The area has been occupied by four ancient civilizations, at various stages throughout its history.

The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors and Christians have all here lived here. It was chosen as it is strategically positioned for ships to easily set out to sea through the river.

Here, the Phoenicians and Carthaginians would defend the factories and the tunny fishing that occupied their coasts.

The town was initially called 'Baka' and later became 'Besaro', under Roman rule. Today, you can still see several monuments and relics from the time of the Romans.

The Vandals occupied southern Spain for a short period of time before the Arabs took over.

Under the Arabs, the region became 'Al-Andalus' which meant country of the Vandals. They named the city 'Bashir'.

It then became known as known as "Vejer of the Honey" for the quantity of honey produced in the city.

The city prospered for 5 centuries under the Arabs, with improvements in the infrastructural development of streets, houses and castles.

The peace was destroyed when it was conquered by Fernando III in 1250. Fernando built the city walls.

In 1292 Guzmán 'el Bueno' protected Vejer against the last Arab attack. He was rewarded with the title of Mayor. He became the first mayor of Vejer. Fernando IV gave him the ownership of the land.

In 1805 Admiral Nelson of the British navy defeated the unified French and Spanish armada at Cabo Trafalgar. The 'battle of Trafalgar' gave the area international recognition. Later Napoleons troops occupied the area.

During the 20th century, in an attempt to keep enemies at bay, various forts like the one on Pirata beach and Los apartamentos were built.

Vejer's population grew in the 1960s as tourism gained momentum in Los Canos.

Until the last decade, the women of Vejer wore long, dark cloaks that veiled their faces like nuns' habits. Although this custom is now virtually extinct, the remnants of Vejer's Moorish past can still be felt today.