There are plenty of pueblos blancos in southern Spain to visit and they all have their own charm. In fact, if you’re planning a road trip in southern Spain, you can drive along one of the many white villages routes and explore some of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It’s an easy drive from Jerez de la Frontera to one of the most dramatic white villages in Andalusia – Arcos de la Frontera. Despite it being a small village, there are surprisingly a lot of things to do in Arcos, and many people choose to go to here on day trips from cities like Seville and Cadiz.
The narrow streets make it a nightmare to drive around the village, so if you’re looking for parking in Arcos de la Frontera I would recommend using this parking garage that’s only a 15 minute walk from the old town. The walk is uphill though, but it flattens out when you get to the tourism office so make sure you wear trainers and not sandals!
Something else you should take into account when visiting Arcos is the heat. Since the village is inland, it gets unbearably hot in the middle of the day, so try to visit early in the morning. Regardless of the temperature, it’s a lovely white village in Andalusia to visit at any time of the day. Here are my recommendations for the top things to do in Arcos de la Frontera to help you plan your trip.
11 things to do in Arcos de la Frontera
1. Stop at the tourism office
Arcos de la Frontera’s Oficina de Turismo is located at the beginning of the old town. The reason I’ve included it on my list of things to do in Arcos de la Frontera is because they provide you with a fantastic map of the village that shows you where all of the main points of interest are and it gives you a brief description of each one as well. In total, the map lists 37 things things to do in Arcos, and it also shows you where other nearby white villages are in case you want to visit them.
2. Explore the streets
Yes, there are a lot of things to do in Arcos de la Frontera. But something that isn’t always included in an itinerary is to take some time to walk around the streets which are lined with whitewashed houses and historic monuments. I find that you can really get a feel for a village and its heritage by doing this. You’ll come across a number of charming restaurants and artisan shops while walking between the points of interest, and find some very picturesque streets too.
3. Take a break for tapas
Walking around in the hot Spanish sun can be a lot of work, so for me a break for a bit of tapas is an absolute must. Andalusia is the home of tapas, so you really can’t miss the opportunity to order some. We stopped at Tapas at Taberna Jovenes Flamencos which is a very short walk from the tourism office and decorated in red and white polka-dots so you can’t miss it. They have a great selection of larger meals and tapas dishes, including some that are typical of Arcos itself.
4. Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asuncion
The first main attraction you’ll come across if you’re walking into the old town from the direction of the tourism office is Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asuncion. Visiting this church is one of the top things to do in Arcos de la Frontera, and it’s equally impressive on all sides. Parts of it date back to the 14th century when it was constructed on top of an Arab mosque, making it the oldest church in Arcos. It’s been consistently added to over the centuries so you can plainly see the differences in architectural styles.
5. Plaza del Cabildo
The front entrance of Basilica de Santa Maria de la Asuncion is located in Plaza del Cabildo, which is now unfortunately used as a parking lot. The plaza is the heart of the old town, and there are a few points of interest you can cross off your list of things to do in Arcos de la Frontera here too. Aside from the medieval church, the plaza is home to Castillo Ducal, the town hall nestled away in a small corner, an incredible viewpoint, and the Parador de Arcos de la Frontera which is a reconstructed 16th century magistrates house where you can stop for a drink or stay the night.
6. Castillo Ducal
Castillo Ducal sits right on the edge of a cliff but unfortunately it isn’t open to the public, so the entrance is as far as you can get. The castle was first constructed in the 11th century when it was used as a military fortress in the Muslim period. Under Christian rule in the 15th century, it became the residence of the Duke of Arcos. The best view of the castle is from below the village where you can see the true extent of its walls and how intimidating it would have been to people arriving to Arcos.
7. Mirador Plaza del Cabildo
One of the best views in Arcos de la Frontera is Mirador Plaza del Cabildo, situated in Plaza del Cabildo. On one side you get an amazing view of the landscape, and on the other you can see the rest of the village along the cliff which is mesmerizing to look at. If you visit in the middle of the day you’ll probably have it all to yourself because of the heat. This viewpoint gets a special marking on the tourism map and is one of the top things to do in Arcos.
8. Convento de la Encarnacion
Sitting just outside of Plaza del Cabildo is the entrance to Convento de la Encarnacion. It sits in Callejon de las Monjas (Alley of the Nuns), which is a very narrow passageway. It’s one of the narrowest streets I’ve ever seen and everyone was struggling to get through it with their cars. The building the convent is in dates back to the 15th century, but didn’t become a convent until the 16th century. It played an important role in the development of Arcos too.
9. Ring the bell at Convento de la Mercedarias
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Arcos de la Frontera, you need to stop at Convento de la Mercedarias. This convent was founded in 1642, and was donated by the first Lady of Arcos. It’s the last remaining cloistered convent in the village, but that’s not the only interesting aspect of it.
At certain times of the day you’ll find the front door open which you can walk through. On the wall there’s a menu of homemade pastries that have been prepared by the nuns, and you can order them by ringing a bell and talking through a small window to one of the nuns. Make sure you have cash with you since they obviously don’t take card, and the nearest cash machine is a long trek back down the hill out of the old town.
10. Palacio del Mayorazgo
This narrow building may not look like much but Palacio del Mayorazgo dates back to the 17th century and is now home to the House of Culture. It was closed when we visited but it comes highly recommended in terms of things to do in Arcos de la Frontera, so if you have time and the doors are open you should pop in. You will also find the Iglesia de San Pedro, a 14th century church, only a few steps away.
11. Mirador de Abades
Mirador de Abades is one of the most photographed spots in the village, and is at the top end of the best things to do in Arcos de la Frontera. It’s another gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the surrounding landscape, and the arch is often adorned with beautiful flowers. It’s also considered a romantic spot due to a sign at the entrance which says “Bésame en este arco” (Kiss me in this arch).
Arcos de la Frontera is one of the largest pueblos blancos in Andalusia, and also one of the most dramatic. If you have time, there’s a reservoir (Embalse de Arcos) nearby which you can kayak or paddelboard. There are plenty of unique and historic things to do in Arcos de la Frontera to keep you busy, so make sure to add it to your list of places to see in Andalusia. The Province of Cadiz has a lot more to offer than the Sherry Triangle and its white sandy beaches, and there are definitely plenty of white villages to explore, such as Olvera – Arcos de la Frontera just happens to be the gateway to them.
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about visiting Arcos de la Frontera or other nearby white villages. I would also love to hear if anyone has visited some other pueblos blancos in southern Spain. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and keep in touch!
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