The Church of San Pedro, perched in a perilous cliffhanger of a position.
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One of Andalucia's most dramatically positioned pueblos blancos
(white villages), Arcos balances atop a rocky limestone ridge, its
whitewashed houses and stone castle walls stopping abruptly as a
sheer cliff face plunges down to the fertile valley of the river
Guadalete below.
Declared a national historic-artistic monument in
1962 in recognition of its exceptional architecture and impressive
location, the old town is a tangled labyrinth of cobbled streets
that lead up to a sandstone castle, the Castillo de los Arcos. As you’d expect from such a spectacular vantage point, there are exhilarating views over the town and the rolling plain below.
The tourist office is on the Plaza del Cabildo (Mon-Sat 10.00-14.00 and 15.30-19.30, Sun 10.00-14.00).
Although its time under the Moors was one of its
most successful, Arcos has had a long history of occupation, as
shown by the discovery of numerous archaeological remains from the
Neolithic, Bronze Age, Tartessian, Phoenician and Roman periods.
Plentiful water and its superb defensive hilltop location were the
main attractions for settlers.
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| Arcos, Pueblo Blanco. |
Arcos's population of 28,000 is divided between
the newer town on the lower slopes of the ridge and the old town,
which you reach by following Cuesta Belén up the hill. In
the heart of the old town is the cobbled Plaza de Cabildo, its picturesque
situation somewhat marred by its dual function as a car park. On
the southern side of the square there are some stomach-churning
views, where the mirador (viewpoint) ends in a steep 150m-high cliff
Among the most memorable of Arcos's pretty and often
strikingly narrow streets are the alley-like Calle Cuna and Calle
Maldonaldo, lined with elegant palacios built by the town's 18th-century
nobility and overhung by wrought-iron rejas of windows.
Tapas bars in the old town are concentrated on or
near the central Callejón de las Monjas. Try the Mesón
El Patio, an atmospheric cave-like bar near the Santa María
church that serves good-value tapas. If you want something more
formal, one of the most upmarket restaurants in town is El Convento
on Marques de Torresoto, which is in a 17th-century palace and has
plenty of game dishes on the menu. The terrace at the luxurious
Parador on Plaza del Cabildo is the place to go for a leisurely
drink in style and enjoy the best views in Arcos.
Down below the town is the Guadalete river lined
with olive and orange groves. There is also a reservoir (embalse),
the Lago de Arcos, which is good for a swim in summer. Part of the
reservoir is a protected area, the Cola
del Embalse de Arcos Natural Area.
TOURIST INFORMATION
The tourist office (turismo) is on the Plaza Cabildo,
956 702 264. Ask here for details of a guided tour (in English)
of the old town. There is also an information kiosk on the Paseo
de Andalucía in the newer part of town.
Arcos Gardens
As well as the award winning Championship golf course, Arcos Gardens will offer a Health Spa, numerous sporting facilities and an Equestrian Centre. |
Visit Arcos
Experience real Spain from the comfort and privacy of our beautifully restored patio house. Stunning views. Peace and quiet. |
Bravura Academy
Oil Painting Workshops, Retreats, Classes & Excursions in Arcos de la Frontera. Learn, Master and Enjoy the Art of Oil Painting. |
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