La Veleta Cádiz

As well as the surfing beaches, La Veleta Cádiz is within easy striking distance of soft sandy stretches at Conil de la Frontera (20 minutes’ drive) and Zahora, as well as Trafalgar Lighthouse (both 15 minutes). If you’d prefer to leave the car behind, it’s a 20-minute cycle ride to the coast along a quiet country road; you might also try horse riding among coastal pine forests in La Breña Natural Park (15 minutes) or take a kayak along the Barbate River (40 minutes). Birdwatchers can follow trails through Doñana National Park (an hour) to (hopefully) see ospreys, plovers and egrets. Those of you with sea legs may prefer to head out on whale-watching cruises, which depart from the watersports hub of Tarifa (55 minutes). Heading inland, immerse yourself in Andalusian culture at the gleaming white town of Vejer de la Frontera (15 minutes), where life centres on a fountain-filled square overlooked by centuries-old churches. Hilltop Santa Lucía (20 minutes) has far-reaching views to the Mediterranean Sea, and while there you can follow the course of an ancient Roman aqueduct. With its landmark cathedral, gorgeous gardens and lively tapas scene, Cádiz (55 minutes) is the place for urban days out.