{"id":76037,"date":"2023-07-12T14:10:15","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T12:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=76037"},"modified":"2026-10-01T00:39:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T22:39:36","slug":"what-to-visit-in-algeciras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/what-to-visit-in-algeciras\/","title":{"rendered":"What to see in Algeciras: 10 must-sees"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Algeciras<\/strong> is the most populous city in the province of C\u00e1diz and the real Gateway to the Strait<\/strong>: from its port, one of the largest in Europe, you can reach Africa in an hour. Opposite, on the other side of the bay, lies the Rock of Gibraltar.<\/p>\n

It is often overshadowed by its neighbouring towns, which is a mistake: it has a historic centre with a clock that is one of the most accurate in the world, a neighbourhood born out of exile, and the largest cork oak forest on the Iberian Peninsula just ten minutes away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Excursion to Morocco from Algeciras<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. The Plaza Alta<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Plaza
The Plaza Alta, with its tiled benches and central fountain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The heart of the city and the best place to start. Its current appearance is that of early 20th century<\/strong>, featuring regionalist architecture: colourful ceramic paving, tiled benches, decorated street lamps and a central fountain. It is inevitably reminiscent of Seville\u2019s Plaza de Espa\u00f1a.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s the detail that almost nobody looks for:<\/strong> If you look closely at the tiles on the benches, you\u2019ll find references to Don Quixote<\/strong>. They\u2019re there, but you have to look at them.<\/p>\n

The square is home to Algeciras\u2019s two main churches, and from here you can walk to practically the whole of the town centre.<\/p>\n\n

2. The Church of Our Lady of La Palma and its clock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Church<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The city\u2019s main temple, in the Baroque style<\/strong>. Work began in 1720<\/strong>, it was opened for worship in 1738<\/strong> and it was not established until 1829<\/strong>, when the bell tower was completed. It has five warehouses<\/strong>, not the original three: the last two were added in the late 18th century.<\/p>\n

What makes it unique:<\/strong> its tower houses a a monumental clock designed by George Graham in 1741<\/strong>. Watchmaking experts classify it as one of the largest and most accurate in the world in its category<\/strong>. It is possible to go up the tower<\/strong>, and the views of Algeciras from up there make the climb worthwhile.<\/p>\n

Another point: to erect the tower ashlars from the medieval walls were reused<\/strong>, and in them one can still see the stonemason\u2019s marks<\/strong>, the same ones found at the city\u2019s archaeological sites.<\/p>\n

It is dedicated to the Our Lady of La Palma<\/strong>, patron saint of Algeciras since 1344<\/strong>, the year in which Alfonso XI conquered the city on Palm Sunday.<\/p>\n\n

3. The Chapel of Our Lady of Europe<\/h2>\n

In Plaza Alta itself, and far less visited than its neighbour, is the \u00abLittle Chapel of Europe\u00bb<\/strong>. It is Baroque, the work of Torcuato Cay\u00f3n<\/strong>, begun in 1695 and completed in 1769.<\/p>\n

It is more important than it seems:<\/strong> is considered to be the a cornerstone of modern Algeciras<\/strong>, the point around which the town was rebuilt. It is Listed as a Site of Cultural Interest since 1981<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

4. The Municipal Museum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Exhibition<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Take a journey through the city\u2019s history from the Phoenician period<\/strong> from the past to the present day, including the Al-Yazira Al-Hadra<\/strong> Islamic, which is the name from which \u00abAlgeciras\u00bb is derived, and the War of Independence.<\/p>\n

Admission is free<\/strong>, and it\u2019s a short visit that fits in well either before or after a stroll around the Plaza Alta. It\u2019s a good idea to check the opening hours, as they are limited.<\/p>\n\n

5. The Archaeological Park of the Merinid Walls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Remains<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The most valuable remains of the city\u2019s Islamic past: the defensive system built in the Merinid period<\/strong>, between the 13th and 14th centuries, when Algeciras was a key stronghold in the control of the Strait.<\/p>\n

They form part of an archaeological park within the urban landscape and feature interpretation centre<\/strong>. It is the best way to understand why this city was fought over for centuries.<\/p>\n\n

6. The San Isidro neighbourhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Narrow<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Narrow streets, low, whitewashed houses and flowerpots. But their appeal is not merely aesthetic: San Isidro was the first settlement established by the Spaniards expelled from Gibraltar by the English<\/strong>, in 1704. That is why Algeciras was revitalised after centuries of being deserted.<\/p>\n

Nearby is the Chapel of the Holy Christ of the Alameda<\/strong>, dating from the 18th century, where the Spanish soldiers besieging Gibraltar used to pray and on whose walls those battles were depicted. Today it houses a museum of religious art.<\/p>\n\n

7. The harbour and the bay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the Europe\u2019s largest ports<\/strong> and the city\u2019s driving force. Looking out over the bay, you can see the constant flow of ferries and container ships travelling between two continents, with the A jagged rock in the background<\/strong>, is the scene that best sums up Algeciras.<\/p>\n

This is where the connections to Ceuta and Tangier<\/strong>. And as Gibraltar is right across the way, lots of people take the opportunity to visit it: you can what to see in Gibraltar in one day<\/a>, how to climb the Rock<\/a> and Ten interesting facts about Gibraltar<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

8. The Alcornocales Natural Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Cork<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A few kilometres from the port, it begins the largest cork oak forest on the peninsula<\/strong>. Its deep valleys, known as \u00abjoints\u00bb<\/strong>, they retain vegetation that has an almost tropical appearance, a legacy of much older forests.<\/p>\n

Two routes to get you started:<\/p>\n