A beautiful seaside town in southern Spain has been crowned the country's happiest place to live.
Chipiona, located on the coast of Cadiz, topped the list in a recent YouGov study commissioned by sugar producer Azucarera.
The company 'travelled the country to discover the happiest towns in Spain' before awarding Chipiona the top spot.
Azucarera says the town takes the crown for its people, its weather and its 'philosophy of life'.
Chipiona sits on Spain's Costa de la Luz
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The study also noted that people in Chipiona 'know how to live'. Despite its popularity with Spanish holidaymakers, Chipiona remains relatively unknown to international tourists.
The town has a rich history, having been occupied since Roman times before coming under Moorish rule for several centuries. These competing influences are visible in the local architecture.
Chipiona sits on Spain's Costa de la Luz, or Coast of Light, a 200km stretch of sandy beaches.
The area's historical significance and stunning coastline contribute to its charm, making it a favourite destination for Spanish visitors seeking happiness by the sea.
Among Chipiona's top attractions is Playa de Regla, a town beach that has earned prestigious Blue Flag status.
A tourist on Tripadvisor describes it as the 'ideal beach' for children as you "can see them perfectly from any location".
Another visitor writes: "Spectacular beach, wide, good access and services. A great beach."
The beach is easily identifiable thanks to its proximity to Chipiona Lighthouse, which stands as the tallest in Spain at 62 metres.
This impressive structure offers beautiful sunset views, making it a popular spot for visitors.
Chipiona isn't the only coastal town to feature on Spain's happiness list. Ronda, an Andalucian town located in the mountains above a deep gorge, ranked second.
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The town is popular with Spanish holidaymakers
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Nerja, previously named one of Spain's best seaside towns in a Which? survey, secured third place.
The top 10 also included several southern Spanish coastal towns such as Peniscola, Tarifa, Zahara de los Atunes, Benalmadena and Mojacar.
Only two northern Spanish towns made the list - San Vicente de la Barquera and Santillana del Mar, both in the Cantabrian region.
San Vicente de la Barquera is a historic fishing port backed by the Picos de Europa mountains.
