Walkers, cyclists and birders can enjoy further the cycling tracks around Arcos itself, especially the old railways tracks which date back to the pre-Civil War era of the 1930s and which wind all the way up into the Sierra.  The war interrupted the works, so leaving the tracks idle ever since, bar the enthusiastic cyclists and walkers.

ARTISTS, PAINTERS, SKETCHERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

 

THE COSTA DE LA LUZ
The Coast of Light is unspoilt, not very built up and until recently barely discovered by non-Spaniards.  Spanning the Atlantic Coast, the Costa de la Luz works its magic from the Straights of Gibraltar, practically touching Morocco along its eastern coast. Moving along Cape Trafalgar, site of The Battle of Trafalgar, it then meets the mouth of the River Guadilquivir, finally curving into the famous Nature Reserve of the Coto Donana, an important eco-system and migration path for birds between Europe and Africa.  Exotic day trips can be taken to Tangiers from Tarifa; the old Roman town of Bolonia sits on a perfect stretch of wild beach and there are isolated coves and beaches to be explored.  The Coto Donana can be reached by ferry from the pretty port town of Sanlucar de Barrameda, home of the dry, light coloured Sherry called Manzanilla.  Sanlucar also hosts Spain's second oldest Bare Back Horse Race, which takes place along the beach during August.

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA
The capital of Sherry, Jerez de la Frontera is just 20 minutes from Arcos.  The city centre is crammed with elegant Renaissance Palaces, built off the riches of escapades in the Amercias as well as off the profits of Sherry.  The old Arabic Alcazar, or Fortress, sits nobly on the outer edges of the Old Quarter, where the original mosque is still intact, as is the Mihrab, the niche in the wall that indicates the direction towards Mecca.  May is Feria time, when Jerezanos strutt their stuff, often on horseback, in vibrant Flamenco dresses and sobre riding suits.

RONDA
The beautiful hill top white town town of Ronda can be reached in under an hour from Arcos, the famous gorge its most striking feature...which many say Arcos rivals.

SEVILLE
The flamboyance of Seville can be reached in just over an hour from Arcos.  Seville was a prominent inland port under the Arabs, and rose again to great power and riches as every potato, tomato, sack of coffee or tobacco and piece of gold or silver from the Americas was taxed here.  Visit the Torre del Oro, originally an Arab fortification, this tower is where the wealth and gold from the Amercias was stored, hence its name.  Eventually the River Guadilquivir silted up and large ships could no longer reach Seville, leaving Cadiz to not just pick up the crumbs, but prosper into the centre of import and export to and from the Americas.  Seville has also produced some of Spain's most notable painters: famous for his depictions of Seville's underbelly such as card-sharks, flower girls and street urchins, Murillo chose to ignore the influx of wealth into the city and became the first Spanish painter to receive international acclaim.  Seville and it's old tobacco factory, now part of Seville University, is also the setting for Bizet's Opera, Carmen.  Although fictional, there is nothing fictional about the hundreds of Carmens who take to the streets during the April Fair.