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| Take a walk around the port (puerto pesquero) of Isla Cristina |
By Jo Williams
Forty five kilometres from Huelva city is this beach
resort, popular with Spanish visitors, which was once situated on
an island (hence the name). Isla Cristina is worth a visit for its
marvellous choice of beaches that, like its neighbours, are sandy
and extensive, making a stretch of eight kilometres' long. There
are some excellent windsurfing spots along this stretch of coast.
It is also a busy port, famed for its fresh and preserved fish and
one of the most important in Andalucia, if not Spain.
The town's population explodes in July and August
due to a huge influx of tourists, mainly from Seville. During these
months it's best to book accommodation as far in advance as possible
and be prepared for some hefty price increases. Only visit at this
time if you like a lively atmosphere and a resort packed with people,
because Isla Cristina is full to bursting point in the summer.
 Take a walk around the port (puerto pesquero) when
the fishing boats unload their catches, either first thing in the
morning or to enjoy the sunset in the evening. The habourside factories
sell Isla Cristina's famous canned tuna and mackerel and salted
fish. As you would expect in a port town along the Costa de la Luz,
there are loads of good fish restaurants to choose from, like the
renowned Casa Rufino on the Carretera de la Playa road to the main
beach, as well as the chiringuitos (summer beach bars) lining the
beach. Sample the local fish specialities that include raya en pimentón
(skate with peppercorns), mechado de atún (a minced tuna
fish dish) and the ubiquitous fried fish dishes.
Sunset at Isla Cristina.
The approach to Isla Cristina from the A49 motorway
to the north of the town crosses the Paraje Natural Marismas
de Isla Cristina, an impressive marshland area that is
home to many birds including storks, flamingoes and spoonbills.
On this road, two kilometres out of town, is a marked kilometre-long
footpath, a so-called vía verde, across the marismas, known
as the Sendero de Molino Mareal de Pozo del Camino.
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