Isla Canela Is Paradise On Earth


by Pauline Rendall - Date: 2006-12-11 - Word Count: 778 Share This!

"Paradise on earth!" That's the view of Isla Canela from almost everybody that visits. But do you know where it is? Isla Canela, which means the Island of Cinnamon, is a small island relatively unknown to holiday-makers, so I want to let you in on the secret. It nestles in the mouth of the Guadiana river, which runs between Spain and Portugal, and is connected with the mainland by a causeway 5 km from the lovely Spanish town of Ayamonte. This is in the region of Huelva in the Costa de la Luz.

It's the most southwesterly corner of Andalucia. Ayamonte is sometimes known as the Gateway to Spain, since it is the first town you come to after crossing over the delicate-looking, airy bridge over the Guadiana river. The area offers the best of both Spain and Portugal, and it has seven kilometres of unspoilt, uncrowded glistening golden sand and shimmering blue sea. Sorry to sound like an estate agent, but it really does have the most amazing beaches, and the sea really does sparkle like nowhere else I've seen. It is a safe beach for children because of the soft sloping ocean-floor, and the waters are warm and calm for much of the year. The beaches have been voted amongst the 6 best and least crowded in Spain. In fact outside the key months of July and August, don't be too surprised to find the only other people are several hundred metres away!

If you visit, you'll find yourself in a pretty exclusive resort. Don't come looking for donkey rides, all-night clubs, blaring music or tat shops. Come and visit if you want peace and quiet for yourselves, beaches with safe swimming for the kids, or you just enjoy whiling away the time by strolling along the pretty promenade or relaxing in one of the attractive bars and watching the boats come in and out of the marina. You might even catch the tide and see the fishing boats unloading the day's catch.

Do you like food? I mean, really, really like food? Then this could be your place. Especially if you like your fish to be freshly caught. At both ends of the island you'll find plenty of restaurants (even English and Chinese if you can't cope without them!), and a very short walk away is the little fishing village of Punta del Moral, with loads more excellent fish restaurants. Sounds good? Sounds boring? Never mind. I didn't say there was nothing to do! Only you might have to go a little bit further. For instance, the little town of Ayamonte, just a short bus-ride away or ten minutes in the car, is a typically attractive Andalucian small town. You'll find truly Spanish, palm-fringed squares, cobbled streets, boutiques, open-air cafés and a good range of excellent restaurants. The Spanish tend to eat very late, and around 9pm you will start to find a real buzz about the place.

And if you like to explore, there are lots of churches and important buildings to poke around in. Even the town hall, my favourite building, used to be the palace of the Marquis of Ayamonte. Walk along the river bank and you'll come to the ferry, which will take you to Portugal in about 15 mins, and you can stock up on bargains in the little town of Vila Real de Santo Anonio. Not enough? Get the bus, drive or take a guided tour to beautiful and historic Sevilla, home of flamenco and tapas. Wander the little side streets, take a little coffee or tapas, and you may find that flamenco breaks out spontaneously. Make sure you see the Moorish Alcazar, and take a horse-drawn buggy through the Maria Luisa Park.

Are you a more active person? This lovely area can find something for you too. There are boat trips, jeep safaris through the Donana National Park (and you might see a lynx or spot the Spanish Imperial Eagle - you'll certainly see flamingos), cycling, canoeing, wind-surfing…………the list goes on. And I still haven't mentioned golf. This is a magnificent area for golfers, with the 18 hole, par 72 Isla Canela course less than a 10 minute drive, and an additional 5 courses including the Quinta da Cima just across the river in Portugal, all well within an hour away. The relatively mild climate makes it possible to play golf all year round. But don't take my word for it. Come and visit us and see for yourself. It's a perfect place for golfers, families, kids, romantic couples, birdwatchers, cyclists, photographers…….in fact anybody.I'll be looking out for you. But don't all come at once, because we really do like to keep it peaceful!


Related Tags: holiday, golf, peaceful, andalucia, isla canela, ayamonte, costa de la luz, birdwatching

Hi! My name is Pauline Rendall, and I spend part of every year in this lovely part of Spain. I just want to share with you how nice it is. If you want to know more, or see some photographs, then visit my website at www.spainbeachapartment.eu Hope to see you there!

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