Costa de la Luz holidays

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.