Isla Cristina is a lively resort town and fishing port set on Spain’s sun-drenched Costa de la Luz. The beautiful beaches and ocean-fresh seafood steal the spotlight, though Isla Cristina will also charm you with its historic buildings and a wildlife-rich natural park.
Things to do in Isla Cristina
Isla Cristina is bathed in more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and attracts throngs of beachgoers. Exploring the 20-kilometre stretch of coastline, you’ll find gorgeous beaches like Playa Central fringed by golden sand and dotted with umbrellas. Calm, shallow water makes Cantil Beach popular with families.
Brightly painted buildings and palm-lined boulevards give Isla Cristina a holiday aesthetic. Enjoy lunch at an alfresco café and browse colourful souvenir shops. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores towers over the city centre and is filled with beautiful religious paintings and sculptures.
Isla Cristina is one of Spain’s busiest fishing ports and seafood is prized across the country. Head down to the public fish market to watch fishmongers auction off their catches of the day. The resort is also brimming with seafood restaurants where you can enjoy mussels, tuna and world-famous Isla Cristina prawns.
Boat trips take you out onto the water and are a great way to enjoy Isla Cristina. Many tours head to Las Marismas de Isla Cristina Natural Park, a protected marshland where you can spot spoonbills, plovers and even flamingos at certain times of the year. The park is laced with walking trails and wooden boardwalks if you’d rather explore on foot.
Getting around Isla Cristina
Isla Cristina is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The town is a 45-minute drive from Huelva and 1.5 hours from Seville. Buses run between Isla Cristina and Seville in around two hours. Faro Airport in Portugal is a one-hour drive away and Seville Airport is a 1.5-hour drive east.