Guide to the area

Our personal guide for you

Dear guests,

With this guide we would like to offer you our personal favorites and a few hidden gems of this beautiful region. You can also find lots of useful information and shopping tips. For any question we will be happy to attend you in our office:

Our office is open from Monday to Friday 9:30 to 13:30 and 16:00 to 19:00. Outside these office hours you can contact us for emergencies at the following phone number and leave a message: (0034) 956 10 62 -40 or 671 252223 (WhatsApp)

We wish you a wonderful and relaxing holiday

your Casa de la Luz team.

Important phone numbers:

Casa de la Luz office                                 956 10 62 40   and    671 25 22 23 WhatsApp

General Emergencies                                112

Guardia Civil                                              956 44 00 50

Police Conil / Conil Policía Local               956 44 01 25

Airports:

Jerez                                                           956 15 00 00

Gibraltar                                                      956 77 30 26

Malaga                                                         952 04 88 44

Seville                                                          954 44 90 00

Important addresses and telephone numbers

Doctors / hospitals

In Spain there is a public health system. If you have a blue EU insurance card which is usually the back of your normal insurance card, you will get a free treatment. Private treatments against payment are not possible.

Public Health Center: Centro de Salud/ Ambulatorio

Plaza Blas Infante

Avda. Gonzalo Sanchez Fuentes                                 956 44 27 47

Public Hospital: Hospital Puerto Real

Ctra N-IV km 665 (approx. 30 min from Conil)             956 00 50 00

San Sebastian,Private Health Center                            

Calle Entorno de Doñana, 2, Conil
English speaking staff                                                   956 44 23 84

Private Hospital: Clinica Novo Sancti Petri

Urb. Novo Sancti-Petri,                                                    

www.clinicanovo.com

(English speaking staff)                                                 956 49 50 00

Dentist with English speaking staff:

Clinica Dental “Dr. Chamorro”, C/Laguna 9ª                 956 44 31 75

Banks

Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 am  – 02:00 pm.

Tourist information

Conil  Oficina Municipal de Turismo,

C/Carretera 1,                                                                  956 44 05 00

Mon-Fri 9.30 am - 2.00 pm , 6.30-9.30 pm

Vejer, Av. Los Remedios, 2                                               956 45 17 36

Post office

C/Toneleros, Ecke La Vid                                                 95644 00 56

Mo-Fr 8.30-14.00, Sa 8.30-13.00

Taxi

C/Pascual Junquera, (near the arch)                                 956 44 09 75

C/ Carretera                                                                       956 44 07 87

Ctra. N-340 (Opposite to the Venta El Colorado)               956 44 50 39

El Colorado

Railway (Renfe)     
Next railway station in San Fernando www.renfe.es           902 240 202

Busses

Transportes Generales Comes for busses to Cadiz, Seville etc.

Cañada Honda, in Conil (main bus stop)

Tel. 956-44 29 16, general Info 902-19 92 08

(time tables are posted)  or here: /www.tgcomes.es/

Shuttle bus “Conil Sostenible” between Conil - Fuente del Gallo - Roche - El Colorado. Bus stop Conil El Punto (roundabout near tourist information centre– here you will also get time tables).

Town hall , Ayuntamiento

Plaza de la Constitución 1                                                  956 44 03 06

Language schools 
Academia Andaluza, C/ Confederacion, Tel:                      956440552

https://academia.andaluza.net    

Academia Atlantika C/ Bodegueros, Tel:                             956441296

https://atlantika.net

Shopping

Market hall (vegetable, fruit, meat, fish)

Shopping in the market hall is most amazing. Here you can buy every day (except Sunday) many sorts of very good and fresh fish. Gilthead, Pargo, Rape (monkfish) and of course the tune (Atún) or the sword fish (pez espada) are delicious. You will also get any kind of fruit, vegetable and meat. The best beef is from the “Retinto” and pork from the “Iberico”

Mercado de Abastos,  C/ Rosa de los Vientos

Open only in the morning:  Mon- Sat. 9:00 am  - 02:00 pm.

Best bakery in town:

“PanCultura”, Calle Arrumbadores 5 (close to market hall) - Closed on Mondays

Specialties of the province of Cadiz: 

CAUR, C/ Laguna. Highly recommended: Payoyo cheese from the Sierra de Grazalema (Cadiz), tuna, olive oil and wines

Supermarkets:

Aldi -Market (first roundabout before entering Conil)

Supermarket El Jamon,  C/ Chiclana (with free car park)

Maxi-Día  at the exit Conil in direction to the harbour (puerto)

Mercadona  at the rotary next to the Policia Local at the ring road

Día.   C/ Rosa de los Vientos. (rotary El Punto)

Bio store: Herbostería   C/ Vendimiadores, near the post office

Piojito : Weekly market  Paseó Maritimo. 10:00 am - 02:00 pm Uhr, every Friday

Favorable clothes, shoes and household articles etc.

English news papers:

C/ Rosa de los Vientos (El País)

C/ Prieta (La Canaílla)

C/ Carcel

N340, El Colorado, next to the Venta El Colorado

Tobaccos – Estanco-  z.B. Estanco Plaza Puerta de la Villa (city gate)

Shopping

Centro Comercial Area Sur in Jerez, https://www.ccareasur.com/

Centro Comercial Bahia Sur in San Fernando, https://ccbahiasur.com/

Conil de la Frontera:

Conil is the only charming white village which is directly situated at the sea and which also has a beautiful beach which you rarely see in Europe.

In the past the village mainly lived from the fishing in which the tuna fish always played a big part. Now a day the atmosphere of the village is more international and raises itself from other costal places. The reason of that is because language schools have settled down and student from all over the world come to Conil. That’s why it has created a nice pub culture and night life, which you don’t find nowhere on the other Spanish coasts.

Like all the other Spanish coasts, the Costa de la Luz in summer is fuller and busier in the summer months when also the Spaniards have their holiday. Outside the high season it’s quiet and calm.

What’s particularly invited are the small streets with their nice white houses in the old city centre of Conil where numerous shops, bars and restaurants are waiting for you. 

History and sights

The first settlers were the Phoenician, who brought what you still see nowadays, the famous Almadraba. But also, Carthaginian, Roman Visigoth and of course the Moorish left their trace. Because of the importance of the city of Cadiz also the other surrounded villages could benefit of that.

Even today there are a lot of historical buildings in Conil which are worth visiting.   

 La Chanca: the former "Tuna factory" is one of the most important historical buildings in the city. It was completely restored in 2013 and now has a permanent exhibition on fishing and the millennia-old history of tuna fishing "Almadraba" that is well worth seeing. Cultural events are regularly organized here in summer.  An absolute eye-catcher is the oversized mural by regional artist Adrian Torres, who also created the impressive "Toros" on the bridge over the Rio Salado

La iglesia y hospica de Misericordia (mercy): This church and the hospice were built in the second half of the 18^th century to accommodate 30 poor families. The church and the chapel are worth seeing.

Iglesia de Santa Catalina: Beside the Torre Guzman in the center, you can find the big church Santa Catalina. It was built in the 16^th century and renovated in the 19^th century, that’s why you find different architectural styles.

Capilla de Espíritu Santo (Holy Spirit): At the end of the Calle Cadiz you can find the chapel which was build in the 17^th century with his statue of the Guardian Angel of the Fisherman: la Virgen Carmen. Direct at the back of the chapel the Fisherman’s quarter with their small, twisted alleys which have the names of the fishes (Dorada, Boqueron, Lenguada, etc.)

Iglesia de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (Our Holy Father Jesus of Nazareth): This simple church dates from the 16^th century. In the 18^th century they constructed a chapel to honor the Virgen de Guadalupe. Besides the virgin you can also find the patron saint of Conil the San Sebastian.

Torre de Guzman: At the beginning of the 16^th century there was “Guzman el Bueno” (Guzman the good one). He gave the order to build the landmark of Conil (the tower). They renovated the tower in 1990.

Las Torres Vigias (the watchtowers): The villages which have as annex “de la Frontera” were in the Middle Ages often in warring battle. That’s why you still can find some rest of watchtowers along the coast like for example Torre Castilnovo on your way to El Palmar.

Puerta de la Villa: (City Door): The wonderful portal is until this day the most important entrance door to the old city centre of Conil. Passing the door you arrive at the Plaza the España. In the early days whole Conil was surrounded by a city wall and more city doors like the Puerta Ca’i at the end of the Calle Cadiz.

The fishermen's quarter "Barrio de los Pescadores" and the Iglesía del Espiritu Sancto (Holy Spirit Church): At the end of Calle Cadiz is this 17th century chapel with an image of the patron saint of fishermen, the Virgin Carmen. Directly behind the chapel begins the fishermen's quarter with its small winding alleyways, all named after fish (Dorada, Boqueron, Lenguada etc.). This still original part of Conil is an insider tip and the lovingly decorated patios (inner courtyards) offer marvelous photo opportunities.             

Food and Drinks

Breakfast: The typical Andalusian breakfast contains one of the several coffee variants, fresh orange juice, and Tostada (roasted Baguette bread) or a Mollete (roasted softer round bread) which you eat or with olive oil and tomato purée or with Butter and Marmalade.

Beach bars:

La Ola Bar: At Fontanilla Beach. Always open during the summer often with Live Flamenco Music. In the low season they open when there is good weather or when they feel like to open.

Bar Curro Jimenez: Is an old fisherman’s pub at the Fontanilla Beach. At the back you can still see the fisherman mend nets. It’s open every day for the whole year. Only on the 3^rd Sunday of January the bar is closed because of the Romeria de San Sebastian (pilgrimage from Conil to El Colorado).

In the bar you can buy lovely tapas like boquerones fritos (small fried sardines) or papas alinadas (potatoes with parsley) with good dry wine like a sherry the Jerez 

In the summer there are more Chiringuitos, small wooden restaurants on the beach, who always have cold drinks available. What is really popular and tasty is the Tinto de Verano (summer red wine), red wine with ice and a bit of citron lemonade (Gaseosa):

Feduchy playa: Our favorite beach bar for a drink or food. Located at the end of the parking of la Fontanilla beach.

El Roqueo: beach restaurant a bit further down from Feduchy playa

Restaurants:

The kitchen at the Costa de la Luz takes a lot of advantage because of the fresh ingredients: Fresh fish from the sea, beef from the “Retinto” (almost like the Angus beef), pork from the “Iberico” (small pigs, half wild, only fed with acorns) and fruits and vegetables from the surroundings of Conil

Typical Tapas:

• Puntillitas – Little fried octopus in breadcrumbs
• Cazon en adobo – Catshark in a special bread crumble coating wit Arabic influence
• Huevas – Pickled fish eggs
• Ensaladilla Rusa – Salad with mayonnaise and potatoes
• Pimiento relleno – A small pepper filled with cod and potatoes in a nice sauce
• Atun encebollado – Tuna fish with onion sauce and a little of cinnamon
• Boquerones en vinagre – small sardines pickled in vinegar with a lot of garlic and parsley
• Tortillas de Camarones – Crispy backed pancakes with chickpea flour and small shrimps
• Patatas Aliñadas – Marinated potatoes

A lot of the dishes still have the Arabian influence with spices like for example Cumin or Cinnamon.

Casa Manolo: Spanish kitchen for meat and tapas. Paseo del Atlantico (across the sea), Tel: 956 444 080

Bar Los Hermanos: Very well known by the locals but also by the tourist for its fried fish. C/ Virgen opposite the arch to enter the old town.

Bar Feduchy: very good Tapas, a bit more expensive, but worth it. Opposite the arch. In summer they also have a Chiringuito on the beach La Fontanilla

Bar Almazara: Very good Tapas. C/ Laguna

Grill specialties:

Restaurant Blanco y verde: This restaurant we can advise you for Grill- and meat specialties. C/ Rosa de los Vientos 14. Tel: 956 442 613.

Restaurant Mar y Monte: Very good meat and salads Carr. Urb. Roche
Tel 679 71 72 16

Pizzería

Pizzeria Giovanni: C/ Torre de Hércules, (Urb. Atalaya), Tel: 956 443 625.

Pizzeria Zio Lele: C/ Rosa de los Vientos 40, Tel: 956 45 65 85

Excellent restaurants for gourmets

The province of Cadiz is full of very good restaurants that make any gourmet's heart, beat faster:

 The Costa de la Luz is the ideal place for gourmets. Seafood of any kind from the Atlantic are of course high on the menu and they are in almost every restaurant of excellent quality. Many restaurants also offer excellent meat dishes, cooked on an open grill. We have put our personal favourites together:

The Highlight

The 3 star decorarte Restaurant „Aponiente“ of Chef Angel Leon in el Puerto de Santa Maria. Everything here comes from the sea. Not only fish and mussels but also seaweeds and plankton.
 C/ Francisco Cossi Ochoa, s/n  Tel. 956 851 870 – 606 225 859
[email protected]. Menus: 195 to 225 Euro.

Very good food, though without Michelin stars:

Restaurante Francisco Fontanilla, at the same beach at the west part of the village. You sit incomparable location right by the beach with stunning views of the sunset. On the beach, the children are always in sight. Delicious is the tuna Carpaccio in the restaurant Francisco Fontanilla. In the summer you must book in advance. fon: 956 44 08 02

Restaurante El Mirador and El Roqueo: With beautiful sea views located on top of the cliff towards Fuente del Gallo. Tel 956 44 33 37 44 02 05 and 956 44 02 05

Cooking Almadraba: Very nice restaurant for tuna with a South American touch. Ideal also for Tapas for lunch. Plaza Blas Infante Tel. 956 92 63 40

Restaurante Timon: by the sea in the elegant urbanization of Roche, the restaurant offers fish and meat dishes in elegant surroundings. Tel 956 44 62 32

Barbate
Restaurante El Campero incredible what is being pulled out of tuna. One of the leading restaurants of the Costa de la Luz. Tel 956 43 23 00
All the dishes shown here are from this restaurant.

Vejer

El Jardin de Califa a beautiful old patio in the same hotel right on Plaza de España offers excellent Moroccan cuisine. Must pre-reserve: Tel 956 44 77 30

Luisteren

Fonetisch lezen

Vejer beach- El Palmar

Casa Francisco-el de siempre a real tip for gourmets: Together with the restaurant Campero in Barbate, the leading source for fish. Beach of El Palmar Tel.956 23 22 49

Vejer-Santa Lucia:

Restaurante La Asador Tajea and La Castilleria: Santa Lucia in Vejer is a paradise for meat lovers was right. Both restaurants serve fantastic meat dishes from the grill. Tel 956 44 71 42 and 956 45 14 9

Vejer-La Muela (Patria)

Restaurante Patria in Patria. Exellent food.

Cadiz:
Restaurante El Faro and El Faro del Puerto, the leading restaurants in Cadiz and El Puerto de Santa Maria. Traditional Andalusian cuisine, but lighter and more elegant than other restaurants. Tel 956 21 10 68 and 956 87 09 52

Nightlife in Conil

The nightlife in Conil except in the high season starts late. Because the people go for dinner at about 22:00 and after that about 1:00 they go to the bars and about 2:30 in the discotheque. There the people will stay dancing in to the early hours (or late hours).

La Tertulia: One of the fine pubs in Conil in a renovated typical Andalusian building. In the summer you can have your drink at the patio full with flowers underneath the stars and the moon. In the winter you can sit inside in a nice room with a stove. You can also play pool there and it is open the whole year. C/ General Gabino Aranda 12.

Palo Palo: A very nice bar with a good atmosphere and music, in summer a bit crowded. Plaza de España.

The Calle del Peñón better known as Calle Tomas Borrego is the street where all the pubs are with nice Spanish music and an elated mood. Here you can find for example:

La Luna: Is a popular open-air bar and discotheque in the middle is a Palm tree. Under the starry sky you can enjoy from 01:00 on until the early hours Conil nightlife. Everybody knows the La Luna so it’s not hard to find. Unfortunately, only open during the summer and in Semana Santa.

El Duende: A nice old bar. At the patio (and a lot of times also outside) people start dancing spontaneously. 

Discos

Icaro: A big discotheque with two dance floors one with typical Spanish music and one with house music. In the summer months it’s very crowded. Plaza de Andalucía.

La Cochera: Is really worth a visit if it’s only to see the decoration and design. Only open in summer. C/ Ancha.

 Beaches

You can choose between a lot of beaches and some of the small romantic coves which are nicely sheltered also when the wind is blowing hard. From the El Palmar side you find the following beaches:

Playa Castilnovo: is a nature reserve, that’s why there is nothing build. Even in the high season it’s not overcrowded and there is no infrastructure. Between Conil and El palmar

Playa Los Bateles: It’s directly in front of the city and in the summer getting crowded. But this beach is so wide that even in August you can still find space.

In the summer you can also find Chiringuitos at the beach (beach bars), where you can eat or drink something. There is also a Beach-Volleyball field and a football pitch. During the high season there are lifeguards at the beach.

Playa de la Fontanilla: This beach is not as wide as the Bateles but because of the rocks you have some more protection from the wind. There are Chiringuitos in high season and restaurants which are open the whole year. When the tide is low you can walk to the next beach which is the Fuente del Gallo beach.

Playa Fuente del Gallo: A wonderful long spacious bay with a few rocks in Fuente del Gallo. When the tide is very high the beach gets small, that’s why it’s nicer when the tide is low. At this beach there are small little curves like Cala Puntalejos or Cala de Aceite, etc. that go on until the harbor and the lighthouse.

Cala de Tio Juan: Behind the lighthouse there are more romantic coves which you can reach by small steel stairs. When the “Levante” (wind from inland) is really blowing stark you can find shelter here.

Playa de Roche: In front of the Urb. Roche is the Playa de Roche that stretches to Playa La Barrosa and Novo Sancti Petri beach.

The beaches between Conil and Tarifa are also very nice:

Playa de El Palmar: Perfect to sun bade and surf.

Playa Mangueta in Zahora: Great for children with shallow water.

Playca de Meca and Tarifa: Is really known for its Kite surf, surf and Windsurf.

Palya de Bolonia: (From Conil coming towards Tarifa, also see at the excursions).

What´s on in Conil?

With the contagious joie de vivre of the Andalusians, there is basically no need for a holiday to turn every day into a festival. So that you don't miss a party during your holiday on the Costa de la Luz, you can find the most important holidays and events here:

Three Kings – Los Reyes Magos
   Finally there are gifts! In the evenings you can admire the children on the Paseo Maritimo with their new bikes and inline skates

San Sebastián, Romería from Conil to El Colorado

Pilgrimage the Spanish way: with horses, carriages or on foot, but definitely with lots of sherry

Carnival in Cadiz

In addition to the carnival on the Canary Islands, Cádiz is the hot spot of carnival activity throughout Spain. The events and festivities start several weeks before the actual carnival. Combine a trip to our provincial capital with a visit to the Erizada and Ostionada (in the La Viña district there are stalls selling fresh sea urchins and oysters). The carnival clubs gather in large squares, in and in front of the bars and sing the notorious chirigotas (starry songs) in choirs. Even if you don't understand too much - the atmosphere is infectious! The last weekend ends with the big move.

Semana Santa - Easter

Semana Santa takes place the week leading up to Easter and is a celebration that locals spend all year preparing for. It is celebrated all over Spain and many people say it dates as far back as the 12th century. The Seville celebration has existed since at least the 16th century but is believed to have existed even earlier.

From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, processions take over the streets of Spain as a tribute to the Passion of Jesus Christ. The enormous statues (pasos) you see during the celebration originally had an educational function and put an image to the passages of The Bible. The people who walk the processions with the float are performing an act of penance, repenting their sins.

Seville Fair and Horse Fair in Jerez

In Germany it is the Oktoberfest, in Spain it is these two folk festivals that now attract visitors from all over the world. The origins of this wonderfully colorful hustle and bustle go back to the 13th century when the first cattle markets took place in spring. Then as now, the locals take the festival as an opportunity to harness the most magnificent carriages and lavishly decorate the horses. The ladies run show in the most beautiful flamenco dresses and the men in their traditional suits. The start on the first evening is the switching on of the breathtaking light decorations. Then the festival tents (casetas) fill up, they dance Sevillanas (the popular variant of flamenco), drink sherry and eat tapas. It is simply refreshing to watch the dancers, because not only men and women dance classically, but also sometimes the granddaughter with the grandma or several friends dance together. Ferias are also held throughout the year in the smaller towns such as Conil and Chiclana.

Almadraba (April - June)

If you look out to sea in spring, you will often see larger clusters of fishing boats and oversized buoys. At this time of the year, numerous schools of tuna move in search of food and spawning grounds along the Atlantic coast towards the Mediterranean.

3000 years ago the Phoenicians followed the migration of these large sea creatures and invented a unique fishing technique - the Almadraba. Coarse-meshed nets with huge anchors are cast along the coast. The fish swim through this large-meshed net labyrinth and only the largest specimens, which can weigh up to 700kg and 4 meters long, end up in a basin made of nets and buoys.

The catch is controlled by the international fisheries inspectorate and is no longer as dangerous and bloody as it was a few years ago. When the first fish are on board, the biggest buyers - the Japanese - are already waiting for the valuable goods in their ships anchored off the coast.

A fascinating exhibition about the Almadraba can be found in Conil in the interpretation center “La Chanca” and also in the Tuna Museum of Barbate.

Those who not only want to look but also want to try will find wonderful dishes made from freshly caught tuna in the regional restaurants.

The Ruta del Atún in Conil is a culinary highlight. For years, the best bars and restaurants in Conil have been joining forces in mid-May to make tuna the focus of their menu.

Noche de las Velas, JazzVejer and a lot more music…

On the last weekend in June, the enchanting White Village of Vejer is shrouded in candlelight.

The international jazz festival JazzVejer takes place at the beginning of July. Music fans enjoy  on various stages - some of them in the open air.

During the months of July and August, with a bit of luck, you can experience international stars such as Sting and Kool & The Gang, but also many national greats of the music business up close. Just because of the wonderful backdrop, it is worth attending one of the open-air concerts of the Tío Pepe Music Festival in Jerez (on the grounds of the traditional Sherrybodega Gonzalez Byass), the No Sín Música Festival (on the port area in Cádiz) or the Concert Music Festival in Sancti Petri (in the historic fishing port of Chiclana) to visit.

Discover – The most beautiful places to visit

Cadiz- one of Europe´s oldest cities

With more than 3,000 years of history and a unique geographical location at the tip of a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, our provincial capital is an absolute MUST for every visitor to Andalusia. Walk in the footsteps of the Phoenicians, Romans and Moors. Be impressed by the stately houses and the majestic cathedral from the economic heyday during the 18th century. Or simply enjoy the Andalusian joie de vivre in one of the many typical tapas bars on the beautiful squares and in the winding alleys.

Cadiz self guided Tour: https://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/cadizs-plazas-walking-tour-6900.html

Jerez  - the capital of horses and Sherry

Whoever thought that this city with the tricky name (pronounced Cheres) has nothing to offer except the airport is wrong! It is here that Sherry wines were invented and for this reason alone Jerez is worth a trip. Visit one of the many traditional bodegas (e.g. Gonzalez Byass), learn all about the history and production of this multifaceted drink and find out which is your favorite Sherry during a tasting! The world-famous Andalusian horses (PRE = Pura Raza Española) also originate here and can best be admired when visiting the Royal Spanish Riding School or the Yeguada La Cartuja Stud Farm. In addition, a stroll through the beautiful old town, which still has many signs of the Moorish architecture, is well worthwhile.

Sevilla  - the pearl of Andalusia

For many, Seville is the most beautiful city in Spain. Even if the temperatures in the summer months often exceed 40 degrees Celsius, you should not miss this city.

Here the concentrated history of the former world power comes together in irresistible beauty. Columbus sailed from here in the 15th century, and the fame and wealth that followed the discovery of the Americas returned to Seville like to no other city in Spain.

At the top of the list of monuments to see in Seville is the third largest cathedral in the world, which includes the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Next door, the gates of the Alcazar open up - the Moorish royal palace. The neighboring Barrio de Santa Cruz district takes the visitor back to the time of Al Andalus between the 8th and 14th centuries, when Spain was firmly in Moorish hands. In the winding, narrow alleys and on the beautiful squares overgrown with bitter orange trees you will always find a shaded place to rest, even in the height of summer. During a carriage ride through the extensive Parque Maria Luisa you can admire the magnificent buildings that were built for the Ibero-American World Exhibition in 1922. First and foremost, the impressive Plaza España, which has since provided the backdrop for Star Wars and numerous other international film projects.

Seville self guided Tour: https://www.gpsmycity.com/tours/seville-introduction-walking-tour-3161.html

Gibraltar – Old England between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea

On a mere 6.8 km2, this peninsula, which has been fought over so often in history, extends into the Mediterranean Sea. Originally settled by the Moors in the 8th century, Gibraltar fell to the British Crown in 1713. Until today, one has to undergo strict controls at the border crossing and entry without an identity card is not allowed. Nevertheless, it is worth visiting this curious city, as everything else one knows from England - the red telephone booths, the double-decker buses and the bobbies with their fur hats - can also be found here - very close to Spain. The architecture of the populated part of the peninsula is Victorian in style and on the main street many duty-free shops as well as fish & chips restaurants attract international visitors. Especially recommended is the trip (either by minibus, cable car or on foot) to the 426-metre-high summit, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view as far as nearby Africa. It is rare to be alone there, because besides the visitors there are many free-ranging Barbary monkeys. The descent should be done on foot to visit the fantastic stalactite cave St. Michaels Cave.

White Villages - Pueblos Blanco

In the rolling hills of the Sierra de Grazalema, whose highest peak rises over 1,600 metres, many of these picturesque villages are strung together like pearls on a string. Here you can still find the real authentic Andalusian life and the clock is undoubtedly ticking a little slower. The architecture of these ancient villages dates back to Moorish times. The houses in the narrow, often very steep alleys are whitewashed with lime paint to reflect the heat.

We recommend two different routes:

Route 1:

 Takes a whole day, but promises plenty of scenic highlights. Beware: the winding route is not for the faint-hearted!

The villages of Arcos de la Frontera, Grazalema, Ubrique and Zahara de la Sierra are particularly worth visiting. Do not miss the chance to taste the delicious goat's and sheep's cheese and take a bottle of the region's high-quality olive oil with you. The leather and cloth work is also of the best quality.

Route 2:

This wonderful half day tour is also suitable for children. The route goes along extensive pastures covered with cork oaks, where you will see Iberian pigs and even some Toros Bravos (fighting bulls) if you are lucky.  From the ancient castle ruins in Medina Sidonia - the oldest white village with a history that goes back 3000 years - you will enjoy a view over the whole bay of Cádiz. Tip: If you are on the road in the morning, be sure to ring the bell in the Augustinian monastery (tucked away near the market hall) and take a selection of the famous small baked goods with you. These are made by hand according to traditional recipes from almonds, honey and pistachios - delicious! Vejer de la Frontera has been voted several times in the top 10 of the most beautiful villages in Spain, and with good reason. Besides the typical charm of a picturesque white village, you will find a large number of excellent restaurants and bars.

Panoramic Tour along the coast

On this day trip along the beautiful coast from Conil to Tarifa you will be rewarded with views of endless beaches, huge dunes, beautiful pine forests, and small detours into bygone times.

The first stop is Caños de Meca with the famous Cape Trafalgar where the naval battle between Lord Nelson and Napoleon took place in 1805. It is worth getting out of the car and walking up to the lighthouse ... the views are fantastic! On the way back, several cosy bars invite you to have a drink.

The tour continues through the Breña de Barbate Natural Park, the largest white pine forest in Europe, to the fishing village of Barbate. Stop over at the tuna museum Museo del Atún (https://www.museodelatun.com), where you will not only learn a lot about the traditional way of tuna fishing (Almadraba), but can also try and buy a variety of tuna specialities.

The path continues along beautiful, mostly deserted sandy beaches to Zahara de los Atunes. If you prefer to spend the rest of the day on the beach, it is best to drive through the village to Playa de los Alemanes, a very exclusive bay with wonderful villas. However, it is absolutely worthwhile to drive even further south. To get to Bolonia or Tarifa from Zahara you have to leave the coast again and take the national road N340. A side road then leads to the beautiful bay of Bolonia, which has an impressive sand dune and a very well preserved Roman excavation site (Baelo Claudia).  

The destination of this tour is Tarifa, a very special in every respect. Not only is this lively little town the southernmost city on the European mainland - it is also where the Mediterranean sea meets the Atlantic Ocean, and it is only 14km from here to Africa! Not only is this lively little town the southernmost town on the European mainland - it is also where the Mediterranean and Atlantic meet and only 14km from here to Africa! Due to this geographical peculiarity, the constant wind has been attracting surfers from all over the world for many decades, which has given the originally Moorish town a very colourful and international flair.

EXPERIENCE – Sports and ActivitiesGolfcourses on the Costa de la Luz

Club de Golf La Estancia Chiclana Costa
18 hole golf course with par 72 and 5935 meters from yellow. The beautifully located course is suitable for players of all levels and impresses with the fast greens. The layout forgives a failed tee-off.
www.golflaestancia.com

Club de Golf Novo Sancti Petri:

Impressive 2 x 18 hole courses: Mar y Pinos (par 71 and 5482 m from yellow) and Centro (par 72 and 5427 m from yellow). The sea and the pine trees determine the ambience of this golf course.
www.clubgolfnovosanctipetri.com
 

Montenmedio Golf and Country Club Vejer:

The course at Vejer, which has 18 holes, is beautifully situated with its 5868 yellow (par 72) and offers some fantastic views of the surroundings and the Pueblo Blanco Vejer de la Frontera.

www.montenmediogolf.com

Campano Golf Club Chiclana:

Beautiful 18 hole course in Chiclana with 2 different 9 holes and 5780 meters total length of yellow. The out of bounds often "threatens" with the first 9 narrow holes. The second 9 are embedded in an olive grove and offer more space.
www.golfcampano.es

Golf Sancti Petri Hills Novo Sancti Petri:
Relatively short 18 hole course which is a challenge for every golfer due to the many water hazards.
www.sanctipetrihillsgolf.com

Horseriding

There are several riding stables (picaderos) near Conil that offer lessons and rides. In principle, riding on the beach is forbidden, but is actually tolerated in the off-season.

Picadero Fuente del Gallo: Lessons and rides on very well ridden Andalusian stallions. English-speaking: Andrea: Tel. 0034-609 509 992

El Cortijo in El Palmar: Lessons and rides on the beautiful beach of El Palmar: English-speaking: Marion 0034-691 210 844

Novo Sancti Petri: La Patina Hipica: Tel 609 371 737

Surfing

Whether surfing, kite surfing or windsurfing - the Costa de la Luz has the right area for everyone. The surf spots in Conil and El Palmar are particularly suitable for children and the whole family with no reefs, stones and dangerous currents. We recommend the following providers for surfing:

In Conil: Surf School Conil https://surfschoolconil.com/  +34 666903104

In El Palmar: There are countless surfschools, but we recommend:

Aframe: www.aframesurf.com/ ; Tel. 0034-686 424 365

Wind- and kite surfers find the best conditions in Tarifa.

Wine and Salt– a new experience of a millenia-old culture

The region around Cádiz has been known for these products for thousands of years thanks to its unique geographical location. If you would like to delve deeper into these specialities during your stay on our coast, there are plenty of opportunities to do so:

The best places to visit a traditional (sherry) bodega are in Jerez and El Puerto de Santa Maria. We recommend:

Tio Pepe in Jerez https://www.tiopepe.com/es-en/validate

Bodega Sandemann https://www.sandeman.com/visit-us/

Real Tesoro https://www.grupoestevez.es/default.cfm?lang=en

Osborne https://www.osborne.es/en/experiencia-bodega-osborne-cadiz

For wine lovers and those who would like to get to know the regional wines away from the tourist routes, we recommend the somewhat smaller but no less traditional bodegas in Chiclana and Conil. In Chiclana, right next to the highly recommended market hall, you will also find the very interesting museum on the subject of wine and salt https://www.vinoysal.es/

Bodega Manuel Aragon in Chiclana https://www.bodegamanuelaragon.com/es/

Bodega San Sebastián in Chiclana, Calle Mendaro 15

Bodega Sancha Perez in Conil https://www.sanchaperez.com/gb/

Experience salt with all your senses (tour of the salt pans, restaurant and spa with thalassotherapy and salt baths) in Chiclana in:

Salinas Santa Teresa https://salinasantateresa.es/

Salinas de Chiclana https://salinasdechiclana.es/

Hiking in the province of Cádiz

For those who want more than just long walks on the beach, the Costa de la Luz has countless great walking routes. Below we present three of the most beautiful tours:

Route 1: Roche – Pineforests and cliffs

Route: 5.1 km - easy (circular route)

The starting and finishing point of this simple but charming circular walk is the port of Conil. On the opposite side of the river is the entry point. Along the river bank, the path takes you through the wonderfully fragrant pine forest to the elegant  village of Roche. The way back winds above the steep coast past hidden small bays (calas) to the majestic lighthouse Conils. If you´re starving you return, you will find a few places to stop around the harbour.

 Route 2: Natural Park La Breña de Barbate / Torre del Tajo

Route: 16 km or 7.5 km - easy

This very popular tour along the cliffs of the largest Aleppo pine forest in Europe offers the hiker spectacular views. You can walk the whole distance from Barbate to Caños de Meca and back (about 16 km) or only up to Torre del Tajo. The starting point is very close to the port of Barbate on the Hierbabuena beach. During 4 km you walk directly above the cliffs until you reach the highest point at the historic fortified tower, the Torre de Tajo. This lies at a dizzying height of 90 metres above sea level. With good visibility you can see as far as Africa from here!

Route 3: Sierra de Grazalema: Puerto de las Persillas – Boyar - Grazalema

Route: 10 km- moderate (circular route)

Just the drive to the White Village of Grazalema, which gives its name to the mountainous hinterland of our province, is already worthwhile.

Starting and finishing point is the public car park on the right at the entrance to Grazalema. At the viewpoint Boyar at 1,100 metres above sea level you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the fantastic mountain world.

Other fantastic routes can be found in the Los Alcornocales Nature Park (e.g. ascent to the Picacho peak), in the Estrecho de Gibraltar Nature Park (e.g. hike along the Río Guadalmesi) or in the Sierra de Grazalema (e.g. hike along the Río Majaceite)

If you would like to download more detailed and lovingly described hiking routes directly to your smartphone or tablet, we recommend: https://www.walkingcadiz.com

Exciting activities with (or without) children

For all those who like to aim high:

High rope Course in Roche   ENTRE RAMAS https://entreramasaventura.com/en   

Tel: +34 633 698 334

Lots of fun and action in the water

Kayaktours, Stand-Up-Paddeling, Banana-Boat and  Boattrips

NOVOJET in the harbour of Sancti Petri https://www.novojet.net/ 

Whatsapp: (english) +34 603 822 590

Whale and dolphin watching in the Strait of Gibraltar

FIRMM Tarifa https://www.firmm.org/de/whale-watching

Tel: + 34 956 627 008

An excursion into Spanish traditions, close to the bulls and horses and surrounded by beautiful nature promises a visit to the Los Alburejos horse and bull farm near Medina Sidonia.

The event A Campo Abierto takes place every Wednesday and Sunday. https://www.acampoabierto.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/aca-alemanV2.pdf

Tel: +34 649958448 oder  +34 956304168

E-Mail:[email protected]

A dream for horse lovers of all ages is a visit to the traditional Carthusian stud farm Yeguada la Cartuja. Every Saturday (March - October) guided tours are offered followed by a show. http://yeguadacartuja.com/

Pure adrenalin and lots of water fun

Agualand Bahia de Cádiz https://www.aqualand.es/bahiadecadiz/

The best kart track in Andalusia:

Between Conil and El Palmar Circuito KR24 Conil https://www.facebook.com/CircuitoKR24/

When the weather is not so nice, but the urge to move is still great:

Trampoline park in Jerez CostaJump

http://www.costajump-jerez.com/

Tel: + 34 856 813 543