Conil de la Frontera

Evidence of Phoenician presence is revealed by the numerous archaeological remains that have been discovered in the area, including a brass coin exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Cadiz or the remains of a necropolis at La Huerta del Sol. It was port of undeniable importance during Roman and Visigoth times. In spite of its strong tourist atmosphere, this white Moorish style town has successfully retained the flavour and charm of a typical seafaring town.

Of the medieval fortifications, the town preserves canvases from its ramparts at the 16th century Puerta de la Villa, as well as a bastion used to fortify these walls. The coastal Watchtowers at Roche, Puerco and Castilnovo (16th-17th Centuries) were used to sight attacking pirates or invaders. And, lastly, the Guzmán Tower, built in the 14th and 15th Centuries, was part of the old castle and served as the nucleus around which the town was built.

The Santa Catalina Parish Church and the Town Hall building are situated in Plaza del Castillo. Other noteworthy monuments include the Misericordia Hospital, the Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno Hermitage (the town’s patron saint), the Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes Convent and the Espíritu Santo Shrine. Visitors should also try to visit the “Museo de Raíces Conileñas” and attend the fascinating fish auctions at the fish market in the town’s fishing port.

Conil is undoubtedly a select destination for sun and beach tourism. It has one of the best atmospheres in the whole district, especially during summer, thanks partly to the luxurious urbanizations in the surrounding area. Sprawling pine forests, such as the Roche or El Colorado forests, reach some parts of the beaches and thus help to keep them unspoiled.

Roche and El Colorado Pine Forest

The municipality of Conil has valuable natural spaces, the most noteworthy being the Roche and El Colorado Pine Forests. These are home to numerous endangered species, including a large population of coastal junipers, or the “fartet” (Aphanius iberus), a small hermaphrodite fish found in the River Roche.

Apart from its important pottery industry (one of the most representative in the province), this farming and fishing town can also be proud of its cuisine, boasting numerous delicious dishes including “morrillo de atún” (fatty parts of tuna), dogfish in marinade, stuffed squid, cuttlefish with potatoes, rice with golden thistle, artichokes or Spanish oyster plant.

Idyllic Beaches

Conil’s 14 km of coastline has fine white sand beaches for all tastes, with transparent waters ideal for practising all kinds of water sports in a spectacularly beautiful setting. The long Castilnovo beach lies on the left as you approach the town. Other beaches on that side of Conil are Los Bateles (which has numerous facilities, services, restaurants and bars), La Fontanilla, El Roqueo and Fuente del Gallo, which are more secluded and inviting. The municipality also boasts many charming, paradisiacal coves at the foot of imposing cliffs. And visiting La Chanca Tuna Museum is an absolute must, an 8000 square metre cultural centre built in the 16th century for cutting up the daily tunny catch.