Algeciras as seen from Gibraltar

Algeciras is a city in the Andalucia region of southwestern Spain.

Understand

Most travellers come to Algeciras for its numerous ferry connections to Morocco and don't spend more than a few hours in the city. A shame, given the town's quiet charm.

The north-south coastal road, Avenida de la Marina, is Algeciras's main artery. The tourist information office (Calle Cervantes), is well signed from this road.

Orientation

Algeciras is on the Western side of Bahia de Algeciras (Algeciras Bay) virtually opposite Gibraltar. Roughly speaking it is orientated North to South. The Avenida Virgen del Carmen is the main road that runs along the water front. The ferry port is about midway along the Abenida del Carmen - it can't really be missed as dozen of signs are pointing in its direction and there is constant ferry traffic in and out of the port. There is also an elevated heliport right in front of the ferry port.

The main shopping streets, together with the town square and central market, are set back behind the Avenida Virgen del Carmen and are mainly pedestrianised. There is a wide range of shops here, from local food shops and boutiques to the main brands.

The bus and railway stations are close together, about 300m west (and slightly to the south) of the fery port in the main town.

Get in

By train

The Algeciras train station is located 300 metres west of the port entrance. Just walk outside the station and straight down Calle Cervantes (the street in front of you) until you reach the Avenida de la Marina. You will see signs from here to the port. From Algeciras there are daily train connections to Madrid. Three a day on the picturesque route to Ronda and Granada.

By bus

The central bus station is just up the road from the tourist office, heading away from the port.

By boat

The ferry terminal is the heart of Algeciras and is well-signed from most roads in the city. Services from the following destinations arrive at the port:

• Ceuta—daily services running about every hour from 8 am - 10:15 pm. Fast ferries (40 minutes, €18) and normal ferries (90 minutes, €11) are available.
• Tanger Med—daily services running about every 90 minutes from 7 am - 10:00 pm. Fast ferries (40 minutes+ 20 minute free bus, €37) and normal ferries (2.5 hours, about €29) are available. Note that Port of Tanger Med is the commercial port of Tangier, about 30 km from Tangier, and is different from Port of Tangier, which is served from Tarifa, Spain. (The French spelling is Tanger, the English is Tangier.)

There are many fast hydrofoils daily on FRS Ferry Serice from Tangier for about 37 Euros one way or 67 Euros round-trip (as of November 2010). As you go through customs, there are free buses waiting in the parking lot to Algeciras.

If you are headed for the bus station, you have to leave the port and walk about 7 minutes up the hill (opposite of the ocean).

Do

See the beautiful Plaza Alta and the nearby San Isidro district.

Getares beach and Rinconcillo beach.

Buy

• Pasteleria Alhambra, Calle Jose Santacana 2 (One block south of the central market), ☏ +34 956 65 34 57. Closes at 15:00. Specialist in 'Dulces Arabes' (Moorish sweets) and also sells excellent bread. Charges by the kilogram. 
• Zara, Calle San Antonio, 4-6, ☏ +34 956 630 343. Popular Spanish chain for men, women and children. Also sells home decor. 

Eat

You'll find plenty of cheap bars, cafes and restaurants along the Avenida de la Marina, Calle Alfonso Once and around Plaza Alta. They stay open long into the night. Often not closing until the early hours.

• Lizarran, Edificio Plaza Mayor (From the midpoint of the central park (Parque Maria Cristina) cross the road to its East and walk into the pedestrianised Plaza Mayor), ☏ +34 956 7208434. Part of a chain, but very popular with the locals. The plaza itself is a soulless modern development, but this place is often very busy - after you've found a table waiters bring you a constant and varied choice of tapas. There is also a view (just) of Gibraltar. Tapas range from €1.25 to 1.95 each. 

Drink

• Enea Club y Copas. 
• Elite. 
• Cairo, Calle Alfonso Once. 
• Cafe Teatro, Calle Trafalgar. 

Sleep

If you're stuck in Algeciras after the last ferry or bus has left town, you'll find plenty of budget accommodation options in the neighbourhood around Avenida de la Marina. In the busy season, you can expect to get a double for €18 a night.

The Hotel AC on the eastern edge of the city centre is a fantastic brand new hotel with very friendly staff. Rates can be as low as 65 Euros per night.

There are a couple of basic hotels opposite the ferry port entrance:

• Hotel Al Mar (€35 per night single, 65 twin)

• Hotel Alboran [1], Calle de los Álamos s/n, Tel.: +34 956632870, Fax.: +34 956632320, reservasalgeciras@hotelesalboran.com,

• Hotel Reina Cristina, Paseo de la conferencia, s/n, Telefon +34956602622, Fax +34956603323, E-Mail: reservas@reinacristina.es, res.reinacristina@hotelesglobales.com

Stay safe

Avoid going to neighbourhoods like Saladillo, Bajadilla or La Piñera. Even though it's full of friendly gypsy people, you might get in trouble if you look foreign.