Arcos de la Frontera: Old Town, Nature and Pueblos Blancos

Arcos de la Frontera is considered the gateway to the Pueblos Blancos. The themed route El reino de Sevilla 4 includes Arcos de la Frontera as one of its stops.

Other destinations include Jédula, Alcalá De Los Gazules, San Fernando, El Gastor, Conil De La Frontera, Barbate and Vejer De La Frontera.

Culture

Puerta Matrera connects the old town of Arcos de la Frontera with the Barrio Bajo. The Basilica of Santa María stands on the remains of an Arab mosque and was built over a period of six centuries. It was declared a national monument in 1931 and a minor basilica in 1993.

The Retablo de San Pedro y San Pablo in the parish church of San Pedro is the oldest known work by Hernando de Esturmio. The use of engravings by Albrecht Dürer can be identified in the work on this altarpiece. The tower of the Basilica of Santa María can be visited every 30 minutes in groups of six people.

The Convento del Corpus Christi is arranged around two courtyards. The courtyard accessible from the future museum is surrounded by a gallery with round arches resting on columns with Tuscan capitals. The Belén Viviente takes place in the old town and includes more than 20 scenes.

Semana Santa in Arcos de la Frontera is an annual tradition and has been declared an event of tourist interest.

Nature

The Cola del Embalse de Arcos Nature Reserve lies entirely within the municipality of Arcos de la Frontera. It was designated primarily because of the importance of this wetland as a breeding and refuge area for a diverse bird community.

The Cola del Embalse de Arcos Nature Reserve has a birdwatching point near the El Santiscal residential development. The viewpoint at Plaza del Cabildo offers views of the Guadalete Valley with its orchards and agricultural land.

At Lago de Arcos, canoeing and sailing are among the activities available; birds that come to spend the winter also stay there. The hiking trails in Arcos de la Frontera can be explored independently or accompanied by a nature guide. Information about the region’s birds, flora, fauna and archaeology may be provided along the way.

Cuisine and Crafts

The local cuisine of Arcos de la Frontera includes, among other dishes, Alboronía and the typical dish ajo molinero, both vegetable-based dishes. Arcos de la Frontera also has traditions of handmade pork sausages and stews known as berzas.

Traditional crafts in Arcos de la Frontera include ceramics, wrought-iron work and esparto-grass crafts. Bodega Guardi Wines offers a guided wine-tourism visit through the vineyards and winery, ending with a wine tasting.

Getting There

The main access route to Arcos de la Frontera is the A-382 main road. Regular bus services connect Arcos de la Frontera with other places in the province of Cádiz, as well as with Seville and Málaga.

To the overarching travel overview: Cadiz.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Arcos de la Frontera: white village, old town and excursions near Cádiz.