Conil de la frontera - Andalucia Spain

whatever76

Anyone any experience of this beach town ? Thinking of heading there for a week next month.

peckerhead

Beautiful part of Spain, and Conil is a lovely little town — not quite as picturesque/"historic" as neighbouring Vejer, but probably better for a family holiday, and if it's nice beaches you want check out El Palmar, midway between the two (10 minutes by bus). Or indeed anywhere along that coastline, south of Chiclana (which is a bit overrun in the summer, and the beach is all artificial sand).

Conil itself has a very relaxed, family-friendly feel — most of the tourists there come down from Seville or Madrid. It'll help if you speak some Spanish, but it's not essential.

If you post a bit more (age(s), interests, etc.) I can recommend specific spots to visit or places to stay, but in the meantime there's a reasonably good short guide in English here.

whatever76

thanks for details - it just myself and a friend in early 30's want to just enjoy beach , sight seeing during the day and of course wine and tapas at night - Also want to try more authentic Spanish tourist life down around those parts and forget about home life !! Conil from research ticks the boxes for that and a good base to tour about during day along the coast ( Cadiz/Tarifa) and nice nightlife at night. So thinking of basing there and hiring a car to travel about coast.
El Palmer looks great so thanks for that suggestion - I had heard of the town vejer and that its worth a visit - would you recommend it for an evening ? Thinking get taxi/bus and head up there for a night or is it more a day trip ? thanks again ....

peckerhead

Vejer is really pretty and has some great views of the surrounding countryside, so I would recommend heading up there maybe around 4 or 5pm (when businesses start to reopen after the siesta) and doing a bit of wandering before settling down somewhere with a nice view for tapas at sunset — loads of good bars and restaurants around the main square and along the old fortress walls — here's a list for starters. My own favourite eatery in Conil itself is La Tasca in C/ Cárcel (here). You're so far South there that nightfall happens quite quickly — no long evenings like here. Incidentally, on that count, don't skimp on sun protection — the cool sea breeze, which is one part of what makes the Costa de la luz so much nicer than the Med, can fool you into thinking "ah, I'll be alright", but you'll be absolutely scorched if you don't cover up properly.

If you've only a week or so, definitely rent a car (I've got really good deals booking in advance through DoYouSpain) — public transport between villages and along the main N340 is fine, but there are so many nice places to see that you need a car to reach. Even just the drive down along the coast from Barbate to Tarifa is spectacular. Morocco is so close that you can literally make out houses and buildings on the mountainsides (not in the pic below, but that's just my crap 'phone!) You really have a sense of being on the very edge of Europe. Also check out some of the towns and villages further inland, like Medina Sedonia. Food & drink prices 5 or 10 miles inland, naturally, are half what you pay on the coast.

And if you go to El Palmar, drop in to La Buena Vida and tell Adam that "the Irishman" sent you. Disfruta !

Last April

whatever76

thanks so Much for the info and tips - vejer looks fab - you have me sold !!!!

whatever76

Well I'm back. Its gorgeous down around there. The beach is mazing. So unspoilt - its a hidden Gem and so Cheap and reasonable. Would go back there in the morning and would well recommend anyone go if they are looking for a nice chilled out place to go and with nice bit of social life in evenings (forget Marbella etc !!) . I learned IceCream is nearly more popular than booze at night.
Very little English there but you get by for sure ; great craic trying to order sometimes - All part of it though. Took a trip to Vajera as well - lovely little town. Loved walking the narrow streets and then sitting down to wine !! Thanks for recommendation ! Anyone thinking of going - just go !!

Atlantic Dawn

Would Seville or Malaga be the best airport to get there from? I am thinking Seville as Malaga has a mountain range between it and there? How did you get there? Accommodation looks reasonable, Ryanair fly to Seville to end of October.

whatever76

Not sure about Seville - I am sure its much of a muchness so if flights suit either or really. Seville a good option though if you want to spend a few days there as well as its supposed to be a lovely city.

I flew with Aerlingus to Malaga - hired a car from airport and went straight there. Takes about 2-2.5 hours ( took the scenic route going via Gibraltar - Tarifa). Road is great as it motorway all the way and safe out - prepare for pricey tolls ; 7 euro was one of them I think.

One warning though regarding October - I hear it can get very windy down that area late September onwards and beach can be nightmare with sand - so worth keeping that in mind pending on what you plan to do.

Bravobabe

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Would Seville or Malaga be the best airport to get there from? I am thinking Seville as Malaga has a mountain range between it and there? How did you get there? Accommodation looks reasonable, Ryanair fly to Seville to end of October.

Looks fantastic

Car Hire - try argus car hire - http://www.arguscarhire.com/

I have always found them to be competitive (buy your CWD insurance in Ireland - annual policy is always good value if you fit in another trip within 12 months)

Seville or Malaga
Car hire is cheaper from Malaga (more competition)
I have driven from Seville to Marbella (Via Jerez - Cadiz) - mostly motorway (lovely drive).
If you drive from Malaga - you will be on motorway until Algeciras. Have a look at Google maps to see the road from Algeciras (use the little yellow man - Street view and see the quality of the road its almost as good as having driven it before - almost))
It will all depend on flight prices and times (but you have a choice) - I would suggest a Sat-Nav and try and arrive in the day-time, to avoid driving at night

Seville is lovely (I hear Malaga is also well worth a look, but I tend to fly there and get out ASAP).

Enjoy