Algeciras
Algeciras is one of the busiest ports in the world with regard to passenger ferries. A large town with 100,000 residents, it is not particularly attractive but it does have its own unique character, being the main point of contact for Europe with Africa. Located on the Bay of Algeciras which is sheltered from the sea by the Rock of Gibraltar and Carnero Point, Algeciras lies on a natural harbour and ferries run regularly from here to Tanger and Ceuta in Morroco. The town was founded by the Romans and later occupied by the Moors, although little of its history remains and today it is a thriving industrial and commercial centre consisting mostly of 19th ad 20th century blocks. What does remain of the old town is the San Isidro Quarter where traditional Andalucían style houses with white-washed façades and narrow streets can be seen. The name of the town derives from the Arabic Al-jezirah, meaning "Green Island". It was used as a landing point for Muslim armies for centuries until it was destroyed and abandoned in the 14th century. It was became an important port again in the early 20th century. Although the port itself is industrialized and ugly, the Bay of Algeciras itself is quite beautiful and the mountains of Morroco can be seen from the bay, which shelters the town meaning that Algeciras enjoys a mild climate. Pleasant beaches near to Algeciras include El Rinconcillo, La Conch, Getares and Cala Arena.
As well as ferry links to Africa, Algeciras is also linked to Barcelona, Italy, Portugal and South America via the sea, giving the town an international atmosphere. Algeciras has a direct rail link to Madrid, it is located on the main N-340 coastal road that runs to Cádiz, 130km away and to Malaga which is 140km in the other direction. The N-340 turns into a dual carriageway east of Cádiz and the airport at Gibraltar, 35km away is easily reached.

La Línea de la Concepcion
A pleasantly shabby town with a population of 59,000, La Línea is presided over by the comparatively massive Rock of Gibraltar which looms over the town. The quiet, sandy beachfront is backed by a colourful line of one and two storey houses and it lacks the tourist driven development that are characteristic of areas further east on the Costa Del Sol. The frontier with British owned Gibraltar is located at La Línea and it’s just a short walk across Gibraltar’s airport into the town. A political anomaly that is today popular with tourists, Gibraltar’s history stems from its value as a strategic military point. After a history of fighting, it was eventually given to Britain by Spain in 1713, although the Spanish later tried to recapture the rock. Gibraltar is tax free, goods such as cigarettes and alcohol are cheaper there than on the mainland. Gibraltar is also famous for its colony of Barbary Macaques, the only primates in Europe apart from humans.
La Línea itself is a relatively new town whose existence stems back to 1704 when the Spanish lost Gibraltar to an Anglo-Dutch fleet and a permanent garrison town was established in the region. It grew from a hamlet to its present size and was eventually named La Línea de la Conception because the Immaculate Conception was the Spanish Army's patron saint. La Línea is usually overlooked by tourists who pass through on their way to Gibraltar and the beaches of Levante and Carboneras are attractive and uncrowded, although they can be a little windy.
The international airport of Gibraltar is adjacent to La Línea and the airport at Malaga is 125km away on the main coastal roads.

San Roque
The beautiful town of San Roque is a few kilometres inland from the coast. It has been declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument thanks to its old city centre in typical Andalucían style where steep streets pass whitewashed houses with flowers dripping from balconies. The town of 25,000 people is located in a superb natural setting, surrounded by cork and eucalyptus forests. It grew to its present size after the loss of Gibraltar when the previous inhabitants of Gibraltar declined the offer to continue living on the rock and migrated to San Roque. The coast line near to San Roque has some fine, unspoilt beaches including those at Torreguadiaro, Puente Mayorga and Guadarranque.

Sotogrande is a tourist complex 12km from San Roque where a large marina is located complete with 535 moorings. There are 2 golf courses at Sotogrande, a tennis court, a polo court and other sporting facilities. San Roque is located 5km from La Línea on the N340 road. Algeciras is 15km away.

Los Barrios
As with neighbouring San Roque, Los Barrios began to grow to its current size of 20,000 inhabitants when people relocated here from Gibraltar in the 18th century. Similarly, the town is surrounded by eucalyptus, wild olive and cork trees and there are some interesting natural caves in the area formed by erosion as well as caves containing important prehistoric paintings. The Fair and Exhibition ground at Los Barrios hosts events throughout the year. Los Barrios is 9km from Algeciras on the A381 dual carriageway which runs off the main N340 coastal road. Los Barrios is 9km from the coast at Palmones.

Castellar de la Frontera
This fascinating village of 2500 inhabitants is still surrounded by the walls of an excellently preserved Moorish fortress, a village within a castle. It is located in a national park next to a reservoir formed by the River Guadarranque in incredibly picturesque surroundings. The village was abandoned in the 1970's and its inhabitants relocated to nearby Nuevo Castellar. The derelict state of the village that forced the original inhabitants out attracted a number of German hippies who colonized the village, taking over the empty houses inside and building makeshift dwellings outside the walls. Local Spaniards did not take kindly to this and offensive, anti-German graffitti began appearing on the walls. Today, the village has been repopulated. There is a German run bar in the town which offers breathtaking views over the countryside towards Gibraltar and on clear days, you can see the African coast to the south and the white villages of the mountains near Málaga to the north.
Castellar is in an isolated location, at the end of a mountain road that runs of the A368. It is 16km from Castellar to the main N340 road and 25km to Gibraltar or Algeciras.

Jimena de la Frontera
A Roman hilltop village with a population of 9000 people, Jimena sits on a mountain on the eastern border of the national park, north of Castellar. Its white houses spread down the slope of the mountain and the large ruins of a Moorish castle preside over the village. Jimena has been declared a Monumental Site due to its beautiful natural settings and its well preserved state. Surrounded by fine countryside, huge cork oak forests and fruit orchards, British expatriates have taken advantage of the superb setting and have begun to colonize Jimena, many of them working in nearby Gibraltar. The tiny road that leads north from Jimena crosses the national park through wild, mountainous countryside. 14km north, the cave of Laja Alta can be found where prehistoric paintings dating to 1000BC have been discovered, but they are notoriusly difficult to reach.
Jimena is connected with Cádiz and Algeciras by bus, yet it is fairly isolated, being some 40km from the main N340 coastal road. The roads north of Jimena are all small mountain roads.

Alcalá de los Gazules
On the western edge of the Alcornocales national park, Alcalá is a village of 5500 people in the midst of beautiful countryside. With fine Andalucían architecture in its steep streets and open squares, Alcalá is situated on a hill overlooking the surrounding area. Neolithic cave paintings and engravings have been found in the area, as well as important Roman remains.
There is a public swimming pool and a sports centre in Alcalá. The nearest service centre is Medina Sidonia, 15km away.