Ayamonte and Isla Canela beach – the westernmost resort on Costa de la Luz

Ayamonte is a municipality located in the province of Huelva (Spain), Andalusia, located next to the mouth of the Guadiana River, on the border with Portugal.

It’s a popular part of the Costa de la Luz of the Atlantic resorts of Spain.

Its origins date back to Phoenician times, having been a place of settlement for Romans, Arabs, Portuguese and Castilians. From the 16th century, the city became one of the most important commercial and political points of the province, benefiting, in addition, from important commercial and economic relations with the Spanish colonies in America.

At present, the traditional fishing and canning sector, the economic engine of the area in the 20th century, has given way to the development of other economic sectors in the town, mainly the tourism sector, turning the municipality into an outstanding tourist destination in Andalusia, both for the beaches of Isla Canela, and for the important monumental and historical heritage existing in the city, as well as for the proximity of the Portuguese Algarve, with which Ayamonte is connected by the Guadiana International Bridge.

Main attractions

Chapels

Chapel of San Antonio.
Chapel of Our Lady of Carmen.
Chapel of Socorro.

Convents

Sisters of the Cross Convent.
Mercedario Convent, headquarters of the Holy Week Brotherhoods and Brotherhoods Association.
Extinct Franciscan Convent of San Francisco, annexed to the Temple of San Francisco.

Churches

Church of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Temple of the Mercedes.
Church of San Francisco.
Parish of El Salvador.
Church of San Vicente de Paúl.

Defenses

Baluarte de las Angustias
Bulwark of Noiseseekers or Flowers
Ayamonte Castle
Isla Canela Tower
Hornabeque del Socorro (Ayamonte old Castle)

Entertainment

Ayamonte Bullring
Cardenio Theater-Cinema
Amador Jiménez Auditorium

Historical

Roman Mausoleum
Palace of the Marquis of Ayamonte
El Pintado Mill

Streets and squares

Paseo de la Ribera
Laguna Square
Salvador Square
Calle Real (Calle Cristóbal Colón)
Galdames Street
Plaza de la Lota

Other places

House Museum of the Hermandad de la Soledad.
Art Gallery, Exhibition Hall and Headquarters of the Association of Guilds
Doll museum

Beaches 

There are two beaches: Playa de Isla Canela, Playa de Punta del Moral.

The most famous Isla Canela is reached by a causeway across the Marismas del Guadiana; the marismas (salt marshes) are a wildlife reserve, providing a home to many waterfowl, including herons and flamingos. Isla Canela is built along several kilometers of sandy beaches, and provides an area for windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing. There are a number of golf courses in and around the area, including one built into the Marismas itself.

Playa de Isla Canela – the westernmost resort of Costa de la Luz. Borders with Portugal coast in the west.

Cuisine and restaurants

Ayamonte stands out in general for its maritime gastronomy, with a strong canning and salting industry, as well as for the seafood in the area.

Among its most typical dishes we can find:

Stripe in paprika
Ayamontina tuna.
Grilled sardines.
Fried fish (red mullet, sourdough, anchovies, …)
Seafood (White prawn “from Huelva”, seasoned octopus, fried cuttlefish)
Tuna mojama.
As the main dessert or sweet, you can name the “coca”; made of candy dough, angel hair and almonds, mainly. It is a traditional sweet of Holy Week.

Ayamonte’s canning industry is also classic. In fact, canned fish (especially “mackerel”) from Ayamonte stand out for their flavor and quality.

Transport and how to get to?

The ferry link between Ayamonte and Vila Real de Santo António was the traditional crossing point between Spain and Portugal. A modern bridge over the Guadiana River has now been built to the north of the town, linking the motorway systems of both countries, but the ferry still runs and provides an inexpensive mode of transport between the two countries.

The nearest international airport is in Seville.

Distances by car:

From Seville 1 hr 30 min (141 km) via A-49

From Huelva 40 min (53.0 km) via A-49

From Madrid 6 hr 22 min (659 km) via A-5 and A-66

Main information

Area: 141 sq. km (municipality)

Coordinates: 37°12′49″N 7°24′11″W

Population: 21 104

Languages: Spanish

Currency: Euro

Visa: Schengen

Time: Central European UTC +1

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