Interesting Arcos De La Frontera

Arcos De La Frontera is located in the province of Jerez at the heart of Andalusia which lies in the south of Spain.

Overview

This town has more interesting historical adventures than Zahara de la Sierra since it was snatched from the hands of the Moors in the year 1264, more than 2 centuries before the fall of Zahara. Its great lofty location over Río Guadalete on a double cliff made it a formidable fortress which stood against any attack.

It is surrounded by low houses painted in white with churches built from fine sandstone, making the town similar to Ronda except that it is less well-known and less visited. The town streets are lined with Moorish as well as Renaissance buildings. The town center is the usual town plaza, the Plaza del Cabildo, while the castle walls lie close by with the huge Gothic Mudéjar Santa María church.

Tourist Fare

The tourism office is located on the west of the town plaza; it offers town maps and guided tours on a daily basis except on Sundays. There are a couple of budget accommodations available here in the old section of town behind the Santa María church and the San Marcos bar.

Hotels Galore

The more luxurious hotel Hotel Marqués de Torresoto is located on top of a rock pedestal, looking grand as a converted 17th century mansion, complete with a Baroque chapel and a porch courtyard, while the La Casa Grande is a 18th century mansion with lovely rooms overlooking an impressive terrace view of the valley.

On the new side of town there is the majestic Hotel Fonda Comercio which is the oldest inn at Arcos, established for over a century and recently refurbished.

Outside Ronda on the sandy beaches are La Molinera which is a simple waterfront hostel, and Arcos de la Frontera, a campsite near the Bornos reservoir. Many ancient houses and mansions have been converted to hotels to cater for the tourists flocking to Arcos.

Gastronomy

Food and drink are higher priced in the old section of town since most hotels there also have their own places to serve food. For a more decently priced option, try La Terraza which is southwest of the town plaza right in the Paseo de Andalucía gardens. It serves a great selection of local foods with outdoor seating. For a more unique dining experience, try the Alcaraván, a unique restaurant in a cave setting near the walls of the castle.

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