Algeciras Holidays: Beaches, Forts and Ferries to Morocco
Provincia de Cádiz · Andalusia · Spain · 121,414 residents · on the coast
Plaza de toros de Las Palomas
Punta Carnero Lighthouse.JPG/500px-Fuerte_de_Isla_Verde_(21).JPG)
Isla Verde Lighthouse
Playa de Getares
Aqueduct of AlgecirasAlgeciras is a working port city of around 121,000 people on the Cádiz coast of Andalusia, and it rewards travellers who like a holiday with real daily life around it. Within a mile of the centre you will find the Centro de interpretación de la cultura andalusí, the Museo Municipal, the Huerta del Carmen archaeological site and the Las Palomas bullring. Town beaches such as Playa de Los Ladrillos sit close by, and Playa de Getares lies a short hop south towards the Punta Carnero Lighthouse. Gibraltar Airport is about eight minutes' drive away, and ferries leave the port for Tangier Med and Ceuta.
Why go
- Gibraltar Airport, with direct flights from the UK, is only about eight minutes' drive away.
- Ferries from the town's own port cross to Tangier Med and Ceuta for a different continent.
- July averages 29°C with almost no rain, ideal for Playa de Getares and the town beaches.
Top sights in Algeciras
Museums, Lighthouses, Forts and Beaches
The most recognised sight is the Plaza de toros de Las Palomas, the town's bullring, about 0.6 miles from the centre. Two lighthouses frame the coastline: Punta Carnero Lighthouse, roughly 4 miles south, and Isla Verde Lighthouse, just over a mile away, with the Fuerte de Isla Verde fort beside it at about 1.1 miles. The Aqueduct of Algeciras stands around 2 miles out, and the Fuerte de San Diego historic site is about 5 miles away.
For history closer to hand, the Museo Municipal de Algeciras (0.7 miles), the Huerta del Carmen archaeological site (0.8 miles) and the Centro de interpretación de la cultura andalusí (a few hundred yards) are all easy on foot. Beaches run from Playa de Los Ladrillos at 0.6 miles to Playa de El Chinarral (1.6 miles), Playa de El Rinconcillo (1.8 miles), Playa de Getares (2.7 miles) and Cala Arenas (about 5 miles).
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page.
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Tours & tickets in Algeciras
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Algeciras can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Algeciras
Town Centre or Getares Side
Staying in the centre puts the museums, the andalusí culture centre, the bullring and the ferry port within walking distance, along with Playa de Los Ladrillos. It suits travellers planning a crossing to Morocco or Ceuta, or anyone who wants the rhythm of a sizeable Spanish city rather than a purpose-built resort.
If the beach comes first, look south towards Playa de Getares, about 2.7 miles from the centre and on the way to Punta Carnero Lighthouse and Cala Arenas. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare both areas for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Algeciras and the villages around it is a hire car from Gibraltar (GIB), about 8 min away.
Best time to visit Algeciras
When the Weather Is Kindest
- 16°CJan76 mm
- 16°CFeb65 mm
- 17°CMar141 mm
- 20°CApr19 mm
- 21°CMay22 mm
- 24°CJun21 mm
- 29°CJul1 mm
- 28°CAug8 mm
- 25°CSept47 mm
- 22°COct139 mm
- 19°CNov47 mm
- 16°CDec37 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
May to September is the best stretch. Daytime highs climb from 21°C in May to a peak of 29°C in July and 28°C in August, and July is almost entirely dry, with around 1mm of rain on average. April is a pleasant shoulder month too, at 20°C with only a couple of rainy days.
The wettest periods are March, with about 141mm, and October, with about 139mm spread over some 15 rainy days. Winter is mild rather than cold, with highs around 16°C from December to February, but expect frequent showers, roughly 11 rainy days a month in January and February.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 10°C | 76 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 16°C | 11°C | 65 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 11°C | 141 mm | 9 h |
| Apr | 20°C | 14°C | 19 mm | 12 h |
| May | 21°C | 15°C | 22 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 24°C | 18°C | 21 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 29°C | 20°C | 1 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 28°C | 21°C | 8 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 25°C | 18°C | 47 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 17°C | 139 mm | 8 h |
| Nov | 19°C | 14°C | 47 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 16°C | 11°C | 37 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Long Drive
Gibraltar Airport (GIB) is the closest, about 6 miles away and roughly eight minutes by car, with direct flights from the UK. Jerez (XRY), also with direct UK flights, is around 54 miles away, about 1 hour 15 minutes' drive. Málaga (AGP), the largest choice with direct UK services, is about 65 miles away, around 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
Algeciras is itself a ferry port, with sailings to Tangier Med and Ceuta. Tarifa, about 12 miles away, has crossings to Tangier Ville, and Cádiz, around 54 miles away, has routes to Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Arrecife in the Canaries.
Driving from Calais takes around 25 hours at the wheel, so most British travellers split it over several days.
By air
- Gibraltar (GIB)6 miles, about 8 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Málaga (AGP)65 miles, about 1 h 32 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Jerez (XRY)54 miles, about 1 h 17 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 25 h 15 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Algeciras (0 miles), Tarifa (12 miles), Cádiz (54 miles).
Algeciras is good for
Around Algeciras
Easy Outings Around the Bay
La Línea de la Concepción and San Roque are both about 6 miles away, and Castellar de la Frontera and Tarifa are each around 12 miles. Ceuta, around 19 miles across the water, is reached by ferry from Algeciras port itself.
Further along the coast, Manilva is about 20 miles away, the small village of Zahara de los Atunes about 22 miles, and hilltop Casares roughly 24 miles, all comfortable for a day out with car hire.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to Algeciras?
Gibraltar Airport (GIB) is closest, about 6 miles away and roughly eight minutes by car, and it has direct flights from the UK. Jerez (around 1 hour 15 minutes) and Málaga (around 1 hour 30 minutes) also have direct UK flights.
Can I take a ferry to Morocco from Algeciras?
Yes. Ferries from Algeciras port sail to Tangier Med and to Ceuta. Tarifa, about 12 miles away, offers another option with crossings to Tangier Ville, making a Moroccan day or overnight trip straightforward to arrange.
What is the best month to visit Algeciras?
May to September offers the best conditions. July is the hottest and driest, averaging 29°C with almost no rain. For milder heat, May (21°C) and June (24°C) are comfortable, and April is a good shoulder month at 20°C.
Does Algeciras have beaches?
Yes. Playa de Los Ladrillos is about 0.6 miles from the centre, with Playa de El Chinarral and Playa de El Rinconcillo under 2 miles away. Playa de Getares lies about 2.7 miles south, and Cala Arenas around 5 miles.
When does it rain most in Algeciras?
March and October are the wettest months, each with around 140mm of rain, and October averages about 15 rainy days. Winter months from December to February are mild, around 16°C, but showers are frequent.