Day trip to La Línea de la Concepción

<p>La Línea is not somewhere most Gibraltar residents think of as a day trip because it is just there, across the border, part of everyday life. But if you have a visitor staying with you, or if you have never properly explored it yourself, La Línea deserves a proper afternoon rather than a drive-through.</p> <p>The town has had a complicated relationship with Gibraltar for its entire existence, it was literally built to house the workforce that the British garrison required, and its economy has swung wildly with every border opening and closure over the centuries. That history is visible in the town's character: it is straightforwardly working-class, unpretentious, and completely free of tourist infrastructure. Which is exactly what makes it interesting.</p> <p>The Mercado Municipal on Calle Real is the place to start. It is a proper Spanish covered market with fresh fish, meat, fruit and the kind of cheese and ham stall that makes you question every life choice that has ever kept you away from Andalusia. The surrounding streets have good tapas bars, this is a town where a beer costs €1.50 and the free tapa is substantial. Plaza de la Constitución is the main square and the social hub; sit outside with a coffee and watch the town go about its business.</p> <p>The seafront Paseo Marítimo has been redeveloped in recent years and is now a pleasant walking route with views back to the Rock. The local beach, Playa de la Atunara, is a working fishing beach, the boats come in during the morning and sell directly from the quayside, which is worth timing your visit around if you can.</p> <p>Getting there from Gibraltar is a five-minute walk across the border or a ten-minute taxi. Bring euros; most places here do not take sterling.</p>