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The coast of light or Costa de la Luz is in the far south west of Spain, a full 300km of stunning coastline beside the Atlantic Sea. It stretches from the Portuguese border to the Straits of Gibraltar and features some of Spain's loveliest fine-sanded beaches.

The Costa de la Luz is still a relatively little known holiday destination, and it remains largely tranquil and unspoiled. In fact, the authorities in this region are taking action to ensure that the area is protected from exploitation and retains its natural charm. This is not just for the sake of residents and visitors, but also for the flora and fauna of the Costa de la Luz. There are many rare plants here, and birds including eagles, cranes and white storks make their nests in this area. In fact, there are several important nature reserves along the coastline.

The area has also managed to retain it's authenticity is because most tourists that are attracted to the south of Spain book flights to Malaga and stay in the Costa del Sol, a major tourist region that borders the Costa de la Luz. However, it's only two and a half hours by car from Malaga Airport to the gorgeous coastal nature reserves of the Costa de la Luz.

Perhaps the most important of these is the Parque Nacional de Donana, which is one of Europe's most important wetlands. The only way to see the Parque is on a guided trip, and it's highly recommended to apply to take a tour. The Parque is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from the Spanish lynx to wild boar, and great flocks of flamingos spend their winters here. Besides being a haven for wildlife, the Costa de la Luz is the ideal place for water sports enthusiasts. The sparkling sea here is perfect for wind-surfers and kite-surfers as well as sailors, canoeists and jet skiers. The resort of Tarifa is known as the windsurfing capital of Europe.

As the name suggests, the Costa de la Luz has a particular quality of light 'pure and very clear' and its seas are much the same. The two major towns in the area are Huelva and Cadiz. Huelva was once a famous Roman port, but is now a mostly industrial city. Cadiz was founded by Hercules, according to legend, and also has a rich history. Its attractions include a cathedral and an art gallery housing works by masters such as Rubens and Murillo.