The Arabs stayed in Vejer de la Frontera for more than five centuries, and it is very evident. The trace of the Islamic culture is, in good part, what had made Vejer one of the most beautiful villages in Andalusia.
All you have to do is see the layout of the streets or the remains of the medieval walls. And all the traditional Andalusian courtyards, of which the village still has a large number. With an exuberant decoration of flowers on the white of the walls, the patios come to be a Roman heritage fused with the Muslim architecture and custom, so present in the life of the Andalusians.
In addition to its whitewashed houses, its tiles and its flowery courtyards, Vejer de la Frontera has a great heritage that begins with its castle. An old Arab fortress from the eleventh century perched on top of the highest part of the area, from whose battlements you can enjoy some breathtaking views. Also inside the walls is the Church of the Divine Saviour, which is actually an old mosque to which later constructions were superimposed. The result is well worth seeing.
Beside the convent of the Conceptionists nuns, you will find the famous Arch of the Nuns, which in addition to the neighbourhood of the Jewish Quarter is the point where everyone takes a picture.
Other buildings worthy of a visit are the Marques de Tamarón Palace and the Casa de Mayorazgo, but what you cannot miss by no means is the Plaza de España, better known as the Pescaítos (little fish). It is the most symbolic place in the town, with a fountain covered in coloured tiles that was made in the middle of the twentieth century. It seems that the children had the habit of introducing fish into it, which ended up giving it the popular name.
Is there more you must see in Vejer de la Frontera? Yes, there is! From its famous windmills to the Roman aqueduct of Santa Lucía, to which the Arabs also contributed with their engineering knowledge.
And now, to finish, it is time to take a break from the monuments and get closer to El Palmar beach, just a few kilometres from the town. There you will see a tower that once was used to guard the coast, just in case the pirates.
