Discover Benalup Casas Viejas

Benalup Casas Viejas offers plenty to explore during a stay focused on nature, archaeology and local history. Part of Benalup-Casas Viejas lies within Los Alcornocales Natural Park. Places to visit include prehistoric rock art, hiking trails and sites associated with the events of Casas Viejas. The Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Socorro and the annual Romería add to the cultural experience. When planning your trip, you can focus on the landscape, prehistory, local history or the pilgrimage.

Nature and Hiking Trails

The area around Los Alcornocales Natural Park has numerous routes, excursions and hiking trails. Several observation points in the park allow visitors to watch numerous bird species cross the strait during migration periods. Birdwatching is therefore tied to migration periods. For a different perspective on the landscape, take the La Gargantilla route: it passes through an extensive Mediterranean forest to the 361-metre-high summit of the Sierra Momia. From there, panoramic views extend over Benalup-Casas Viejas, the Celemín and Barbate reservoirs, and Medina.

The trail to the Tajo de las Figuras rock shelter starts at the El Celemín recreation area. It follows a slightly elevated path just over 600 metres long to the rock shelter. Check local access conditions for this route before travelling. Another option is a hiking trail just under two kilometres long from the town centre, via the Colada de Benalup livestock track, to Benalup Castle and the Torre de la Morita. Access along this route may depend on trail conditions. The routes differ in both length and destination: one leads to the rock shelter, the other to the castle and tower.

Rock Art and Prehistory

The Tajo de las Figuras rock shelter contains more than 500 schematic depictions. The motifs include deer, birds and anthropomorphic figures. Those interested in prehistoric images will find a specific selection of animal and human motifs here. The Cádiz Prehistórico Interpretation Centre offers a different focus: across eleven rooms, it presents the prehistory of Cádiz province, including customs, rituals and ways of life at the time, as well as how they evolved over the ages.

The centre is housed in a purpose-built building with exhibition spaces across three floors, an interior courtyard and an activity room. The two prehistoric attractions therefore have distinct focuses: the schematic depictions take centre stage at Tajo de las Figuras, while the centre explores the prehistory of the entire province and how it changed over different periods.

Local History and Architecture

The route associated with the events of Casas Viejas is a guided walk through the central streets and to historically significant sites. It includes more than ten stops and ends at the site of today’s Espacio Conmemorativo Casas Viejas 1933. The walk takes the events of January 1933 as its historical reference point, passing through streets and sites connected with this local history.

The Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Socorro offers a distinct architectural focus. It is an eclectic church with a medieval, Romanesque and Mudéjar-influenced appearance. Pointed arches and brickwork are among its noted features. Visitors interested in the town’s architecture can use these details to explore the church’s different influences and distinctive appearance.

Romería in May

The Romería de Nuestra Señora del Socorro takes place every year on the first Sunday in May at the Las Lagunetas hermitage. A mass follows the pilgrimage. This recurring date offers a specific reference point for planning your trip; check the event date for your chosen year.

Discover more destinations: Vejer De La Frontera, Arcos De La Frontera, La Barca De La Florida, Los Barrios, Sanlúcar De Barrameda, San Martín del Tesorillo, Tarifa, La Línea De La Concepción.

For the broader travel overview: Cadiz.