Costa De La Luz
Costa
de la Luz (The Coast of Light) reaches from Portugal to Gibraltar on the
Atlantic south west side of Spain. There are many interesting places
to see, with excellent beaches, pine forests, fishing villages, natural
assets and parks along the whole of the coastline.
A Quick Tour:
Sanlucar de Barrameda has golden sands overlooking the River Guadalquivir and Donaña Natioinal Park. Further south, around the small villages of Chipiona and Rota we find fine sandy beaches. The town El Puerto de Santa Maria is famous for it restaurants serving succulent king prawns washed down with chilled Manzanilla wine.
Cadiz,
an historic walled city is built in a Peninsular jutting into the Bay
of Cadiz which is a natural park. South of Sancti Petri we
find a ragged coastline dominated by coves and cliffs often backed by
pine forests. The best are located just to the north of the fishing town
of Barbate which is home to Barbate Natural Park.
Make a trip to the coastal villages
of Caños de Meca, and Zahara de las Atunes. The hilltop white village
Verjer is 10km inland. 
The
Bolonia hamlet can be visited for its Roman ruins and rocky headlands.
Down the southern tip we find Tarifa the windsurfing capital of Europe.
Its best beaches for wind and kite surfing are Playa Los Lances and Playa
Valdevaqueros. To the south east near Guadiaro we can find some
beautiful coves and rocky headlands which are ideal for diving. These coves
are are very popular on summer weekends.
More About Andalucia
- Tapas and Bars - Andalucia has more tapas bars than anywhere else in Spain. The Spaniards say 'tapear' (eating 'on the move').
- Beaches and resorts - The region's finest and most deserted beaches stretch along the Atlantic coast. Some of them are for the nudists!
- Night life - very few in Costa De La Luz as most are in the Costa del Sol. There are superb up-market clubs to be found in Conil, Granada and Sevilla.
- Easter - ful-on celebrations in most towns and cities with masked penitents who drag chains along dusty streets along superbly decorated floats.
- Flamenco - You may catch a spontaneous eruption of this dance in any bar or square as Andalucia is the musical birthplace of Flamenco.
- Cathedrals - Biggest and most Gothic is in Sevilla. Other to see are at Cadiz and Granada.
- Castles - Castles, ruined or resolute, are in abundance in many towns and villages, many are Moorish.
- Monuments - The Alhambra at Granada described as 'the most sensual building in Europe'. Also the Mezquita mosque in Cordoba, is exquisite; as are the Alcazar and Giralda tower, both in Sevilla.
- History - Some of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe are in andalucia. See paleolithic caves at Cueva de la Pileta with examples of primitive underground graffiti.
- Romans - Italica, near Sevilla, the necropolis at Carmona and Baelo Claudia close to Tarifa (one of Spain's most beautiful beaches).
- Seville - Andalucia's capital, Flamenco and all the Spanish hallmarks. It is fabulous, fascinating and hosts many festivals at Easter.
- Jerez - Famous for its Sherry, the Spanish Riding School (weekly) and the May Horse Fair (festival).
- Gibraltar - If above is still not enough to do, try visiting Gibralta where you'll find the Dolphin Safari (great for kids), the infamous Barbary apes and cheap 'tax-free' goods. Jewellery is great value here.