Things to do in Costa de la Luz

Embark on a whale-watching cruise from Tarifa. Go through the Strait of Gibraltar and enjoy the multitude of aquatic species in this international biosphere reserve. Keep an eye out for common, striped, and bottlenose dolphins. Hop aboard in Tarifa and cruise through the Strait of Gibraltar. Take in sweeping views of the coast. Try to spot pilot, fin, and sperm whales as you go along. Watch as these whales play and frolic in their natural environment. Take a whale-watching adventure with a high likelihood of seeing a whale or dolphin. Know that if you don't see any species of cetacean, you will get a second chance. Travel with a company that actively supports sustainable practices. Approach animals with caution to avoid disturbing them. Feel comfortable knowing that this tour provider uses the distance and speeds outlined by Spanish Legislation and the ACCOBAMS regulations.

Depart Seville and travel through the nearby town of Coria del Rio on the banks of the River Guadalquivir. Go to the visitor center at Dehesa de Abajo, located in the northern area of the marshes of Doñana National Park. Admire the pine forests and pastures that provide home to approximately 200,000 different inhabitants, including 300 bird species such as flamingos and Spanish imperial eagles. Pass a rice field, known for Europe’s largest colony of storks. Then, continue through the vast natural space of the northern area of Doñana National Park and visit the village of El Rocío, famed for its chapel and observatory. Walk along the trails of Doñana National Park near the stream of La Rocina, and then explore Spain´s largest dune system after lunch. Return towards Seville and take advantage of the beautiful sunset through the pine forest in the Asperillo area. Spot some of the large mammals of the Doñana area, such as deer, wild boar, and lynx.

Visit the only area with regular presence of killer whales in the Mediterranean Sea on this cruise from Tarifa. Look for 7 different species of cetaceans around the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Climb aboard a comfortable boat and head to the places where orcas, whales and dolphins are usually most active. Join a crew that works to ensure your chances of seeing orcas are high. Watch as these majestic creatures play, jump and approach the boat. Travel with a company that is aware of the beauty, fragility and importance of coastal ecosystems, so they are on a mission to help and protect it. Learn about the species of cetaceans you see from your guide. Return to your meeting point in Tarifa at the end of your trip.

Learn about the history of Cadiz and Jerez on this guided excursion from Seville. Enjoy local tapas, relax on the beach and explore the charming streets of the historic center of Cadiz. Start in the Bay of Cadiz and see its beautiful seaside, the Costa de la Luz. First, stop in Jerez de la Frontera, where you will have the chance to visit a traditional bodega and taste the famous wines from the South of Spain. Then, travel to Cadiz, a city with delightful beaches and tasty tapas, whose residents are famous everywhere for their joyful attitudes. Visit the city center and the magnificent cathedral, and, little by little, discover the oldest city in Europe with more than 3 millennia of history. Afterward, enjoy the afternoon on one of the beaches or walk the narrow streets of the Barrio de la Viña or El Pópulo, the most charming and traditional neighborhoods of the city.

Explore the center of ancient Cadiz, a city where a rich cultural, architectural, and culinary heritage has been created over a number of distinct historical eras. Your 2-hour guided visit begins in the main San Juan de Dios Square, where the Town Hall is located. Visit the ancient Roman neighborhood known as the Pópulo, reconstructed over the ages. You’ll find buildings from the Phoenician period, the Roman theater, the 18th-century New Cathedral and its museum, and the walled quarter of Almohad origin. Learn about the history of Cadiz as you walk along its streets and through its squares. Enter the New Cathedral to admire its Baroque and Neoclassical styles and the mythical defensive wall known as the Gates of Earth.

Enjoy a combined 10-hour tour of Jerez de la Frontera and Cadiz, and experience world famous wines and one of the most spectacular equestrian shows in the world. Your guide will introduce you to the world of wine at one of the best wine cellars in Jerez, world famous for its sherry production. Learn the process that goes into making the famous wines, from the soil to the sunlight, and deep-rooted production techniques. Taste several types of sherry in a typical bodega. Continue to the Royal Andalucían School of Equestrian Art Foundation to watch the “How the Andalucían Horses Dance” show, regarded as one of the finest equestrian ballets, with choreography based on traditional and cowboy methods of taming wild horses. Drive along the Costa de la Luz to Cadiz, where a local guide will take you around the city center to see the Neoclassical 17th-century cathedral. You will then have some free time to enjoy lunch and explore Europe’s oldest city on your own.

See the Bay of Cádiz from the water with a shared catamaran cruise from the Port of Sancti Petri. The 1-hour trip takes you towards Sancti Petri Castle and the Costa de la Luz towns of Chiclana, San Fernando, and Cádiz. Relax aboard the catamaran, take in views of the amazing sunset, and enjoy a glass of cava or a soft drink. You can choose to add live music by a saxophone player, if you select the option. The cruise will end back at the port of Sancti Petri. Enjoy its beach and traditional tapas bars at your leisure.

Commence your catamaran trip to Sancti Petri Castle from the Port of Sancti Petri. The Catamaran will take you on a journey through the natural water park of Cadiz Bay. Discover three towns from the sea: Chiclana, San Fernando, and Cadiz. Relax onboard the catamaran, take in views of Costa de la Luz from the sea and enjoy a drink from the bar. Once the catamaran arrives at Sancti Petri Castle, observe the castle from the boat. The catamaran will anchor, so you can take a refreshing swim in the sea and use the water slide and water mats onboard. After enjoying the water, get back on the catamaran for the journey back along the coast to the port of Sancti Petri, where you can enjoy the beach and local bars.

Discover the dynamic coastline along the Bay of Cádiz Natural Park on this catamaran tour from Poblado de Sancti Petri Marina in Chiclana de la Frontera. Admire the 13th-century fortifications of the Sancti Petri castle. Select the longer tour and see the golden sands of La Barrosa beach.  Check in at the local partner's ticket office and board the catamaran. Get your camera ready for pictures of the marshland, beaches, and sand dunes of the Bay of Cádiz Natural Park.  Continue past a small island with a uniquely-shaped Moorish Sancti Petri castle. Pick the extended tour to cruise by the golden shores and turquoise waters of the 6-kilometer long La Barrosa beach. Return to Poblado de Sancti Petri Marina in Chiclana de la Frontera at the end of your tour.

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Seville, and then journey to the pilgrimage town of El Rocío. Get a special permit to explore the protected reserve of Doñana National Park, known for its wetlands, migratory birds, pine forests and coastal dunes. Visit the 13th-century royal hunting grounds of Coto del Rey and enter the home of one of the densest populations of Iberian lynx (Lynx Pardinus) in the world. Return to El Rocío to get some free time to explore and find a nice spot to enjoy lunch at your own expense. Continue to one of the region's beautiful virgin beaches to look for seabirds and go for a relaxing walk near the shore. Return to Seville in the late afternoon and get dropped off at your hotel or other location on request.