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By Dee McMath
The coastal town of La Línea de la Concepción - more commonly known simply as 'La Línea' (meaning 'boundary line' in Spanish), is often referred to as 'The Gateway to Gibraltar' and as you approach it for the first time, you will soon know why. It forms the boundary between the famous and British territory of Gibraltar and Spain.
Many of the over 60,000 residents of La Línea work in Gibraltar, commuting between the two each day. Some Gibraltarians who have jobs on the mainland work this system in reverse so there is a great deal of interaction between the two territories as well as close socio-economic links. However, this has not always been the case.
 Gibraltar relies on La Línea for the supply of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish as well as many other products. There is also an important Spanish military presence in La Línea and some interesting fortifications to see. La Línea has a pretty port area and two beaches along the seafront. The beaches are called Playa de Santa Barbara and Playa de Levante.
Getting There
Although La Línea is in the province of Cadiz, it is just 70 kilometres (40 minutes drive) west of Costa del Sol's Marbella, in Malaga province. The town nestles on the eastern side of the Bay of Gibraltar. When driving to La Línea from Malaga, the best idea is to take the E15-AP7 toll road to avoid any bottleneck traffic around the San Pedro area. It will normally cost of around 4-5 Euros.
When visiting Gibraltar or 'The Rock' (in Spanish, El Peñón), you can park on the La Línea side and walk the one kilometre across the Gibraltar border. If you prefer to drive across and park on the other side, be prepared to wait in a long queue. If you prefer not to drive, there are good bus links from most towns along the coast, including a regular service from Marbella bus station to La Línea.
If going by car to visit Gibraltar, follow the road signs for La Línea since the Spanish do not formally recognise Gibraltar under British sovereignty. It is natural to visit Gibraltar if you are in La Línea, but remember that you will need your passport to go through the customs in La Línea before being allowed entry to the British territory of The Rock.
Brief History
The political separation between The Rock and the mainland dates back three centuries to the time when Gibraltar was an important naval port. It has not always been clear sailing between Spain and Britain and they have been battling over ownership of The Rock since 1704. This culminated in the total closure of the border from 1969 to 1982. When the border restrictions were lifted in 1985, many people moved from Gibraltar to La Línea, preferring to live on the Spanish mainland which had a lower cost of living.
Because Britain had won sovereignty rights over Gibraltar, King Felipe V built up fortifications in La Línea and in the process he created the town. To this day on Playa Levante (Levante Beach) you can still see the ruins of one of the last fortifications from the this time.
La Línea suffered much destruction by the British during the Peninsular War of 1808-14, and there was even a threat that the French might take the town. There remains a point of historic interest in the form of the watchtower dating back to the 17 th century which still stands on Levante Beach. You can also see the remains of an extensive bunker system from the World War II, adding to the interesting history of this fascinating town.
In recent years the town has become ever more popular both as a permanent residence and also as a tourist destination. The nearby area of Alcaidesa combines luxurious golf course and residential development. When linked to the many improvements made within La Línea itself, there are many reasons why the area is attracting so many people.
La Atunara - The old Port Area
Although La Línea offers a modern and comfortable lifestyle, the traditional old quarter is still a favourite venue for residents and visitors alike. The harbour area, with its old church and atmospheric bars and restaurants, is the perfect place to enjoy a drink, lunch, or dinner. This little neighbourhood is known as La Atunara and has all the magic that you could wish for in an Andalusian port town.
Open Air Market
An outdoor market is held each Wednesday on Avenida Principe. From fresh fruit to antiques and clothes, the market is well worth visiting. The main shopping centre in La Línea is concentrated in found between Calle Real and Plaza Cruz Herrera.
Things to do and see:
Bullring
La Línea has an important bullring that attracts many ' aficionados' of the controversial bullfighting fraternity. Even if you choose not to attend a bullfight, you might be interested in visiting the bullfighting museum. Bullfights tend to be held midway through the month, especially in July.
Museum
In Plaza de la Constitución, next to the post office building, there is a very interesting museum - El Museo del Istmo (The Isthmus Museum), inside the Old Military Headquarters (Antigua Comandancia Militar). It was opened in May 2003 and is set out over three floors inside what is now the oldest building in La Línea. Built between 1863 and 1865, it now houses artefacts of great historic value. The themes covered in the museum are: Naval History, Prehistoric History, Archaeology, the Middle Ages, and Modern History.
For more information on opening times, etc. call the museum on:
956 690 657 or 658 334 350.
Churches, Theatre & Children's Play Area
There are several large churches in La Línea, as well as very nice park in the town, with a specially-built children's' playground.
For the lovers of culture, there is also a theatre in La Línea - Teatro Municipal La Velada, where many Spanish and also international theatre companies have performed.
Tourist Information
For information of events and more places to visit in La Línea, there are several tourist offices with more information. One of these is on the Avenida Principe, near the customs office. Or contact the Town Hall of La Línea at:
Ayuntamiento de La Línea de la Concepción
Address: Avenida. de España, 7.
11300 La Línea de la Concepción
Cádiz
Tel: 956 69 62 00.
Fax: 956 17 06 96
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