The Westernmost part of the Andalucían coast, the Costa de la Luz or the Coast of Light, borders with the Portuguese Algarve to the West. Although the coast is popular with visitors in the summer, development here is restricted and in no way compares to the urban sprawl of the Costa del Sol. Often dubbed the “Spanish Algarve”, the Costa de la Luz attracts large numbers of mostly Spanish holiday makers in the summer months. The coastline is characterized by sandbars and marshy inlets making some ideal areas for sailing, boating and other watersports. Amongst the modern developments are the remnants of the old fishing communities and inland some charming market towns can be found.

Ayamonte
Situated on the estuary of the Guadiana River, Ayamonte is a vibrant, youthful border town, overlooking the Portuguese town of Villa Real de Santo Antonio. This modern town of 17,000 permanent inhabitants is frequented by tourists making their way between the Portuguese coast of the Algarve and the Spanish Costa de la Luz. Once, boats ferried people across the river to Portugal but today a huge suspension bridge traverses the river and makes for a spectacular crossing by car between the two countries. Ayamonte is still a working fishing port although tourism has superseded fishing in terms of economic importance and the modern part of Ayamonte is back to back with bars and restaurants catering to the tourist trade.

The old part of Ayamonte is a maze of narrow streets, which meander past shops and bars on a gently rising slope. At the top of the slope is the 16th century church of San Francisco from which there are wonderful views over the Guadiana River. About 5km from the mouth of the Guadiana River and the coast, Ayamonte is almost surrounded by water, with the river on one side and with inlets and marshy land to the south which are populated by diverse species of wetland birds.

There are plenty of activities to be enjoyed around Ayamonte, there being a number of golf courses along the coast, an abundance of water-based activities and attractive surrounding countryside. There is a lively market in Ayamonte everyday except Sunday where fresh produce, clothing and other items can be purchased. During August, a famous and popular music festival takes place in Ayamonte. The town is situated just off the main N431 road and the recently completed dual carriageway that runs from Spain to Portugal. Ayamonte is a 30 minute drive from Faro airport in Portugal and 1 and a half hours drive from Seville airport. There is a train line linking Ayamonte with Huelva, Sevilla and Portugal.

Isla Canela
A modern seaside development which, although not the most attractive of towns, it is a successful resort with a long sandy beach, backed by an inlet so that it is virtually an island. Officially the beach of nearby Ayamonte, the inlet behind Isla Canela offers superb protection for boats moored in the area. This is an excellent area for sailing and other watersports and there is a marina located in the town. The Club de Golf Isla Canela is an 18-hole golf course situated in Isla Canela next to the sea. The marshy areas around Isla Canela are largely protected nature reserves, home to many species of resident and migratory birds. There are some wonderful fish restaurants in the town and in the nearby fishing villages of Punta del Moral, Caserío la Varra and Casa del Médico.

Isla Cristina
To reach Isla Cristina from Isla Canela, 5km away, it is necessary to loop back inland to Ayamonte to avoid the river and marshy ground that separates the two resorts. This town of 17,000 permanent residents is both a fishing port and a holiday resort. Along with modern development on the coast catering to holiday makers, there are a number of early 20th century villas and other older buildings, giving Isla Cristina slightly more character than its neighbour, Isla Canela. East from Isla Cristina is a magnificent sandy beach backed by a shallow pine forest that stretches all the way to La Antilla, 10km to the east.

La Antilla
A thriving modern resort, La Antilla consists largely of modern blocks of flats, many of which serve as second homes for Spaniards. This busy resort attracts over 60,000 people during the summer months who come to enjoy its sandy, wide and pine fringed beaches. The beaches here are outstanding and it is easy to see why the place is popular. Along with the new development, the remains of the old fishing village can still be seen here and fishermen still leave their boats out on the sand. The urban centre of La Antilla consists of palm-lined promenades, plenty of shops, bars and restaurants as well as a daily market.

Weather conditions here are ideal for windsurfing, which is a popular sport in the area. Islantilla is the tourist complex adjacent to La Antilla. There is a first class 27 hole golf course at Islantilla. East of La Antilla is a long sandbank known as El Rompido, situated between the sea and the estuary of Río Piedras. An ideal area for camping, boating and swimming, there are hundreds of boats moored in the estuary behind the sandbank where they are slightly more protected from the sea. Although the beaches here attract thousands of visitors during the summer, in the winter months they are virtually deserted. La Antilla is 35km from Huelva to the east and 25km west of Ayamonte.

Lepe
Inland from La Antilla is the prosperous and thriving town of Lepe, with a population of 20,000. Lepe is famous for its strawberries and also an annual festival of humour at the beginning of May each year. Founded by the Phoenicians, Lepe has a rich history spanning Roman times and with both Muslim and Jewish influence. Lepe began exporting wine to England as early as the 14th century and its residents were instrumental in the discovery of America. Lepe is a lively town with narrow back streets and a pleasant central square with a bubbling fountain surrounded by palm trees. Other festivals in Lepe include the pilgrimage in honour of Santísima Virgen de la Bella on the second Sunday in May where the streets are decorated with brilliant displays of petals, and an Agrocosta, an agricultural trade fair that takes place in August. There are plenty of shops, supermarkets and other amenities in Lepe as well as a daily market. Lepe is situated on the N431 road that runs to Portugal, it is a couple of kilometres south of the new dual carriageway. Lepe is 22km from the Portuguese border and 35km from Huelva. Further inland still is the village of Villablanca, a village of 2000 inhabitants located some 12km north from Isla Cristina and the coast.

El Rompido
A charming and very pretty village located on the banks of the Río Piedras estuary, El Rompido is a lovely place to spend time. There are some great bars located on the jetties from which the many boats that ply the estuary can be seen. In the summer, a ferry service operates taking passengers to the sandbank opposite. There is a golf course at El Rompido.

The coastline from El Rompido to Punta Umbria, 15km to the east is a lovely stretch of beach although it has been developed with hotels and building backing the beach as far down as La Laguna del Portil, 8km from El Rompido. Further towards Punta Umbria, the coast is backed by pines.

Punta Umbria itself is a busy town of 12,000 inhabitants. Located at the mouth of the Odiel River, Punta Umbria is a smart, high rise resort which is one of the most popular on the Huelva coast. There is a district here called the Punta de los Ingleses where a number of half-timbered bungalows built by the British in the early 20th century still stand. Although Punta Umbria is only a couple of kilometres from the capital of Huelva, it is necessary to backtrack some 15km back over the salt marshes via a dual carriageway to reach Huelva. The Odiel Salt Marshes are now a nature reserve. Punta Umbria was originally a fishing village but it has been transformed by tourism and receives a large number of visitors each summer. There is a small port in the town with a maritime club where all kinds of water sports can be practised.

Aljaraque
A village of Arabic origins, Aljaraque lies inland on the edge of the Odiel Salt Marshes Nature Reserve, 8km from Huelva. During March, a pilgrimage in honour of San José begins in Aljaraque and another pilgrimage in honour of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios takes place in June. Just outside Aljaraque is the Club de Golf Bellavista, which opened in 1916 and was one of the first golf courses to be built in Spain. A village of 9000 inhabitants, there is a supermarket in Aljaraque as well as several restaurants and guest houses. Aljaraque is situated 8km from Huelva, just off the N497 dual carriageway which runs from Huelva to the coast.

Gibraleón
To the north of Huelva is the town of Gibraleón with a population of 10,000. Lying on the Odiel River, Gibraleón is a quiet town of whitewashed houses. Before the construction of the new dual carriageway to Portugal, it was necessary to pass through the town as the N431 loops up from Huelva in order to traverse the river. Now, however, it is not necessary to do so and Gibraleón attracts few visitors. There is a train station in the town which runs north through the interior of Spain and south to Huelva and from there on to Sevilla.