Ayamonte Guide
Ayamonte Guide, Spain
Ayamonte in southern Spain is just across the River Guadiana from Vila Real de Santo Antonio in Portugal.
A pleasant ferry journey connects the two or by car visitors can cross the river on the Guadiana International Bridge.
The town has a population of around 20,000 inhabitants and is in the province of Huelva in Andalusia.
History
Sancho II of Portugal ended Moorish control of the town in 1240. He left it in the hands of the mainly Spanish Order of Santiago. In 1267 it became part of Castile according to the Treaty of Badajoz signed in Badajoz between King Alfonso X of Castile and King Afonso III of Portugal. The Guadiana River became the border between the two kingdoms according to the terms of the treaty. It remains so today.
The fish and salting of sardines and tuna have long been important industries. Nowadays, tourism is a major part of the local economy.
Attractions
The border town gets rather short shrift in most guidebooks of Spain. This is somewhat unfair as Ayamonte is pleasant, is close to the sea and also has the added advantage of being so close to Portugal. The narrow, winding streets of the old town are great to wander and are car-free.
Paseo de la Ribera is the main square in Ayamonte which has a couple of lovely churches, Iglesia de San Francisco and the 15th century Iglesia de San Salvador.
The Baroque, 16th-century Nuestra Señora de las Angustias is dedicated to the patron saint of Ayamonte. In September the Fiestas de las Angústias is a six-day festival in honor of the saint.
The local band Banda Ciudad de Ayamonte and the Portuguese Banda da Sociedade Filarmónica Progresso e Labor Samouquense arrive on the ferry from Portugal together and the festival begins. Participants follow the bands to the main square and there is considerable feasting and merrymaking in the streets along with bullfights and firework displays.
The Museo de Muñecas Antiguas on Calle San Pedro exhibits a collection of 250 antique dolls.
The main attraction, though, is the beach, Playa Isla Canela, which draws thousands of mainly Spanish holidaymakers in summer. Access to the beach is by a causeway across the salt marshes (Marismas del Guadiana) which are a pristine and protected haven for birds and wildlife. The sandy beaches here are ideal for kite surfing, sailing and windsurfing, and there is a golf course nearby, too.
Punta del Moral to the east is another excellent Blue Flag beach on the estuary of the Rio Carreras.
Ayamonte Tourist Office
Plaza de España, 1, 21400
Ayamonte
Tel: 959320737
Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 8 pm; Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.
Getting to & from Ayamonte
Bus
Damas runs the bus services in Ayamonte. There are local and more long-distance buses to Bellavista, Huelva, Lepe, Punta del Moral, Isla Canela, San Silvestre de Guzmán, Sevilla and Villabranca.
There are buses to Vila Real de Santo Antonio from Lisbon and Sevilla in Spain. The bus to Faro runs through Olhão. The EVA bus service to Sevilla passes through Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Ayamonte and Huelva. There is presently one bus a day leaving from Vila Real de Santo Antonio's bus station on Avenida da República at 9.35 am arriving at Sevilla's main bus station in Plaza de Armas at 1 pm (Spanish time).
There are local buses from the bus terminal near the ferry crossing to Ayamonte from Vila Real to Alcoutim, Castro Marim, Manta Rota, Mertola, Monte Gordo, Olhão, Odoleite and Tavira.
Train
Ayamonte is not on the railway network but adjacent Vila Real de Santo Antonio in Portugal is.
Vila Real de Santo Antonio is 50 km east of Faro and 20 km east of Tavira. Vila Real de Santo Antonio is the terminus of the railway in the Algarve to Faro and then onward to Lisbon. The trans-Algarve railway continues from Faro to Lagos in the west of the Algarve. Vila Real de Santo Antonio Station is north of the town center. There are local trains west to Albufeira, Almancil, Loule, Lagos and Portimão via a change at Faro Station (40 minutes). Trains from Vila Real de Santo Antonio run to Monte Gordo (5 minutes), Tavira (30 minutes) and Olhão (55 minutes).
Car
From the west Ayamonte is on the A49 highway from Huelva and Sevilla. Sevilla is about 140 km east or about 90 minutes depending on traffic. Huelva is just 40 minutes (60 km). The resort of Nerja is 400 km to the east along the coast.
Ferry
The ferry across to Portugal leaves from the Muelle de Portugal.
Ayamonte Hotel, Apartment, & Hostel Accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation available in Ayamonte catering to the thousands of Spanish holidaymakers who flock here in summer. The following is a recommended selection, listed from high-end to budget.
Parador de Ayamonte has fine views of the River Guadiana and over into Portugal. There is a swimming pool for summer use and a restaurant. Three golf courses are within 5 km of the hotel.
Hotel Luz de Guadiana is close to Ayamonte Bus Station and offers old school charm and friendly staff.
The Donde Duerme El Guadiana offers a one-bedroom air-conditioned apartment ideal for two people.
At the beach the four-star Iberostar Isla Canela comes well-recommended. So are both the Meliá Atlántico Isla Canela and Occidental Isla Cristina. Both have four stars.
Book Hotel Accommodation in Ayamonte
Hotels in Ayamonte - Booking.com
Hotels in Huelva - Booking.com
Hotels in Sevilla - Booking.com
Hotels in Vila Real de Santo Antonio Portugal - Booking.com
Hotels in Monte Gordo Portugal - Agoda
Hostels in Portugal - Booking.com
Eating
Some recommended restaurants in Ayamonte include LPA The Culinary Bar at Plaza de la Lota, 10, Anyma for good pasta at Calle del Rio, 11 and Meraki Tapas also on Plaza de la Rota.
Drinking
There are many restaurants bars and cafes in Ayamonte. Try Margallo or Cafe Pub Topik.
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Algarve Resorts
Other places to visit in the Algarve region of Portugal include Albufeira, Alcoutim, Aljezur, Alvor, Cabanas, Cacela Velha, Faro, Ferragudo, Fuseta, Lagos, Loulé, Monchique, Olhão, Portimão, Praia da Rocha, Sagres, Silves, Vilamoura and Vila Real de Santo Antonio.
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