We´re spoilt for choice, as there are so many lovely beaches within very easy reach… but here is our Top 5 of the Costa de la Luz beaches:

1. Playa de Zahora, Los Caños de Meca – despite car parking being an issue at weekends in the peak of the Summer, this beach is absolutely idyllic, and it´s only 10 mins from Vejer.  Its waters are calmer than nearby El Palmar so it´s perfect for families with young children.  The views are stunning, and we love the Restaurante Sajorami right on the front… all very chilled and laid-back.  Not one for those wanting night-life!

2. El Palmar, Vejer – A most spectacular virgin beach only 10 mins from the centre of Vejer… this stretch is long and totally unspoilt.  It´s beautiful and never gets too busy – you can always find car parking, even in the height of summer.  As it´s a very open beach, the water can get a little rough on windy days, so families with small children beware.  Amazing for those wishing to surf, windsurf or kitesurf.

3. Playa de Sancti Petri, Chiclana – a little up the coast from the built-up golf hotels galore development of Novo Sancti Petri (thankfully the only developed part of the whole Costa de la Luz) is this gem of a beach.  It´s about 20 mins from Vejer, but it´s well worth the drive.  It has calm waters, brilliant little ´chiringuitos´for cold beers, and a little port where you can hire canoes.

4. Zahara de los Atunes – just north of Tarifa is this lovely and unspoilt village.  The beaches here are rugged and beautiful, and totally unspoilt.  The waters are crystaline and the sand is fine and white.  The surrounding countryside is stunning.  The village of Zahara is sleepy out of season, and full of hustle and bustle in the summer – people who holiday  here tend to be Spanish. There are some fabulous fish restaurants here.

5. Playa de la Fontanilla, Conil – This long sandy beach is popular with the locals, and doesn’t suffer from strong currents, which makes it ideal for children.  Being so close to Conil means that you also have access to some wonderful restaurants and bars.  It does get very busy at peak hours in the summer.

VEJER FIESTAS

January – The Three Kings Procession

February – Carnival

March – Easter and ‘Toro Embolao’ (where a bull is let loose through the streets!)

April – Feria de Primavera (the stunning Vejer Feria)

May – Romería en la Hermita de La Oliva, Feria de Los Naveros, Feria de El Palmar

June – Candela de San Juan (23r), Feria de La Muela

August – Velada en Honor de Ntra Señora de la Oliva, Noches Flamencas (with live Flamenco performances in the old town), Feria de Varelo

September – Feria de La Cañada del Taraje, Feria de Libreros

October – Feria de El Soto

December – Various Christmas celebrations… a magical time to visit Vejer: traditional Spanish carol-singing in the old town, donkey-rides for children, nativity plays around Vejer, performances at the Teatro de San Francisco.

CONIL FIESTAS

January – Romeria de San Sebastian (weekend closest to the 20th)

February – Carnaval

March – Easter

May – Cruces de Mayo

June – Feria de El Colorado, Tuna Week, San Juan Celebrations (24th)

July – Dia de la Virgen del Carmen (saint’s day)

September – Feria de Ntra Sra de Las Virtudes (8th)

BARBATE FIESTAS

February – Carnival

March – Easter

April – Romería de San Jose en Zahara

May – Verbena y Romeria de la Virgen de Fatima, Gastronomic Tuna Week

June – San Juan Celebrations (23rd)

July – Feria & Fiestas del Carmen (16th)

August – Feria de Zahara de los Atunes, Sardinada

CHICLANA FIESTAS

February – Carnival

March – Easter

June – Feria & Fiestas de San Antonio (13th)

July – Romeria de la Virgen del Carmen (16th)

September – Fiestas de Ntra Sra de Los Remedios

MEDINA FIESTAS

January – Virgen de la Paz en Medina Sidonia (24th)

May – Fiestas de La Yeguada

June – Feria y Fiestas en Medina Sidonia

July – Fiestas de San Fermín en Los Badalejos

BENALUP FIESTAS

March – Fiesta de la Independencia, con suelta de vaquillas y conciertos

May (first week) – Romería de Las Lagunetas

July – Fiestas de Santiago y Santa Ana en Benalup (26th-30th)

August – Fiestas de Santiago y Santa Ana en Benalup (15th)

SAN FERNANDO FIESTAS

July – Feria del Carmen y de La Sal en San Fernando (12th-17th)

… and here is a list of other fiestas and celebrations in the surrounding areas:

January – Toro del Aguardiente en Puerto Serrano

February – Carnival in Cadiz (well worth going to see!)

April – Día de Trebujena (21st), San Jorge en Alcalá de los Gazules (23rd)

May – San Isidro en Los Barrios (15th), Feria de Primavera y Fiestas del Vino Fino en El Puerto de Santa María, Feria de Primavera en Rota, Feria del Caballo en Jerez de la Frontera, Feria de Mayo en Jimena de la Frontera, Feria de la Manzanilla en Sanlúcar de Barrameda

June – Feria en Puerto Real, La quema del Juanillo en Cádiz, Feria Real en Algeciras, Romance de San Antonio en El Bosque, Romería del Pinar en Chipiona, Feria y Fiestas de Primavera en Paterna de Rivera

July – Fiestas del Carmen en La Muela (Algodonales), Fiestas de la Virgen del Carmen en Chipiona, Virgen del Carmen en La Linea de la Concepción, Velada de Ntra. Sra. del Carmen en Prado del Rey, Velada de Ntra. Sra. del Carmen en Grazalema, Feria del Carmen en San Fernando, Lunes del Toro de Cuerda en Grazalema, Cádiz Great Regatta

August – Feria de Agosto en Jimena de la Frontera, Fiestas de la Urta en Rota, Fiesta de San Salvador en Castellar de la Frontera, dentro del Castillo-Fortaleza de Castellar, Horse Racing at Sanlucar de Barrameda, Fiestas de Moros y Cristianos en Benamahoma, Velada de las Nieves en Arcos de la Frontera, Feria y Fiestas de Agosto en Setenil de las Bodegas, Noche Falmenca en Algar, Noche Caravalesca en Bornos, Fiestas Mayores de Benaocaz con la suelta del toro de la cuerda

September – Virgen de los Milagros en El Puerto de Santa Maria, Feria de Tarifa, Feria de Bornos, Feria de Ubrique, Santisimo Cristo de la Antigua en Espera, Fiestas de la Vendimia en Jerez, Fiestas de San Mateo en Villamartín, Feria de San Miguel en Arcos de la Frontera, Romeria de Los Santos en Alcala de los Gazules

October – Fiestas del Rosario en Rota, Feria Ganadera en Tarifa, San Dionisio, Día de Jérez en Jerez de la Frontera, Virgen del Rosario en El Gastor, Feria de la Tapa en Sanlúcar de Barrameda

December – Inmaculada Concepción en La Linea de la Concepción

Vejer really has it all.  It’s one of the most beautiful ‘pueblos blancos’ in the whole of the Costa de la Luz, yet it is only 10 minutes from the stunning virgin beaches of El Palmar and Zahora.  It’s the ideal destination for someone who likes a varied holiday.  Using Vejer as a base, you can do something different every day: go to the beach at El Palmar, go walking in the stunning La Breña Natural Park, go sherry-tasting in Jerez, explore the ancient city of Cadiz…. the list goes on and on.

The mediaeval town of Vejer, lined with orange trees and palms, is perched on a hill and the views form practically any point are incredible.  By night, you can see the twinkling lights of Tangiers, by day, you can see mountains, stunning countryside, and the sea.

There is plenty to do in Vejer itself – there are some excellent bars and restaurants, and the main Plaza de España, with its stunning fountain, is a great place to sit and soak up the moorish atmosphere.

Vejer holds one of the most beautiful Ferias in the Costa de la Luz.  You’ll see the most vibrant flamenco dresses, stunning Andalucian horses, taste the most delicious sherry (the best bit!), and the atmosphere will blow you away!

The Vejer Feria de Primavera takes place from the 27th April to the 1st May – it’s a feast for the eyes and a stunning time to visit Vejer. The weather is warm, the skies are blue and the countryside is blooming with wild flowers.  We recommend a visit at this time!

The Costa de la Luz is well-known for having the most stunning virgin beaches in Spain, and they´re all within easy driving distance from one of the most beautiful ancient moorish towns, Vejer de la Frontera.

The beaches are generally undeveloped, apart from the odd cafe and restaurant, and devoid of big hotels, so they never get too busy.  They are simply stunning, and you´ll want to return again and again.