Costa de la Luz

Costa de la Luz (or the “Coast of Light”, due to its clear, unpolluted skies) represents nowadays one of the most attractive spots in Spain for the Northern European market, whether as a holiday or residential destination or as a rewarding goal for property investments.

 Not in vain is it called the Coast of Light, for it is sunlight that bathes its lush and unspoilt coastline, even in wintertime.

The region comprises two main provinces in the Spanish region of Andalucia: Huelva and Cadiz.

The province of Huelva enjoys first-class land connections to the Iberian peninsular by way of the RENFE Spanish rail network link from the provincial capital, Huelva, and the Portuguese rail network from Vila Real de Santo Antonio on the Portuguese side of the River Guadiana opposite Ayamonte.  These towns are equally well served by inter-connecting and economically priced bus services.  There are also, of course, car hire services available which are first-rate and competitively priced.  Additionally, there are domestic and international air connections from Seville, in Seville province, and Jerez de la Frontera, in Cadiz province, as well as those from Faro airport on the Portuguese South Algarve coast.

Furthermore, there are day and week-long cruises on the River Guadiana which run for a minimum of nine months of the year as far as San Lucar de Guadiana/Alcoutim with day-trip excursions to Seville and Mertola, in addition to the low-priced ten-minute passenger and light vehicle ferry crossing between Ayamonte and Vila Real de Santo Antonio which operates every day of the year. 

This area is also known as the "Spanish Algarve" due to its proximity to the Algarve in Portugal.  In fact, only the flow of the River Guadiana separates this Portuguese region from it’s Spanish brother.  The hills and valleys along both sides of this peaceful river, which abounds with such fish as black bass and is a superb setting for the angler, provide a spectacular variety of landscapes, packed with history from early Celto-Iberian and Phoenician eras.

The coast faces the green blue Atlantic Ocean, offering some of the most gorgeous white sandy beaches, the clearest waters and undoubtedly the purest air of all Spain.  Besides these supreme advantages, there are also lovely Roman- and Moorish-influenced Andalucian Mediterranean-style towns, each with different personalities and landscapes to be discovered.

The weather is warm and sunny at all times in summer, and even in winter, when temperatures seldom drop below 10ºC, the sun keeps shining faithfully. The bright and pleasant weather of the Costa de la Luz seems to influence its people as well, since their charm and warm hospitality shines through their welcoming smiles.

Architecture and culture are also two of the many outstanding features of the Coast of Light. Influenced mainly by the Romans and Moors, the historical heritage of this southern Spanish corner is evidenced not only in its tiled squares, peaceful white churches and ancient castles; but also in the many festivities, religious and pagan, that constitute colorful and inviting rituals that you just can’t miss.

Costa de la Luz also offers a varied set of activities, for those who love nature and for the sporty ones in the family. Or both! You can sail, golf, cycle, fish, water paraglide, windsurf or just walk your way around the Coast and riverside, and also visit the many nature reserves in the area, framed by the most beautiful and exotic scenarios.  For those of a historical or technical leaning, a fascinating museum and light railway tour is on offer at the famous mine workings at the Rio Tinto, near the provincial capital of Huelva, whence Cristopher Columbus set sail for the New World, aided by seafarers from Ayamonte, and this region abounds in ancient gold, copper, iron and other ore mine workings, waiting to be freely explored.

Due to the enormous growth that this area has experienced in the past few years, property investors have focussed, as a new destination, their attention on the Costa de la Luz, which is still largely untouched, and a substantial amount of inward investment in infrastructure and development, not only in property and tourism, is underway.

The properties available for sale on Costa de la Luz are still at a very reasonable price level, despite having seen a considerable increase in value in the last two years. This is now an exciting area for investing in Spanish property that should prove a sound return in the coming years, particularly as experts predict that positive, significant events are about to occur on this Costa.

Hardly any wonder then, that the, until recently, comparatively secret Costa de la Luz now constitutes one of the holiday favorites not only for the Spanish but also for the rest of the European continent.