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Your holiday in Costa de la Luz
For a taste of real Spain, and of course miles of unspoilt, sandy beaches – visit Costa de la Luz. Offering vast stretches of sand backed by lush and fragrant pine forests, this region remains relatively untouched by mass tourism. All along the beautiful coastline you will find traditional fishing villages and attractive low-rise resorts, where you can really experience an authentic taste of Spanish life. Offer a friendly ‘hola’ to the local people, who are sure to offer you a warm welcome into this stunning Iberian idyll.
Discover local charm
The Costa de la Luz region is the perfect place to absorb the energy of a typical Spanish fiesta and enjoy a taste of the rich Spanish culture. During the summer season towns and villages across the area come together to celebrate a wide variety of events including the world-famous Jerez horse fair in May which features the popular Spanish dancing horses. Towards the end of June, the popular Fiestas de San Juan take place around the region, and local ferias are held in almost every town and village, no matter how small.
Hints of history
The rich history of Costa de la Luz dates back as far as the 12th century BC, and the city of Cadiz is thought to be the oldest inhabited place in Spain. Over the years, the region has seen many different events, having been an important trading point between the Romans and the Arabs, and also the place where Christopher Columbus set off for his voyages of discovery to the New World. The many picturesque old fortress towns dotted around the landscape remain as a legacy of the conflicts between the Moors and Christians that took place in the area.
On the beach
The only region of Spain to have an Atlantic coastline, Costa de la Luz boasts some of the best beaches in the country. Long stretches of sand fringed by ever-changing dunes and shady pine forests disappear towards the horizon, lapped by the crystal clear ocean waters. With so much space, it is almost always possible to find your own quiet spot on the sand as you stroll along the beautiful coastline. A selection of watersports can be found within the main resorts, with windsurfers in particular making full use of the sea breeze.
Local cuisine
With traditional fishing villages dotted all along the coastline, one of the main ingredients of any local dish in Costa de la Luz is delicious fresh fish or shellfish – as well as excellent meats, mouth-watering fresh vegetables and local olive oil. Red tuna is a delicacy in local restaurants, and speciality dishes also include raya en pimentón (skate with peppercorns), and mechado de atún – a minced tuna dish. Tapas can be enjoyed in many towns, and is perfect with a glass of Jerez – the wonderful local sherry from the production houses in Jerez de la Frontera.
James recommends
- Visit Seville, one of the largest historical centres in Europe , and explore the important monuments and fascinating history.
- See the sherry production houses located in the centre of the town of Jerez (Jerez is the Spanish word for sherry).
- Cadiz is worth a visit to see the city’s cathedral and churches of Santa Cruz and San Felipe Neri.
- The Donana National Park is Spain’s largest protected Wildlife Park which is home to various reptiles, fallow deer, wild boar, flamingos and many endangered species including lynx and imperial eagles.
- Visit the windsurfing capital of Europe, Tarifa, which overlooks North Africa. From here you can hop over to Morocco on a 35 minute ferry ride.
Temperature chart for the Costa de la Luz holiday season
