20 Jul, 2024 @ 10:00
2 mins read

Must-visit: The golden beaches in southern Spain that act as a stunning final frontier with Portugal

THESE are the stunning beaches in southern Spain, serving as the country’s bow before the Portuguese border.

The Costa de la Luz is famous for its wide, golden beaches.

Indeed, Bolonia, near Tarifa, was named the best beach in Spain by Conde Nast Traveler last year, while the shores at Valdevaqueros, Playa Alemanes, in Atlanterra, and the quirkiness at Canos de Meca take some beating.

READ MORE: These are the best chiringuitos and beach clubs in Spain this summer, according to ‘Traveler’ magazine

But they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the region’s beaches. 

Head further west and you find the province of Huelva. On the border with Portugal, it is Spain’s last chance to tempt visitors to stay, and it certainly makes it difficult to leave. 

It is home to the impressive Doñana National Park and stunning River Guadiana as well as 120km of mostly stunning coastline; all part of the Costa de la Luz. 

So, with so much to explore, which are the best beaches in Huelva?

Matalascañas 

Perhaps the most famous of Huelva’s beaches, Matalascañas has long been a favourite spot for Sevillanos to visit in the summer.

They are quite literally following in the footsteps of Neanderthals – in 2021 the fossilised footprints of a family of 15 Neanderthals from 150,000 years ago were found here.

The sunsets on the Costa de la Luz are stunning
Photo: Kampaho

An enormous ‘rock’ on the beach is in fact the remains of the 16th century Torre de la Higuera, built to guard against pirates and destroyed in the Lisbon earthquake of 1755.

Bordering on Doñana, it is a family beach with lifeguards and plenty of beach bars.

READ MORE: I took a voyage to Vejer de la Frontera – the food capital of Cadiz – to learn how it has enticed foodies in from around the world

Punta Umbria 

Punta Umbria is a vast sandy beach where the sand is golden, the sea perfect for a dip and the conditions great for windsurfing.

While it is an urban location, it is found in the Paraje Natural de las Marismas del Odiel, a UNESCO reserve which hosts hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, making it ideal for birdwatchers as well as sun worshippers.

Punta Umbria is perfect for water sports.
Photo: La Esencia de Huelva

Along the nearby Avenida del Oceano, check out the laid-back beach bars and live music venues, such as the Mosquito Club.

Punta del Caiman

Perfect for kids, the shallow, calm waters are great for playing. 

Punta del Caiman is convienent, clean and calm.

This protected area is picturesque and clean, right next to the mouth of the Carreras River. 

It is also close to the town of Isla Cristina so is convenient for a quick dip. 

Playa de Mazagon 

Photo: Tripadvisor

Despite its ideal location between Moguer and Palos de la Frontera, Mazagon beach is a natural paradise. 

Dunes, impressive rock formations and pine trees dot the 9km coastline, the longest in the area, and a sneak preview of the equally spectacular cliffs and beaches of Portugal’s Algarve, just across the border.

Playa de Cuesta Maneli

If you’re looking for peace and quiet, this slice of the Playa de Mazagon is for you. 

The natural, wild landscape is broken only by a singular beach bar.

It is also LGBT, pet and nudist friendly. 

Playa de Isla Canela 

The last beach before Spain’s natural border with Portugal, the River Guadiana, this is one the prettiest beaches on the Costa de la Luz. 

Isla Canela is just one example of Huelva’s golden sands

The marshes and channels surrounding the beach make it not just a place to relax but to appreciate nature. 

It is a far cry from the packed beaches of the Costa del Sol’s packed tourist beaches.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: The Olive Press takes a tour of some of the Costa de la Luz’s under-the-radar spots, as the largely unheralded coastal gem girds itself for discovery by British tourists

Yzabelle Bostyn

Yzabelle Bostyn is an NCTJ trained journalist who started her journalistic career at the Olive Press in 2023.
Before moving to Spain, she studied for a BA in English Literature and Hispanic Studies at the University of Sheffield.
After graduating she moved to the university’s journalism department, one of the best in the UK.
Throughout the past few years, she has taken on many roles including social media marketing, copywriting and radio presenting.
She then took a year out to travel Latin America, scaling volcanoes in Guatemala and swimming with sharks in Belize.
Then, she came to the Olive Press last year where she has honed her travel writing skills and reported on many fantastic experiences such as the Al Andalus luxury train.
She has also undertaken many investigations, looking into complex issues like Spain’s rental crisis and rising cancer rates.
Always willing to help, she has exposed many frauds and scams, working alongside victims to achieve justice.
She is most proud of her work on Nolotil, a drug linked to the deaths of many Brits in Spain.
A campaign launched by Yzabelle has received considerable support and her coverage has been by the UK and Spanish media alike.
Her writing has featured on many UK news outlets from the Sun to the Mail Online, who contracted her to report for them in Tenerife on growing tourism issues.
Recently, she has appeared on Times Radio covering deadly flooding in Valencia.

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