Plaza de la Inmaculada is the heart of the town and was the first square built here. On the edge of the open area, you’ll find the Town Hall, a neo-Classical style building with beautiful stained glass windows from the 50s, and the Church of San Paulino. The temple is home to a figure of Jesus, known as “El Ardero”, which has a popular legend behind it.
The oldest houses in Barbate are located in the old quarter, a network of pedestrian streets that extends along the river of the same name. Calle Nuestra Señora de la Oliva still preserves the old entrance arches, and you can see the traditional residences of the fishermen with whitewashed gabled roofs.
The Lonja Vieja de Barbate is an example of architectural rationalism, although its design recalls the silhouette of a boat beached on the shore. If you look closely, you’ll see that the tower is the figurehead on the bow, windows are portholes and its floor plan is shaped like a boat. A few years ago, it was restored to its original appearance and it’s now home to the visitors’ centre and municipal museum.
Take advantage of the options you’ll enjoy thanks to a cheap trip to Barbate to visit the La Breña y Marismas de Barbate Nature Reserve, spanning nearly 20 square miles of land. The trails cross pine forests and ideal areas to have a picnic. Diving is one of the most popular activities here, and the area is rich in underwater flora and fauna.
In the nature reserve, you’ll find the Tajo de Barbate, a cliff over 325 feet high that’s sure to leave you speechless. At the highest point, you’ll see a watchtower that was part of a coastal surveillance system built in the 16th century. If you decide to get one of our package deals to Barbate, you should check out the schedule of activities at the tower to make sure you don’t miss a thing during your stay.
