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4 Stars - 96 Opinions
an image of the baby Jesus
Making the turn for docking in El Puerto
Fountain in the Plaza
Parque Genovés
Hello all. I've considered staying in Barbate de la Frontera because it seems less commercial than other destinations in the area -- not to mention the beach front lodging options are appealing. I think it'll be a change of pace from the other cities I'll be visiting: Madrid, Sevilla, and Granada. 1. For a quiet, less "touristy" getaway with a slight distance from Cadiz, would you recommend this? 2. Would I need to rent a car to travel to and from Jerez and/or Cadiz? Are there alternative travel options?
I bought a scooter in this village a few months back and have passed through it a few times since. It's nothing special and relies on the tourist trade in the summer. So it mightn't be quiet. It depends on the type of house you rent. Have a look on http://www.tucasa.com/alquiler (alquiler is rent in Spanish). Everywhere on the coast is rammed in the summer.
Do you want the beach? If not, inland of the province of Cadiz is delicious. Grazalema, Medina Sidonia, Benamahoma and co.
Car rental is cheapest from Pepe car, if booked early. Their website is in English and Spanish.
cheers
C.
I think you are right to consider Barbate. You may know this already but the place used to be called Barbate de Franco because the former ruler of Spain went for his holidays here. I think he was mainly interested in the Tuna fishing as I can't see him lolling on the sandy beaches.
The transport links are better than very few buses. For example I have found a Timetable on "COMES" bus company web site which will give you some idea. http://www.tgcomes.es/CONIL-VEJER-BARB-ZAHARA.pdf
Vejer is a nice hill town and worth exploring although it is very popular with 'northern europeans' whereas Barbate is more traditional.
A car would obviously be handy but really depends on what kind of stay you are after. I think getting to Vejer should not be any problem and you can always get a taxi if the buses fail. But getting to for example Baelo Claudio on Bolonia beach is a bit more of a chore.
I picked this map up at a little tobacco shop just outside the train station and it was detailed enough to help me navigate the tight streets of Cadiz without any problems. You can also get a free map at the tourist office.
The confectionery and pastry making in Cadiz is heavily influenced by the regions' links with the countries of the Arabic heritage. Some of the delicacies not to be missed include "turron" (sweet delicacy with almonds) and "churros" (long deep fried 'sticks' that should be eaten with chocolate sauce) as well as creme caramel, the pastries of Medina Sidonia and "pestiños" (Christmas sweets).
The “tipo” or costumes are not as the ones you are used to see in other festivals as Rio de Janeiro, Canary islands or Venecia. Here the most important is the originality and not to spend much money on it, even if lately is more typical that people rent or buy their dresses
All around this area of Andalucia are so many villages with such beautiful buildings and history that you want to visit as many as you can. We visited Jinema de la Frontera on a previous visit when we stayed in Gibraltar. A small village the old ruins of a castle on the hill. The castle was a muslim fortress which has been built on roman/byzantine sites from the 6th-15th centuries.
The outer walls were modified for gun loopholes during the war of independance 1808-1812.
With such a strategic position on top of the hill this castle must have seen many battles over the centuries
The castle is made of local limestone. This round tower is called the tower of homage and is roman. At the entrance to the castle ruins, this horseshoe entrance is Islamic. An inscription near the entrance is dated 151AD
There is an information office on the site at the top but this was closed when we were there.
From Cadiz it is approximately 120 km to Jimena de la Frontera, probably a drive of about almost 2 hours.
You need to take the N443, - Motorway AP4 - A381
Please click here if you wish to see my Jimena de la frontera
This place has wonderful views inside and out on the terrace. It is hanging on the cliffs that surround the beach. With tall glass windows it's a perfect place to watch the sunset all year round or sit out on the many terraces in Spring or summer. There are many floors and levels which make up one bar. There is one area which is Arabic in feel and design where you sit on cushions and rugs on the floor
At night I think it turn into a disco too. It's not cheap but reasonable.
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Address: Ctra.Nac. 340, Tarifa, Costa de la Luz, Spain
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