Kampaoh Isla Cristina

Those seven kilometres of sand may well detain you for much of your stay, but it’s good to get out a bit if you can – even if it’s to an alternative beach like Playa La Antilla (10 minutes’ drive) for a day of watersports, or Isla Canela (25 minutes) for a ride along the seafront cycle path. For a wilder stretch, visit the Marismas del Odiel (45 minutes), which you can explore on walks, bike rides or boat trips from Punta Umbría (45 minutes) – these are particularly magical at sunset. Urban time could well be on the cards too – perhaps with a stroll around Ayamonte (20 minutes), a favourite with both foodies (for its excellent seafood and tapas) and artists (for its colourful architecture and lovely light) or the whitewashed buildings of El Rocío (an hour and 15 minutes). Huelva (45 minutes) is also worth a look for its cathedral, historic streets and multi-storey pier Muelle del Tinto.