Costa de la Luz
Southern Spain is a perfect spot for a family holiday all year round 🧡 Costa de la Luz is an almost 300 km long section of the Andalusian coast facing the Atlantic, stretching from Gibraltar to the Portuguese border. I love it for its pristineness and unique character. It’s a must-see if you crave wild, genuine Spain!
Spanish coast of the world
When you think “holidays” – what do you see? Long, wide, yellow sandy beaches? Plenty of space extending to the horizon? If the answer is “yes”, Costa de la Luz, especially its southern part, from Cadiz to Tarifa, is a perfect holiday destination for you. The above, dreamy description is exactly what its beaches – Zahara, Barbate, Bolonia, Roche, Barossa – look like. The local flora, with its characteristic grasses lining the ocean beaches, as well as monumental, lusciously green trees and bushes, looks like something straight from a picturesque postcard. And as if that wasn’t enough… there are also horses! Moreover, it’s not crowded and the beaches are well maintained, so there is plenty of room for the kids to play – not to mention the cool ocean baths!
Surfing
The ocean is slightly colder than the sea… as if it was an issue for kids 😉 It’s not a problem for me either – I have always loved the ocean, its beautiful, deep color, crashing waves, and the power it embodies and symbolizes. El Palmar is an excellent surfing spot, where everyone can get a taste of freedom among surfers of all ages, enjoy a drink at one of many beach bars, all in a lovely, hippie atmosphere. In fact, we had such an awesome experience in one of them, enjoying a wide selection of fresh, healthy, varied dishes, both hot and cold, that we joked about getting a subscription 😉 Juices, smoothies, shakes, coffees, sandwiches, salads, bowls – everything was… 😋 !
Vejer de la Frontera
The so-called pueblos blancos – white towns – are a characteristic element of Andalusian landscape. Even though it’s not that well-known, Vejer de la Frontera is definitely among the most spectacular ones. Situated on a hilltop amidst a unique, folded terrain, it overviews the ocean, which is only a quarter or so away by car. The town has the typical Andalusian architecture, with narrow streets, squares and houses; it’s a good idea to stay in one at least for a while because often they have unique courtyards, patios, and terraces. Vejer de la Frontera is also very green, which offers some relief on hot summer days. Nightlife there is extremely inviting; there are plenty of excellent little restaurants which cater for all tastes, both on the more elegant and expensive side, and more relaxing, cheaper ones, serving delicious local specialties. Many have terraces from which you can admire the sunset, and luscious, refreshing green gardens. The atmospheric Vejer streets are always a good idea for drinks and tapas until early morning – even with hordes of tourists, this place feels friendly and intimate.
Cádiz
One of the biggest cities of Costa de la Luz, it is also a port thanks to to its spectacular location on a peninsula separating the bay from the ocean. This is also the reason why it is known as a European Havana – indeed, walking through its narrow, cool streets, it does feel like the capital of Cuba 😉 It has an interesting public beach with plenty of palm trees, and a slightly eccentric, luxuriant Genoves park (it looks as if it was painted by Salvador Dali!) with a shadowed playground and benches. And on top of that, the (almost literal) icing on the cake: there are plenty of cozy bars and restaurants serving unique local tapas, especially with fish and seafood. Delish!
Sun on a plate
Speaking of food – it does deserve its own paragraph. Costa de la Luz is a gourmet’s dream: salmorejo, gazpacho, paella, sangria, coffee with chocolate churros… Fish and seafood are a local specialty served as finger food in many different ways – sardinas, rosada, squid, chanquetes are often deep fried with batter or breadcrumbs 🧡
Tarifa
To me, it’s almost a mystical experience – a place where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic meet. Since it is the southernmost of the Iberian Peninsula, you can actually see Morocco from there – only 14 km away – and even the lights of Tanger. There are ancient ruins, lovely beaches, and beautiful promenades for long walks between the sea and the ocean. You should definitely stop by one of local bars frequented by local patrons – there are hardly any tourists! Delicious food served as if it was home-made, and the buzz of conversation and laughter make you feel like you were attending a house party in the middle of the day 😉
Last but not least – Fundacion NMAC
For an adrenaline rush I recommend you visit a somewhat creepy spot, which welcomes you with… a tablet with a number of people who committed suicide there! Nonetheless, despite this weird, unsettling character, this place is interesting, inspiring, and photogenic. In the forest there is a museum of modern art not only inspired by nature, but actually existing in a state of complete symbiosis with it. A phenomenal place for a walk for any art lover! The best time to visit is in the morning, when it’s not so hot. It’s a real feast for all senses, with convenient infrastructure which parents will surely appreciate, offering toilets, coffee, and drinks.
Costa de la Luz is a stone’s throw away from a more touristy Costa del Sol and Portugal, and it’s also a good place for a quick excursion to Gibraltar. I highly recommend it to everyone craving relaxation, a loose summer atmosphere, beautiful views, and absolutely delicious food. And of course, as usual, I think it’s best to visit it off-season 😉 Shall we?