Arcos de la Frontera is the natural gateway to the Pueblos Blancos. The first impression of this town is of a line of whitewashed houses mixed with a number of majestic monuments, all perched along an impressive redrock gorge which overlooks the River Guadalete.
Arcos is the prototype of the pueblos blancos, and is worth more than just a brief visit. It is recommendable to leave your car in the lower part of the town to take in your visit on foot. Settled by Romans, Visigoths and Arabs, Arcos possesses one of the most beautiful town centres (old towns) in Spain. Declared in entirety a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1962, the town's winding street layout, of clear Arab design, is enriched by the posterior influence of the Christian Reconquest. Numerous Baroque and Renaissance façades, decorated with the coats of arms and flowers are here to be seen.
A recommended way out of Arcos is to the south which runs along the lower part of the gorge, offering an attractive view of the town.
Travelling along a fairly narrow mountain road, the route leads to Algar, a small mountain village where uneven streets, whitewashed walls and large flowerbeds form the scenery.
The route returns along the same road, crossing the Arcos reservoir dam. A brief stop is worthwhile for taking in the splendid view. The route leads to the next stop, Espera, by means of the 343 local road. Many kilometres before arriving, Espera can be seen at the base of an impressive rock crag which serves as a base for an ancient Castle. This building is partly connected to an Ermita venerating the image of the Cristo de la Antigua.
According to legend, in the year 1650, King Hespero ordered a castle to be built here in order to observe the stars. Whether true or not, the fact is that the origins of the village go back to the remotest of times, as the numerous excavations in the surrounding area testify.
It is worthwhile climbing up to the top of the rock and observing the almost 360º panorama of the village and surrounding countryside.
10 km from Espera along a winding country road is Bornos, the fourth stop on the route.
The blue of the Bornos reservoir can be seen from far off, serving as a pleasant background for the whitewashed town.
Although some remains of ancient civilizations have been found, the origins of the village are considered to date from Arab times.
Before continuing directly to Villamartin a detour is recommended on the way out of Bornos along a narrow road leading to the Roman ruins of Carissa Aurelia, in the Cortijo de Carija.
Like many of the villages in the area, Villamartín emerges dazzling white against a background, which depending on the time of year, changes from ochre to green tones.
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