Free walking tours in Ayamonte and what to see

Must-sees

Ayamonte sits at the mouth of the Guadiana, facing Portugal. The centre revolves around the Plaza de la Laguna, with its tiled benches, and the Paseo de la Ribera beside the port. Higher up, the Villa quarter keeps narrow streets and some of the oldest churches, such as the Iglesia del Salvador and the Iglesia de las Angustias.

The river is part of the visit. The boat to Vila Real de Santo António leaves from the quay, a short and pleasant crossing. To the south are the beaches of Isla Canela and Punta del Moral, wide and of fine sand, with marshes in between where birds are easy to spot. The Guadiana International Bridge can be seen from several points along the coast.

Free tours and guided visits

In some months there are pay-what-you-like free walking tours of the historic centre, covering the Plaza de la Laguna, the Ribera and the Villa quarter. Even so, excursions are more common. The most interesting are boat trips on the Guadiana, routes through the Isla Cristina marshes and trips to the Algarve, especially Castro Marim and Tavira.

How long to spend

A full day is enough to see Ayamonte: the morning for the centre and the Villa quarter, and the afternoon to cross to Portugal by boat. If you are also here for the beach, three or four days makes sense, alternating sand, a river trip and a visit to the Algarve. In summer, save walking visits for first thing or late afternoon.

Where to stay

For sightseeing, the best choice is to stay in the centre, near the Plaza de la Laguna and the Paseo de la Ribera. You will have restaurants, the port and the boat to Portugal a few steps away. If you want the beach, Isla Canela and Punta del Moral have most of the hotels and apartments, although from there you will need a car or the bus to reach the centre.