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Isla Cristina Holidays

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An old maritime village hugged by the Rio Carreras

Tantalising close to the Guadiana River, which marks the Portuguese border on the westerly part of the blissful Costa de la Luz, coastal Isla Cristina retains its old-world charms as a seafaring village. Sun-faded boats still bob on the bay, and it’s not hard to come by the salted fish that’s been produced here for generations.  
 
The Carreras River wraps around Isla Cristina and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s here you’ll find a complex system of tidal marshes that attract an astonishing number of birds, including spoonbills. Follow the trails through the marshes on foot or by bike or take a boat trip on the Carreras Estuary to get an idea of the scale of this natural wonderland. 
 
If you find yourself in Isla Cristina for sunny weather and excellent beaches, there are a couple of great options to try. Playa de la Casita Azul is of the honey-coloured sand variety lapped by calm waters. Or you can cross a footbridge over a gorge to reach Gaviota, a beach built in the shelter of the breakwater.

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    Your Isla Cristina questions, answered

    You can fly with easyJet to Faro, Portugal, which takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes. When you touch down, the scenic transfer to Isla Cristina takes about an hour.
    In a word: seafood. The local fish, including shrimp and crawfish, sardine, mackerel and the local tuna. And, of course, the traditional salted fish. 
    Wide and sandy with pretty seashells and calm waters. Try Playa Central and Playa del Camino Santana. 
    One of the main draws are the marshes that lie to the west. You can take a boat excursion to spot birdlife in the beautiful surroundings. Isla Cristina also gaining popularity as an amateur golfer's paradise, with courses to suit all skill levels. 
    Totally up to you, but there are plenty of upsides to getting your own set of wheels, especially if you've got a bag of golf clubs in tow. Neighbouring resorts such as Isla Canela and El Rompido are home to some great 18-hole golf courses, and getting there and back will be much easier if you've got your own car. Seville is within driving distance for day trips, too, just 1hr 40 mins away. You needn't worry about the drive from Faro Airport, either, and it's only an hour and there's no official border to deal with. 
    It really depends on when you visit. Over the winter it's a sleepy coastal village, but things do ramp up a bit during the summer, though it's mostly favoured by Spanish travellers, so everything from the restaurants to the entertainment is distinctly Spanish – including the food menus so brush up on your phrases before you go!

    Hotels in Isla Cristina

    Estival Isla Cristina
    1,150 reviews
    Isla Cristina Palace
    420 reviews
    Occidental Isla Cristina
    4,179 reviews