Ayamonte, the Gateway to Spain
Its enviable geographical location makes Ayamonte one of the most important cities in the province of Huelva. Marked by its endless beaches, it shares the mouth of the Guadiana with Portugal, a strip where both lands almost merge. Despite its beauty and its proximity to Portuguese lands, it remains a relatively unknown tourist destination, making it an ideal place for those looking to escape the crowds and discover authentic places.
A stroll through its historic center
With its rich history and culture, Ayamonte is a fascinating place to visit. The town was founded by the Phoenicians and later became an important commercial port during Roman times. In the 13th century, the Muslims conquered the city and converted it into a fortress which was located on the plot of land now occupied by the Parador de Ayamonte.
The best way to get to know the essence of this town is to stroll through its streets. Its old town, characterized by its white color, hides a large number of monuments, typical houses with which to enjoy a walk breathing the air of the Atlantic:
Plaza de la Laguna
The Plaza de la Laguna is a must see in Ayamonte. It is located in the center of the town, where the Town Hall is located and from where the main shopping streets of the town start. In the center, you will find the Monument to the Immaculate Conception.
El Salvador church
Located in the upper part of the Barrio de la Villa next to the Parador, it is a Mudejar style temple with a striking bell tower and an eighteenth century altarpiece depicting the Immaculate Conception.
Church of San Francisco
In the same neighborhood we find this Site of Cultural Interest (BIC) in what was originally a Franciscan convent.
Church of Las Angustias
It is another of the buildings of interest in Huelva. Built at the foot of the Guadiana, it is responsible for collecting the image of the patron saint of the city, the Virgen de las Angustias.
Coronation Square
The Coronation Square is another of the most unique spaces in the historic center of Ayamonte, it breathes the air of the typical through its hexagonal fountain decorated with typical Andalusian tiles and other figures. This square is responsible for giving access to the Paseo de la Ribera, located on the banks of the Guayana and a step away from the marina.
Seaport of Ayamonte and mouth of the Guadiana River
You can not visit Ayamonte and miss the opportunity to stroll through the seaport, located near the mouth of the Guadiana. The port is characterized by being small and cozy and gives those who walk through it one of the best sunsets on the Atlantic coast.
Another of the most attractive plans is to take a ferry and cross to Vila Real de Santo António either on foot or by car in case you want to buy some typical Portuguese tableware or textiles such as bed linen and towels.
The light and its coastline, inspiration for Sorolla and many other painters
Ayamonte is characterized by giving a unique light to those who visit and live in it. That light together with the color of its coast and the Atlantic air did not go unnoticed and served as inspiration for one of the most emblematic painters of Spain: Joaquín Sorolla. To this day, it continues to inspire many painters and it is not in vain that Ayamonte is known as a cradle of painters.
Sorolla visited Ayamonte several times during his life and was fascinated by the natural beauty of the area, as well as by the life and customs of its inhabitants. One of Sorolla’s most emblematic paintings, “Tuna Fishing”, was painted in Ayamonte in 1894. In it, the artist captures the excitement and activity of the fishermen. The bright and vivid colors of the sails and the houses of the town contrast with the blue of the sky and the sea, creating a vibrant and lively scene.
The work belongs to a collection of fourteen works, which were commissioned for the Hispanic Society of America, known as “Vision of Spain”.
In summer, “Un paseo por el Arte” (art stroll) -an open air exhibition- is held and hundreds of paintings of local artists fill the streets of Ayamonte.
Ayamonte is home to two of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa de la Luz: Isla Canela and Punta del Moral. These beaches, which served and serve as inspiration for lovers of painting, are those that also host a large number of bathers year after year, its extension, its breadth and its fine sand have made them a tourist attraction for many.
Gastronomy
Beyond its historical heritage, Ayamonte is famous for its gastronomy. On your visit you can not miss a good stop to taste some good preserves, a cheese platter or Iberian Ham accompanied by a good wine in Vinos & Vinilos.
Apart from that we recommend 3 gastronomic options that we are sure you will love:
LPA The Culinary Bar
LPA The Culinary Bar is on the top list of many of our residents both for its food and its decoration.
Fabio, its chef of Italian origin, fuses different cultures in his cuisine giving prominence to local ingredients.
Udon noodles with prawns, duck confit with kumquat sauce, cheesecake with beet jam and goat cheese are just some of the dishes that attract and impact all the senses.
Okura Sushi Gastro Bar
As one of our residents said when we recommended this restaurant: “Japanese food is the most honest food there is because it is based above all on the quality of its ingredients”.
At Okura sushi, a Nikkei-inspired restaurant with Mediterranean touches, they take this maxim to the letter and the ingredients that make up their dishes are of superior quality. That is why when you try the almadraba bluefin tuna nigiri or the Okura toast you will feel all the flavor of the sea condensed in one bite.
A delight their Panko roll with prawn and Dutch cucumber covered with avocado and spicy Japanese mayonnaise.
Special mention should be made of their special dishes such as salmon sashimi on a base of white garlic soup (ajoblanco) and Japanese spices.
La Pasta Gansa
A purebred Italian restaurant that has been offering Italian dishes for three decades with the best Italian raw material and km 0.
An extensive menu consisting of antipasti, pastas, pizzas made by their pizzaiolo in their traditional oven, signature or seasonal dishes and a menu of 100% homemade desserts make La Pasta Gansa the perfect choice for any occasion.
We love it at this time of the year because you can enjoy a delicious Italian aperitif with Aperol Spritz on the terrace next to the harbor feeling the Atlantic breeze.
Less than half an hour from AMA Residences Andalucía, you can enjoy a day in this beautiful town of Huelva, if you have any questions to make your visit, we will be happy to help you.
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