Baelo Claudia
Baelo Claudia is a Roman town on the beach at Bolonia, 22 km north-west of Tarifa, founded in the late 2nd century BC and still showing its forum, temples, theatre and fish-salting works.
About Baelo Claudia
Baelo Claudia sits on the bay of Bolonia, about 22 km north-west of Tarifa, inside the Strait Natural Park. The town grew from the late 2nd century BC on salted fish, garum and its sea link with Tingis, today's Tangier, and flourished under the Roman Empire. Declared a national monument in 1925, it is a Bien de Interés Cultural run by the Junta de Andalucía as an archaeological ensemble.
A path from the visitor centre leads through the town gate and along paved streets to the forum, with three temples to the Capitoline gods, a temple of Isis, the basilica and the market. Beyond lie the baths, the hillside theatre, aqueduct remains and the walls. By the beach, the fish-salting factory still shows its tanks, a reminder of what paid for it all.
Entry is free with an EU passport or ID card and €1.50 for others; individuals need not book, but groups of ten or more must. Allow two hours. Paths are fairly flat, on gravel and stone, with little shade. During works at reception, entry is from the south car park by the beach. Only water may be taken in, and dogs are not allowed.
From 21 September to 20 March it opens Tuesday to Saturday 09:00 to 18:00 and Sundays 09:00 to 15:00; closed Mondays. Spring brings the longest hours, to 21:00, while summer visits end at 15:00. Come early with a hat and water.
Baelo Claudia in pictures
What you’ll find
- Archaeological siteRuins visit (Free–€2, 09:00–18:00)Ticket
- Car parkParkingFree
- ExhibitionExhibition visit (Free–€2, 09:00–18:00)Ticket
- Free entryFree visitFree
- Visitor centreVisitor information (09:00–18:00)Free
Nearby places to visit
Playa de Zahara de los Atunes (8 km straight-line, longer by road) is the next beach west, and Playa del Carmen (Barbate) (17 km) and Playa de Los Caños de Meca (24 km) continue along the Costa de la Luz towards Cape Trafalgar. Back towards town, Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno (17 km) guards the old walls of Tarifa above the port. Right beside the ruins, the great Bolonia dune and the long sandy beach make a swim the natural end to a visit, and the handful of beach bars in Bolonia serve fresh tuna in season.
Baelo Claudia at a glance
Location
Campo de Gibraltar, Cádiz
Town
Tarifa
Address
Ensenada de Bolonia s/n, 11380 Tarifa, Cádiz, Spain
Opening hours
21 Mar–20 Jun: Tue–Sat 09:00–21:00. 21 Jun–20 Sep: Tue–Sat 09:00–15:00. 21 Sep–20 Mar: Tue–Sat 09:00–18:00. Sundays, holidays and Mondays before a holiday 09:00–15:00. Closed Mondays; last entry 30 minutes before closing.
Prices
Free for EU citizens; others €1.50
Checked 1 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
Website
museosdeandalucia.es/web/conjuntoarqueologicobaeloclaudia
Phone
+34 956 106 793
More places nearby
Other places within 25 km of Baelo Claudia, nearest first.
