Located on the right bank of the Guadiana River, the Spanish town of Ayamonte lies directly across the water from Portugal. It was once under Moorish rule before becoming part of the Crown of Castile and evolved into an important hub for fishing and salting sardines. Today, Ayamonte’s bridge is the southernmost border crossing between Spain and Portugal.
Things to do in Ayamonte
Spend an afternoon strolling through Ayamonte’s beautifully preserved medieval quarter, which is blissfully car-free. Admire the whitewashed facade of the 16th-century Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias and marvel at the reconstructed Bastion of Sorrows. Lined with palm trees, the Plaza de la Coronacion is home to alfresco restaurants and cafes where you can watch the world go by.
If you want to stretch your legs, follow the Ayamonte Caminata, which hugs the banks of the Guadiana River. It offers magnificent views toward the Salinas Corredora across the border in Portugal and is particularly majestic at sunset. Alternatively, head to Parque Municipal Prudencio Navarro, where you’ll find leafy walking trails and a small zoological park.
A short drive north of Ayamonte is La Torre-La Janera Standing Stones, a megalithic site believed to date back to the 4th millennia BC. It comprises more than 500 standing stones, geometric alignments and dolmens, making it one of the largest megalithic sites in Europe. Discovered in 2018, the site is thought to have been associated with controlling seasonal cycles and observing astronomical events.
Getting around Ayamonte
Ayamonte is around 40 minutes’ drive from Huelva and 1.5 hours from Seville Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular buses connect to Ayamonte and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Ferries travel from Ayamonte to Vila Real de Santo Antonio in Portugal.