Free walking tours in Los Barrios and what to see

Must-sees

Los Barrios is in the Campo de Gibraltar, about eight kilometres from Algeciras, between the bay and the hills. The town grew in the 18th century when residents of Gibraltar arrived after the British occupation, and its centre keeps buildings from that time. The church square brings together the church of San Isidro Labrador, from the first half of the 18th century with a Castilian-style tower, and the doorway of the old town hall. Close by is the Pósito, a granary from the reign of Charles III, now an exhibition hall.

Much of the municipality belongs to the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, with cork oak forests and walking trails. Its best-known landmark is the Montera del Torero, a large sandstone rock shaped like a bullfighter's hat surrounded by cork oaks, which gives its name to the bullring. On the coast, Palmones beach and the river marshes are a good place for watching birds during migration.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours in Los Barrios. The town tourist office, which is also an information point for the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, has details of routes and handles permits for some of the park's trails. In the hills you will find nature activities such as walking, cycling and horse riding, and you can kayak on the Palmones river. There are also day trips to the Campo de Gibraltar from Algeciras and the Costa del Sol.

How long to spend

The centre takes a couple of hours: the church square, the Pósito and the Paseo de la Constitución. To get to know Los Alcornocales, give at least a day to a route in the hills, and keep another half day for Palmones and its marshes. In autumn the deer rut and the mushroom season draw many visitors, so it is a good time to come.

Where to stay

To stay in town, look in the centre, near the Paseo de la Constitución, or in Palmones, by the beach, if you prefer the sea. In the countryside and the hills there are farmhouses and rural houses, ideal for nature holidays. Algeciras, a few minutes away, has a much larger choice of hotels, and Tarifa, half an hour away, is the alternative if you want to combine hills and the beaches of the Strait.