Due to its calm, crystal clear water, its golden sand and countless services, La Fontanilla beach is one of the best beaches in Conil, in Cádiz. It is because of these reasons that it has become very popular, with many beachgoers coming to enjoy the wild, sandy beach and calm, shallow water. It is also very popular among families who come to swim with their children, especially when the tide is low. To make your time on the beach even more comfortable, there are also three beach bars within walking distance of the water that are usually open throughout the summer season. Nearby you will find highly recommended restaurants such as La Fontanilla, El Roqueo and Francisco. The beach is a great place for beach sports and you are sure to spot children playing with spades, making sand castles and figures. In short, a much coveted tourist destination.
The beach where Conil locals go
Covering a length of approximately 1,500 metres, La Fontanilla beach is the beach most frequented by residents of Conil, together with El Roqueo beach. With moderate-size waves, fine, golden sand and cold but pleasant water, the large beach invites you to take a nice walk along the shore. The best time to take a dip is in the morning, but if you want to come by car and find a parking space, it is best to come from 2 pm onwards, when locals close up their parasols and go to have lunch. The width of the beach can vary greatly due to the tide; when the tide is low, the sandy area is very long and perfect for walking along the water.
Beach services and what to do
La Fontanilla beach has numerous services—another one of the reasons why it is such a sought-after destination. It boasts showers, toilets, a car park and lifeguard services. There are also relaxation areas and amphibious chairs for assisted bathing. In addition, the beach is constantly patrolled by municipal police to ensure it remains peaceful and there are no mishaps of any kind. It is also a fully accessible area, both for people with disabilities and for prams.
Due to the services it offers, each summer La Fontanilla beach is usually re-awarded its Blue Flag beach certification and Q Tourist Quality seal, also due to its accessibility, environmental protections and cleanliness.
The beach is excellent for surfing, so much so that many surfers make their way here to enjoy their favourite sport, due to its swells. Proof of this is the Spanish Surfing Championship, which takes place on the beach.
Conil de la Frontera
A charming whitewashed fishing village, Conil de la Frontera has become a holiday destination that everyone wants to discover, with its magnificent beaches, idyllic natural area, long history and liveliness. And no wonder, because it boasts 14 kilometres of coastline with beaches for all tastes. One such example is La Fontanilla, as well as El Roqueo, Fuente del Gallo, Castilnovo and small coves located at the foot of cliffs.
The most outstanding natural areas in Conil de la Frontera are the pine forests of Roche and El Colorado, where you can find endangered species, such as the large-fruited juniper and the Spanish toothcarp, a hermaphrodite fish that lives in the Roche fiver.
Conil de la Frontera is also a town with a long history dating back to the Phoenicians. It was an important port in Roman and Visigoth times and sections of its medieval walls can still be found at the Puerta de la Villa and in the bastion that fortified them. Guzmán tower, from the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, was part of the old castle and is the cornerstone around which the town was formed.
There are many things to see in Conil de la Frontera, such as Plaza del Castillo, where the parish church of Santa Catalina and the Town Council are located, in addition to the Hospital de la Misericordia, the chapel of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (the patron saint of the town) and the Museo de Raíces Conileñas.
Where to eat in Conil de la Frontera
Restaurants in Conil offer both traditional fare and more sophisticated options. We recommend sampling Cadiz’s cuisine and enjoying some good shrimp fritters, an impressive bluefin tuna or some delicious sea anemone.
We recommend the following restaurants: La Fontanilla, for its good produce and creative cuisine, where you must try the cuttlefish meatballs and the baked tuna loin; Francisco, right opposite the previous restaurant, specialising in fresh local fish and bluefin tuna; Malabata Conil, from where you will go away happy if you try the almadraba-caught tuna taco or the langoustine salad; El Portillo, one of the restaurants with the best value for money, which serves an excellent cuttlefish and potato salad, and Feduchy Playa, a true Conil de la Frontera institution situated on La Fontanilla beach specialising in rice dishes.
