Location
Los Caños de meca
Los Caños de Meca started out as a humble hamlet and is now one of the coolest and most unspoilt beach destinations in the Cost De La Luz (Coast of Light). It's spectacular shoreline has fine golden sands, azure waters and the famed 'Playa de las Cortinas', where freshwater springs fall from the cliffs above.
This vibrant and diverse community offers several popular Chiringuitos (beach bars), restaurants, music and dance venues, a food and craft market and many other spots that are off the beaten path.
Caños offers a wide range of activities to choose from such as kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, bodyboarding and kayaking (with the best spot for launching directly outside the apartment), horseback riding and much more. You can also enjoy hiking and mountain biking through the idyllic Parque Natural de la Breña, where the path of the Torre del Tajo culminates in a beautiful panoramic view. and all along the coast you can enjoy excellent bird watching and visit the world´s largest dovecote in San Ambrosio (between Barbate and Los Caños de Meca).
Getting here
A short 50 minutes drive from the airport of Jerez de la Frontera.
Just 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from the airport of Gibraltar.
A 1 hour and 50 minutes drive from the airport of Sevilla.
Only 50 minutes drive from the seaport of Cádiz.
zahora
To the West of the lighthouse and easily reached on foot, is a family beach where the youngest members of the family can enjoy playing in complete safety due to the huge reef that appears at low tide, together with the formation of an enormous lagoon with shallow water. Fishing is also very popular on this beach, especially on the reef.
El Palmar
Playa El Palmar is widely recognised as one of the best surf beaches in Andalucia. It has a long straight beach popular with wave-surfers in the winter and kite-surfers in the summer with a string of rental shops, surf schools, a yoga studio, shops, chill-out lounges and restaurants stretching along the coast road behind the beach.
barbate
Is a modern coastal town grown up around the fishing industry which dates back to Roman times. It offers all the essential shops and services, but by far the best for shopping is at the municipal market, where you will find a wonderful selection of fresh fish (try the locally prized mojama - wind dried tuna), olives, fruit and vegetables. The Barbate market is an experience in itself, and the road through the pine forest is spectacular with wonderful views at both ends of the route.
vejer de la frontera
Overlooks the awe-inspiring surrounding countryside. Voted one of the most attractive hilltop 'white villages' (pueblos blancos) of Andalucia. Being filled with artisan shops and independent stores, it has a strong Moroccan atmosphere, where you can get pleasantly lost wandering the narrow winding streets, eventually ending up in The Plaza de España.
tarifa
Located 60 km to the south, this historic town with its miles of white sandy beaches and steady breezes draws a range of watersport enthusiasts, but even if you don’t practice these, it’s a great spectacle to observe.
Tarifa is also home to numerous whale and dolphin watching expeditions and for those keen to travel further afield, it is possible to take a day trip to Tangier, Morocco via a 35 minute boat ride.
You can also enjoy exploring Bolonia, a short 15km drive north of Tarifa, site of the archaeological museum and the impressively preserved Baelo Claudia roman ruins.