Costa de la Luz, Spain

Vejer de la Frontera is a picturesque hilltop village in South Western Spain, approximately 2 – 2 ½ hours drive South of Seville.

Vejer itself is typically Spanish, there are not many people speaking English and menus are more often than not in Spanish only, but that’s all part of the enjoyment and the locals are very friendly and welcoming.

Vejer is only a 10-15 minute drive to a number of beaches, El Palmar, Barbate, Zahara; all great for families and even on holiday days still don’t feel overcrowded. Some days we went to the beach and there were only a handful of people. Barossa is a particular favourite (it’s a little further to drive) but it has play areas all along the beach and a lovely promenade. Tarifa beach is a short 35 minute drive and a visit is a must for kite surfers. Lots of Chiringuitas front the beach, and provide a great place for a cool beer and a bite to eat.

In Vejer, there are restaurants and bars popping up out of nowhere. You may walk past a beautiful white house during the day, admire its beauty and think nothing further of it, but in the evening the shutters have opened and the front room is now a little bar to welcome you inside for a drink and some tapas. The old town provides endless walking and photo opportunities and during the main seasons various walking tours operate from the tourist information centre. It is set on a hill and full of steep hills, be sure you will tone those calf muscles during a short break here! Plaza de España is the main square and in August which is the 'fair' season, entertainment is held here most evenings.

35km from Vejer head east and you will reach Tarifa town, bustling with people but with a laid back vibe and definitely worth a visit. Given its association with its excellent water sport opportunities, you will find the main street full of surf shops but head down into the old town and meander down the narrow streets and soak up the history and sample the shopping and restaurants it has to offer. The port is situated in the old town and you can take the ferry over to Morocco, we haven’t done this yet as we have always managed to fill our days in or around Vejer.

Whilst in Vejer it’s possible to have a day trip to Cadiz, Jerez de la Frontera, Ronda or Gibraltar or you could make this a multi-centre holiday and spend a few nights in either Seville or Granada. You have a choice of airports, Seville, Jerez de la Frontera, Gibraltar, and Malaga, all with regular flights from the UK.

This is mainland Spain and temperatures in the summer months can be well into the 30’s, May and September tends to be more bearable whilst still lovely and warm.