Islantilla Holidays

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.

The beach scene here is the clincher – it’s a couple of kilometres long and gets the all-important nod from the Blue Flag judges. There’s a wooden boardwalk running alongside the ruler-straight ribbon of sand, backed by bars and restaurants. The town’s terracotta-topped chalets and whitewashed hotels are only a short walk from the sunloungers and parasols, too.

Having once hosted the Spanish Masters, Islantilla’s 27-hole golf course has cemented its spot as one of the best in the region. The bunkers and beach views give the Algarve’s finest fairways a run for their money. If you’d rather steer clear of the greens, you’ve got mountain biking, horse riding and bird watching on your doorstep – there’s even a national park nearby for the keenest twitchers.

In Islantilla, traditional villas mix with modern hotels. It’s also within easy reach of some quintessentially Spanish settlements. A 10-minute drive lands you in Ayamonte, where the Medieval quarter and bustling food market are a big hit. The Portuguese border is less than half-an-hour’s drive away, too, so days out in the Algarve are a breeze.