THE Costa de la Luz coastline is far lesser-known than its neighbour, the Costa del Sol, which is a shame as it has so much to offer.
It should definitely be on your radar if you want cheap hotels, affordable drinks and the chance to visit another country in 15-minutes.
The Costa de la Luz coastline sits along the south of Spain offering beers for under £3 and hotel breaks from £55pppn.
If you’re looking for the beauty of Marbella but without the price tag or the noise, Costa de la Luz is a great, and budget friendly, option.
The most well-known spots along this coastline are the likes of Cadiz and Huelva.
But First Choice suggests heading to Isla Canela, a small beach escape at the very top of the coastline where Portugal is less than 20-minutes away.
It has golden beaches, low-cost but authentic tapas and of course, lots of sun.
One travel expert even said “you can still find really good tapas and fresh seafood dinners for €10-15 (from £8.65) a head here , if you go local.“
Staying here also means holidaymakers can visit Portugal very easily.
There’s a regular ferry between Isla Canela and Portugal’s Santo Antonio that takes just 15-minutes and costs as little as €2.50 (£2.16).
The ferry crosses the Guadiana River which forms a natural border between the two countries – so travellers wanting to explore both spots can do so in a single daytrip.
There isn’t any need to book multiple hotels and little fuss as the crossings don’t have routine passport checks (although take ID to be safe).
Santo Antonio itself is a city that’s considered a quieter alternative to the Algarve – especially on its sandy beach, Praia de Santo António.
If you’re keen to see more of Spain, just a short trip away from Isla Canela is the town of Ayamonte.
It’s known to have a traditional Andalusian feel with white-washed streets, riverside promenades and you can pick up a pint from just €3 (£2.60).
One top restaurant choice is Restaurante Le Casona where tapas dishes like garlic prawns and Spanish tortilla starts from €3 (£2.60).
First Choice suggests booking an authentic flamenco show with a tapas dinner at La Puerta Ancha which starts from £48.
If you’re wanting a city feel, then the city of Seville is under two hours away by car.
The city is a favourite of Kara Godfrey’s (Deputy Travel Editor) who discovered its royal palaces, tower viewpoints and cheap wine.
For those who want to set up a base, First Choice suggests a stay at the Hotel Barcelo Isla Canela which starts from £383pp for stays in May.
The pretty hotel is designed to look like a traditional building so it has white-washed buildings and terracotta roof tiles.
For guests, it has two outdoor pools, a huge golf course, tennis court, buffet restaurant and live entertainment.
Each room either has a terrace, full balcony, or French-style balcony – and can be upgraded to have sea views.
Prices at Hotel Barcelo Isla Canela from £383 per person include seven-nights in a twin room on a half board basis, departing Newcastle Airport on May 10, 2026.