Conil de la Frontera is a stunning white coastal village located along the southern coast of the Province of Cadiz. The best time to visit Conil is during September or October when there are less tourists filling up the beaches and the temperature is slightly more bearable. Sitting along the beautiful Costa de la Luz, Conil is a quieter alternative to the coastal towns of the Costa del Sol. There are a lot of unique things to do in Conil and it still retains much of its original charm.
As well as its sandy beaches, Conil is famous for its old town and its gastronomy that’s tied to the local fishing industry and agriculture. If you don’t want to stay in Conil itself, Los Caños de Meca is a great place to base yourself too.
Conil is one coastal town in Cadiz that you’ll never get tired of visiting. Whether you come for the beaches, the food and nightlife, or to learn more about its unique history, you’ll find a wide variety of things to do in Conil de la Frontera.
Things to do in Conil de la Frontera
Centro Cultural Iglesia de Santa Catalina
One of the most beautiful buildings in Conil de la Frontera is the Iglesia de Santa Catalina. It was originally built at the start of the 15th century and until the 20th century it was the main church in Conil. It sits within a small plaza near the Torre de Guzman. You can get a great photo of the church’s bell tower down one of the side streets.
Torre de Guzman
At the top of the list of things to do in Conil de la Frontera is to visit Torre de Guzman. It’s the most instantly recognizable landmark in Conil and has a history dating back to the 14th century. This tower once formed part of the castle walls that protected the city from attack and it also functioned as a watchtower overlooking the coastline. The tower is free to climb and the views are particularly magical at sunset.
Explore the streets of the old town
There aren’t too many things to do in Conil in terms of attractions, so one of the best options if you’re spending a day in Conil de la Frontera is to walk around the streets of the old town. There are plenty of picturesque streets lined with flowers, shops, and eateries and in the summer months these streets offer some much needed shade to visitors.
Plaza de España
Plaza de España is located at the very centre of Conil’s old town. It’s home to a number of restaurants as well as the historic Arco de la Villa which dates back to 1502. The arch was where the road connecting Conil to Vejer de la Frontera began. You’ll also find the monument to Jose Saramago at one end of the plaza who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998. There are quite a few things to do in Conil located in and around this central plaza.
Mercado de Arte
If you like to shop for locally made products while travelling then you’ll love visiting the Mercado de Arte. Visiting this small indoor market is one of the top things to do in Conil. It boasts a number of unique artisan stalls covering everything from paintings to jewellery. There’s also a local food market, Mercado de Abastos, a short walk from here which is a nice spot to get fresh produce from if you plan on cooking.
Find the medieval walls
As you walk around the streets of Conil de la Frontera, you may miss the remains of part of the medieval walls that once surrounded this coastal town. These remains are now tucked behind modern buildings but every so often you can catch a glimpse of Conil’s past poking through. If you like history then this is one of the most unique things to do in Conil.
Beaches
Conil de la Frontera is considered by many to have the best beaches along the Costa de la Luz and once you visit you’ll realize why. The pristine white sand and beautiful waters are what draws in thousands of locals and tourists every year. Even in the off season, these beaches still receive near perfect weather and they’re great for relaxing on or taking a long walk along.
I would recommend Playa de los Bateles if you’re staying within the area of the old town or Playa Fuente del Gallo if you have a vehicle. Visiting the beaches here is one of the top things to do in Conil throughout the year.
Take a photo with the I Love Conil sign
The promenade of Conil is very pleasant to walk along and there are often market stalls set up here by local artisans. A new addition to the promenade is the I Love Conil sign which is the perfect spot to take a group or individual photo with the beach as your backdrop. Be prepared for a short wait in the summer though as a lot of people like to get their photo taken here since it’s one of the most unique things to do in Conil.
Places to eat in Conil de la Frontera
La Recoleta
One of the most budget friendly places to eat in Conil de la Frontera is La Recoleta. It’s open throughout the day and it’s particularly popular in the evening. We stopped by for a late breakfast though and were pleasantly surprised. The menu is small but everything is made fresh to order and they’re more than happy to accommodate any dietary needs. I ordered the pancakes which came with an orange juice and a coffee, but since I didn’t want a coffee they gave me a larger orange juice instead. I’d highly recommend La Recoleta if you’re looking for somewhere to eat breakfast in Conil.
Churreria La Chana
Whatever you do, don’t leave Conil without grabbing some churros from Churreria La Chana. It’s essentially a hole in the wall, but it’s easy to find as it sits around the corner from Plaza de España, next to Mercado de Arte. These churros are very cheap, delicious, and handmade by a local woman who’s been running this churreria for a long time, so you’re getting a true taste of Spain eating here. This is another example of the many budget friendly places to eat in Conil.
Venta Pericon
If you’re on the lookout for popular places to eat in Conil, you need to head over to Venta Pericon. It’s been a family-run restaurant for over 50 years and they’re well known for the unique gastronomic experience they provide their guests. Their menu is based around traditional dishes with a modern and innovative twist. There aren’t too many vegetarian dishes on the menu, but one that I would recommend is the patatas bravas.
Mistura Conil
There are a lot of nice places to eat in Conil but if you’re looking for somewhere healthy then I would recommend Mistura. Their main focus is on poke bowls but they do have some other options available, including a few traditional Spanish dishes with a twist. It’s located less than 5 minutes from the promenade so it’s perfectly located if you’re spending a day at the beach.
Heladeria Marsalao
When they’re not serving ice cream and other tasty desserts, Heladeria Marsalao is one of the top places to go for breakfast in Conil. They serve traditional Spanish breakfast items such as toast with tomato spread, as well as fresh orange juice and good quality coffee. This is where a lot of locals go to eat and it’s very affordable. We stopped here during our last morning in Conil and really enjoyed it.
If you really want an ice cream though, getting some here is one of the best things to do in Conil in the summertime.
Where to stay in Conil de la Frontera
La Jabega by Conil Home
If you’re planning on staying for a few days in Conil, there’s no better place to base yourself than La Jabega by Conil Home. These charming tourist apartments are located in the centre of Conil, only a short walk from the promenade. It’s a family-run businesses and they’ve added a lot of unique touches to the design of the apartments in recent years while still retaining the traditional charm of the building.
We stayed in the Hortensia Apartment which is located on the ground floor so it’s easily accessible. The apartment features two bedrooms and can sleep up to five people. There’s one room with a double bed, the second room features a single bed, and there’s the option of a pull out sofa bed as well.
There’s also a spacious living room with a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a walk-in shower. The Andalusian vibes are very prominent in this apartment which is exactly what you want while you’re staying along the coast. Having a kitchen available is a great way to save money while you’re visiting Conil because many of the restaurants are overpriced and not worth dining at due to the high level of tourism the town receives.
A big feature of these tourist apartments is the beautiful Andalusian patio that greets you as soon as you enter through the gate. It’s a beautiful spot to sit for a while or to take photos, especially in the summer months. When we arrived the flowers had started to bloom so it really stood out.
When your apartment is ready for check-in you’ll receive a code which will grant you access to the apartment complex as well as your individual apartment. You’ll also find on-street parking outside of the apartment and on nearby streets, but you’ll need to pay until a certain time of the day for those. Alternatively, you can park for free in the off season in one of the parking lots next to the beach.
One of the best views in Conil can be found at La Jabega. Their rooftop terrace is a great place to catch some sun or relax in the shade, and on a clear day you can even see Morocco in the distance. They serve an amazing breakfast on the terrace that’s centred around local produce as well. We visited just before the peak season so unfortunately it wasn’t offered yet, but their breakfast receives very good feedback from guests.
Overall, we had a fantastic 4 days in Conil de la Frontera and it was made even better by staying at La Jabega. You won’t find a better accommodation option in Conil. It’s in the best location to explore the rest of the town from as well as the surrounding area.
>> Book your stay at La Jabega by Conil Home early to avoid missing out <<
Is Conil de la Frontera worth visiting?
Conil de la Frontera may be a popular place for people heading to the beach but there are a lot more incredible things to do in Conil that many people miss out on. It’s a great option for a day trip from Jerez de la Frontera or the city of Cadiz. You can also take full advantage of its location and visit Vejer de la Frontera and Tarifa if you’re spending more than one day in Conil de la Frontera.
Hopefully this list of things to do in Conil de la Frontera has prompted you to visit this coastal town while you’re in southern Spain. If you have any questions about Conil and the surrounding area please feel free to leave a message below or reach out via email or on Instagram.
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