main town are endless stretches of sand that gently shelve into the sea making it ideal for children. There are excellent amenities here, including several beach bars (chiringuitos) where you can take a break from the sun and relax with a long cool drink. In the evening watch the sun set while having a romantic meal at one of the superb fish restaurants on the beach.

Just a stones throw away is Roche where you will find several secluded coves carved out by the Atlantic and backed by dramatic red sandstone cliffs. A good way to see the magnificent views is to take a walk along the cliffs, the views are especially stunning at sunset. Further along there is also a long sandy beach that is excellent for surfing and body boarding.

On the outskirts of Conil town is El Colorado, which is famous for it’s fantastic ceramics. Pine forests dominate this area and it’s a great place for picnics, walking, cycling and horse riding.

Perched on a peninsula Cadiz has something for everyone and with over 3000 years of history this makes it one of the oldest cities in Europe.

The best way to uncover the charms of this mesmerising city is to slowly wander around the old town with its narrow cobbled streets full of interesting places waiting to be discovered. When you need a break why not stop for some tapas at one of the many bars or restaurants, or relax in the magnificent squares full of giant ancient trees and exotic birds.

A must visit is to the Cathedral Nueva, which is easily identified by its gold-topped dome. Once inside, visit the lower floor and stand under the tiny dome, the smallest noise will produce a magnificent echo that is guaranteed to amaze you. There are many other interesting buildings and places to visit including the remains of a Roman ampitheatre, which is said to be the second largest in the world.

This city also has some fantastic beaches to choose from and in the summer the main beach is floodlit so that you can enjoy the warm summer evenings in the perfect setting. This place has it all, history, culture, shopping, fantastic food and golden sands all within walking distance.

Rota is situated at the end of the Bay of Cadiz and has a wonderful position. The Atlantic stretches out at the front and behind it are two natural parks.

With over 16km of superb beaches you are spoilt for choice. In the town centre you can stroll along the long promenades and soak up the atmosphere. For more escapism try the wide virgin beaches, which are surrounded by pine forests and are situated just outside the town.

The charm and character of this place has remained unspoilt with many historic buildings to be found in the old town. A good place to start is at the Castillo de la Luna, a 13th century castle that has been magnificently restored to its full glory. While wandering around the streets and plazas you will soon come across many other interesting buildings.

Close to Rota is the resort of Costa Ballena. Set within 400 hectares this place was designed sympathetically with the environment and here you will find fresh water lakes, pine forests, parks and amazing beaches. There are a wide range of facilities and sporting activities available including a large golf course designed by José Mª Olazábal.

This charming seaside town is located on the mouth of Guadalquívir river estuary as it flows into the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. It’s famous for many things including Manzanilla sherry, fabulous seafood and it’s exhilarating horse races on the beach.

For simple rest and relaxation there are a variety of excellent beaches, with several having stunning views of the nearby Doñana Natural Park. You can choose to soak up the fabulous sunshine or have a go at one of the many sports activities that are on offer. If you are here in August don't miss Spain's oldest horse races that take place on Las Piletas beach.

Sanlúcar has a rich historical heritage and 1498 Christopher Columbus set sail from here for his third journey to the spice islands of the Caribbean. In the older part of town, Barrio Alto, you will find many historic buildings including the Palace of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia, the former home to one of the oldest aristocratic families in Spain.

The old fishing quarter of Bajo de Guía on the banks of the river is where you will find some of the best fish restaurants. Here you can enjoy some fantastic seafood whilst sipping the perfect accompaniment of cold Manzanilla sherry. This type of sherry is particular to this area and has a distinctive dry taste due to local conditions and the coastal environment.

Located inland, 30km from Jerez, this pretty town is considered to be one of the best examples in Andalucia of a pueblo blanco (white village). It is situated in a spectacular position high up on a sandstone ridge overlooking the River Guadalete.

The town is divided in two parts, with the new town being below the old town which is situated on the highest point of the ridge and was declared a National and Artistic monument in 1962. Here there is a wonderful mix of Moorish and Renaissance styles with labyrinths of steep narrow streets. As you look up you will see an abundance of arches being used to shore up the old churches and buildings after the earthquake of 1755.

The highest part of the old town leads to the Plaza Cabildo, which houses the beautiful church of Santa Maria and the old castle, Castillo de Arcos. At one end of the square is a dramatic drop and here is the mirador (viewpoint) with breathtaking views over the lush fertile valley.

Situated in the shady streets you will find lots of tapas bars and restaurants. There are also many excellent craft shops here, as painted ceramics is a speciality of this town.

Set inland this pretty pueblo blanco (white village) is approximately 35km from San Roque in an area known as Campo de Gibraltar and is surrounded by the stunning Los Alcornocales Natural Park.

This small village is picture perfect and it was awarded Historic and Artistic Importance in 1983 due to its architecture, conservation and natural beauty. The steep streets are closely packed with traditional white houses topped with Arabic tiled roofs. Wandering around the narrow cobbled streets you can glimpse into the typical Andalucian patios that are always bursting with colourful flowers and plants.

Enjoy the local ambience and take a slow amble to the top of the village to the Moorish castle built in the 13th century on the remains of an old Roman site. This is a great place to have a picnic and enjoy the spectacular views below of the green fertile valley and the bay of Gibraltar and Algeciras.

This place is a nature lover’s paradise, the local countryside is abundant with a large variety of flora and fauna and it is a popular place for bird watching, cycling, horse riding and walking. You can cool off in the summer months, as there are two swimming pools that are open to the public.

This fishing town has a long tradition as a seaside destination. With miles of fine golden sand it was first used as a holiday getaway in the 19th century by the British who worked in the Río Tinto Mines in the north of the province.

Its situated on a peninsula, to the south of it is the Atlantic Ocean with 12km of beautiful beaches and to the north is the Río Odiel estuary with it’s salt marches that form part of the Las Marismas de Odiel natural park.

Enjoying your holiday here is easy as there are a variety of activities to tempt everyone. You can try a range of water sports including sailing, surfing and diving and many other activities such as golf, horse riding and walking. For those interested in the discovering the local history there are museums and historic buildings to enjoy, or simply sit back on the beach and relax whilst enjoying the tranquil atmosphere.

In the town there are a wide variety of bars and restaurants to choose from, with many offering locally caught fish and specialities like the famous Jabugo ham.

Lepe is a picturesque market town with winding cobbled streets and Andalucian style architecture. It is positioned inland, just 5km from the sea and it is famous across Spain for producing the most delicious strawberries. Here you will find everything you would need including several restaurants, markets and an excellent choice of shops.

The beautiful coastal resort of La Antilla is only a stones throw away with its long stretches of wide golden sands. On this stunning family beach there is plenty of room to sit back and relax whilst soaking up the sun, or you can enjoy one of the many water sports that are on offer. If you prefer a game of golf then there’s an excellent course at the neighbouring resort of Islantilla.

As the sun sets why not take a stroll down the long promenade called the ‘Paseo Marítimo' that is lined with large palm trees and cafes, or enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants that have an excellent selection of seafood.

The charming town of Ayamonte is set on the mouth of the Guadiana River that borders Spain and Portugal. It has a rich cultural heritage and there are many events and activities to see and do throughout the whole year.

In the centre of the town is the old medieval district that is packed with historic buildings, monuments and narrow streets. This part is pedestrianised so you can enjoy a leisurely stroll discovering the small pretty tiled plazas full of lively pavement cafes. At the bustling restaurants you can sample the catch of the day, then enjoy a walk to look at the boats in the harbour or mingle with the locals and have coffee in the plaza.

Isla Canela is modern resort on a natural island connected by a road bridge to Ayamonte. A nature reserve surrounds the area with many species of birds and wildlife. With over 7 kilometres of golden sand you can be sure to find your own bit of paradise to relax and rejuvenate your mind and body. It has a stylish marina where there are a range of chic shops and restaurants; here you can also hire a boat or a jet ski to explore the beautiful coastline. If you fancy a game of golf there is an 18-hole course to practise your swing on. Or if you prefer a more leisurely activity have a cool drink at the marina whilst watching the activity of the boats and enjoying the wonderful view.

Costa Esuri is an impressive modern resort built around two fantastic championship golf courses. It's set on the outskirts of Ayamonte in an area of natural beauty overlooking the Guadiana River making it an idyllic spot to play golf. This stunning place has lots of other leisure facilities to keep all the family entertained including shops, restaurants and sports areas.

As Portugal is so close take the opportunity to visit and go on one of the regular boat trips across the river.

Sevilla is a beautiful and beguiling city that will capture your heart and you will find the essence and spirit of Andalucia condensed here in the regions capital. It has everything from flamenco, stunning architecture, excellent tapas bars, lively nightlife to the wide-open spaces of the beautiful parks and plazas.

The city is over 2,000 years old and it’s steeped in history with the passage of various invaders leaving their imprints virtually everywhere. Wherever you look there are impressive edifices and monuments with several of them being located in the old historic centre, which has the worlds largest Cathedral and the stunning Giralda tower.

The capital is split into several different barrios (districts) and if you have the time visit them all, but for quintessential Seville visit Santa Cruz, the old Jewish barrio with its labyrinth of winding streets, shady courtyards and scented orange trees. If you enjoy shopping then go to El Centro barrio with its excellent range of shops and stunning architecture. Across the Guadalquívir River is Triana the old gypsy neighbourhood, which is famous for its authentic flamenco and its stunning ceramics. There are many more barrios to explore each with their own special charms and uniqueness.

If you are here in spring you will witness the two most important festivals in Sevilla, Semana Santa (Easter) and the Spring Fair. The first is an enormous religious event that takes place the week leading up to Easter Sunday (Holy Week). Processions of floats are carried across the city centre by varying Catholic brotherhoods depicting scenes from the Passion and images of the Virgin Mary. After this period of religious constraint the Sevillanos loose their inhibitions and party day and night at the Spring fair. This week long festival takes place in hundreds of erected tents in the Real de la Feria Park where you can eat, drink and dance until the early hours.

You cannot come to Sevilla without eating some tapas, this city is credited with creating it and the local Sevillanos have made eating it into an art form. The quality and choice of tapas is superb with literally hundreds of bars to choose from, where you can copy the locals and enjoy a ‘tapas crawl,’ sampling dishes throughout the evening from several different bars. This city is also famous for its lively nightlife where you can party among the fun loving crowds in bars and nightclubs until dawn.

Rural Sevilla has many places to explore and visit. If you enjoy walking and outdoor activities then you will be spoilt for choice with the stunning Sierra Morena Mountains that dominate the landscape to the north of the province. The beautiful countryside is packed with typical white washed villages and is bursting with an array of flora and fauna. In the lower lands there is the River Guadalquívir with its fertile banks and marshes that is part of the Doñana Natural Park. All over the province there are many picturesque villages to visit with stunning churches, palaces and buildings.