Looking for wide, golden beaches and safe bathing? Great food and friendly bars? Head for Ayamonte on the western edge of the Costa de la Luz and less than an hour from the airport at Faro. Nestling at the mouth of the estuary between Spain and Portugal, Ayamonte offers gleaming white Andalucian buildings, cobbled streets, palm-fringed squares, an elegant marina and open-air bars and restaurants. Try the superb tapas in La Puerta Ancha in Plaza de la Laguna, or eat from the barbecue in La Sonrisa on the fabulous Isla Canela beach. In Summer grab the little open-air train that runs from one end of the beach to the other, or learn to windsurf from one of the surf schools located on the beach. Ten minutes from Ayamonte, or a short walk from Isla Canela, is the little fishing village of Punta del Moral, where you’ll be spoiled for choice in the fish restaurants. An hour’s drive to the east is the famous Coto Donana, where you can take a jeep safari through Europe’s biggest wetland, spotting flamingos, lynx and, if you’re lucky, the Spanish Imperial eagle.

Google map: bit.ly/J7ucUC

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For stunning views of seven kilometres of unspoilt, golden sand and sparkling blue sea, look no further than this family-run bar with real Spanish atmosphere and a great selection of meat and fresh fish from the BBQ. Grilled and split langostinos in season are great value and an absolute must, and there's a terrific selection of tapas served from about noon onward. Elevated slightly from the beach, and with a partially glassed-in area to protect from sea breezes, it provides a perfect area to relax over a cerveza or the excellent house wine. Late evening it's buzzing, often to the accompaniment of live music.

www.lasonrisa.eu/
Paseo del Pinillo, marina IV local 1, 21400 Punta del Moral
+34 669 159 117
Google map: bit.ly/xhxH4r

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If you fancy something a little off the beaten track, then Bar La Pamela, in the entrance to the little fishing village of Punta del Moral, near Ayamonte in the Costa de la Luz has an excellent range of about 20 different tapas. These range from the basic potato or egg salad to classic offerings such as meatballs, tuna or octopus, all in a rich tomatoey sauce. Or go for the pinchitos (mini-kebabs).

If you sit outside you can look across to the marina at Isla Canela, or watch the fishing boats returning followed by screaming seagulls. Always plenty to see.

The restaurant menu is excellent as well.

Bar La Pamela, Avenida La Palmera 4, 21400 Punta del Moral, provincia de Huelva Tel. +34 959 477 211

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Don't follow the crowds. Come instead to idyllic Isla Canela on the Portuguese border, 90km from Seville. 7km of uncrowded golden sands, terrific range of bars and restaurants, attractive marina. An exclusive resort set amongst natural spaces and in easy distance of delightful Andalucian villages, chief of which is the little Andalucian pueblo of Ayamonte, with palm fringed squares, cobbled streets, tapas bars and historic buildings. An hour from Donana National Park, teeming with indigenous wildlife. Less than 40 minute drive to 6 top-flight golf courses.

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