The Costa de la Luz, famous for its epic beaches, spectacular sunsets, massive sand dunes, clean waters, powerful winds, brilliant light and saturated colours, is one of Spain�s least spoilt coastlines.

It stretches for 300kms all the way from Ayamonte, on the border of Portugal to Punta de Tarifa in the Straits of Gibraltar.

Some popular tourist destinations include; C�diz; Seville; the sandy beaches of Huelva; Los Canos de Mecca; Vejer; and Tarifa - the most southerly town in Europe and a number one wind and kite surfing location.

Unlike other coastlines, it still remains completely natural - wild and windswept; with miles and miles of endless sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. The beaches on the Costa de la Luz are considered by many to be the best in Spain.

The Costa de la Luz is probably the last untouched coastal area in Spain; it�s certainly the least developed, especially when compared to its neighbouring Costa de Sol.

It�s also one of the greenest areas; the Cadiz coastline, lined by pine groves, has one of the highest levels of rainfall in the whole of Spain.

If you travel inland from the coast you�ll come to a wealth of varied natural landscapes - wild sierras; world renowned vineyards; idyllic white-washed villages; pastures of fighting bulls; and endless rolling green fields.

Spring brings an explosion of colourful flowers, as the lush green landscape comes to life (dramatically) after the winter. This is one of the most beautiful times to visit.

There are many popular bird watching sites, just inland from the coast. In winter you�ll see some fantastic birds of prey hovering above. Located so close to the African continent, the Costa de la Luz is an extremely important migratory route.

The provinces of Huelva and Cadiz are home to several nature reserves of national importance including the Do�ana National Park and the Alcornocales. These two massive expanses of unspoilt land (with a wide range of flora and fauna) attract nature lovers from all over Spain and beyond, every year.
There are some quite unique varieties of birdlife along the Costa de la Luz. Tarifa�s long, sandy beach (Los Lances) plays host to many rare sea birds. Just northwest of the town you�ll see wintering cranes in huge numbers. Other temporary inhabitants include; Griffin Vultures and Eagles (who glide gracefully on warm thermals); White storks and egrets; and some very strange species of rare butterflies in the summer.

The plant life here is also of great importance. A lot of the species you�ll find on the Costa de la Luz can�t be found anywhere else in Spain.

Starting at Tarifa, driving north along the coast you�ll come to the following towns; Zahara; Vejer; Conil; Chiclana; Cadiz; Costa Ballena; and Huelva�

Tarifa is at the most southerly tip of Spain, just 14 kms from Morocco. Know as the �windy city� this is one of the windiest places in Europe - a wind surfing paradise.

Zahara is a small, sleepy Andalusian fishing village just 30 kms north of Tarifa.

Vejer is a shining example of what most Andalucian towns looked like during the five centuries of Islamic occupation. This small white washed town is perched on a hill around 10 kilometers inland, from the Costa de la Luz.

Conil is a picturesque seaside fishing village, typical Spanish with white-washed walls and streets - a “Pueblo Blanco”. It�s comfortably located between soft woodlands and endless stretches of golden coastline.

Chiclana de la Frontera is a bustling seaport, located south of Cadiz Bay. It�s 25kms from the capital city of Cadiz and about 5kms inland from the coast. Chiclana�s beach (La Barrossa) was voted one of the best in Spain.

C�diz, the oldest city in Europe, is about an hour and a half drive from Tarifa. It�s almost entirely surrounded by water and appears quite isolated. Known as �Little Havana�, it�s a popular movie set location.

Costa Ballena has has more than four kilometres of untouched beach with crystal clear greenish blue waters. It�s one of the most advanced tourist resorts in Europe.

Huelva has always had a fishing industry and this still remains today. From here fresh produce is distributed to the whole of Spain. Close by, is the beautiful town of Moguer, with many fascinating sights including the famous �Convento de Santa Clara� where Christopher Columbus gave thanks after returning from his first voyage.

Miles of sandy, unspoilt beaches and vast protected natural areas are undoubtedly the coastline�s main attractions. Year after year more and more visitors are coming to the Costa de la Luz and as the increase in demand for housing rises all along the coast it�s clear to see that the area will continue to attract visitors and residents alike.

Thankfully though, it has yet to see the mass tourism and building boom of other Spanish coastlines (the Costa del Sol, in particular).

For the time being, the Costa de la Luz remains a natural untouched paradise; a haven of peace and tranquillity; and probably one of the most diverse and beautiful parts of Spain.