An Ayamonte Travel Guide and the Beautiful Casa Verde Apartments

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Ayamonte is a charming Spanish town on the Guadiana River just across the border from Portugal. It makes an easy weekend getaway from the Algarve with walkable streets, lively plazas, fresh seafood, and beaches nearby. We stayed at Casa Verde Apartments, which put us within minutes of the river, restaurants, and the old town. It ended up being a relaxed trip with slow mornings, good food, and plenty of wandering without a strict itinerary. Continue reading this Ayamonte travel guide to get helpful tips for your Ayamonte adventure

Why Ayamonte?

My friend Tracy and I  visit Ayamonte fairly often because we love the grocery stores there! They have great gluten-free items that we can’t get in Portugal. But it’s also fun to just go over for lunch just because I like saying that I went to another country to eat lunch. 

Since we like the little town, Tracy decided to rent an apartment there for her birthday. It was a short weekend getaway just to get out of Tavira and do something different, but close enough that some friends could also come out and celebrate with her. 

Where is Ayamonte?

Ayamonte is a small coastal town in southwestern Spain on the Guadiana River. It sits directly across from Vila Real de Santo Antonio in Portugal. The two towns face each other across the water and are connected by a short bridge and a ferry. From the eastern Algarve, it is an easy drive and makes a simple day trip or weekend getaway. From Tavira, it’s only a 25-minute drive!

Where We Stayed: Casa Verde Apartments

We had passed by this apartment before, but had no idea how spectacular it was inside. The apartments are called Casa Verde Apartments, and the outside is completely covered in green tiles with beautiful white balconies and details. Inside, there are 5 different apartments that are available to rent. Tracy chose the largest one since there were a few of us going. 

Our 4 Bedroom Apartment

The apartment was stunning from the second you opened the door. Gorgeous tiles lined the floor of the entrance and the walls. And the ornamental ceiling had a Tiffany Chandelier hanging from it. Off the entrance were 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Each bedroom had a small balcony and was beautifully decorated. As you walk to the other side of the entrance, you are greeted with even more beauty. Immediately as you enter, there is a periwinkle colored, spiral staircase that leads up to another bedroom. Off the bedroom was a large, rooftop patio with views of the Guadiana River, Portugal, and the old fish factory that was next door. The owner of the apartments actually told us that the apartment we were staying in once belonged to the owners of the fish factory.  

At the base of the staircase was a large, modern kitchen with pretty purple cabinets! It was such a unique color for the kitchen, which just added an extra bit of pop to the apartment. There was a large dining table and a sectional sofa, which was great for lounging around on. There was also another bedroom off the living room and a small ½ bath. Out of the dining room was another small patio with two tiled, mural benches. 

Everything about this apartment was absolutely beautiful and luxurious. One of my favorite parts was the staircase. The iron was decorative, and at night, if you turned on the lights upstairs, it projected the pattern throughout the apartment. It was really, really cool. 

Location, Location, Location

Case Verde apartments are in a great location in Ayamonte. It is only a few minutes walking to the town center where there are many places to eat, drink and shop. Its also close to the river and the ferry. If you are wanting to hit the beaches however, you would have to drive or get a taxi. The beaches are a bit more east of the town.

Apartment Details

• There was no designated parking for the apartment, but there is street parking around.
• Check-in was easy. The owner came and met us, and showed us around, as well as gave us a bit of history of the apartment and the town
• There was a small, local bar across the street, and there was a bit of noise at night, but it wasn’t like a busy city, so it wasn’t too bad.

Ayamonte

Ayamonte is a cute, laid-back town with a lively centro. There are lots of shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s a lovely place to spend a day wandering around, shopping, and having tapas at one of the many restaurants in the plazas

Things to do in Ayamonte

• Wander the old town plazas
• Shop for local produce and fish at the Mercado
• Explore the marina and riverside promenade
• Pop over to Isla Canela beaches
• Have a glass of wine in the plazas
• Take the ferry to Vila Real de Santo Antonio

Where to Eat in Ayamonte

LPA The Culinary Bar

We went to dinner in Ayamonte at LPA The Culinary Bar. It is a really cool and popular restaurant with great food and a cool atmosphere. People from all over the Algarve drive to Ayamonte just to eat there. When you walk in, look up at the interesting ceiling and the lamb!

The food here is really good. It’s a nice restaurant with a very aesthetic atmosphere, but not overly expensive. They have good gluten-free options, and vegan options are also available. I had some Iberian Pork, it was delicious!  The only thing I didn’t love was that the only cocktail list they had was all just Gin and Tonics. I expected there to be a great cocktail list with options other than gin, but we had sangria, and it was good. 

Other Great Places to Eat

• Resturante la Cueva- Traditional Spanish cuisine with allergens clearly listed on the menu
• Meson La Serrania de Macias- Andalucian cuisine. Again, has allergens marked on the menu. Tip: try the secretos- so delicious!
• Restaurante Mesón Plumas- Gluten-free options and highly rated

Tips for Gluten-Free Eating in Spain

• Ask about cross-contamination, especially with fryers
• Pizzerias and Italian spots often have gluten-free pasta or pizza, but ask about cross-contamination if you are celiac
• Seafood and grilled dishes are usually the safest options
• Grocery stores in town have solid gluten-free aisles for snacks and bread, Mercadona has the best bread!
• Beach areas have simple grilled fish and salads that work well gluten-free

Isla Canela Beaches

Isla Canela is the main beach area just outside Ayamonte with wide sandy shores, calm water, and a relaxed vibe. It is great for long walks, easy swimming, and beach days without crowds. The area has boardwalks, beach bars, and restaurants, plus parking that makes it simple for a half-day or full-day trip. It is an easy add-on to an Ayamonte getaway and only a few minutes from town. Also, the water tends to be a bit warmer than it is in the Algarve! Also, some beaches are dog-friendly!

Casa Verde Apartments Review Summary

• Beautiful design
• Great location for walking
• Quiet at night
• Easy parking
• Spacious units
• Good value for couples or friends

Final Thoughts

Ayamonte is an easy way to dip into Spain without committing to a full road trip. It has enough charm for a relaxed day of food and wandering, and it feels different enough from the Algarve to make it worth the border hop. I end up there at least once a month for groceries or lunch in the centro, so it has definitely become one of my go-to escapes.

Make sure to check out my Instagram @vegas.to.portugal to see more about the apartment, Ayamonte, and my daily life. 💙