Islantur Ipanema

Islantilla is a conundrum. While the more famous Algarve a mere just 40 minutes away is heaving with people in Autumn, this place with the same beaches and climate will be completely peaceful. I hear it gets busy in summer but out of season it is very quiet but with excellent weather. We stayed in a modest well-maintained and clean apartment. The staff were attentive and provided towels and assistance when needed. This place is what you make of it, other reviews complain about lack of wifi, but the nearby cafeteria has a free wifi connection and does excellent Portuguese custard tarts. Come to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, bring your trainers and go for a long run on the beach (which is 15 miles of white sand) or go skinny dipping on the naturist beach 5 miles away, which is far way enough to avoid if that's not your thing. There is a pool in the complex but it is only open in high season. I hired a car for days trips to Seville, Doñana park, Jerez and nearby Portugal and Huelva for shopping and to see the Columbus route with full size replicas of his ships. I will definitely return.