7 Unmissable Things to do in La Linea de la Concepcion
I had always heard that La Linea de la Concepcion, referred to as La Linea, didn’t have many things to do, but that hasn’t stopped me from spending some time here and discovering what it is really like.
While I don’t see it as a touristy destination, it has more than I expected, and it’s a great base to explore the surrounding towns or other countries like Gibraltar and Morocco.
I would say come to La Linea for its local vibes, authentic tapas bars, and surroundings.
I recently visited it during the off-season, and it was a lovely break from my home, the Costa del Sol.
In this guide, I’m going to cover the must-see attractions, places to eat, and my favourite accommodation in the area.
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Things to do in La Linea
1. Go on a tapa crawl
One of my favourite things about La Linea is the wide array of authentic local tapas bars. These aren’t the typical places that are for tourists, but for the locals, so yes, you rarely get a waitress who speaks English, but if you’re up for immersing yourself in the place and culture, you’ll love them.
As I always do, I researched and asked friends for recommendations on where to eat in La Linea.
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to find which places are worth visiting.
I’ll expand on the best places to eat below, but as an introduction, I recommend going from bar to bar to try different meals, and my favourite tapas bar is La Chimenea.
2. Visit the Cruz Herrera Museum
Museo Cruz Herrera is a must-see for art lovers. The museum is located in a manicured garden with sculptures, and the outside of the building is beautiful.
Inside, you’ll find an art collection from the local artist Cruz Herrera. There are two floors with over 5 rooms, covering everything from local traditions and landscapes to portraits and nudity.
This art collection is permanent, but there are also temporary exhibitions. When I visited the museum, I saw an impressive collection of butterflies and insects from around the world, as well as dresses by well-known fashion designers.
The entrance is free, and I totally think it’s worth your time. I spent more time than I thought contemplating the painter’s brushstrokes. My partner and I were amazed by how real the portraits looked.
3. See the La Inmaculada Concepción Church
This 19th-century parish church is the town’s main church, located in Plaza de la Iglesia, a lively square surrounded by tapas bars with outdoor seating.
It’s such an emblematic church because it’s home to La Linea’s patron, La Inmaculada. It’s also the meeting point for locals during important events like Christmas and Holy Week.
The colonial style, bell tower and white and yellow colours make it beautiful on the outside, but if you have a chance, go inside as it isn’t always open.
I love the church square and its surroundings because it’s such a lively area, with unique buildings, statues and a beautiful mural featuring crochet flowers created by local grandmas.
4. Take a photo in Bésame en La Línea
If you’re looking for photo spots in La Linea, you can’t miss the Bésame en La Linea (Kiss me in La Linea) tiled benches. Not only do they look beautiful, but I love the Top of the Rock views from it.
Play with your phone or camera to take gorgeous photos of the bench with Gibraltar in the background.
Locations:
5. Check out the 151 bunker
Interested in military history? When exploring La Linea, you can come across a couple of bunkers that date back to the Spanish Civil War.
This bunker is located between the Sagrado Corazón school and the Mar de Poniente high school. It’s well-preserved and can only be seen through bars. However, I’ve seen that you can access the site by requesting permission from the tourist office. I only took photos from outside.
6. Spot birds at Princesa Sofía Park
One of the places I wish I could have visited during my time in La Linea is the Parque Princesa Sofía. It was closed to my surprise.
The park is a hotspot for bird migration, so if you like birds, it’s definitely worth checking out. Some of the bird species you can spot are whinchats, Sardinian warblers, pied flycatchers and Sudan golden sparrows.
7. Spend time at the beach
On top of the attractions mentioned above, La Linea has beaches you can enjoy in the summer months.
Since I visited it in late winter, I didn’t spend time at the beaches, but my colleagues from the area recommend Playa de Santa Bárbara, Playa de La Alcaidesa and Playa de Torrenueva.
Things to do near La Linea
While there’s more to do than I thought in La Linea, it isn’t a destination with many attractions. However, it’s a great base to explore other places like Gibraltar.
Here are some of the things to do I’d recommend doing nearby:
Spend the day in Gibraltar
The easiest day trip from La Linea is Gibraltar. You can easily walk there, and it’s straightforward, as passport control is usually quick. If you travel by car, it’s a different story.
I’ve never stayed overnight in Gibraltar, but I’ve visited several times as a day trip and could fit in many activities.
My recommendations are to walk on Main Street, go to the Top of the Rock (if you aren’t scared of monkeys), and visit the Alameda Gardens and the Wildlife Conservation Centre. The latter is the best small zoo I’ve visited.
Visit San Roque
San Roque is a small town next to La Linea. If you’re looking for local vibes, it can’t get any more authentic.
Besides wandering its streets and eating alfresco in one of the terraces, don’t miss the sunset view from Parque Los Cañones. It blew my mind.
Discover Sotogrande
Sotogrande is a paradise for golf enthusiasts as it has amazing courses, but my number one reason to explore it is its marina.
The marina area looks straight out of a postcard with its lined colourful houses, cute boutiques and yachts.
It’s just a shame it was cloudy when I visited because it looks stunning on sunny days.
Another place I did enjoy during my trip to Sotogrande was La Reserva Club. This complex has an artificial beach, restaurants and other fun activities.
Where to eat in La Linea
La Linea is such a foodie destination, and that’s one of the reasons why I came here. The town centre is home to many restaurants and tapas bars.
These are some of the places I tried and enjoyed:
La Chimenea
This cosy place to eat was my favourite tapas bar in La Linea. It’s pretty small, which means you might need to eat in the bar area as I did, but the service is quick and good.
They mainly serve small bites like canapes and small sandwiches, but you can also order cold meats like Iberian ham that has been cut instantly and cheese.
The Serranito sandwich made with peppers, pork and Iberian ham is really tasty, and another tapa I really liked was the pisto with anchovies presented in a cracker.
It’s an authentic place, and it’s as loud as many tapas places are, but if you’re looking for the local vibe, you’ll love it.
La Bodeguiya
Another popular tapas place in the centre of La Linea is La Bodeguiya. It’s more spacious than La Chimenea, but it still feels cosy when you sit at the tall tables next to the bar area.
They have a wider variety of tapas, but I still prefer the one above. What I enjoyed the most was the shrimp fritters, a classic dish of Cadiz.
Bitácora Restaurant
If you’re after a more tranquil sit-down meal with bigger dishes presented nicely, this restaurant is my top choice. It’s a short walk from the port and not far from the centre either.
My partner and I had dinner, and we were really impressed by the quality of the food. We had the ensaladilla rusa for starters, the secreto (pork) and swordfish for mains and the Kinder Surprise dessert.
I couldn’t fault any dish. Everything was delicious, and portions were perfect.
Where to stay in La Linea
La Linea isn’t home to many hotels or even any other type of accommodations. However, you can have the unique experience of sleeping in a floating house, and that’s my top suggestion.
Boat Haus
Boat Haus is a complex of floating houses in La Alcaidesa Marina, a short walk from La Linea town centre and the Gibraltar passport border. I don’t think you can get a better location.
My partner and I stayed at the Modern boat Haus, which sleeps up to four people. It feels cosy and spacious for two people, I’m not sure about four.
The kitchen is well-equipped with a hob, microwave, fridge, toaster, kettle (which you won’t always find in Spanish accommodations) and utensils. We didn’t cook, but you could easily make a simple dish.
The living room is open-plan, so you have the kitchen table, sofa bed, and TV.
The bedroom has a direct view of the port, a comfortable bed and a TV too.
The bathroom felt a little bit small, but it’s okay. Keep in mind you can’t throw anything, not even toilet paper, into the toilet.
I enjoyed staying in the boathouse and was relieved I didn’t get seasick. You can feel the boat’s movement, but it’s very subtle!
Conclusion
I had a good time visiting La Linea in winter, despite the rainy weather, but I totally believe it’s much better in late spring and summer when you can take advantage of everything it has to offer, including its beaches, dolphin tours, and other water activities.
In the summer, the town also decorated its streets with colourful umbrellas and knitted sun shades made by grandmas from the town.
I hope you enjoy your time in La Linea!
Cristina
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