Plaza Alta is the heart of Algeciras's old town, a pleasant square tiled in traditional Sevillian azulejo ceramics with orange trees providing shade and a fountain at the centre. The square is lined with cafes and small businesses, and it functions as the main social gathering point for the city — people sit here at all hours, watching the world pass and ignoring the tourists who photograph the tilework.
The Church of Our Lady of la Palma stands on the southwestern corner of the square, dating from the 18th century but rebuilt several times. The Chapel of Our Lady of Europe, also on the plaza, is a small chapel with a history going back to the founding of the modern city. The square is a five-minute walk uphill from the port.