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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Spain's 'best kept secret' where golden sandy beaches are free of tourists
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more (Image: Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF) Spain holidays are a firm favourite with Brits; after all, the country offers breathtaking beaches, bustling resorts, and some glorious hot and sunny weather. However, a tourist hotspot can often mean lots of crowds - but there's one gorgeous region where you can enjoy all of the fun, without the masses. Costa de la Luz isn't necessarily a hidden gem - it's home to hotspots like Cadiz - but the region boasts over 200km of golden sandy shores, so there's ample opportunity to enjoy a holiday without the crowds. We asked the experts at On the Beach to uncover some of the best destinations for June if you want hot and sunny weather, but without too much hustle and bustle, and the Spanish region was one of their top 10 choices. "Spain's 'Coast of Light' is still Spain's best-kept secret in early summer, expect glowing sunsets and empty golden sands, just you and the Atlantic breeze," they explained. "It's where Spaniards holiday but way quieter than the tourist-heavy Costa del Sol." The region boasts some breathtaking golden sand beaches (Image: Getty Images/imageBROKER RF) There's so much to see and do across Costa de la Luz, so plan ahead depending on the type of holiday you're after. For those who love city breaks, Cadiz needs to firmly be on your radar. Boasting the likes of 300 days of sunshine and one of the world's best beaches, it offers an ideal mix of city and beach. Cadiz is one of Europe's oldest cities, so intrepid explorers will be treated to plenty of impressive fortresses and beautiful cathedrals, while the Mercado Central is definitely one for the itinerary with its awe-inspiring architecture. The city also offers a brilliant nightlife, and countless restaurants for some classic tapas and wine. As for that beautiful beach? It's called Punta Paloma, and it never fails to impress. In fact, visitors on Tripadvisor have described it as a "hidden gem [which] was a total mind-blowing place" with "extremely clean water", not to mention the beach is surrounded by beautiful sandy dunes and postcard-worthy vistas. Other golden shores where you can escape the crowds also include the likes of Bolonia and Valdevaqueros. Keep an eye out for flamingos in Doñana National Park (Image: Getty Images) Jerez is another city that you'll want to check out; the home of sherry and flamenco is an easy train ride away from Seville, but it doesn't have the same hordes of tourists, meaning you can feel like you're really enjoying a holiday like a local. (Not to mention the food and drink there is incredible, so leave time one afternoon to just bask in the sunshine while tucking into that mouthwatering Spanish fare). Meanwhile over in Huelva, in June you can witness the annual festival and pilgrimage of El Rocío which attracts millions of tourists (in 2025 it takes place June 6-9 so avoid these dates if you don't want to be in the crowds), but if you're after those empty beaches then the shores of Matalascañas and Mazagón are worth having on your radar. Oh, and make sure to leave time to go exploring the breathtaking marshes and wetlands in Doñana National Park - and keep an eye out for its famous flamingoes. The good news is that you don't need to break the bank if you want to visit. For example, On the Beach offers Costa de la Luz holidays from £372pp, with the cheaper rates falling outside of the peak school holiday dates.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
Frogmen, a Vatican visit and an elephant thief: photos of the day
Children wash their sacrificial sheep in the sea ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha Photograph: Cem Ozdel/Anadolu/Getty Images Frogmen from the police force, known as 'evidence hunters of dark waters', take part in a training exercise Photograph: Lokman Ilhan /Anadolu/Getty Images Exiled Tibetans pray for the longevity of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who presides over the event Photograph: Ashwini Bhatia/AP A stork with two chicks in a nest built on a high-voltage line mast Photograph: Loïc Venance/AFP/Getty Images Municipality workers use excavators to search for recyclable materials at the Boragaon garbage dumping site Photograph: David Talukdar/Anadolu/Getty Images People ferry cattle on a vehicle ahead of Eid al-Adha Photograph: Rizwan Tabassum/AFP/Getty Images President Lee Jae-myung gestures to the people outside the national assembly as he leaves following his inauguration ceremony Photograph: Lee Jin-Man/AFP/Getty Images A train arrives at a station next to the sea Photograph: Ishara S Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images The Simpecado float of the Brotherhood of El Rocío of Seville-El Salvador departs on its pilgrimage to the village of Almonte. About 1 million people from across Spain make the journey to pay homage to Our Lady of Rocío each year Photograph: Raúl Caro Cadenas/EPA Visitors from Mexico wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV for his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square Photograph: Gregorio Borgia/AP People on a pedestrian crossing on a shopping street in the city Photograph: Eugene Hoshiko/AP An elephant, named Plai Biang Lek, ransacks sweet rice crackers at a shop in Ratchasima province Photograph: Kanokporn Sriboon/AP Activists unfurl a banner protesting against the war in Gaza outside the Houses of Parliament on Westminster Bridge Photograph:Officers investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann carry out searches in the countryside a few miles from the resort where she was last seen in 2007 Photograph: James Manning/PA An Acehnese woman receives up to 100 lashes of the cane in front of the public, as punishment for alleged adultery and breaking Sharia law Photograph: Hotli Simanjuntak/EPA Rescuers work at the site of a Russian drone strike where large-scale fires broke out in an industrial area Photograph: Sergey Kozlov/EPA Palestinians mourn the loss of family members killed in an Israeli attack on makeshift tents for displaced civilians Photograph: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu/Getty Images Israeli activists gather for the start of a three-day march calling for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA People gather for a ceremony to mark the 36th anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, at Khomeini's shrine Photograph: Iran's Supreme Leader Office Handout/EPA
