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Views of the unspoilt Isla Canela beach
On the Costa de la Luz you will find some of the most incredible beaches in Spain, with whiter and finer sands than their Mediterranean counterparts. Stretching almost the entire coastline, the beaches are typically framed by sand dunes and pine trees creating natural, rugged landscapes.
The beaches of Isla Canela are truly breathtaking. The island boasts over 7 kilometres (5 miles) of fine sandy beach beside the clean Atlantic ocean. It is 40 meters wide on average, a lot wider than most beaches on the other costas of Spain. The gentle slope of the ocean floor and the sand banks just off the coast ensure that the sea is always calm and safe to swim in along the whole beach with just a gentle surf and never any big and dangerous waves.
The size of the beach and the careful development of the residential resort with only a few select hotels also ensures that there is plenty of space on the sand to enjoy sunbathing, beach sports or just a walk along the shoreline without throngs of holidaymakers competing for space. Research conducted by Thomson travel , featured in the Daily Express, to find how busy the beaches of Europe were. Labelled Towel territory rating, it was devised to give holiday makers an idea of how much towel space they could expect. The busiest beach in Europe is San Antonio on Ibiza with a rating of 1.1; meaning the space available on the sand is just over one towel per person. Meanwhile, Isla Canela ranked as number one in the survey with a grand 14.5 rating; there was enough room for over 14 average towels per person on the sand!
Ayamonte Boulevard |
Town Square |
Fishing boats at dusk |
Ayamonte
Ayamonte stands high above the river Guadiana and appears to be gazing towards Portugal. It is a frontier town and an important fishing port. Its maritime character is further enhanced by its dockyards and other naval trappings.
During the summer months the ferry which connects it to neighbouring Portugal sees a continual coming and going of travellers, and the town becomes especially lively. In Ayamonte, there are neatly whitewashed houses, pleasant squares, Baroque churches and some traces of the Manueline style owing to the influence of its proximity to Portugal. There is also a beautiful promenade along the harbour which is lined with palm trees called the Paseo de la Ribera, as well as stepped streets that are terribly steep, and some aristocratic mansions and palaces.
The nobleness and age of the town are made clearly evident by its monuments and ruins. The ruined castle has Roman foundations, an Arab tower and the remains of Baroque decoration. The Church of Nuestra Señora de las Angustias dates from the last few years of the 15th century. The Tower of San Francisco rises above the reddish tiled roofs. San Francisco is the splendid setting for the Festival of Classical Music.
At dusk the traveller can enjoy the climb to the "Costa de la Luz" Parador to contemplate the river, the lands of Portugal and the town at their feet as it shines under the setting sun. In Ayamonte even the terrace roofs are whitewashed.
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