Arcos de la Frontera

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Declared a national monument in 1962 because of its breathtaking beauty, the tangle of cobbled streets of Arcos de la Frontera lead up to 11th century Moorish castle. Unfortunately the castle is not open to the public, so can only be appreciated from afar. But worry not, the rest of the old town is flush with fine landmarks. Calle Nueva was the castle moat until the 1755 Lisbon earthquake collapsed a stretch of wall. The Iglesia de San Pedro, is a Renaissance church built into a 14th century fortress and combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles in its tower and facade. The 17th century Convento de las Mercedarias Descalzas is the only remaining cloistered convent in Arcos. If you have a sweet tooth, its nuns make and sell homemade sweets.