Costa de la Luz

Cádiz, the oldest city in Western Europe, impresses with its pretty city center and historic buildings. In the surrounding countryside, the "19 white villages" are waiting to be discovered and photographed. One of them is Conil de la Frontera - actually more of a small town than a village. In addition to the old town, it is the golden sandy beach that attracts tourists to the town in the summer.

The hip Tarifa on the Strait of Gibraltar with its lively surfer culture and varied gastronomy is definitely worth a visit. At the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, the town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda is particularly interesting, where spectacular horse races are held on the beach every August. Horses can also be seen in Jerez de la Frontera - but the city is most famous for its excellent sherry wines.

The Doñana National Park combines the most diverse natural environments. Behind the sandy beaches and cliffs on the Atlantic Ocean stretch vast wetlands along the Guadalquivir River, providing undisturbed habitat for countless birds and other animal species. There are shifting sand dunes up to 30 meters high, sparse pine forests and lagoons where flamingo colonies spread like a pink carpet.

The national park can be explored in many ways: On an organized tour in an all-terrain vehicle, on a bird-watching course, or individually on foot, bicycle or horseback. A multitude of signposted trails crisscross the area, and detailed information is available at the visitor centers.

Along the Atlantic coast in southern Spain stretch miles of sandy beaches, perfect for sunbathing, but also for long walks on the beach. Compared to the Mediterranean, the water is rather cool, even in summer, at around 20 degrees Celsius. Strong winds ensure that especially the eastern part of the coast near Tarifa is a true paradise for surfers. On the Costa de la Luz, numerous picturesque beaches are waiting to be discovered. A small selection: