Viewing Trips to The Spanish Algarve – Costa de la Luz

The Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) is a section of the Andalusian coast in Spain facing the Atlantic; it extends from Tarifa in the south, along the coasts of the Province of Cádiz and the Province of Huelva, to the mouth of the Guadiana River, which defines a long stretch of the Spain-Portugal border.

A popular holiday destination for Spaniards, in recent years the Costa de la Luz has become more popular with foreign visitors who are starting to discover the delights of this beautiful part of Spain and has led to increasing tourism-oriented development of parts of the coast that have led to economic benefits to the area.

Aside from the glorious unspoilt beaches and the sunshine, there are ample opportunities and facilities for leisure activities, like fine dining, golf, kitesurfing, boating, and other water sports. The Costa de la Luz is especially noted for the beauty of its protected natural reserves and a number of first-rate natural attractions. Among them are: the Doñana National Park, where endangered species, such as the Spanish imperial eagle and the Iberian lynx can occasionally be sighted; the picturesque Bay of Cádiz; the steeply-pitched shorelines of the southern section of the Andalusian coastline; the salt marshes of Barbate and the seaside cliffs at La Breña (both within the La Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park); and the sprawling wetlands at the mouths of the rivers Tinto and Odiel, where there is a profusion of water fowl and, in season, other migratory birds, including storks and flamingos.

The Costa de la Luz has a rich history that dates back to the twelfth century. Cultural attractions include Baelo Claudia, the well-preserved ruins of a small Roman city; Cape Trafalgar, where, in 1805, in sight of this promontory, Horatio Nelson defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet; and La Rábida Monastery.

At the Rábida Monastery in Palos de la Frontera near Huelva, Christopher Columbus sought the aid of the Franciscan brothers, hoping to enlist them as advocates for his scheme to launch a voyage of discovery. Columbus was able to secure his three ships as well as local crews from the Huelva area.

Isla Canela

Isla Canela is an exceptional residential tourist area located in Andalusia, in the beautiful province of Huelva, in the municipality of Ayamonte and at the southernmost tip of the so-called Costa de la Luz.

Its location on Spain’s south western tip, only separated from the Portuguese Algarve by the river Guadiana, guarantees that Isla Canela is surrounded by a countless number of wonderful places for visits and outings. It is linked to the rest of Spain and Portugal by motorway and is only 50km from Faro international airport. Seville, with its airport and AVE high speed train station is only 140km away and a high speed train link is planned with Huelva, 50km away, bringing this fantastic spot closer to the heart of Europe.

One thousand seven hundred hectares of land, seven kilometres of white sandy beaches (EU Blue Flag), in the middle of the natural wetlands on the river Guadiana estuary… Isla Canela is a paradise for the eyes, for nature, for rest and relaxation, for doing sports and for enjoying free time all year round.

Isla Canela has been growing in a sustainable way for more than 20 years, and currently has apartments, hotels, shopping areas and its own marina and golf course. It is on the apex of the triangle formed by Costa de la Luz, the Algarve and the river Guadiana. Its exact location is between the river Guadiana estuary and the river Carreras, and it belongs to the municipality of Ayamonte in the province of Huelva, one of the most beautiful parts of Andalusia in south western Spain. Its location gives visitors easy access to areas and places of special cultural interest, sports, tourism and shopping. It is next to the Guadiana estuary wetlands, with their resident population of  countless species of birds that feed, rest and breed there. Spoonbills, Flamingos, Terns, Cormorants, Seagulls, Snipe, Fish Eagles and many more will be watching you during your holiday. To the north east is the beautiful landscape of Salinas del Duque salt marshes and the wetlands around them.

The natural beauty of this place is shaped by a labyrinth of drains, inlets, swamps, channels and mudflats, making this a compulsory stopover for nature lovers. You can enjoy this unique spectacle on horseback, by bicycle, on foot or in small boats. There is plenty to enjoy in this amazing landscape for amateur nature lovers, and experts will be thrilled by the variety, intensity and quality of the wildlife.