Hi everyone, We are looking for a place to stay in for 2 nights that is convenient to Gibraltar/Tarifa/Malaga. We will be traveling by car to Gibraltar, spend the day in Gibraltar head to ??? overnight. Leave ??? travel to Tarifa for the ferry to Tangier for the day and then head back to ??? for the night. We will then leave ??? and travel to Malaga for a flight to Lisbon. Other the Tarifa, are there any recommendations on where we should base our stay. I noticed there were some towns along the coast, not far from Gibraltar, any thoughts? Thanks for your help!
Michelle
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
That whole coastal stretch between Gibraltar and Tarifa pretty much sucks. Gibraltar to Tarifa is about an hour's drive. Two ideas: Arcos de la Frontera is about an hour and a half from each. Jimena de la Frontera (which doesn't make the guidebooks) is about an hour from each and pretty neat. Malaga is way out in left field. If Malaga's on your list (it wouldn't be on mine) stay there until the last minute, spend a night in Gibraltar, then move on to Tarifa just in time to catch the ferry.
Posted by
OP
Phoenix
17 posts
Thanks for your response Ed. What about the towns north of Gibraltar such as San Roque, Manilva or Estepona? We just need a base for 2 nights and something quiet or charming will do. We're not planning on staying in Malaga just need to head there the day after Tangier to catch a flight to Lisbon. Thx,
Michelle
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
I'd rule out Algeciras and Los Barrios, the area is more industrial and not really a destination choice. I looked at Castellar de la Frontera. It has a couple places to stay that looked pretty nice. As I mapped things out, however, it seemed like a better idea to head toward Tarifa (we didn't take the ferry - just kept going up the coast toward Cadiz). We stayed at Hotel la Torre (phone number 956 689 990), about five miles west of Tarifa, we thought it was a really good choice. A double room costs between 55-150 euros based on the room and season. We paid at the low end of that, in April, and considered it a bargain. Tarifa was nicer than we expected. They're restoring their wall and gates. It's a nice walk around in the evening and some pretty good small cafes for dinner. Rick's reccomendations for views are good, but some of the eating places he recommends have either moved or closed. Near there are the decent Baelo Claudia Roman ruins and museum. I thought they were worth a look around. The entry fee is reasonable and they seem to be beyond the crowds (at least when we were there).
Posted by
Boscombe, Dorset, UK
964 posts
Estepona is a really nice place. It has a long promenade, an old town and lots of shops and restaurants. Carrying on towards Malaga, there's Marbella, which I like a lot but it's big, and part of the urban sprawl. I actually really enjoy Malaga. The old city is really lovely and the town center has great atmosphere.