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The historic hotel
Reina Cristina in Algercias |
Algeciras is primarily and unashamedly a port and
industrial centre, sprawling round the far side of the bay to Gibraltar.
When Franco closed the border with "the Rock" at the nearby
La Linea, it was Algeciras that he decided to develop to absorb
the Spanish workers who used to be employed in the British naval
dockyards and in order to break the area's dependence on Gibraltar.
It is an industrial city that supports the large
deep water container port and nearby oil refinery. In the port area
there are many Moroccans in transit, particularly during July and
August when migrant workers return home for their holidays from
their work in France, Holland and Belgium. As a consequence, there
is a strong Arab influence here with many of the signs in Arabic
as well as Spanish while, in the backstreets, you can find several
traditional tea shops which specialise in the traditional Moroccan
mint tea. Algeciras may not be a beautiful city but it does have
a gritty individuality about it and, unlike some of the Costa resorts,
is a very genuine place with a real port atmosphere. There are lots
of reasonably priced restaurants to try - several with terrific
views of the nearby Rock of Gibraltar. Those that find the time
to wander will fine quiet parks and tree lined plazas almost hidden
away from the rushing travellers.
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Handcrafted ceramics
in the Plaza Alta |
For most people, however, Algeciras is just a stopping
off place, en route to Tangier and Morocco. There are about eight
crossings a day (2 hrs 30 mins or 70 minutes with a fast ferry).
From Algeciras there are also all inclusive 1 and
2 day trips to Tangier with fast
ferry services to Tangier
in Morocco.
Algeciras is the place to catch the train to Ronda
which is definitely one of the best journeys in Andalucia which
takes you via Gaucin and past some of the most beautiful pueblos
blancos (white villages) in the whole of Andalucia. These include
San Roque,
Castellar de
la Frontera - a bizarre village within a castle, Jimena
de la Frontera and a handful of tiny villages, such as Benaojan-Montejaque.
There are four train departures from Algeciras a day. The Algeciras
to Ronda railway journey
and its history was described in the Mediterranean life magazine
recently.
 The proudest hotel in the city is the Hotel Reina
Cristina. Kings and Queens have stayed there. So have statesmen
such as Churchill and Roosevelt and film stars like Rock Hudson
and Deborah Kerr. Nowadays most choose to fly over Algeciras en-route
from Europe to Africa.
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FRS Iberia
Highspeed Catamaran from Tarifa, Algeciras, and Gibraltar
to Tangier in Morocco. |
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Holidaysinandalucia.com:
Over 70 hotels in the city and province of Cadiz at discount prices.Quality and security online. |
Cheap hotels in Algeciras - Costa de la Luz
Hotelopia.co.uk offers lowest prices guaranteed on all rates & exclusive discounts in Algeciras hotels. |
Cheap Hotels in Algeciras
Find cheap hotels in Algeciras - Choose one of hundreds of hotel bargains from top accommodation providers with Henoo Hotels. |
Hotel Reina Cristina
Located near the tourist area of Algeciras. This modern city hotel has swimming pool, gym and tennis court. |
Hotel Alborán Algeciras
This city hotel is located just 600 meters from the nearest beach. It has shops, restaurant, meeting room, and parking. |
Hotel Al-Mar
This three star hotel is located in the tourist centre with numerous shopping opportunities, boutiques, restaurants, bars and a lively nightlife. |
AC Algeciras
Modern urban hotel with all the necessary facilities to satisfy the needs of both business and leisure tourism. |
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