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Conil de la Frontera is a stunning white coastal village located along the southern coast of the Province of Cádiz. The best time to visit Conil is during September or October when there are less tourists filling up the beaches and the temperature is slightly more bearable. Sitting along the beautiful Costa de la Luz, Conil is a quieter alternative to the coastal towns of the Costa del Sol and still retains much of its original charm.
As well as its sandy beaches, Conil is famous for its old town and its gastronomy that’s tied to the local fishing industry and agriculture. We stayed in Los Caños de Meca, which is only a short drive from Conil, but during the off season not many restaurants are open in this area so we spent quite a lot of time in Conil instead. It’s one coastal town in Cádiz that you’ll never get tired of visiting, and whether you come for the beaches, the food and nightlife, or to learn more about its unique history you’ll find a wide variety of things to see and do in Conil de la Frontera.
Centro Cultural Iglesia de Santa Catalina
One of the most beautiful buildings in Conil de la Frontera is the Iglesia de Santa Catalina. It was originally built at the start of the 15th century and until the 20th century it was the main church in Conil. It sits within a small plaza near the Torre de Guzman, and you can get a great photo of the church’s bell tower down one of the side streets.
Torre de Guzmán
At the top of the list of things to do in Conil de la Frontera is to visit the Torre de Guzman. It’s the most instantly recognizable landmark in Conil and has a history dating back to the 14th century. This tower once formed part of the castle walls that protected the city from attack and also functioned well as a watchtower overlooking the coastline. The tower is free to climb and the views are particularly magical at sunset.
Explore the streets of the old town
There aren’t too many things to do in Conil in terms of attractions, so one of the best options if you’re spending a day in Conil de la Frontera is to walk around the streets of the old town. There are plenty of picturesque streets lined with flowers, shops, and eateries and in the summer months these streets offer some much needed shade to visitors.
Plaza de España
Plaza de España is located at the very centre of Conil’s old town, and is home to a number of restaurants as well as the historic Arco de la Villa which dates back to 1502 and was where the road connecting Conil to Vejer de la Frontera began. You’ll also find the monument to José Saramago at one end of the plaza who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998.
Churrería La Chana
Whatever you do, don’t leave Conil without grabbing some churros from Churrería La Chana. It’s essentially a hole in the wall, but it’s easy to find as it sits around the corner from Plaza de España, next to the Mercado de Arte. These churros are very cheap, delicious, and handmade by a local woman who’s been running this churrería for a long time so you’re getting a true taste of Spain eating here.
Mercado de Arte
If you like to shop for locally made products while travelling then you’ll love visiting the Mercado de Arte. This small indoor market boasts a number of unique artisan stalls covering everything from paintings to jewellery. There is also a local food market, Mercado de Abastos, a short walk from here which is a great spot to get fresh produce from if you plan on cooking.
Find the medieval walls
As you walk around the streets of Conil de la Frontera, you may miss the remains of part of the medieval walls that once surrounded this coastal town. These remains are now tucked behind modern buildings but every so often you can catch a glimpse of Conil’s past poking through.
Beaches
Conil de la Frontera is considered by many to have the best beaches along the Costa de la Luz and once you visit you’ll realize why. The pristine white sand and beautiful water against the backdrop of both Conil and untouched areas of the coastline are what draws in thousands of locals and tourists every year. Even in the off season these beaches still receive near perfect weather and are great for relaxing on or taking a long walk along.
I would recommend Playa de los Bateles if you’re staying within the area of the old town or Playa Fuente del Gallo if you have a vehicle and don’t mind a short drive to a more remote beach.
Mistura Conil
There are a lot of nice places to eat in Conil but if you’re looking for somewhere more modern and healthy then I would recommend Mistura. Their main focus is on poke bowls but they do have some other options available, including a few traditional Spanish dishes with a twist. It's located less than 5 minutes from the promenade so is perfectly located if you're spending a day at the beach.
Take a photo with the I Love Conil sign
The promenade of Conil is very pleasant to walk along and there are often market stalls set up here by local artisans. A new addition to the promenade is the I Love Conil sign which is the perfect spot to take a group or individual photo with the beach as your backdrop. Be prepared for a short wait in the summer though.
Conil de la Frontera may be a popular place for people heading to the beach but there’s much more to this historic fishing town than meets the eye. It's a great option for a day trip from Jerez de la Frontera or the city of Cádiz too. You can also take full advantage of its location and visit Vejer de la Frontera and Tarifa if you’re spending more than one day in Conil de la Frontera.
Hopefully this list of things to do in Conil de la Frontera has prompted you to visit this coastal town while you’re in southern Spain. If you have any questions about Conil and the surrounding area please feel free to leave a message below or reach out via email or on Instagram.
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