History

In ancient times, the Phoenicians and Romans began tuna fishing and set up fisheries in the area. The village dates back to 1500 B.C., the year the Phoenicians settled here.

The town found stability in Moslem times; hitherto, the coastline had been unsafe and difficult to defend.

The Christian conquest halfway through the 13th century saw the town become part of the estate belonging to Alonso Perez de Guzman, who obtained a monopoly of tuna fishing. In the 16th century it broke away from the jurisdiction of Vejer de la Frontera, though it would remain part of the estate of the House of Medina Sidonia until well into the 19th century.

It has recently undergone significant tourist development as a result of its magnificent beaches.