Arcos de la Frontera is a town and municipality in the province of Cádiz in the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. About 90 kilometres south of Seville and 75 kilometres east of Cádiz, Arcos de la Frontera is the official starting point of the famous "Route of the White Villages". The town is located on a rocky ridge overlooking the Guadalete River and is known for its beautiful historic quarter, which has been declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument. Perched on a rugged ridge above a sheer cliff face, Arcos is - as many visitors claim - the most beautiful white village in Andalusia. In the valley, the Rio Guadalete hugs the town.
The town's history dates back to prehistoric times, and it has been inhabited by various civilisations over the centuries, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians. The city's strategic location on the border between Christian and Muslim territories in the Middle Ages gave it the name "Arcos de la Frontera", which means "arch of the border". Everywhere in the narrow streets of the old town you can still feel its Roman origins, its Arab heritage and the former splendour of the 18th century.
The city's main monuments include the Castle of Arcos, a medieval fortress dating back to the 11th century; the Church of Santa Maria de la Asuncion, built in the 15th century and featuring a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles; and the Palace of the Count of Águila, a Renaissance-style building from the 16th century that now houses the Town Hall.
Arcos de la Frontera is also known for the annual San Miguel Fair, which takes place at the end of September and features horse shows, bullfights and flamenco music and dance. The city is a popular tourist destination and has been named one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.
