THE SOUTHERN OF HUELVA (www.spainsouthwest.com)

The Huelva section of the Costa de la Luz has many resorts that have wide, sandy beaches backed by pine woods and nature reserves of marshland and dunes.

Ayamonte is a border town with a Portuguese feel about its streets. The nearest beach is the newly built Isla Canela resort. East from Isla Canela, across an area of marshland known as the Paraje Natural Marismas de Isla Cristina, worth a visit for a spot of birdwatching, is Isla Cristina. This resort, with an impressive choice of great beaches and a busy fishing port, is popular with Sevillanos in summer.

Ten kilometres east is the more low-key resort of La Antilla. This is the beach for the village of Lepe, the strawberry growing capital of Europe. La Antilla beach on the eastern edge merges into the spit of El Rompido, which has virtually deserted beaches and sand dunes. From the spit across the Río Piedras estuary are views to the small fishing village of El Rompido.

Punta Umbría is the largest resort on the Huelva Costa de la Luz and in summer is full of beachgoers enjoying its numerous lively bars and restaurants. If you want to get away from the crowds, visit the Paraje Natural Marismas del Odiel, a large wetland reserve full of birdlife that borders the northern edge of Punta Umbría.

East of Huelva is the small resort of Mazagón and its bigger neighbour, Matalascañas. Between these two is one of best beaches in Andalucía, the Playa de Castilla, backed by fossilised dunes and pine woods.

Matalascañas is the nearest village to the entry point of the enormous Parque Nacional de Doñana. Eighteen kilometres north of Matalascañas is the curious Wild West hamlet of El Rocío, scene of a seething mass of pilgrims at Pentecost for the village's renowned Rocío Pilgrimage.