Beach horse riding holiday in Spain. Equestrian holidays aimed at experienced riders in Andalucia, Spain

Superb Holiday Base.

The Andalucian province of Cadiz is truly unspoilt and untouched by the mass tourism that affects the more popular coastal areas of Spain. The province offers the colour, beauty, richness and diversity typical of Andalusia and provides an ideal location for a horseback riding holiday.

Our horse riding holidays are based in Barbate, a seaside town of 20.000 people that is situated at the edge of a beautiful nature reserve. The town has a fantastic 2 km long golden sandy beach lined by an idyllic promenade. As well as sunbathing after riding you can relax in the ice-cream parlours, bars and restaurants located on the promenade.

Unspoilt Nature Park

With it's spectacular cliffs, beautiful pine forest and salt marshes, the Barbate nature reserve is considered one of the most diverse and best-preserved parts of the Andalusian coast. The park provides loads of spectacular views such as those of Cape Trafalgar, the River Barbate estuary, Vejer de la Frontera and even the African coastline. The cliffs are home to teeming colonies of herring gulls and egrets, and the park has a stunning variety of wildflowers, herbs and palms.

The beaches of the area are a horse riders dream come true, allowing freedom and space for exhilarating canters and gallops. The Barbate nature reserve also provides fantastic horseback riding that some guests say is even more memorable than the beaches. The sandy forest floor is just perfect for the horses and the park has a multitude of tracks ideal for long canters. The park is also dissected by long and wide firebreaks ideal for a good gallop. As well as fantastic riding the forest also provides shelter from the sun, so it is never too hot for riding. We have been riding here for nineteen years and our knowledge of the park is second to none. Therefore our trails lead you to really spectacular places and we are able to provide the best riding available in the area. Our horses are well mannered and responsive, and along with the quality of our riding and the beauty of the landscape we will give you a horse riding holiday that you will enjoy and always remember.

Superb 3 star Accommodation

The accommodation is just as important as the riding on a horse riding holiday. Your stay with us will be in the luxurious 3 star hotel Adiafa. The hotel is superb, very well appointed and located only 50 meters from the beach in Barbate. The hotel is family run, friendly and welcoming. All the rooms are spacious twin bedrooms with on-suite bathroom with bath and shower. The rooms used for shared bookings will have a balcony and full sea view. Single bookings will be allocated their own bedroom without a balcony and sea view. A supplement can be paid to upgrade a single room to a room with a balcony and sea view. There is also an option for a triple room. Air-conditioning, international digital TV and a wi-fi internet connection is also provided in the bedrooms.

Your Stay in Barbate.

As well as the beach Barbate also has a lively town centre with plenty of shops and cafe's. The town square is lovely with the town hall and the church at either side. There is also a small museum in the town that depicts Barbate's history. The hotel Adiafa is located on the beach but is only a few minutes walk from Barbate's town centre. Ideal for souvenir hunting the town has good shopping facilities. Many shops accept bank cards and there are a number of cash dispensers. There is also a good bus and taxi service if you wish to explore the area during your non riding time. Barbate is a town that can be discovered and enjoyed on vacation at any time of year, and you can be assured of being made very welcome by the friendly, local people.

Delicious Food and Drink.

The vacations would not be complete without good food and drink. A continental Breakfast is provided in the hotel's cafeteria. Relaxed Lunches are eaten after the ride in traditional 'tapas' bars. Dinners are taken at a variety of quality restaurants within Barbate. All meals are typical ‘Andaluz’ with superb meat and fish dishes being served. Vegetarians can be catered for. The meals are accompanied by good Spanish wines, beers or soft drinks.

Andalusia weather.

During summer it is possible to sunbathe almost every day from May through to October. There is virtually no rain with daily highs ranging from 25°C to 35°C and nightly lows about 15°C. Winter is mild with a mixture of clear, sunny days with sometimes overcast but warm days. Evenings are noticeably cooler. The first rains are late September or early October and can be heavy but rarely last more than a day or two. Daily highs range from 15°C to 20°C and nightly lows rarely below 10°C.