We will be out in Costa Esuri in a few weeks' time, but thought that during our first week we might spend a few days away exploring. Can anyone recommend places to visit that aren't too far away from Ayamonte? We don't mind travelling for, say, 3 or 4 hours. We thought Cordoba would be interesting, but we are having difficulty knowing which other places in that general direction might be interesting to see - we aren't looking for lively night-life! We like lovely views, interesting castles/churches, picturesque settings. Of course, we would need to go to places that had overnight accommodation too. Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

You're almost spoilt for choice with 3-4 hours drive. At one and, with a very early start, you could do a day trip to Tangier, via Tarifa - although it's probably worth an overnight stay either in Tarifa or Tangier.
Gibralter - but don't take your car across the border as you may end up waiting a couple of hours to get back!
There's Jerez and all the sherry bodegas. Maybe Cadiz
Of course Sevilla
A bit further is Merida, supposed to be the finest Roman ruins outside Italy.
I like Badajoz - but I'm a Sharpe fan and have an ambition to visit all the famous battle sites.
Nearer to home(CE) there's Rio Tinto.
Park Donana National Park - el Roccio
I like just driving at random into the countryside out towards Arcena national park.
Then there's Portugal - Lisbon is only just over 3 hours drive. And you have all the hinterland inland from the Algarve coast.
Personally I found Cordoba a bit disappointing.

I'm sure lots of people will have plenty of ideas. That's on of the real benefits of the location - so much opportunity

3-4 hours travel will allow you to reach most areas of Andalucia, South Portugal and Extremadura.

Maybe some of the links below can provide some ideas

http://www.andalucia.org/en/

http://www.spain.info/en/ven/comunid...tremadura.html

http://www.algarvetouristguide.com/

Many thanks to those of you who have replied so quickly! We will definitely look into these!

I have just been to Seville and had a really good time. The city is fascinating.
We took tours of the Royal Palace, Cathedral and a walking tour of the town with a company called Seville Walking Tours( just google for them) The info they pass on is really interesting.

Have a look at the website below for info on Ayamonte.

http://www.infoayamonte.com/index.php/visit

This might also be of interest ....http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=783563


Sevilla as mentioned, the orange blossom and Jacaranda scents are amazing ( if you it does not affect you )


Italica at Santaponci this side of Sevilla if you like Roman Ruins, also a good run to the ruins at Bolonia in Cadiz province would benefit from an overnight.

A few hours run up to Aracena there are caves ... http://www.visithuelva.com/andalusia...maravillas.asp amazing and the town has some good eating paces and the Museo del Jamon.

Cordoba has the flower festival for about 4 weeks end of April/May it is also the Patio festival you buy a ticket for about €7 which allows you to enter the private patios which are judged on their carnation displays. The Mesquito is supposed to be the finest Mosque (now Catholic Church) in Spain. If you stay over you could visit Granada on the way there or back and take a look at the Alhambra but do book online to avoid queues. Of course Sevilla has the Alcazar and the Cathedral which can be done in a day from CE but you will get home exhausted.

Finally if you do Merida and stay over just a bit further on is Caceres which is well worth a visit very compact and beautiful. Try and find the Monastary where they brew the Juste real ale.

If you go up to the Aracena you must stay over and also visit Rio Tinto mines and museum amazing what a few Scotish miners have done. Also the first Golf course in Spain and the start of Spanish football.

Don't forget Huelva the Britih cemetery where there are a few war graves. At least 2 airmen from a Beaufort rumoured to have been shot down by Franco's troops and "The Man Who Never Was". There is also the Victorian semis up near El Corte Ingles. Finally the ore loading system invented by the Rio mine owners to transform the speed of loading bulk ships for transport back to UK.

Wow, so many interesting suggestions - we might need to make several trips! Thank you all very much

Dont forget the Alentejo coast on the way to Lisbon, or just as a place to go and visit even for a day..... drink some of their gorgeous wine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alentejo

You really are spoilt for choice as there is so much to do in just 30 mins drive... let alone 6x that!

You'll have a lot of fun!!!

Jon

Drive inland up the way to Mérida - very pretty city with lovely riverside walks and old roman ruins.

Thank you RachelK - sounds good

Hi Sue and Barry. I'm from Huelva, I can tell you whatever you want to know about meeting places and go sightseeing in Huelva or Sevilla. Just tell me the style of visits you are expecting to have,and I will gladly help you.