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Costa de la Luz Holidays

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If you want to get away from Spain’s big-name resorts, consider a holiday to the Costa de la Luz. This part of the country is all about sleepy villages and beaches without the frills.

Authentic Spain

The Costa de la Luz couldn’t be more different from its Costa cousins. Facing the Atlantic on Andalucia's westerly stretch of coast, it's Spain without its make-up – a place where the scenery and traditional way of life hold sway over high rises and holiday crowds. TUI operate two different flights to the Costa de la Luz – one to Jerez and one to Faro – so you can pick and choose depending on what you’re after.

Chiclana de la Frontera

Fly into Jerez airport, and you’ll stay in the up-and-coming resort of Chiclana de la Frontera. The jewel in its crown is Barossa Beach, a 6-kilometre sweep of sand that’s been left to its own devices in parts. Even the more commercial section, complete with shops, restaurants and a promenade, is a world away from some of the bigger Spanish beach resorts. The city of Jerez itself, meanwhile, puts you within easy reach of Moorish buildings and flamenco bars.

Isla Canela

Fly into Faro airport, and you’ll stay in the resort of Isla Canela, close to the Portuguese border. The little island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, and its main highlights include a huge sandy beach and an 18-hole golf course. You’re also within easy reach of the Donana National Park here.

200-kilometre coast

The Costa de la Luz lines up the beaches. There’s more than 200 kilometres of coastline in this part of Spain and it’s outfitted with long sandy stretches and quieter coves. This section of shoreline is also daubed with Blue Flag status. At least 30 of Costa de la Luz’s beaches have been awarded this coveted accolade.
The secret beach

The ratio of sand to people is low on Los Enebrales Beach, an hour’s drive east from Isla Canela. You reach the sand via a wooden walkway surrounded by juniper trees and sand dunes. When you get there, the beach is completely unadorned. It’s just powdery biscuit-coloured sand and the sea.

Bargain Buys

If you’re staying on Isla Canela, cross the bridge over the Guadiana River to the mainland on a Saturday. The fishing village of Ayamonte holds an open-air market right by the river, and it’s the best place to pick up local produce, crafts and jewellery. There’s also a weekly flea market in Seville on a Sunday. The stalls on Charco de la Pava carry everything from wooden masks to olive oil.
Mid-Range Buys

El Corte Inglés is Spain's flagship department store – think Debenhams but slightly more upmarket. You'll find it in the town of Cadiz, and it's packed with shops including home favourites like Mango, Zara and Benetton. Fashion stores in Chiclana de la Frontera are a little less mainstream, but worth a browse. Head to Novo Center and Calle Fierro 1 to find pieces you won’t get back home.
Designer Buys

If you’re serious about spending, head for the streets of Seville. You’ll find the best choice of goods along the Calle Sierpes avenue, where there are countless Spanish fashion boutiques and designer stores. There’s also a string of smart pavement cafés and patisseries for when you need a little break from retail therapy.

Laid-back evenings

El Rompido, just along the coast from Isla Canela, is a good choice for a chilled-out evening. When the sun goes down, the locals head for the medley of cosy tapas bars down by the waterfront. And this sets the tone for the rest of the evening – think good food, lots of wine and local musicians strumming on guitars. It’s a similar scene in Isla Canela itself, plus the resort also boasts an 18-hole golf course, so you can get a round in before the sun goes down.
Lively evenings

The after-sun scene in Chiclana de la Frontera is none too shabby. Calle La Gaviota, Calle San Antonio and Carretera de la Barrosa are the names to watch out for. The bars in these areas put on live music and happy hours, and stay open pretty late. For a real taste of Spanish nightlife, though, you’ll want to head into Seville.

Gazpacho

If you fancy a change from tapas, order this time-honoured dish as a starter. A thick, creamy tomato-based soup that’s served chilled, it’s garnished with the likes of parsley, diced eggs and ham. On a hot day, you might find some restaurants serving it with ice-cubes.
Fabada

If you’re really hungry, try this belly-warmer. It’s a rich bean stew made with white beans, meat and chorizo, and it’s sprinkled with saffron to give it extra flavour. Make like the locals and tuck in at lunchtime – their largest meal of the day – accompanied by crusty bread and a glass of red wine.
Rabo de toro

If you like oxtail soup, you’ll enjoy this local classic. Rabo de toro is a popular dish that consists of the tail of a bull. The tail is braised with onions and tomatoes and, as a finishing touch, the chef will add a splash of the region-produced sherry.
Jabugo ham

This dry, cured ham comes from the Spanish town of Jabugo, and it’s made from the acorn-eating pigs that roam the forest on the border of Portugal. It’s said that the diet and exercise of the pigs give the ham its sweet, nutty taste.
Sherry

Sherry is the tipple of choice for Costa de la Luz locals. In fact, the stuff has been produced in the region since Phoenician times. Grapes are harvested at the start of September, and there’s even a festival to mark the occasion. Choose from dry and sweet varieties, and sip yours with a creamy dessert for the ultimate holiday indulgence.

Places To Stay In Costa De La Luz View all places to stay

Isla Canela

Isla Canela is a peaceful island found in Andalucia's most western point. The north is covered by the Guadiana wetlands, while a six-kilometre stretch of sand lines the southern coast, taking in the rustic eateries of Isla Canela town and the sophisticated nightlife at Punta del Moral marina. It’s a mazy and beautiful place, with a road bridge getting you to Ayamonte on the mainland in 15 minutes.

Islantilla

Islantilla is one of the newest resorts on the Costa de la Luz, but it stakes a claim for being the most laidback and peaceful in the whole of Andalucia. Its standout feature is a huge sweep of sand, which comes with a coveted Blue Flag tick to its name. You’ll find the café-lined Paseo Maritimo over its shoulder, plus a mix of authentic Spanish villas and neatly-kept parks.

TUI FAMILY LIFE Islantilla

Chiclana de la Frontera

A favourite with Spanish holidaymakers, Chiclana de la Frontera is as authentically Andalusian as they come. The old town centre is a mesh of cobbled streets, flowery courtyards, tapas bars and sherry bodegas – and round here, flamenco dancing is a serious sport. As for the beach, this is the traditional Costa de la Luz, so you'll be sharing the sandy stretch with the very friendly locals.

Riu Chiclana

AT A GLANCE

Sunbathe on Chiclana de la Frontera beach
Tuck into tapas in Seville
Sip sherry in Jerez

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Weather

TEMPERATURE (°C)RAINFALL (mm)

WHEN TO GO

July and August on the Costa de la Luz are hot and dry, with daytime temperatures rarely deviating from the high 20s and low 30s. Spring and autumn temperatures range from 16 to 20°C, and you can expect very little rain. Winters here are pretty mild, too, with highs of 16 to 17°C and an average of seven hours of sunshine each day.

Latest Deals

Price per person

Hotel Barcelo Isla Canela, Isla Canela 13 May 2019, 3 nights Bristol

£ 200
Half Board
Melia Atlantico Isla Canela, Isla Canela 05 May 2019, 4 nights Bristol

£ 260
Half Board

What are these prices

Things To Do View all

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Columbus Festival

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See both sides of La Barossa Beach

You get two beaches for the price of one at La Barossa, in the town of Chiclana de la Frontera. There’s the busier part,which…
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Paddle on Isla Canela

The golden sands of Isla Canela unravel along the coast for 7 kilometres, so you’ll have no problem finding a spot to call…
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Sip sherry in Sanlucar de Barrameda

Learn your ‘amontillado’ from your ‘fino’ with a stop in this pretty sherry town. Toppped by a Moorish castle, it makes up…
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Relax on Isla Cristina

Eight kilometres of golden sand greets you in Isla Cristina, Isla Canela’s next door neighbour. And the beach is so longthat…
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Hop across the border to Portugal

Portugal’s home to never-ending beaches, cosmopolitan cities and Moorish villages. One of the nearest stop-offs is traditional…
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Explore Cadiz

It’s possible that Cadiz is the oldest city in Europe. And, over the years, it’s amassed a pretty impressive antiques collection.…
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Top 4 resorts in Costa De La Luz

Top 5 hotels in Costa De La Luz

1

Riu Chiclana

From £552
2

TUI FAMILY LIFE Islantilla

From £497
3

Melia Atlantico Isla Canela

From £260
4

TUI Sensimar Zahara Beach & Spa

From £643
5

Hotel Barcelo Isla Canela

From £200

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Costa de la Luz Holidays

Authentic Spain

Chiclana de la Frontera

Isla Canela

Things to See and Do in Costa de la Luz

200-kilometre coast

The secret beach

Bargain Buys

Mid-Range Buys

Designer Buys

Laid-back evenings

Lively evenings

Gazpacho

Fabada

Rabo de toro

Jabugo ham

Sherry

Places To Stay In Costa De La Luz View all places to stay »

Isla Canela

Islantilla

Chiclana de la Frontera

AT A GLANCE

Weather

WHEN TO GO

Latest Deals

Things To Do View all »

Top 4 resorts in Costa De La Luz

Top 5 hotels in Costa De La Luz

Where we go in Costa De La Luz Show on a map »

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