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The first settlement traces in El Puerto de Santa María are the ones found in the sites of "El Aculadero", of the lower Paleolithic, and "Las Arenas", of the Mesolithic age. The discovery of a Phoenician settlement close to Blanca’s medieval tower, where investigations are currently being carried out, and whose chronology is estimated between the IX and the III century BC, is very important.

According to legend, the founding of the city is attributed to an Athenian leader "Menestheo" who after the war of Troy, founded a city which was to be named after him, the Port of Menestheo.

In 711, the Muslims clashed with the Visigoths in the battle of the Guadalete river. From that moment onwards, it became part of the Muslim territory with the new name of Almaría Alcanter, Alcanate or Alcanatif, which means Port of the Salt Marsh, Arch or Bridge.