Perched on a steep limestone ridge, this is not your average rural settlement. The historic center of Arcos de la Frontera is bounded by a sharp bend in the Guadalete River. Sitting 150 meters above the valley, the old town offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Its seemingly impregnable location and abundance of water made it a strategic site for settlers since the Neolithic Age. During the Reconquista, Arcos de la Frontera became a key stronghold on the border (“de la Frontera”) between Christian Castile and the Muslim Kingdom of Granada. This status shaped its military and civil architecture for centuries.
Its unique location finally put it on the tourist map. The town’s Moorish heritage is reflected in its maze of narrow, cobbled streets. Today it’s a popular stop on the Route of the White Villages, a collection of Andalusian towns known for their picturesque settings and whitewashed houses. In 1962, Arcos de la Frontera was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument by the Spanish government.
