Looking for a place in the province of Cadiz where you can disconnect during your holidays? We welcome you to Arcos de la Frontera, a charming town in the heart of the Sierra de Cádiz, which is also the one with the most inhabitants. It is one of the most attractive and special tourist destinations due to its proximity to both the countryside and the mountains, and on the banks of the Guadalete river.
This location makes it an ideal destination for any type of tourist. Whatever you are looking for, you will always have something to do and see here, and if you manage to explore Arcos de la Frontera in depth, you can always travel to the capital, which is less than 70 kilometres away.
It belongs to the list of “Pueblos Blancos” (White Towns), as well as being considered one of the “Pueblos Bonitos” (Pretty Villages) of Spain. Its climate and its views, in the gorge of the Guadalete, have become the settlement of numerous communities throughout history.
And we're not just saying that, since some prehistoric remains and cave paintings have been found in the Cueva del Higueral de Valleja, a visit not to be missed!
But what should I visit in Arcos de la Frontera? Here is a list of the main attractions in the town so that you don't miss anything.
Firstly, the Cuesta de Belén, which gives access to the old quarter and where we are welcomed by a monument in honour of Easter Week. A curious construction next to the church of San Juan de Dios.
But if there is one religious building that highlights the personality of Arcos de la Frontera, it is the Basílica Menor de Santa María de la Asunción, which is in fact a National Monument. Furthermore, in what was once the Arab fortress you will find the castle of Palacio de los Duques, next to the Plaza del Cabildo, from where you can also access one of the best views you can imagine from the Mirador de la Peña Nueva.
Other places you must visit are the Palacio del Mayorazgo palace, which you can see from the outside, or take a tour of the interior, where you will discover a typically Andalusian courtyard garden. Admission is free and you can also enjoy the different exhibition rooms. Make the most of your visit to this palace to see the church of San Pedro, whose location will also allow you to contemplate the landscape from the cliff on which it stands.
And if you are a lover of photography and nature, in Arcos de la Frontera you will find several viewpoints where you can immortalise the views. Some of them are the Abades viewpoint and the Peña Vieja viewpoint, from where you can see the Barrio Bajo neighbourhood and the Guadalete river.
But if that's not enough for you, enjoy a day at the beach! A beach in Arcos de la Frontera? Yes, because as we were saying, there is a wide range of tourist attractions here. This beach, although artificial, has a lot to offer, and the Arcos reservoir has become an ideal destination to relax and taking a dip, especially in the summer season.
To round off your trip, there's nothing better than a gastronomic day out in this town in Cadiz, where you'll be able to sample traditional dishes from the kitchen garden, elaborated with products such as pulses and vegetables, resulting in its famous alboronía and potajes (both of them vegetable-based stews).
Welcome to Arcos de la Frontera!
