Costa de la Luz Andalucia Spain

This fantastic stretch of coast is perhaps one of Spain’s best-kept secrets. The Costa de la Luz makes up Spain and Andalucia southwestern seaboard running from the straights of Gibraltar where the Mediterranean Sea joins the Atlantic Ocean up to the Portuguese border. The development in the Spanish property market has been much more restrained on the Costa de la Luz and although property and real estate has become a big industry here you will not find such a high density of building and new developments as you do in other parts of Spain.

The name Costa de la Luz translates as ‘coast of light’ in English and the light and space of this part of the country really takes the breath away. The coast belongs to two of the provinces of Andalucia. In the southeast from Tarifa (near the straights of Gibraltar) to the river Guadalquivir estuary is the coast of the province of Cadiz. From the Guadalquivir westwards round the gulf of Cadiz to the Portuguese border is the coast of the province of Huelva and the Aracena region.

Tarifa, kids and windsurfing paradises.

The Costa de la Luz is famous for its coast line with miles of white sandy beaches, which have become one of the world’s most important destinations for wind and water sports. The town of Tarifa has become effectively the European capital of kite and windsurfing and is popular year round with those who practice the sport. The culture of the surfers and kite surfers has rubbed off on the town and surrounding areas resulting in a bohemian and laid back way of life and attitude. Tarifa is also a fiercely fashion conscious place and sets trends in the development of European beach culture. Tarifa and the nearby towns of Zahara, Barbarte, and Los Caños de Meca have also become a bolt hole for residents of Marbella and the Costa del Sol who use the place as a weekend get away from the faster pace of life, higher temperatures and routines of work.

In recent years Tarifa and the Costa de la Luz have been becoming better known to the discerning holidaymaker and as a result more and more people are becoming interested in owning or investing in property there. Because its property development has been more restricted than elsewhere in Spain as well as having a reputation, as a bohemian less commercial stretch of coast the area has proved popular with a younger, trendier clientele.

Properties on Costa De La Luz.

Much of the Spanish property for sale on the Costa de la Luz is to be found on the Cadiz coast. Popular location are Tarifa, Barbarte, Vejer, Novo Sancti Petri, Chiclana, Puerto de Santa Maria and Chipiona. There are a wide range of new developments on the coast, luxury villas around golf couses, apartments, townhouses and villas, new golf courses in Costa de La Luz being built and investment in infrastructure. The increase in property value in recent years shows no sign of slowing down and investment in Costa de la Luz property should provide strong returns for years to come.

The areas inland from the Costa de la Luz are much flatter than that elsewhere in Andalucia and southern Spain. The lush green rolling hills almost make you forget that Africa is literally a stones throw away (8 miles/14 Kilometers) across the straights of Gibraltar. Many of Spain’s famous fighting bulls can be found grazing in these green pastures. It is advised to take note of your surroundings if you are ever caught short while driving!

Property available to buy inland from the Costa de la Luz tends to be in traditional white villages and towns. For those seeking a quiet pace of life away from coastal tourism and in traditional Spanish white villages this is definitely a place to consider. Towns worth a look include Medina Sidonia, Vejer, Jerez, Chiclana, Alcala de los Gazules and Benalup. Properties for sale in these towns will tend to be older buildings and although more foreign buyers are investing here, as a foreigner you will still stand out.

Fly direct to Coast de la Luz.

Direct flights are now available into Jerez international airport from the UK and elsewhere in northern Europe, making this part of Spain much more accessible. A huge investment in new roads and motorways means that it is now easier than ever to purchase property inland from the Costa de la Luz. As a result property prices have seen steady year on year increases.

Near to many of the new developments on the coast lies the City of Cadiz, capital of the province and the oldest city site in Europe. Cadiz is famous for its ‘Carnival’ (from where the Brazilian event of the same name originated) in February when for nearly a week the town becomes a site of drunken mayhem and music, with floats and dancing in the streets. Although there are not as much culture or historical sites to visit in Cadiz as perhaps can be found in Malaga, Seville or Granada, the city’s traditional liberalism, old world feel and general ambience make it worth visiting.

Guadalquivir river, Doñana national park and Huelva area.

On the west side of the Guadalquivir river estuary (on the Huelva part of the coast) lays the world famous Doñana national park which is home to some of the most diverse flora and fauna in Europe. The park takes up much of the Huelva part of the Costa de la Luz and property development within this area is strictly forbidden. The seasonal pattern of its delta waters which flood in winter and then drop off in spring leave deposits of silt and raised sand banks. This is part of what makes the park unique and provides ideal habitat for a diverse range of birds including ducks, herons, flamingos and eagles. The park is also home to turtles, numerous wading birds and the Iberian Lynx, the last big cats living wild in Europe.

To the west of Doñana lies the provincial capital city of Huelva which (even being kind) has very little to offer. Huelva is the least attractive of all the Andalucia provincial capitals. West from the city of Huelva however can be found the new developments around the towns of Ayamonte, Isla Canela and Isla Cristina. This area has been dubbed ‘The Spanish Algarve’ and is becoming more and more popular as any area for foreign property investment. The close proximity to Portugal and the investment in infrastructure looks like making this part of the Costa de la Luz a place to be in years to come.