Its location, on the eastern end of the Algeciras Bay, across from Gibraltar, has made it one of the most important ports in Europe, for both passengers and merchandise. The oldest area of the city, with narrow, steep streets, is the district of San Isidro. Among the most interesting monuments we have the church of Nuestra Señora de la Palma, from the 18th century, and the chapel of Nuestra Señora de Europa, from the 17th century. It also has excellent beaches, like Rinconcillo, San García, and Getares, although a good section of its 23-kilometre-long coastline is devoted to industrial development, due to its long seafaring tradition. A city with a strong sea-faring tradition, whilst at the same time modern and cosmopolitan thanks to its strategic position between two continents and its large port infrastructure, one of the main nodes for the world`s sea traffic. It is the birthplace of flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía.

Algeciras is the place to catch the train to Ronda which is definitely one of the best journeys in Andalucia which takes you via Gaucin and past some of the most beautiful pueblos blancos (white villages) in the whole of Andalucia. These include San Roque, Castellar de la Frontera - a bizarre village within a castle, Jimena de la Frontera and a handful of tiny villages, such as Benaojan-Montejaque. There are four train departures from Algeciras a day.