El Rompido
On February 1st, Mark, Maya, and I left Lisbon in a rental car and joined our friend Patti at her rental house along the Piedras River in El Rompido. We stayed for the final two weeks of her three-month stint there.
Welcome to Spain!
While the setting and views were lovely, the weather didn’t cooperate. Long beach walks and outdoor happy hours were off the table.
(Hover over or click on photos in galleries to read their captions.)
That said, whenever sunshine was in the forecast, we made the most of it — heading into the Algarve of Portugal for day trips to visit my parents or explore with our friends Heather and Jon. One particularly good morning, our little group — three people and three dogs (Patti has two of her own) — managed to get some exercise along the river beach and through the nearby forest.
The house itself was spacious but cold. Luckily, we had a small electric heater in our room, which made it possible to warm up and get cozy under the covers. Patti, on the other hand, prefers cooler temperatures — a difference we definitely noticed. 🙂
Despite the chilly, rainy conditions and busy days, our evenings were enjoyable and social.
We indulged in home-cooked dinners, fabulous wine and port, and great conversations. At night, we sometimes watched the Winter Olympics together. Our trio even hosted an Indian curry lunch for one of Patti’s friends and were invited to a traditional Spanish tapas and tortilla meal at a neighbor’s house.
Cádiz
Patti had bought a car in Spain, which needed to pass inspection in Cádiz. Since it was a 2.5-hour drive each way, she appreciated having company. With questionable weather in the forecast, Mark stayed behind with Maya and Koozie, while Patti, Pekoe, and I turned it into a day trip.
After the morning inspection, we wandered through Cádiz’s historic center — a place I had never visited before. Despite gray skies and occasional rain showers, I really enjoyed the city’s architecture and charm.
For lunch, we headed to the local market and created our own tapas feast by picking bites from different stands. To my surprise, we easily filled five hours just strolling through the old town and visiting a cool museum and two forts.
My favorite moment was walking along a causeway being battered by waves to reach a small fort out at sea. Timing our steps to avoid getting soaked became a game — one we didn’t entirely win. We got drenched. Twice. But it was worth it.
Ayamonte
On a another gray-turned-sunny day, Mark, Maya, and I drove towards the Portuguese border. After briefly checking out the first town across the line, we crossed back into Spain to visit Ayamonte.
At first glance, it seemed like a fairly large town without much going on. But after a quick look at Google Maps, Mark guided us to the historic center, which we immediately liked.
We found a charming area with beautiful tilework, a relaxed atmosphere, and inviting pedestrian streets. Our stroll along the waterfront and through town turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
Seville
Patti had to leave a couple of days before us. As an American following the “Schengen Shuffle,” she was nearing her 90-day limit and needed to exit the EU for the UK. We helped her get ready and said our goodbyes before sunrise, hoping our paths will cross again soon.
Our next destination was Benalmádena on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, about a four-hour drive away. Since the sun came out and we were in full tourist mode, we decided to break up the journey with a stop in glorious Seville.
The city letters sit under Las Setas
Knowing we wouldn’t have time to visit the Alcázar of Seville, we planned a three-hour self-guided walking tour instead. Little did we know that the annual Seville Marathon was happening that very day. To say it impacted our visit would be an understatement.
Still, we managed to explore much of the city and take in its highlights — despite the crowds, road closures, and general commotion.
Seville impressed us with its cleanliness, stunning architecture, lively squares, and fascinating history. It’s definitely a place we’d love to return to someday — ideally with our next camper, whenever we find it.
Next up: Andalusia, Part Two – The White Villages of Granada Province.
Curious about a previous ten-year chapter in our nomadic lives, which includes eight years aboard a 35-foot sailboat in the tropics with dogs? Check out my compelling, inspiring, and refreshingly honest travel memoir:
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March 25, 2026 at 7:09 am
Liesbet, your travel is always enhanced with friends and family. As always, I learn something with each post. For instance, I didn’t know Spain and Portugal are connected by such an elegant bridge.
I hope sunshine prevails for you; the architecture looks spectacular with light glancing off the walls. We are planning a trip to the Mediterranean, so we’ll miss Spain and Portugal. It certainly looks inviting. . . maybe another time!