Conil de la Frontera is a popular place to visit for its miles of white sandy beaches, cliffs and coves. But step back from its beautiful Atlantic coastline and discover a charming city center of historical buildings and monuments going back to the 14th century.

Begin your journey into the past at La Misericordia Church and Hospice, a late 18th-century building that was once a refuge for poor elderly people and widows. Walk through the early 16th-century Puerta de la Villa and into the old town. It leads to the Plaza de España, home to bars and old houses, such as number two, a Baroque home from the mid 18th century. It was built for Bartolomé de Arrafán y Valdés, a lawyer and mayor and his coat of arms can be seen on the lintel above the front door.

As you wander through the old town, notice the whitewashed homes adorned with bougainvillea lining the narrow streets. Make your way to the Plaza Santa Catalina for its historical buildings such as the Tower of Guzman, a 14th-century military fortress around which the original town grew. Visit the Church of Santa Catalina which was built during the 15th century and restored several times in the intervening centuries. Also on the square is the old jailhouse which was used for council meetings as well as for locking up prisoners.

Nearby is the Museo Raíces Conileñas, a small ethnographic museum filled with artifacts such as everyday objects that provide insight into the history of the town’s people.

Venture back out of the old town for the Mercado de Abastos, a local produce market. Savor more local gastronomic treats in city center restaurants where seafood dishes are a specialty, particularly fried sea anemones.

Reach the city center of Conil de la Frontera by bus or rental car. One of the most convenient ways to access the downtown area is to use the park-for-a-fee places along the beach promenade and then walk a few steps to the old town.