Stretching along the country’s southwest Atlantic coast, the Costa de la Luz is often called Spain’s best-kept secret. This lesser visited corner of Andalucíaboasts glorious beaches, charming white-washed towns, vibrant cities, incredible food, fascinating history, and a wealth of natural beauty. In other words, everything you’d want from a holiday, while also offering an authentic Spanish experience.
And with Jet2holidays, the UK’s number one tour operator, now flying direct to Jerez from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and Manchester – and London Stansted from this summer – it’s the perfect time to discover this hidden gem.
Booking with Jet2holidays ensures you get a great-value getaway that’s smooth and easy from start to finish. All Jet2holidays include 22kg baggage and 10kg hand luggage, as well as your 2 to 5-star hotel, return transfers* and return flights.
You can also book any-duration holidays, and enjoy flexible payment options, including PayPal Pay in 3 interest-free payments ** and Pay Monthly***. While for families, Jet2holidays is the Home of Free Child Places†, meaning you can save even more on your break.
And the best part? It all starts with a low £60pp deposit‡, so you can get booking your trip straight away. Read on to discover five reasons you’ll want to make the Costa de la Luz your next holiday destination…
Beautiful beaches
Translating as “Coast of Light”, Costa de la Luz lives up to its name, with over 200km of magnificent beaches.
There are epic stretches of golden sand, such as the pristine 8km-long shore of Playa de la Borrosa, which runs along the entirety of laid-back resort Novo Sancti Petri and boasts crystal clear waters. The coastal town El Palmar has a similarly sweeping 7km stretch and is a surfing hotspot, with a boho vibe and plenty of beach bars.
Costa Ballena has one of the region’s most idyllic shores, framed by protected dunes and pine forests that are a haven for flora and fauna.
The city of Cadiz features an urban gem, Playa de la Victoria, while the white-washed town of Conil de la Frontera combines a charming old town with pristine beaches, making it perfect for a relaxing getaway. Meanwhile adrenaline junkies should head to Tarifa, a favourite for water sports including windsurfing and kite surfing.
Captivating culture
On the Costa de la Luz you can immerse yourself in authentic Andalucian culture, experiencing local traditions like flamenco and fiestas, and exploring towns and cities steeped in history.
There’s 3000 years of history in Cadiz alone. The centuries old barrios (neighbourhoods) of the old town are crammed with reminders of the city’s rich heritage, from Phoenician artefacts in the Museo de Cádiz to 13th century arches, Moorish architecture, and even the remains of a Roman theatre.
Further south in the region, the Roman remains of Baelo Claudia come with views all the way to Morocco.
Andalucía is the birthplace of flamenco – a unique Spanish medley of dance, singing and music – and no trip to the Costa de la Luz is complete without experiencing the electrifying blend of rhythm and emotion.
Bustling cities
While much of the Costa de la Luz invites a slower pace of life, the bustle of several historic cities is within easy reach. Jerez boasts iconic landmarks like the 11th century Alcázar – a preserved Moorish fortress with beautiful gardens – and an impressive cathedral that combines Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical styles. You can also unwind in the thermal waters of the Hammam Andalusi or experience the majestic “horse ballet” at the prestigious Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art.
Cadiz, meanwhile, might be one of Europe’s oldest inhabited cities but it’s also a cosmopolitan hub with lively tapas bars, art galleries and Spain’s biggest carnival – a riotous ten-day celebration to mark the start of Lent. Climb the Torre Tavira, the tallest of Cadiz’s many watchtowers, for incredible views of the city and to see the “magic mirror” – Spain’s first camera obscura.
Andalucian capital Seville, with its stunning architecture, is also just a day trip away.
Seafood and sherry
From fresh seafood and traditional tapas to innovative haute cuisine and the world-famous sherry, there’s plenty to delight the taste buds in the Costa de la Luz.
All along the coast you’ll find chiringuitos (beach bars) serving up fresh prawns, anchovies, tuna, and more, while inland it’s all about lively tapas joints. Tortillitas de camarones – crispy shrimp fritters – are a common and delicious snack.
The three-Michelin-starred Aponiente has put the coastal town of El Puerto de Santa María on the map as a foodie destination, but you’ll eat well wherever you are in the Costa de la Luz.
Wash everything down with the region’s most famous export – sherry. Jerez, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María make up the “sherry triangle”, an area bursting with vineyards, wineries and traditional bodegas to sample it.
Sensational landscapes
The landscapes of Costa de la Luz offer bountiful natural wonders to explore, with rolling sand dunes, wetlands, winding forest trails and dramatic mountains.
Doñana National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its marshland, lagoons, pine groves and dunes are home to more than 300 species of birds, including flamboyant flamingo colonies. It’s a stopover for millions of migrating birds flying between Europe and Africa.
The Bay of Cadiz Natural Park includes beaches, dunes, lagoons, marshes and estuaries. Visitors can explore on bike trails and walking paths that wind through an area home to 50,000 aquatic birds. La Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park is another great spot for hikers, offering dramatic clifftop views, carpets of wildflowers and fragrant pine forests.
The Costa de la Luz is also home to some of Spain’s best golf courses, combining stunning scenery (think rolling dunes and ocean views) with first-class facilities. There’s so much waiting for you to discover in this special corner of Spain.
And right now, you can save a whopping £100pp^ on all holidays in the Jet2 sale, so it’s the perfect time to lock in that trip you’ve been dreaming about!
For more travel information and inspiration and to book your Costa de la Luz getaway, visit Jet2holidays. After all, nothing beats a Jet2holiday…
*On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date.
** Unless otherwise stated.
*** Spread the cost over three interest-free payments. Available when booked online, for holidays under £2,000, departing within ten weeks.
† See www.jet2holidays.com/part-payment for full details.
‡ One free child place per two paying passengers. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply, please see jet2holidays.com/promotions#FCP2025 for further details.
^T&Cs apply: jet2holidays.com/promotions
