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The sites found in the municipal area of Barbate take us back to Prehistory. Since that time the richness of its coast has been clearly established, although the Phoenicians were the first to exploit these resources in an organized manner, by the almadraba system and the salting of fish, turning this area into a first-rate exporting centre.

It was during the Roman rule that the port of Baesippo, located, so it seems, at the mouth of the Barbate river, soon became a prosperous enclave due to its fishing industry and the fish salting inherited from the Phoenicians.

Later, under Muslim rule, this area became known as Barbat, a name which it obtained from its castle.

It was taken over by Fernando III in 1250. It was recovered by the Muslims shortly afterwards, the definitive conquest came with Alfonso X.

In the XIII century, Barbate was a small hamlet dependent on Vejer de la Frontera, which controlled the access inland by river, at that time navigable, towards the quay located at the Barca de Vejer.