Property in Spain

Chiclana de la Frontera is situated in the south of the Gaditanian Bay, its coast is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Chiclana is 30 minutes from Jerez airport, 90 minutes from Seville Airport and 75 minutes from Gibraltar. Natural landscape of wide beaches, pinewoods and salt marshes with a high ecological value, which are part of the protected area known as the Natural Park of the Bay of Cádiz..

An old Andalucian town with an interesting history and access to some of the best beaches in all of Spain, although it is about 6 kms from the coast. A long, sandy beach extends from the point of Sancti Petri right down to the Cape of Trafalgar. The town has a wide range of shops and services as well as bars, restaurants, markets and sherry bodegas.

Chiclana is a typical town of the region which has managed to preserve its identity and unique sense of Andalucian culture. Wander through idyllic narrow streets, with sunshine guaranteed for most of the year. The River Iro which flows through the town and the promenade (image above) has an attractive band stand and mosaic tiling and is a popular spot for the nightly paseo by locals and tourists..

The town centre has the narrow streets and courtyards typical of this region of Spain. Parking can be a problem, although construction of a new market with an underground car park has started, just behind the existing covered market.

The centre, located around the town hall square and the covered market, is bustling and lively. The market has an array of fruit and vegetable, fish and meat stalls. Country folk who have come in from the rural areas set up tables in front of the market to sell wild asparagus, snails and bunches of herbs. On Tuesday mornings, a large outdoor market is held by the blue bridge across the river.

Chiclana is a centre for furniture manufacture and there are many large furniture stores on the way into town, in and around Avenida de los Descubrimientos.

Sancti Petri is an old, abandoned fishing village located at the northern end of the Playa de la Barrosa. It adjoins the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park and has a wonderful 2 km beach which faces a little isleand of the same name.

According to local lore, the village was commandeered by General Franco and his entourage as their holiday retreat. The fishermen were forced out of their homes and when Franco died, the place fell into ruin. Now the area is protected to prevent inappropriate development. A few local people are moving back in and renovating some of the properties.

Here you will find a fishing port and marina, sailing and windsurfing schools and a few bars and restaurants. The Bar Bongo is located on the beach with lovely views over the estuary and out to sea.

La Barrosa is one of Chiclana's two beach resorts with 8 kms of fine sand. It is a safe, sandy beach which has received the Blue Flag Clean Beaches of Europe Award. There is a pleasant seafront promenade with a number of restaurants and cafes looking out to sea. Seafood is on every menu.

The resort is very popular with Spanish people, particularly in July and August and on holiday weekends. The main street runs parallel to the beach. It has a range of bars, restaurants, cafes, shops and services.

Property in the area consists of low rise apartments and private villas. The native umbrella pine is protected and all development is forced to accommodate the trees. This makes for an agreeable environment. In the Pinar del Atlantico area there is a tennis school and Tennis Club la Barrosa.

Further along the same beach is Novo Sancti Petri. This is a fairly upmarket, modern resort with a range of low-rise hotels and apartment and townhouse complexes.

Inland from Novo Sancti Petri, properties are largely detached villas, with many more being built currently. Novo Sancti Petri is centred around a 36-hole golf course designed by Sevvy Ballesteros and it also has an excellent beach and a riding school, Hipica Novo Sancti Petri.

The town has a clinic and a number of commercial centres, such as Centro Comercial Altamar and the Novo Center which have plenty of bars, restaurants and shops catering for tourists. It tends to be quiet out of season

Property scene

Property in Chiclana is starting to become more and more popular, but it is still possible to pick up a good quality house at a reasonable price. If you head to the outskirts you can find something a bit special. La Coquina is just three minutes from Chiclana, but it is a very quiet area. Most houses have gardens, and the landscape is made up of traditional Andalucian farmland.

There are fine residential areas with well-built homes, most of which come with a shady porch, positioned leeward of the Atlantic breezes. Resales are often good value, but beware the low priced newbuild chalets from local builders - many have been built illegally and it is unlikely they will get utility hook-ups until the council provides required paperwork.