Welcome to Vejer de la Frontera, one of the most charming and well-preserved white villages in Andalusia. According to the association of Los Pueblos Mas Bonitos de España Vejer is one of the most beautiful villages in… the whole of Spain! We were there, we saw it with our own eyes and we can confirm that it’s true. So if you’re planning your next trip somewhere near Cadiz, Tarifa, or Gibraltar be sure to allocate some time for Vejer – an amazing day guaranteed! Stay with us and we’ll show you the best things to do in Vejer De La Frontera, Spain in one day.
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Vejer De La Frontera, Spain FAQ
Vejer de la Frontera is located in Andalusia in the Province of Cadiz in Spain. The town lies just a few kilometers away from the beautiful beaches on the Costa de la Luz coast.
Definitely! Vejer de la Frontera is one of the finest examples of Andalusian white villages. It’s full of charming narrow streets, whitewashed houses decorated with colorful flowers, and spectacular views over the village surroundings. Vejer is a place easy to fall in love with from the first steps.
The closest beaches to Vejer de la Frontera (Playa De Barbate and Playa del Palmar) are located only about 10km from the town.
Vejer de la Frontera sits on a small hill, at an altitude of 200m, thanks to which it offers great panoramic views over the surroundings. What’s more, on a clear day you can even see the coast of Morocco!
Vejer Tourist Information is located right next to the Park of Los Remedios and a village’s free parking lot. There you’ll find information and advice on the things to do in Vejer as well as its surroundings. For more information and opening hours visit turismovejer.es website.
Short history of Vejer de la Frontera
Human presence in Vejer dates back to the Paleolithic age. There are signs of the Romans’ presence in the area. However, it was the Arabs who left the most significant mark on the present character of the village. They conquered it in 711 and stayed for over five centuries, until the the end of the 13th century when it was captured by Christians during the Reconquista. After those events, Vejer gained the honorably additional name of ‘de la Frontera’ (‘of the frontier’).
Later, Vejer de la Frontera became an important observation point which was helping to defend the coast from Barbary pirates, who raided this area until the 19th Century. Due to its constant exposure to military confrontation, Vejer was protected by an enclosure with an irregular layout with walls up to two meters thick. The defensive structures are from the Middle Ages and survived until the present.
Vejer was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1976. A bit later, in 1978 it was the winner of the first National Village Embellishment Prize.
Things To Do In Vejer De La Frontera, Spain
Vejer de la Frontera Old Town Streets
One of the best things to do in Vejer de la Frontera is to take some time to explore its charming old town streets. Just enjoy the mesmerizing labyrinth of streets, old buildings, hidden patios full of flowers, passageways, and incredible views over the surroundings from many viewpoints.
There you’ll find points of interest like Vejer Castle, Plaza de Espana with a characteristic fountain, Puerta de la Segur, Arco de la Puerta Cerrada, Casa del Mayorazgo, Antiguo Iglesia, and many more. Let’s go and discover in detail what Vejer streets are hiding.
Plaza de Espana
Plaza de Espana, also known as the Plaza de los Pescaitos (Square of the Little Fish), is one of the main attractions in Vejer de la Frontera. Many consider it to be one of the most beautiful plazas in all of Spain! The most iconic part of the square is a fountain, decorated with tiles from Seville and four water-spouting frogs. An interesting fact is that the fountain dates back to the 1940s, and is almost identical to the fountain on the main plaza of Algeciras.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, Plaza de España held bullfighting celebrations. Currently, it’s a bustling place full of small shops, cafes, and restaurants perfect for a short break and simply watching the people go on with their lives.
Plaza de Espana is also home to noteworthy buildings like Town Hall, Hotel La Casa del Califa (once known as Casa del Juzgado, dating back to the 10th century), and Puerta de la Villa (one of the entrances to the walled town, which dates back to the 16th century).
Iglesia del Divino Salvador
Iglesia del Divino Salvador (eng. Divino Salvador Church) is Vejer de la Frontera main church, built on the site of a former mosque. The church is located in the highest part of the town, within the town walls. One half of Iglesia del Divino Salvador dates back to the middle of the 16th century (late-Gothic), while the other half dates to the earlier period, probably Gothic-Mudejar. The most striking feature of the church is the altarpiece, carved out by Francisco de Villegas in the 17th century. Entrance to Divino Salvador Church is free.
Puerta de la Segur
Puerta de la Segur gate is located right next to the Divino Salvador Church. It’s one of the gates to the walled town, built in the 15th century. It was the most accessible entrance, so it was fortified the most and heavily defended.
Mirador de la Cobijada
Mirador de la Cobijada viewpoint is one of the most visited places in town, so obviously it cannot be missing from your list of things to do in Vejer de la Frontera. It’s a great viewpoint from which you can enjoy an amazing view over the newest part of the city which was designed in the style of all Andalucian white villages.
But the real reason why Mirador de la Cobijada is so popular is because of the statue of La Cobijada. It presents a woman in a traditional all-black Castilian outfit worn by women in the 17th and 18th centuries, which is a symbol of Vejer de la Frontera. La Cobijada leaves only one eye uncovered, and thanks to that many confuse it with a burqa. La Cobijada was banned after the civil war in the 1930s and nowadays you can spot it only during festivals and ceremonies.
Arco de la Puerta Cerrada
Arco de la Puerta Cerrada, also known as Southern Gate or Berber Gate, is located in Vejer Old Town, in very close proximity to Mirador de la Cobijada. Arch dates back to the 11th century, and its name derives from a time when it was closed (from the Middle Ages until the 17th century) to push back the attacks.
Mirador de la Corredera
Mirador de la Corredera is a viewpoint along one of the main streets in Vejer de la Frontera, Calle de la Corredera. It offers great views over the surrounding area. You can also visit one of many restaurants along this street, choose a place to sit outside and enjoy great views and a village vibe.
Arco de las Monjas
Another unique place to see in Vejer de la Frontera is Arco de las Monjas (eng. Arch of the Nuns), also known as Arcos de la Juderia. It’s located in the Vejer old town and was built after the earthquake in 1773 to support the wall and the vault of the main chapel of Antiguo Iglesia, the Old Church. Currently, it’s one of the most photographed spots in Vejer.
Antiguo Iglesia
Antiguo Iglesia, also known as the Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Concepcion (eng. Convent of the Conceptionists), connects directly to the Arco de las Monjas. The building dates back to the 16th century and is a great example of the Renaissance style from this period. The earthquake damaged the church in 1773. However, the restoration took place in the 1990s. Currently, the Convent of the Conceptionists houses the Municipal Museum of Customs and Traditions of Vejer de la Frontera.
Castillo de Vejer
Castillo de Vejer (eng. Vejer Castle) occupies the highest point of the town. It was built in the 10th and 11th centuries, on the site of another Moorish construction and was declared a National Monument in 1931. You can visit the castle for free (January 2024).
Casa del Mayorazgo
Casa del Mayorazgo (eng. House of the Entailed Estate) is a Baroque-style house from the 18th century. Although it’s privately owned, it is open to the public. Due to that fact, visitors can admire its two courtyards full of potted plants, part of the old town walls, and a tower from which you can look down at Plaza de España. There’s no entry charge but it would be great to leave a tip in the money box to help the owners maintain the hundreds of flowerpots they have.
Puerta de Sancho IV
Puerta de Sancho is the oldest and best-preserved gate to the old town dating back to the 13th century. It’s located right next to the Casa del Mayorazgo.
Ruta Molinos de Viento
After ticking off all the things to do in Vejer de la Frontera old town, it’s time to see the famous Vejer windmills. In the past, they were grinding the wheat, but today they are part of the landscape and play an important role in preserving the town’s historical legacy. Windmills were built according to the Carthaginian design. Lower towers and thicker walls made them better adjusted to the strong winds that are common in the area.
You can admire two of the windmills in Parque Los Molinos – they both are in very good condition and sometimes one of them is even open for the visitors to see from the inside.
Your other option is to walk Ruta Molinos de Viento (eng. Windmills Route of Vejer de la Frontera). The route is 9.65km long, and it takes about 2 hours to walk it but you’ll have a chance to see Vejer’s seven flour windmills.
Vejer de la Frontera beaches
Only a few kilometers from the Vejer de la Frontera historic quarter, some great beaches are located. Among them, you’ll find Playa del Palmar, Playa de los Caños de Meca, or Playa el Pirata. Playa del Palmar, the main beach of Vejer with golden sand and crystal blue waters, is one of the most unspoiled areas in the province of Cadiz and one of the best beaches in Andalusia!
Other things to do in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain
Santuario Virgen de la Oliva
If you are into churches, Santuario Virgen de la Oliva (eng. Sanctuary of Virgen de Oliva) may interest you. It’s located on the Vejer-Barbate road, only 5km from the Vejer old town. It was built in the 14th century after the reconquest of this region from the Moors by Christians. Currently, every year on May 7th, some people go on a pilgrimage of the Virgen de la Oliva to this sanctuary.
Santa Lucia Roman Aqueduct
Santa Lucia Roman Aqueduct is located in the rural area of Santa Lucia. It was declared a Natural Monument for its landscape richness. Next to it, there are seven water mills from the 15th century, which you can admire while walking Ruta de los Molinos de Agua Vejer (eng. Route of the Vejer Water Mills).
Sunshine Tour Championship
Do you like horses? Then maybe the Sunshine Tour event that takes place in Vejer de la Frontera might interest you too! It’s a well-known international horse show jumping competition that takes place in several locations, and Vejer is one of them. Sunshine Tour attracts top riders from all around the world who want to showcase the skill and agility of both the horse and themself. For more information visit sunshinetour.net website.
How to get to Vejer De La Frontera, Spain?
Vejer de la Frontera is located 55km from Cadiz, 60km from Tarifa, 90km from Gibraltar and 160km from Sevilla. The most convenient way to get to Vejer is by car or by bus.
Airports near Vejer de la Frontera
The closest airport to Vejer is located in Jerez de la Frontera, around 70km away. The next ones are located in Gibraltar (85km away), and Seville (170km away). All airports offer bus connections with Vejer de la Frontera. To learn more about connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Where to park in Vejer De La Frontera?
There are a few parking lots to choose from in Vejer de la Frontera, both paid and free ones. We recommend leaving a car in this large and free parking lot right next to the Tourist Office. From it, you can walk right to Vejer de la Frontera Old Town in less than 10 minutes.
To Vejer de la Frontera by bus
You can quite easily get to Vejer de la Frontera by bus. For example, a trip from Cadiz will take about 1h (€5-12), 30min from Tarifa (€4-7) and 1.5h from Gibraltar (€9-19). To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website. For great bus ticket prices visit Omio website.
To Vejer de la Frontera by train
Unfortunately, there is no train station in Vejer. The closest ones are located in Cadiz (60km away) and Algeciras (75km away). From them you can take a bus to Vejer. You can check out a map of available train connections on acprail.com. For the best train ticket deals visit Trainline.
To Vejer de la Frontera by taxi
If you care about time you can also quickly get to Vejer by taxi. For example, a trip from Cadiz will take about 40min (€55-70), and 45min from Tarifa (€50-65). To learn more about taxi connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Vejer de la Frontera Camping
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping Vejer, Camping Canos de Meca, or Camping Bahía de la Plata might interest you. They all are located near Vejer de la Frontera.
Things to do in Vejer de la Frontera in one day – Summing up
Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to visit Vejer de la Frontera, a very charming white village in Andalusia. It’s a great destination for a day trip with many great things to do and places to see. We’re sure that you’ll have a great day there! Just lose yourself in the maze of whitewashed streets, admire the views, go see windmills, and just absorb the village’s amazing vibe. Enjoy your trip!
Our opinion about Vejer de la Frontera
For us, a visit to Vejer was a day trip from Tarifa where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in early March and back then village streets were very quiet and sightseeing was a pure pleasure. Vejer enchanted us from the first steps and we spent a really lovely few hours there. Until today it’s one of our favorite spots in the Province of Cadiz and we remember it very fondly.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Vejer de la Frontera?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Vejer de la Frontera:
Where to sleep in Vejer de la Frontera?
Hotel La Casa del Califa
Hotel La Casa del Califa is a charming boutique hotel located in the beautiful hilltop town of Vejer de la Frontera. It features unique and stylish rooms with traditional Andalusian design elements, a beautiful rooftop terrace, and an excellent on-site restaurant serving delicious Moroccan and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Bekkeh Posada Boutique
Bekkeh Posada Boutique is a charming hotel in the heart of the historic town of Vejer de la Frontera. The hotel is beautifully decorated with a traditional Andalusian style, and features a lovely rooftop terrace with stunning views of the town and surrounding countryside. Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast each morning, and the hotel is ideally situated for exploring the many attractions of Vejer.
Apartamentos y Estudios Casa de la Hoya
Apartamentos y Estudios Casa de la Hoya is a charming property situated in the historic center of Vejer de la Frontera. The apartments and studios feature traditional Andalusian decor, and some of them have a private terrace with stunning views of the town and the countryside. The property is within walking distance to many restaurants, bars, and shops.
V… Boutique Hotel
V... Boutique Hotel is a charming and elegant property located in the heart of Vejer de la Frontera. The hotel features stylishly decorated rooms, a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the town, and a lovely outdoor pool perfect for relaxing in the sun. Guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast each morning and explore the beautiful historic town.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
