"Los Canos de Meca - Alternative beach holiday?" Barbate de Franco by kit_mc

Barbate de Franco Travel Guide: 24 reviews and 42 photos

Los Canos de Meca

Spent a week in Los Canos de Meca, on the Costa de la Luz of Andalucia and had some mixed feelings. An odd place indeed! It's one of those places that's really talked up, apparently once known as a Hippie Hideaway. Well, I'm not sure that a group of drunk (by 10am) dred haired dog-on-a-string-brigade types quite constitute the free love and carefree aura of the 60's, but who am I to judge.

An alternative to Malaga?

Trafalgar lighthouse from Canos de Meca

General opinion? If you like good beaches, shared mainly with Spaniards rather than roasting Germans and Brits, but not totally overcrowded, and you don't mind a location that is on the delapidated side of rustic, then this is for you. On the positive it also seems 'gay friendly' with a few other 'Friends of Dorothy' on the beaches and my partner and I had no probs in our hotel. Some pics and recommendations to follow...

Beach, Natural Park, Sea

Canos de Meca, Andalucia

If you're staying in Canos de Meca, you'll really only be hanging out on the beach, exploring coves, wandering around in the Parque Natural de la Brena, doing as little as possible. So in a sense the lack of anything 'exciting' means you really do relax here. I'd recommend that you hire a car though, as it's a little of the beaten track, and if you get bored you then have the option of driving somewhere such as Gibraltar, or to Barbate itself, where there are a couple of decent supermarkets to stock up on supplies.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Good beaches, off the beaten tourist track, cheap-ish.
Cons:Delapidated, too many drunk and slightly threatening dred haired types and dogs wandering about.
In a nutshell:Recommended, but with reservations!

Last visit to Barbate de Franco: Jul 2004
Intro Updated Nov 11, 2007
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Reviews (6)

Sherry adverts dominating the landscape - Barbate de Franco

Sherry adverts dominating the landscape Favorites (2)

All over this region of Andalucia you'll pass great big signs, symbols for the different sherries made here. They have... more travel advice

Parqu Natural de la Brena - Barbate de Franco

Parque Natural de la Brena Favorites (2)

Make ure you take a walk through the Nature Reserve that lies at the far end of Canos. Mind your legs though, those... more travel advice

The classiest, best restaurant in Canos - Barbate de Franco

The classiest, best restaurant in Canos Restaurants (2)

This is potentially the classiest place in Canos. The staff are very friendly, speak English but were happy enough to... more travel advice

View from the back of the hotel - Barbate de Franco

The best view in Canos de Meca!! Hotels (1)

This place is a pleasant, no frills pension, recently built in a fairly typical Andalucian style. It has a nice... more travel advice

Things to Do (1)
Cabo de Trafalgar Lighthouse

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Comments (3)

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nhcram Dec 12, 2004 at 11:33 AM

Seems like another lovely part of Spain I have not explored. I love the Spanish language and have been learning it for nearly 2 years now. Good pages Chris.
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Carmela71 Dec 9, 2004 at 8:22 AM

yes you need a car there :-) I missed the hairy guys in my last visit ;-) LOL, Glad to see you enjoyed I will give a try to Breda restaurant...
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tijs Nov 18, 2004 at 3:16 AM

Good start Chris! Hope you will add more now that you have a digicam!