Ayamonte & Isla Canela Beach Area Information

Ayamonte

It is the bright shimmering light that stays in the memory long after you leave. The Costa de la Luz was not named lightly (pardon the pun) it truly is a coast of light.

And on the edge of this truly beautiful coastline lies the little gem known as Ayamonte. Tucked into the most south-westerly tip of Spain, on the border with Portugal, you can still come and discover the ‘real Spain’.

Andalucia has its own way of making visitors relax and Ayamonte is no different. Whether you relax on the nearby beaches at Isla Canela or sit under a palm tree in one of the towns’ plazas and enjoy a coffee, the atmosphere and charm of the place is intoxicating.

Spain is famed for its carnivals, fiestas, ferias and not forgetting the flamenco. All can be found in abundance in the area. The Ayamonte Carnival, in February, and the Feria, in the middle of September, are well worth seeing, book youself a week off afterwards to recover!

Situated on what is referred to as the Spanish Algarve, Ayamonte is a small town, well city actually, with a population of 20,000. All the facilities necessary to make your stay pleasant and enjoyable are close at hand.

The town has plenty of bustling bars and restaurants dotted amongst the quaint narrow streets or on the beautiful plazas. Wander around and have browse in the local shops, pop into the beautiful ornate churches or jump on the ferry and step back in time (well one hour anyway) and visit Vila Real Santo Antonio in Portugal.

Come the evening, sit down in one of the many restaurants and enjoy some locally caught fresh fish or prawns, which are a Ayamontian speciality. Whatever you decide, wash it down with some Rioja, you won’t be disappointed.

Another speciality not be missed is the Jamón de Jabugo also known as Ibérico Ham. This ham is a speciallity of the Huelva province and comes from the mountainous area around the village of Jabugo in the Sierra de Aracena. This cured ham comes from pigs reared in the wild and fed on mainly acorns and has a deliciously distinctive taste.

Golden sandy beaches that stretch and stretch, six kilometres to be precise, washed with beautiful blue Atlantic waves, this is a beach-lovers paradise. Overcrowded is not a word often associated with these beaches, even in the height of summer you can lie amongst the dunes and listen to the waves in tranquillity.

Isla Canela is a development created with foresight. Predominantly 4 and 5 star hotels, low rise apartments and an 18 hole golf course give the ‘Cinnamon Isle’ a classy feel. Developed in recent years with a great degree of control by the local authorities Isla Canela has a low density of building. Large swathes of ‘marismas’, marshland, dominate the landscape and offer protection for many varieties of wildlife.

The marina at Isla Canela has 230 berths, with plans in the pipeline to increase this to 800. Close to the Marina is the Commercial Centre with supermarkets, shops and an excellent range of bars and restaurants. Pull up a seat, order an ice-cold beer and watch the fishermen sailing home.

The Donana National Park, about 40 minutes away, is a haven for wildlife. It is a natural haven for migrating birds and also offers protected habitation for the Iberian Lynx. Particularly worth a visit during the spring time and worth taking time out to go on the safari style jeep rides.

Seville, or as the Spanish say Sevilla, is just over an hours drive from Ayamonte. The capital of Andalusia is a historical and charming city. Enjoy a sightseeing trip around the centre on horse and cart or take a romantic river cruise to enjoy a different perspective. Be sure to visit the Cathedral, the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the world. The Cathedral is home to the Giralda tower, many works of art and the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

The Portuguese Algarve lies on the doorstep and can be accessed via the bridge or the ferry from Ayamonte. With mile upon mile of beach you will be spoilt for choice. There are also a number of Water Parks within a short drive. The Algarve is renowned for its golf courses and in ever increasing numbers they live up to their reputation.

The River Guadiana acts as the border between Spain and Portugal. From the mouth of the river, in Ayamonte or Vila Real, there are a number of boat trips and cruises available. Alternatively, you can drive inland and see some of the beautiful villages and towns in both countries. Sanlucar, on the Spanish side, and Alcoutim on the Portuguese side are both well worth a visit.

Go to our links page for more local and tourist information sites worth having a look at.

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