A 3,000-year-old port on a narrow peninsula in the Atlantic: the golden-domed cathedral, the Torre Tavira camera obscura, a maze of lanes and plazas, and long sandy city beaches (La Caleta, La Victoria). Fried fish shops and a famous February carnival. Jerez de la Frontera, home of sherry and the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, is 40 minutes by train. About 1h45 by train from Seville, and direct trains from Madrid. Windy, with the Levante wind on the coast in summer.
Highlights
- Cathedral and the sea-wall walk
- Torre Tavira camera obscura
- La Caleta at sunset
- Central Market and fried fish
- Carnival in February
- Sherry bodegas and the dancing horses of Jerez
- Vejer de la Frontera's white streets
Things to do
- Cathedral, Torre Tavira and the old townMorning · 3h
- La Caleta and La Victoria beachesAfternoon · 3h
- Day trip to Jerez: equestrian show and a bodegaMorning · 6h
- Sunset on the sea wall and tapasEvening · 2h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: April – June, September – October
Worth knowing
August: Spain on Holiday
August is when Spain takes its holidays: beaches, islands and coast towns are at their fullest and dearest, ferries to the Balearics and trains to the coast sell out, and in Madrid and other inland cities many family restaurants and small shops close for two or three weeks. Book rooms, ferries and trains months ahead, or come in June or September.
- Carnival in Cádiz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife — Spain's two great carnivals: Cádiz's is satire and song, with choirs and comparsas in the streets; Santa Cruz de Tenerife's is costumes and Rio-style parades, among the biggest in the world. Both run over about ten days around Shrove Tuesday. Rooms sell out: book early.