Car hire in La Linea – Visit the tip of Spain

La Linea de la Concepcion, shortened to La Linea, is located in the Spanish province of Cadiz, in southern Spain. The city shares a border with Gibraltar, an overseas crown dependency of the UK. La Linea originated as a gathering of temporary huts built by many of the people who worked in Gibraltar and lived in San Roque. Through time La Linea grew to the melting pot city you see today. Few historical buildings exist, many having been demolished during the Spanish dictatorship, although, with a beautiful marina, nice stretch of beach and some great bars, La Linea is often preferred for accommodation as opposed to its more expensive neighbour Gibraltar. Its location makes it the perfect place for exploring Andalucia, especially with a car hire from La Linea.

With over 60 year’s car hire industry experience, Auto Europe is the ideal broker for finding you amazing quotes and offers – whether that be on car hire, luxury car hire, motorhome hire or a transfer service. Having partnered with numerous trusted car hire brands, such as, Hertz, Avis, Europcar and many other smaller local suppliers, we are able to provide an unprecedented amount of pick-up locations, along with a large fleet of vehicles to choose from. If you have any questions, then please contact our reservations team on +44 123 3225 114.

How is the traffic in La Linea?

Traffic flows normally in La Linea with no major congestion throughout the city. Central parts of La Linea have been pedestrianized, whilst narrower roads are comprised mainly of a labyrinth of one-way streets. During the morning rush-hour it is common to experience heavy congestion caused by vehicles trying to cross into neighbouring Gibraltar. This traffic is mainly caused due international border checks; however, local authorities do try to keep the queue for the border separate from the La Linea main avenue. Unfortunately, the border queue does often have an impact on the general flow of traffic around that area of La Linea.

Where can I park my car hire in La Linea?

Finding parking for your car rental in La Linea isn’t overly complicated and a good amount of free on-street parking is available. This being said, free parking is generally located further away from the border crossing with Gibraltar. An underground car park garage is located in the city centre. This is within walking distance of the city’s restaurants, bars and coffee houses. Paid on-street parking is designated by a blue line. This works on a pay & display basis, with a ticket machine located nearby. Parking is generally cheaper in comparison to other cities; however, expect to find parking difficult during week days and near the border. It is also often the case that most parking is taken up by cross-border workers.

Gibraltar International Airport

La Linea itself does not have an airport; however, plans were made to share an airport with neighbouring Gibraltar. Gibraltar Airport is located right next to the border crossing, and plans were to also make an arrivals exit gate on the Spanish side – however, due to political reasons this has not yet materialised. Either way, many passengers who wish to visit La Linea can fly into Gibraltar and walk across the border.

Gibraltar International Airport (GIB)
Address: British Lines Road, GX11 1AA, Gibraltar
Website: Gibraltar International Airport
Telephone: +350 200 12345

What to do in La Linea

Although not the most popular of cities to visit in Spain, La Linea still has some nice places to see and enjoy. With a nearby beach and lively nightlife, the city often welcomes visitors from Gibraltar who are seeking out a more authentic Andalucian experience. Along with restaurants and coffee houses, you’ll also find museums, wonderful beaches and historical sites. A walk along the promenade is also a great relaxing option. Many decide to rent a car in La Linea allowing them to visit other nearby points of interest. Here are the following things you shouldn’t miss whilst in La Linea.

• Museo Jose Cruz Herrera: Located in the old town of La Linea is a small but beautiful museum called Museo Jose Cruz Herrera. Within its grounds you’ll be presented with the paintings of local artists, such as Cruz Herrera, but occasionally other painters artworks are on display. Entrance is free and it shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes to see this small museum. The museum itself is located within a small garden, making for a relaxing and pleasant escape from the Andalucian heat. If you are visiting with small children, then a pleasant kid’s playground is located just next door.


• Paseo Maritimo: The Paseo Maritimo is a pleasant walkway stretching from the eastern half of La Linea to the western part. It is interrupted half way by the international border with Gibraltar. The walkway takes you along the coast, adjacent to the beach and the La Linea Marina. The western part of the Paseo Maritime traces a rather large beautiful beach – seldom busy. A few restaurants are also located on the Paseo, these are a must if looking to indulge in some local Spanish fish and seafood.


• Santuario de la Immaculada Concepcion: This 19th Century church was constructed in a colonial style. It is a beautiful little church which was constructed on the site of an older chapel. As the town grew, a larger place of worship was required and thus after many setbacks, the Santuario de la Immaculada Concepcion was erected. Things of note are the image of St. Mary, which was created by the local sculptor Luis Ortega Bru, and the 17th Century reredos.


• Mirador El Higueron: If you’d like an overview of the whole landscape from up high, head towards the Mirador El Higueron. Located near La Linea, this lookout point overlooks the whole area and is ideal for capturing the beautiful essence that the local scenery has to offer. Here you’ll be able to appreciate all of La Linea and the Rock of Gibraltar. On a clear day you’ll also see Morocco on the African continent and the Altas Mountains.


• Fuerte de Santa Barbara: This fort originally formed part of a defensive line between Spain and Gibraltar, and was constructed with the sole purpose of stopping the British from encroaching further into Spain. These defensive lines, which gave its name to La Linea, were demolished by Spanish and British troops during the Napoleonic Peninsula Wars – fearing that the fort would fall into French hands. The ruins of Fuerte de Santa Barbara can be seen today and is a visible reminder of how turbulent this area has been throughout its history.

Best day trips with my car rental in La Linea

This part of Spain is the ideal starting point to explore some of the most iconic cities in the country. With a car hire in La Linea you can easily drive to other beautiful locations along the Spanish coast. Each city, town and village you pass has its own Andalucian charm and beauty - an experience you shouldn’t miss out on. We would recommend the following day trips during your visit to La Linea.

Town of Estepona: Only 35 minutes from La Linea by car, the beautiful town of Estepona is practically on your doorstep. Estepona is the typical idyllic Andalucian town. With beautiful well-kept gardens and public spaces, to a wonderful promenade running along a pristine beach – Estepona is simply perfect. The old town is comprised of white-washed buildings, full of bars, coffee houses and restaurants. It has a port area which is equally as impressive. The town also has a botanical garden, museums and plenty of places to shop.

City of Marbella: Also located along the Spanish coast is the internationally renowned and popular city of Marbella. A drive from La Linea will take you around 54 minutes – we would advise taking the coastal road, as you’ll be blessed with impressive views over the Mediterranean Sea. Marbella has a wonderful promenade full of bars, coffee houses and restaurants. It has a typical Andalucian pristine old town, very popular during the summer months. The city also has plenty of culture sites and smaller beautiful parks to enjoy.

City of Gibraltar: In theory you can just walk across the border from La Linea to Gibraltar, however, if you drive over, you’ll be able to enjoy parts of Gibraltar few visitors go too. Gibraltar is normally very congested, especially during rush hour. The border crossing itself sometimes takes a long time. Once in Gibraltar though, you can drive all around the Rock of Gibraltar. Head towards the south side and you’ll be able to enjoy a nice drink with views over to the African continent. Non-Gibraltar plated cars are not allowed up onto the top half of the rock. If you’re interested in viewing the defensive rock lines and visiting the local Macaques, then we would advise catching one of the numerous tourist vans available.

City of Algeciras:The Spanish city of Algeciras is one of the largest port cities in Spain. It is a built up area which is largely overlooked by tourists. Crossings to Morocco operate from here and thus the city is extremely popular but mainly as a pass-through. This being said, Algeciras has plenty of rustic charm, the old town is pleasant, with restaurants, bars and coffee houses. Algeciras is fantastic for those on a budget, especially as things are cheaper in comparison to cities such as Marbella. Locally, you’ll also be able to enjoy a waterpark. With several slides, swimming pools and water amusements, this park makes for an excellent day out.

How to get around La Linea

Public transport options are limited in La Linea in comparison to other Spanish cities - although, public transport is popular amongst locals, it is generally rundown and not very well maintained. Public transport is comprised of a bus network and a taxi service. It is relatively cheap to use and runs throughout the day. Intercity services are also present to other neighbouring Spanish cities.

Bus

A city wide and suburban bus service operates in La Linea. Although generally the buses are well-maintained, the actual bus stops and bus garages are often rundown – especially the second main bus stop located opposite the La Linea / Gibraltar border. The main bus station is located in central La Linea, from here buses run throughout the city and towards local towns, such as, San Roque. Intercity bus services also exist to Algeciras and Malaga, with numerous stops along the journey.

Taxis

Taxis in La Linea are white in colour with a taxi sign upon its roof. Official city taxis are always metered and come in various sizes. A taxi can be pre-booked or picked up at one of the numerous available taxi ranks. The most popular of which are located in central La Linea and just outside the border with Gibraltar. Taxis are well-maintained and make for a great way to visit places that the local bus service doesn’t serve. We would advise discussing the estimated cost of the journey with the driver before commencing your journey.

Useful links

Official La Linea Tourism Website