La Línea de la Concepción (La Línea) is the name of the city that borders Gibraltar. From the 1960s to 1982, the border between La Línea and the British owned Gibraltar closed due to border skirmishes between the Spanish and the British. Now that the border has reopened, La Línea has become a city visited by many.

 

La Línea’s cost of living and housing costs are much lower than that in the neighbouring Gibraltar, so the area has blossomed in the past two decades. Now more than 60,000 people reside in the city, while many work in neighbouring Gibraltar. La Línea offers tourists many advantages starting from lower hotel rates to inexpensive stores, however its grungy appearance limits its value as a tourist destination.

Translated, La Línea de la Concepción literally means The Line of Conception, aptly named because British cannons fired just short of the city lines. In 1704, the British people had been living in Gibraltar for quite some time without argument, so British control seemed destined. However, Spanish armies attempted to overtake the area. When Spain’s efforts failed, the Treaty of Ulrecht in 1713 handed permanent control of Gibraltar to England.

 

To keep the English from expanding their borders, Spain built reinforced walls around La Línea de la Concepción to protect their boundaries. Eventually, the walls came down when the British and Spanish armies joined forces to keep Napoleon’s troops out of Gibraltar and La Línea.

La Atunera beach starts at the border of Gibraltar and extends over six kilometres. Another beach, Carboneras Beach, is four kilometres in length. Both beaches are popular spots for water sports (snorkeling, surf boarding, jet skiing, swimming, etc.) and attract many beach goers.

 

History buffs will want to visit Archivo Histórico Municipal to get a look into the history of La Línea. The historical archive building houses many artifacts and documents detailing the area’s history. Two other museums, Museo Cruz Herrera and Museo Taurino also contain many area artifacts, artwork, and historical information.

 

The area’s 19th century church, Iglesia Parroquial de la Inmaculada Concepción, is a nice place to sit and reflect. The architecture is slightly more modern that other Spanish town’s churches, but the visual details (Colonial style) are still dramatic.

  Ruinas de los Fuertes de Santa Bárbara y San Felipe are the remains of the military fortress used to keep the British out of La Línea. Built in the 18th century, these ruins will be of interest to anyone with an interest in archaeology.

 

Many residents of La Línea de la Concepción head to Gibraltar for work. The area does have many small stores that help contribute to the local economy, but overall tourism is not one of the area’s key attributes.

 

The area of La Línea offers rich fishing grounds - sardines, mullet, and sole are abundant in the warm waters. The land’s soil is rich and grains and vegetables thrive in the warm, sunny climate.

Much focus in area restaurants is on the locally produced wines and sherries. Fresh seafood is popular in many dining establishments where food is cooked in the Andalusian style using olive oil, fresh vegetables, garlic, and ripe tomatoes.

 

Do not miss the chance to enjoy Tapas. These small snacks feature local produce - smoked sausages, cheese, olives, fried seafood, and more. The dishes are provided along with your drinks for a minimal charge. Tapas offers a grand introduction to the many local dishes.

 

For fussier eaters, there are many fast food restaurants scattered throughout La Línea and Gibraltar. McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and Burger King all have locations available.

Neighbouring Gibraltar offers many nightclubs and bars for tourists and locals’ pleasure. A handful of great dance clubs and bars also draw huge crowds in La Línea. Younger adults rave over the friendly, inexpensive clubs in La Línea. Portobello is one nightclub is extremely popular with the locals.

 

For something different, the local shopping centre houses an eleven-screen cinema that offers popular movies, in Spanish of course. Movies are shown nightly.

 

In reality, La Línea de la Concepción is the gateway between Spain and England’s Gibraltar. You will find yourself passing through the town on your way to England’s tourist hot spot. This does not mean that La Línea lacks its charm. The shopping and restaurants offer a hearty dose of Spanish culture. For that reason alone, La Línea is worth a visit.