The village of Los Caños de Meca


Los Caños de Meca 36°11’09"N 6°0’41"O is a village of the Barbate town in the province of Cadíz (Spain), located about 8 km northwest of Barbate, 8 km southeast of Conil de la Frontera and 14 km south of Vejer de la Frontera. It is a tourist town eminently focusing on its varied and fine beaches, some of which are nudists.
To the north west of the village is the famous Cape Trafalgar with its lighthouse, and to the east are the 100 m. cliffs and pine forests.
The place is protected within the Tómbolo de Trafalgar and La Breña y marismas del Barbate Natural Park.
The Battle of Trafalgar was fought in this place in 1805.
The beaches in the village, and toward the Cape Trafalgar, are open on a flat land with fine sand and dunes, although dotted with reefs
, to the east, terrain begins to rise forming smaller beaches protected by walls of rock. Finally, under the cliff rises of La Breña, conform smaller coves, to which access is only possible at low tide.
Since the village until cliffs appear the famous "
caños" (water), giving name to the area.This upwelling of freshwater into the wall of the cliff of different flow.

Caños de Meca is well off the beaten track and has to be reached by taking one of the small side roads off the CN340 coast road near Vejer de la Frontera or by taking the minor road through the pine forest from Barbate.

More about Los Caños de Meca



 

 

 


Protected Natural Environments Cliffs and Pinewood of Barbate

Down the coast from Cádiz, this natural park is characterised by beautiful woods of umbrella pines with rosemary, blackthorn and palms, and rocky cliffs and outcrops. Two impressive cliffs, Torre del Tajo and Torre de Meca, fall over a hundred metres into the Atlantic. This is a protected area due to the ecosystems of the rocks and the rich offshore marine life.

It is considered one of the most diverse and best-preserved parts of the andalucian coast. The spectacular cliffs are full of nooks which provide a safe home for birds, including egrets, kestrels and one pair of peregrine falcons who have decided to nest here. The nearby port of Barbate is the centre of the region's tuna fishing and canning industry, profiting from the (so far) plentiful bluefin tuna to be caught off the coast.
The Barbate Nature Park is Andalucia's second largest coastal reserve, a major attraction for its underwater sports. The shoreline is lined by towering cliffs called Los Caños de Meca, home to teeming colonies of herring gulls and egrets. Thick stands of stone pine provide shade for a stunning variety of Mediterranean wildflowers. Ancient watchtowers stands on the cliffs overlooking the sea, where local fishermen use the traditional almadraba technique to catch tuna fish, laying walls of netting to force the huge

More about La Breña Natural Park and Marismas del Barbate

 

 

 

 

Conil de la Frontera
Conil de la Frontera


This small town is fast becoming popular with summer tourists. However, it is still a typical Andalucian town with narrow cobbled streets, tapas bars and an open air market at weekends and pavement cafes around the main plazas.

Another spectacular beach, a wide bay of brilliant yellow sand stretching as far as the eye can see.

Head for El Palmar beach for campsites and hostels and a couple of excellent beach restaurants for lunch. One or two become discotheques on hot summer nights.
Conil's old town
There are some historical monuments worth visiting:
Tower of Guzman el Bueno
Church of Santa Catalina
Convento de la Victoria - featuring interesting paintings
Convento de San Francesco de Paula

More about Conil de la Frontera.

 

 

 

 

 

 


The village of Zahara de los Atunes

Zahara de los Atunes is a small fishing village on the Costa de la Luz 30 km north of Tarifa on the Atlantic coast.

Zahara is a windswept place with an interesting atmosphere. On a quiet day, it is like going back in time. A fine example of what we politely call Opopulist architechture. By contrast, on a summer¹s day, it's the trendy place to be. A stunning wilderness of 20 km of unspoilt white sandy beaches stretching as far as Cape Gracia. You can drive south from Zahara, as far as the lighthouse on Cape Gracia and explore the beaches. This is a no through road, hence the area has remained unspoiled.
In the village itself there are the sadly neglected ruins of the Castillo de las Amadrabas built in the fifteenth centry by the Dukes of Medina Sidonia for protection against pirates and later used by local fishermen to store their tuna fishing equipment.
In this part of town, you can enjoy a drink on the beachfront in the bar of the Gran Hotel Sol. A few modern resort hotels sit alongside the traditional beach cabins and hostels, but when it comes to accommodation, my own personal favorite is the Hotel Doña Lola, which despite being a modern hotel, is well worth a visit for its pleasant atmosphere and immaculately clean rooms

More about Zahara de los Atunes.

 

 

 

 

 

Vejer de la Frontera
Vejer de la Frontera

If you're exploring the CN340 coast road, you'd be wise to make time for a wander round Vejer. This classic white hilltop town is well worth a visit. 10 km inland, perched high above the steep gorge of the River Barbate

This stunning town is a magical place to explore, its quiet cobbled streets meandering through a charming jumble of secret corners, hidden patios and delightful houses.
Hidden behind ancient walls, it has a magnificent church. Great care has been taken to preserve this beautiful town. The town square, shaded by vast palm trees, has a wonderful old fountain with traditional ceramic Andalucian frogs which spout water high into the air, thus forming a fountain.
The recently restored 17th Century Franciscan Convent OHospederia de Convento San Francisco, now a hotel restaurant, is also worth a visit.
The town has been officially declared an Historical Artistical Monument of National importance.

Specific places of interest include:
Arab Castle - is hidden in the old quarter. A classic 11th century arch leads into a courtyard.
Church of El Divino Salvador - like many was built on the site of an old Mosque.

More about Vejer de La Frontera.

 


 

 

 

Bolonia
Bolonia



Bolonia is a small isolated coastal village and fishing community on the Atlantic coast of the Costa de la Luz, some 15km north of Tarifa, is very popular in the summer months.
The fact that there is no through traffic in Bolonia adds to its tranquillity.


The village is located at the end of a 5km narrow road, which leaves the N340 coast road at km 70 climbing over a hill to give beautiful views of the bay.
The road winds down to the coast.
Turn left to enter village.
You can find a number of beach bars
At the end of the village the road comes to a dead end.
Continue (south) on foot and you can visit a number of isolated coves.
The Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia are just to the north of the present settlement.
They demonstrate how important the town used to be as a fish salting community.

More about Baelo Claudia.

 

 

 

 

 

Tarifa
Tarifa

Tarifa is the southest city of Europe, opened to both seas. Single they separate 14 kms. of Africa, by the Straits of Gibraltar.
Paraiso of windsurf, also called "the capital of the wind", is one of the best places of the world for practices
windsurf o kitesurf.
Conserve the old Arab strength, its streets are narrow in downtown. Cosmopolitan atmosphere that they enamor to the visitor.
Their beaches are long, wild, of white and fine sand and crystalline waters. It has two natural reserves. Monuments: Baelo Claudia (s. II a.c.), castillo de Guzmán el Bueno, iglesias de San Mateo y San Francisco (s. XVI), santuario de la Virgen de la Cruz.

More about Tarifa .............. ....................... Wach a video






 

 

 

 

Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez de la Frontera

Few places in Spain can be said to enjoy the international renown of Jerez as, thanks to its sherry wines, the name of the city crossed international borders many years ago.
But Jerez is not just a city of wines, it has much more to offer: home of the Carthusian horse, the fighting bull, cradle of flamenco art, capital of motorcycle racing and home to international sporting events, and declared to be of Artistic and Historical interest.
Nowadays Jerez is a large city where long-standing traditions coexist in perfect harmony with the modern: large shopping centres and wide avenues converge upon the historic, cheerful and bustling city-centre, where shopping and tapas go hand in hand. All of these distinctive features, together with a privileged geographical situation and climate. It makes Jerez a perfect place to live in and to visit.

More about Jerez .....................Watch a video....

 

 

 

 

Arcos de la Frontera


Arcos de la Frontera

El nombreSitting on a spectacular sheer cliff, Arcos de la Frontera is a picturesque town in the province of Cadiz full of small reminders of its Arab inheritance. Towers, churches and splendid viewpoints with views of the River Guadalete are just some of the countless attractions offered by this area, right on the White Villages route. But Arcos is also a place where tradition is faithfully preserved. It is 85 km to Cádiz, Arcos bounded on the north by the province of Sevilla, to the east and south to Jerez and to the west with El Bosque, Prado del Rey y Villamartín.

.....More about Arcos de la Frontera.......................................................................................................Watch a video ...............

 

 

 

 

Gibralta


Gibraltar

Since 1713 and up to date Gibraltar is a British Crown Dependency.It is situated at the southern tip of Spain, strategically overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar, the passageway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Its 1965 Constitution provides for full self-government of Gibraltar in all matters except internal security, external security and foreign affairs. The legislature consists of Governor and Gibraltar House of Assembly. Gibraltar's law is based on English common law and the rules of equity, with numerous variations introduced by Ordinances passed by the Gibraltar House of Assembly. One such notable piece of legislation is the Gibraltar Companies (Taxation and Concessions) Ordinance of 1967. Gibraltar has excellent, modern communications by land, mobile and internet networks, as well as easy access by air, sea and road. The main air connection to Gibraltar is via London to which there are several flights daily.

More about Gibraltar.

 

 

 

 

Tánger
Tánger

Capital marroquí del estrecho, The city of Tangiers is located in the far northern tip of Africa, flanked by the Mediterranean and the Atlantic oceans and within what is known as the «Gibraltar strait circle».
Over the past few years, Tangiers has undergone both important urban development and economic growth which has led it to its current position as regional capital. According to the 1994 statistics the city has an approximate total population of 500.000 inhabitants.
Tangiers has also become the most sought after tourism resort of the region thanks to its cosmopolitan appearance, and its unique cultural heritage
A ferry sails from Tarifa (spain) to Tangiers (Morocco) in about 45 minutes.

More about Tánger.


 

 

 

 

Cádiz
Cádiz

Cádiz is the oldest city in Western Europe. The different peoples who settled here left an important cultural imprint, whose influence still remains in the character of the city's people. This peninsula, right on the Andalusian Atlantic coast, has been able to preserve an important historical legacy - the result of its commercial importance - together with excellent beaches and an exquisite regional cuisine.
A visit might begin in Puerta Tierra, the entry point through the walls and the dividing line between modern and old Cádiz. On one side, wide avenues, beaches (La Victoria, Santa María and La Cortadura), sailing clubs and modern sporting facilities. On the other, a Cádiz with more flavour and history, the old districts.


More about Cádiz .............. .................. Watch video

 


 

 

 

 


Map 1 of 2. Situation of Los Caños de Meca respect to the nearby village.




Map 2 of 2.
Location of the house in Los Caños de Meca.



 

 

 

 

 

Videos


Tarifa

 

 

Arcos de la Frontera

 

 

 

Cádiz

 

 

El arte de Jerez a caballo

 

 

 

Jardín de la Casa Playa-Monte (a view of the garden)

 

 

Playas próximas (the nearest beaches)