Idyllic Isla Canela!

Paul Westhead on 05 June 2022
During the June’22 half term holiday we discovered a part of Spain we had never visited before, Isla Canela on the Costa de la Luz. The island is located close to the border with Portugal and the nearest airport is Faro in Portugal. We hired a car at the airport to make the 1-hour journey.

Isla Canela is a peaceful island found in Andalucía’s most western point. The north is covered by wetlands, while a six-kilometre stretch of soft sand lines the southern coast. The beautiful beach is one of the longest and widest in the region so it’s a bit of a walk to the sea. We pretty much had the beach to ourselves and enjoyed lunch at one of the nearby beach bars (or known as Chiringuitos locally).

During our stay we visited the Spanish town of Ayamonte, which is just a 15-minute drive across the bridge. Its typically Andalusian, with narrow shopping streets and pretty plazas decorated with wrought-iron gates and tiled fountains. You could also take in the Baroque architecture of Huelva, an hour’s drive away – while the sights of Seville are just another half-hour on from here.

We stayed All Inclusive at the 4-star Iberostar Isla Canela. Guests at the hotel during our stay were mainly Spanish and we really enjoyed the relaxed nature of the hotel. Guests tended to eat much later here than other hotels we have stayed at with the restaurant accepting diners at 10.30pm. It was nice to know we didn’t have to rush and on one evening our daughters stayed in the pool til nearly 9pm!

The hotel is set on a long pedestrian walkway lined with palm trees which runs alongside the beach. It offers a Spa Sensations Centre with an indoor swimming pool and hot tubs. Treatments include massage and aromatherapy, and a gym is also available. Room types at the hotel include double, family rooms and suites. All the air-conditioned rooms have a balcony with seaview rooms available, and all have a contemporary décor. There is also a varied daytime and evening entertainment programme.

This hotel is a great choice for families looking for a relaxed holiday on a beautiful beach without the crowds!