Things to see and do in Barbate: a local view

Located 64 kilometres from Cadiz, Barbate boasts a wide range of attractions across its entire municipal area, stretching from the charming village of Zahara de los Atunes to the idyllic beach of Zahora.

Its 25 kilometres of coastline, the natural beauty of La Breña and the Barbate Marshes Natural Park, and the striking Trafalgar Tombolo, together with its cultural heritage and outstanding cuisine based on seafood and bluefin tuna, have earned Barbate recognition as an officially designated “Tourist Municipality”.

For all these reasons, when you come to Barbate you simply can’t miss the following:

1. Natural Park: La Breña and the Barbate Marshes

Declared a natural park in 1989, La Breña and the Barbate Marshes lie between Barbate and Vejer. The park is home to five ecosystems of great ecological value, notably the Pinar de la Breña, the largest pine forest in the province, and the Tajo Cliffs, which rise to over 100 metres. Another highly biodiverse ecosystem is the Barbate River marshland, the province’s second most important birdwatching destination. Its cultural and natural heritage includes historic watchtowers and a network of six public walking trails. A feast for the senses.

2. Trafalgar Tombolo

Declared a Natural Monument in 2001 and incorporated into La Breña and the Barbate Marshes Natural Park, this small islet is home to the iconic Trafalgar Lighthouse, a symbol of Los Caños de Meca. Off its shores, the famous Battle of Trafalgar took place on 21 October 1805, changing the course of a nation’s history. A true historical landmark.

3. Palomar de la Breña

This remarkable 18th-century building amazes visitors as the largest dovecote in Europe and the third largest in the world, with 7,777 pigeon nests. It offers fascinating insights into the history and uses of this unique structure.

4. Mouth of the Barbate River

The river mouth has borne witness to Barbate’s seafaring past, as well as to attacks by Barbary corsairs on the now-vanished Castle of Santiago, which once defended the river entrance from pirate raids. Today, the standout feature is the former fish market building, a local landmark shaped like the prow of a stranded ship, now used for cultural activities.

5. Old Town

One of the most atmospheric parts of Barbate is its old quarter, with streets decorated with colourful flowerpots and houses once inhabited by the first fishermen who settled along the river. Some still preserve the traditional net curtains in their doorways, so typical of fishing villages.

6. Food Market (Mercado de Abastos)

A must-see is the town’s food market. As well as enjoying its excellent local produce, visitors should be sure to look up at the ceiling, painted with maritime scenes related to the “almadraba” art of tuna fishing (see below) and the Battle of Trafalgar.

7. Fishing and Marina Port

Barbate has always been closely linked to the sea and its traditions. A walk around the fishing port, built in the 1960s, reveals the town’s period of economic growth. Highlights include the swift wall, unique in Spain and designed to protect this species, the statue of the net mender, the Barbate fishing fleet, and the chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the town’s patron saint.

Next to it is the marina, which hosts visiting boats, sports vessels and yachts whose crews often take the opportunity to explore the area. There are also boats dedicated to whale and dolphin research. The marina includes a motorhome area and the Orca Mural, illustrating the relationship between orcas and tuna.

8. The Almadraba

This is the oldest and most sustainable fishing method known, inherited from the Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs. It involves catching large bluefin tuna using a labyrinth of nets during their migration into the Mediterranean. Barbate’s canneries produce exquisite delicacies from this catch, such as mojama, which has Protected Geographical Indication status.

9. Festivals and traditions

Barbate’s most representative celebrations are closely tied to its culture and gastronomy, including:

• Bluefin Tuna Gastronomy Week, showcasing the star of local cuisine through events such as live cooking demonstrations, traditional tuna-cutting (ronqueos), concerts and more.
• La Movida Sound Festival.
• Candlelit Flamenco Evening: in early August, the old town is illuminated by candles, creating a magical setting for performances by local flamenco singers and dancers.
• Retín Mountains Organic Beef Route: the most recent festival, highlighting local organic beef through activities such as butchery demonstrations, routes and live cooking shows.

10. Sports tourism

Barbate also has great potential for sports tourism, offering:

• the Yerbabuena Open Surf competition between January and March
• beach handball tournaments in summer
• the Breña Moon night race in August
• orienteering races in the Natural Park.
• countless water sports made possible by its coastline

Article provided by Barbate Tourist Information office