The Costa de la Luz, in Spanish "the coast of light", is the section of the Andalucian coastline that extends west from Gibraltar and Tarifa out along the Atlantic coast heading towards the Spanish-Portuguese border.
The coast encompasses two Spanish provinces, the Cadiz section runs from Tarifa along to the Guadalquivir river, after which the Huelva section passes through Doņana park and onto the Portuguese border. Cadiz and Huelva are also the largest urban areas on the Costa de la Luz, with Sevilla being a 40 minute drive inland.
Costa de la Luz is characterised by its juxtaposition with the Atlantic Ocean - the sand on the beaches is typically said to be finer and more golden than that found on the Mediterranean coast. The beaches here also tend to be wider and longer with extensive sand dunes. The Atlantic climate produces a slightly lower yearly average temperature compared with southern Spain as a whole, and the area is known for strong winds, making it a popular destination for windsurfers.
The Costa de la Luz is markedly less developed than neighbouring coasts, high rise construction is notably absent as are large scale holiday urbanisations.