The history of Barbate, Cadiz in southern Spain has been up until today highly related with the history of the red tuna of the Mediterrenean, and the story of the Almadrabas (fishing techniques). The Romans exploited this factor, but before them along the coast of Barbate, Trafalgar, Zahara and Tarifa the phoenicians where already fishing this special and delicious tuna.

The Almadraba is a millennial fishing technique which is still practiced in modern times. Currently the fishing industry is experiencing a difficult moment, due to the over fishing of red tuna in the Mediterranean, carried out mainly by French and Italian fleets, catering to the demand of Japanese consumers.

There is evidence of the significance of this fishing art throughout centuries all along this coastline, for example the remains of the fish salting factory among the Roman ruins at Baelo Claudia. If we continue along the coast to Barbate we come to the Almadraba Castle in Zahara de los Atunes, built by the Duke of Medicaceli to protect the Almadraba materials from constant pirate attacks. The Tajo Tower within the Natural Park of la Breña was built for the same purpose.

In the Barbate area we also find cave paintings portraying tuna and the almadraba fishing techniques.

Barbate was the site of the famous Battle of Trafalgar in which the British fleets defeated the Spanish-French fleets in the waters of the Gulf of Cadiz, just opposite where the Trafalgar Lighthouse now stands.

The history of Barbate has always been tied up with the sea and with fishing, but in the mid twentieth century another phenomenon arrived on the scene, namely tourism. Local spots such as Caños de Meca became the favourite destination of many holiday makers, and remain so until today. In recent years, the locality of Zahara de los Atunes has seen a significant increase in tourism.