From fiery flamenco to seafood and sherry, an escape to the Costa de la Luz offers an authentic taste of Spain

In the Spain of your imagination what do you picture? Pristine beaches, charming white-washed villages, the freshest seafood and tastiest tapas, fiery flamenco shows, and breathtaking buildings? If it’s the authentic Spanish experience that you’re after, then the Costa de la Luz is the place to go.

Stretching for 200km along Spain’s Atlantic coast, this region might be lesser-known, but that only adds to its appeal. You’ll find golden sands and seaside towns perfect for a fly and flop – but there’s so much more to discover. It’s a place to truly immerse yourself in Andalucian culture, from traditional celebrations and awesome architecture to vibrant cities and delicious regional dishes.

Jet2holidays, the UK’s number one tour operator, now flies direct to Jerez from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and Manchester – and from London Stansted this summer – so it’s now easier to explore this hidden gem.

With Jet2holidays, you can get great-value holidays with a range of travel perks designed to make your holiday as smooth as possible, from the day you book to the moment you return. These include a low £60pp deposit*, 22kg baggage and 10kg hand luggage included, as well as 2 to 5-star hotels, any-duration holidays, return transfers** and return flights.

There are also flexible payment options available, including PayPal Pay in 3 interest-free payments*** and Pay Monthly†, while for families, Jet2holidays is the Home of Free Child Places‡, for even more savings on your break.

Here’s why the Costa de la Luz is your gateway to an authentic Spanish getaway…

Whether its ancient ruins or contemporary art that gets you excited, Costa de la Luz can provide your cultural fix.

In the sun-soaked city of Cadiz there’s 3000 years of history to discover. Wander the old town’s atmospheric barrios (neighbourhoods) and you’ll see architectural wonders from the remains of a roman theatre to the Baroque meets Neoclassical masterpiece that is the city’s cathedral. The Museo de Cadiz is home to rare Phoenician marble sarcophagi as well as an art collection that spans the 16th century to the present day.

Outside the city, the Fundación Montenmedio Contemporánea, near Vejer de la Frontera, is an open-air contemporary art museum with installations by major artists like Marina Abramović.

In Jerez, the Pinacoteca Rivero houses works by Spanish masters including Velázquez and Goya in the unique setting of a sherry bodega. It’s just one of many cultural attractions in a city steeped in history and tradition. Iconic landmarks include the historic Alcázar and stunning cathedral, while the elegant plazas are primed for people-watching. For something truly special, the Royal Andalucian Riding School is famous for its equestrian ballet, a show of ‘dancing horses’ complete with 18th century costumes and music.

Speaking of unique experiences, the Palacio de la Chanca – the remains of a medieval castle in the coastal town of Zahara de los Atunes – hosts open air film screenings each summer. And at the preserved remains of the Roman city Baelo Claudia, you can look all the way out to Morocco.

No trip to the Costa de la Luz is complete without experiencing one of its most famous exports: flamenco. An exhilarating mix of singing, dancing and live music, flamenco emerged as an art form in Andalucía in the 18th century and is still going strong today.

There are plenty of ways to witness this soulful meeting of rhythm and emotion, from dedicated festivals like the Festival de Jerez (late February - early March) and big choreographed shows to more intimate tablaos and traditional peñas (authentic flamenco clubs), and even spontaneous street performances. In Cadiz certain barrios (neighbourhoods) are particularly associated with flamenco, including La Viña and Santa Maria. In Jerez, the Santiago quarter is famous for its flamenco culture and is where you’ll find the Andalucian Flamenco Centre, a cultural hub dedicated to the art.

Jerez is also known for being the birthplace of sherry. The origins of the fortified wine can be traced back 3000 years to the time Phoenicians first brought vines to the area. The Atlantic breezes, chalky albariza soil and warm climate combine to create ideal conditions to grow the Palomino, Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel grapes used for making it.

The area between Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda is known as the “sherry triangle” and is where you’ll find vineyards and bodegas (historic wineries) offering tours and tastings. There are many types to sample, including fino, manzanilla, amontillado, palo cortado and oloroso.

If sherry is the go-to drink of Costa de la Luz then fresh seafood dominates menus here – no surprise given the 200km of Atlantic coastline.

A speciality of the region is bluefin tuna, caught off the Atlantic waters using a 3000-year-old sustainable fishing technique called almadraba. Witnessing the spectacle (the season runs from April to June) from coastal towns like Zahara de los Atunes, Conil and Barbate is an unforgettable experience, as is tasting the fresh catch in one of the local restaurants.

At chiringuitos (beach bars) dotted across the region it’s all about seafood snacks like pescaíto frito (fried fish) and Huelva and Sanlúcar prawns. At old school tapas bars you can expect local specialities like tortillitas de camarones (shrimp fritters) and chicharrón de Cádiz (crispy pork belly).

It’s not all about traditional dishes. Angel Leon’s triple-Michelin starred Aponiente in El Puerto de Santa María reimagines seafood with innovative dishes like crunchy moray eel skin and sea-snail skewers.

For a more low-key experience head to Cadiz’s Mercado Central de Abastos, Spain’s oldest covered market, where you can enjoy local cheeses, fried fish, tapas, cured meats and more. It’s the perfect place to pick up some bits for a picnic before joining the locals on the city’s urban beach, Playa de la Victoria, a 3km long stretch of golden sand. What could be more Spanish?

And right now, you can save a whopping £100pp^ on all holidays in the Jet2 sale, so it's the perfect time to lock in that trip you've been dreaming about!

For more travel information and inspiration and to book your Costa de la Luz getaway, visit Jet2holidays. After all, nothing beats a Jet2holiday…

*On bookings made ten weeks or more before departure. Full payment required by balance due date.

** Unless otherwise stated.

*** Spread the cost over three interest-free payments. Available when booked online, for holidays under £2,000, departing within ten weeks.

† See www.jet2holidays.com/part-payment for full details.

‡ One free child place per two paying passengers. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply, please see jet2holidays.com/promotions#FCP2025 for further details.

^T&Cs apply: jet2holidays.com/promotions