There’s more to Andalusia than just Seville.
prosper for one C within the subtropical climate of southwestern Spain , Jerez is awash in exuberance . Its full name is Jerez de la Frontera — on account of its historic positioning along the frontier between Moorish and Christian Spain — but you’re able to just call it thehidden gem of Andalusia . Surely this piazza does n’t get the holidaymaker attention of some of its in high spirits profile neighbors in the region . However , we see that as a feature article rather than a fault . If you sleep together sherry , horse , gothic fortresses , and flamenco music , you might just see it the same path .
We ’ll get to that clobber in a second because this is , after all , your ultimate guide to Jerez . So first , you ’ll desire to know how to get here … andwhen . Aeropuerto de Jerez ( a petty more than five miles outside the urban center center ) is a small airdrome , and you ’re not become to come up any direct flights from the US . American traveler will typically link by agency ofMadridorBarcelona . It ’s less than a 90 minute escape from either .
If you ’re explore the greater Andalusian part ( and youshould ) , this spot is an light solar day trip from Seville — only 50 miles to the north — and a scenic 30 minutes by gondola from the coastal enclave of Cadiz . Arrive in February and you may soak in some of Carnival while there .
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Thanks to that aforesaid subtropic distinction , there is n’t really a frightful time to explore , weather - wise . Though , we do commend avoiding the inland city in July and August , when temperature can top out in the high-pitched 90s . Even then , there are ampleways to cool down around here . From drinking in centuries - old bodega to learning some dance move , here ’s what to do in Jerez , Spain .
Travel back in time via sherry bodegas
Jerez concern one of the peak of the so - called “ Sherry Triangle”—along with Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María . The famed fortified wine of Spain was popularized in this 192 - square - mile region sometime after the Moors get distillation to Spain in the 8th Century . It was n’t until 1932 , however , that a protect denomination of origin was go for by the authorities . Since then , any liquidity bearing the name “ sherry ” must be derived from the Triangle . And it was Jerez , originally know as Xerez in previous Spanish , which add the wine its name .
Sherry is get in bodegas . Far removed from the industrialize feel of modern booze - making , these are amatory locus straw about the landscape painting . They reek of sweet nectar and the barrelful often age upon earthen floors , as they have for generations . As for how the drink is produced , well , we ’d need a book to in good order explicate all the contingent . The short response is that sherry comes from aboriginal grapeshot and can be expressed in a breadth of style and flavors ranging from the driest finos to the sweetest post exchange . Inside , you ’ll find plenty of sample distribution to sip along with indelible charm .
Kick things off with a tour ofTío Pepe , the part ’s most famous producer . A two hour experience take the air you through sherry making , both figuratively and literally . You ’ll see vineyards and saunter across ancient cobbled streets before go far in the warehouse to intimately interpret the drunkenness ’s distinctive aging mental process . Ultimately it offer sightseeing along with knowledge and , of course , a twain of drinks . spell begin at 12 premier each day and can be booked ahead of time online for € 18 .
Tío Pepe
The bodega also hosts aneponymous fete , which takes position every twelvemonth from the eye of July through the middle of August . It include a nightly compartmentalization of singers and social dancer at various venues and winery across Ithiel Town .
A tour and tasting atBodegas Tradiciónis also a worthwhile experience . It ’s a relatively young operation , begin in 1998 , but owner Joaquin Rivero is already bottling some breathtaking wines . Plus , he also houses one of the nation ’s most impressive private graphics aggregation . Reserve a € 50 booking and you ’ll get a guide sampling of both fine sherry and Spanish painting from the fourteenth through 19th one C .
And you sure enough do n’t want to sleep onLustau . The 127 - yr - old bodega is synonymous with spectacular sherry and maintains meticulously - manicured land , which afford the opportunity to portal back to the number of the 19th century . A € 20 tour admit five sherry selections to enjoy , along with a exclusive pour of the steel ’s pop vermouth .
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Flamenco is a bewitch art form combining guitar , song , and dancing . And Jerez is its spiritual home . Wander these vibrant streets at dark and you ’ll hear it waft out of apparently every bar window . That ’s why the evening is a pure prison term to saunter the Old Town and get lose between one historic plaza and the next . but go where the euphony get hold of you . If you call for a piece more structure , however , head toTablao Flamenco Puro Arte , a dedicated dance hall offering nightly dinner party and show . If you need something a touch more intimate , check outLa Guarida del Angelseveral blocks east of the metropolis ’s prime scenic finish : Alcázar de Jerez . The Moorish fortress was originally constructed in the eleventh Century and supply a stately backcloth to open-air revel .
Come at the ending of February and you could absorb the wonder of the area ’s famedFlamenco Festival . you’re able to even learn a few dance move yourself by booking a socio-economic class atJerez Puro , a consecrated flamenco ship’s company and schooltime of art . Though we infer if you ’d rather watch the professionals .
Watch horses dance
Sherry and flamenco away , Jerez is believably most renowned for its Palomino horse cavalry . The particular breed is recognized by its Au coating and white mane . Their stunning beauty attracts equine enthusiasts from across the earth .
But you do n’t have to be even remotely into horse to appreciate the performances atReal Escuela Horse Show . Here you ’ll get to savour an equestrian ballet set to Spanish music and costume take up from the 18th one C . The nightly show , aptly titled “ How the Andalusian Horses Dance , ” is 90 minutes long include intermission . slate go at € 24 .
Eat your fill of tapas and seafood in Tabancos
The traditional taverns of Jerez are known locally as Tabancos . The term is conceive to be a seventeenth - one C contrivance , combining the Spanish word for tobacco with “ estanco , ” which were lowly shops where the heart was sold . Whatever the origins , today they are most certainly where you come to bask terrific tapas and endless pours of sherry . Tabanco El Pasajeis a sensational agency of such . It ’s relatively gentle to find oneself in the heart of town and it even offers subsist nightly gypsy dancing performances for good measure . So essentially , the best of Jerez all under one cap .
For more of a focal point on tapa , crawl over to Tabanco San Pablo , just a four mo stroll south . But emphatically save some elbow room for the celestial chomp at La Cruz Blanca in Plaza del Arenal : the grill devilfish and patatas bravas are like whoa .
If you require something more upscale for dinner , Jerez have an embarrassment of riches . Mantúain Plaza Aladro is a standout showcase of mod Andalusian cuisine . Chef Israel Ramos is plate some mellifluous conjuring trick here , rendered through one of two day-after-day tasting menus . It all highlights the local bounty from solid ground and sea , such as ocean sea anemone in fritter form , under an aioli sauce of Manzanilla sherry . LÚ Cocina y Almais another high-pitched - minded affair , this one incorporating more of a modern French approach . Both restaurants late bring in Michelin Stars .
Tío Pepe
Admirably split the departure between new and onetime , La Carbonáis a colorful dining option ramp up into an old sherry bodega . Under the gamey wooden ceilings of this historic blank , you could love a spate of artfully presented proteins pair alongside pours from an talkative wine-colored tilt .
And if you ’re not afraid of more travel , you should give serious opinion to an experience atRestaurante Aponientein El Puerto de Santa Maria . This is a three - Michelin - Star shrine to seafood . Executive chef Ángel León is a legend of Spanish cuisine , so you ’ll have to secure your reservation well in advance . Take the train here direct from Jerez ; it ’ll take you 40 minutes and the restaurant is step away from the station in business district El Puerto .
Cool off in hotel pools
Historically , Jerez has offered little by way of high - end lodging . In recent years , though , that ’s beginning to change . Hotel Bodega Tío Pepeopened in 2020 , and it ’s adjacent to where they ’re making all that sherry . The four - star topology accommodation holds roomy rooms , a pool and terrace under the shadow of iconic Catedral de Jerez , and one of the good rooftop bar in town . Rooms pop out at $ 140 per night . And even if you ’re not overnighting here , ensure to grab lunch at the Restaurante Pedro Nolasco .
If you do n’t bear in mind being a bit further outside of Old Town , Hipotels Sherry Parkis a good choice on Avenida Alvaro Domecq . It ’s not a luxury hotel by any means , but the rooms are well keep up ( and price at $ 70 per night ) , and the sizable pool on property will chill you down on those sizzling Andalusian afternoons . It ’s about a 20 minute manner of walking from here to the center of attention of downtown Jerez .
Tablao Flamenco Puro Arte Jerez
Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre
LÚ, Cocina y Alma
Aponiente -Ángel León-
Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe
