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Paradise destination
Islantilla It is a beautiful combination of light and azure sea at the tip of Europe. It is located on the Andalusian coast in the waters of Huelva opposite the Portuguese border. The wonderful climate, the rich gastronomy and the unbeatable natural reserves make it a paradise destination on the route from the Algarve to Seville; a green garden on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. A place where the sun shines on the traditions and culture of a region from which Columbus set out to discover the New World.
The story begins in 1755 when the terrible Lisbon earthquake caused a tsunami that destroyed the vast coastal area that included the towns of Ayamonte, Lepe and La Redondela and swept it out to sea. When the water recedes, large sandy promontories with marshes form on the flat landscape. The rising tide and the water returning to the sea create new flora and fauna that are full of life day and night. Catalans and Valencians populate the new areas and, due to their entrepreneurial spirit, they dedicate themselves to fishing and build the port of Isla Cristina. Today, Isla Cristina is one of the most important ports for supplying fresh fish in Spain. The new settlers take advantage of the marshes by building salt mines to obtain salt so that the fish, once salted, can be properly preserved.
Life in the marshes
With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 22 degrees, in this destination you can combine relaxation with cycling and hiking. You can also practice various water sports and there is a great golf course. Islantilla is a coastal enclave belonging to the towns of Lepe and Isla Cristina. Life in this crossroads of marshes revolves around the sea, which is in constant movement twenty-four hours a day. The cycling and walking routes run along wide, kilometre-long strips of soft golden sand surrounded by dunes with pine forests, fed by the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Much of the coast has been declared a Park or Natural Site, or a protected Natural Reserve. The result is virgin beaches, quiet dunes and access to the sea and rivers.
Because much of the coast has been declared a protected area, there are hardly any buildings along the shoreline. That's why you'll find unspoiled beaches, dunes and many water mouths and rivers. I decided to spend a few days cycling along the coast of Islantilla, the southwestern area of Huelva bordering Portugal. It is easily accessible, via Seville towards Huelva capital, leaving the national road N341 towards Portugal on the right. In July and August there is a lot of local tourist activity, but outside of that period, the surroundings are wonderfully quiet.
Islantilla is the sea. Living from and with the sea. That is why there are several fish canning factories in the area. There are hundreds of bright silver tuna waiting to be processed. In ancient times, these factories were areas where fish was salted following the same procedure used by the Romans. Today, only the best part of the tuna is salted, called mojama: the cream of the tuna, so to speak, a real delicacy.
Practical issues
Several scattered population centers make up the surroundings of the Islantilla Commonwealth; Lepe, Isla Cristina, La Redondela, Urbasur, Pozo del Camino and La Antilla. Islantilla can be reached via Seville towards the capital Huelva, following the main road to Portugal. This two-lane road is the lifeblood of local tourism; very busy in July and August, but wonderfully quiet in the remaining months. An ideal cycling area and fairly flat for routes on good cycle paths, a Vía Verde but also nice MTB routes.
To spend the night you have a wide selection of hotels and apartmentsThere are two campsites between Isla Cristina and La Antilla. There is also a well-maintained motorhome park, located directly on the Via Verde, with a beautiful view over the marshes.
