The first thing that comes to many people’s minds when they hear the name Jerez is sherry, since it’s where the drink originates from. Sherry is actually the English form of Jerez and the city, along with El Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlucar de Barrameda, make up the famous Sherry Triangle. Jerez is also known for being the birthplace of flamenco, as well as being home to one of the world’s most prestigious classical riding academies – Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre. If you visit the city, you’ll soon learn that there are a lot of things to do in Jerez de la Frontera, especially if you love exploring places off the beaten path.
The origins of the city are somewhat obscure, but there are archaeological remains proving that the area was inhabited before the Romans arrived. By the 11th century it had started to become an important city under the Moors but it was later reconquered by the Christians in the 13th century, when it was incorporated into the Kingdom of Castile. Jerez is a city rich in history, which is just begging to be explored, and really should be on anyone’s list of places to visit in southern Spain. Not convinced yet? Here are my top recommendations for the best things to do in Jerez de la Frontera.
Things to do in Jerez de la Frontera
Visit the Manuel Maria Gonzalez Statue
Manuel María González is synonymous with the city of Jerez de la Frontera. He was the founder of the Gonzalez Byass sherry bodegas, which is now world famous and the largest sherry producer in the world. To mark his importance to Jerez, there’s a statue of him next to a barrel of Tio Pepe, standing between the bodegas and the cathedral, which is handy if you’re doing a Jerez sightseeing tour. This is a great photo spot and easily one of the top things to do in Jerez.
Tour Bodegas Tio Pepe
If you’re looking to go on a sherry tour in Jerez, Bodegas Tio Pepe is an absolute must. We joined their Uncle Pepe Tour, which is a really informative English speaking guided tour that will take you through cobbled streets, courtyards, and end with a little bit of sherry tasting. Tio Pepe is part of the Gonzalez Byass brand and visiting the bodegas is one of the best things to do in Jerez de la Frontera.
If you’re feeling particularly keen for some sherry tasting, you can upgrade your ticket to include even more drinks and tapas too. If you only have 1 day in Jerez, I would highly recommend heading to these bodegas and learning about the sherry culture in the region.
Walk along Ciegos Street
Ciegos Street is considered to be one of the most beautiful streets in Spain, and I also came across it in a few lists of the world’s most beautiful streets. Once an active street in Jerez, it was absorbed by Bodegas Tio Pepe and is now a highlight on their guided tours because of the grapevines that have grown to create a roof over the street. So, if you want to get that all important Instagrammable photo, you’ll need to join one of their tours first.
Alcazar de Jerez
Located directly next to Bodegas Tio Pepe is another key point of interest and one of the best things to do in Jerez – the Alcazar de Jerez. This formidable castle dates back to the 11th century when the area was under Islamic rule during the Almohad dynasty, and was later taken over by the Christians during the reconquest of Andalusia. Today, you can explore the grounds of the castle, which still show the remains of Islamic influence, and visit the camera obscura for some spectacular city views. The camera obscura is one of the more unique locations in Jerez, so it shouldn’t be missed.
Jerez Cathedral
One of the top things to do in Jerez de la Frontera is to visit the Catedral de Jerez. Despite it looking medieval, it was actually built in the 17th century and has a bell tower with parts dating back to the 15th century. It was only declared a cathedral in 1980 but it’s one of the most important religious buildings in the city. The view from the ground is very impressive but the view of the cathedral from the roof of the Arab Baths is even more breathtaking, especially at sunset.
Relax at Hammam Andalusi Arabic Baths
A very unique thing to do in Jerez is to relax in the Hammam Andalusi Arabic Baths, which are ideally located across the road from the cathedral. The baths are made up of three pools, each with different temperatures, which you’re supposed to alternate between before heading to the steam room. This technique comes from the Romans, but was perfected by the Arabs who added more warmth to the atmosphere.
Visiting southern Spain wouldn’t be complete without taking part in this historic tradition. We visited after a long day of exploring Jerez on foot, and finished our time in the pools off with a calming massage and some Arabic tea. Make sure you add this to your itinerary of southern Spain – it was one of my favourite things to do in Jerez de la Frontera and I would definitely go back.
Museo Arqueologico Municipal
If you’re looking for things to do in Jerez and are interested in learning more about the history of the city, the Museo Arqueologico Municipal is a must-visit. It’s located in Plaza del Mercado, and houses some incredibly rare artefacts found in the city that date back to the Roman period and the Corinthians. If you’re looking for free things to do in Jerez, they offer free entry on every first Sunday of the month. It’s definitely a hidden gem in Jerez, and often overlooked by tourists.
Iglesia de San Mateo
Located across the plaza from Museo Arqueologico Municipal is another gorgeous religious building in Jerez – Iglesia de San Mateo. It may not be at the top of the list of things to do in Jerez de la Frontera, but it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area. The church itself has recently been restored but it originally dates back to the 13th century.
Plaza Mamelon
There are a lot of lovely plazas in Jerez to walk around, but one that I think is worth pointing out is Plaza Mamelon. It’s considered by many to be the most elegant plaza in Jerez, and serves to connect the commercial and historical parts of the city. It’s a great spot to sit under some shade for a bit and get out of the Spanish sun too.
Convento de Santo Domingo
A short walk from Plaza Mamelon is another impressive historical building. Convento de Santo Domingo was one of the first temples to be built outside of the city walls, and is said to be the location of the first Catholic mass following the reconquest of Jerez in the 13th century. It was also used as a filming location for the hit TV series The Crown, where it featured as a hospital.
Iglesia de San Miguel
Jerez is not an expensive city to visit, and I found that most of the attractions were free or very cheap to get into. One of the best free things to do in Jerez de la Frontera is to visit the Iglesia de San Miguel. We arrived as a mass was taking place but we were allowed in to stand at the back and observe the ceremony.
The church dates back to the end of the 15th century, and it’s said to have been commissioned by the Catholic monarchs when they visited Jerez. Since its foundation, it was constantly added to up until the 18th century, and is now made up of 3 different architectural styles. It’s only a short walk from the main plaza, so it’s definitely worth visiting, even if you only have 1 day in Jerez.
Plaza de la Asuncion
Visiting Plaza de la Asuncion is one of the best things to do in Jerez as it’s home to some important historical buildings. To the left of this photo is Iglesia de San Dionisio, a 15th century church that has been beautifully maintained. And to the right is the Antiguo Cabildo (old town hall), which was built in the 16th century when Spain was at the height of its power as a result of its trade with the Americas.
Plaza de la Yebra
Sitting just behind Plaza de la Asuncion is another, much smaller plaza known as Plaza de la Yebra. It’s very popular among locals who like to enjoy some tapas while getting out of the sun. There are plenty of restaurants in Jerez to choose from, but this spot has some of the best ones. The weather in Jerez can get quite hot at times, so it’s always nice to find some shaded areas to relax in.
Try some langostinos
I’m not a major seafood fan, but due to its location near the sea, Jerez has some of the best seafood options available in the province of Cadiz. There are many different dishes available at almost every restaurant, so if you love seafood or just want to try some traditional Andalusian food, Jerez is a good place to be. One of the best things to do in Jerez, or any part of Andalusia, is to eat – don’t forget to try the langostinos!
Calle Larga
Calle Larga has played a central role in the history of Jerez since the 16th century. Many of the nobility who settled in Jerez had their palaces along this street, as it gave important access to areas outside of the town walls. The street was eventually used for coffee shops and social gatherings, before it was pedestrianised and turned into a shopping street. Walking along this street is one of the best things to do in Jerez de la Frontera if you’re looking for leisure activities.
El Gallo Azul
The central figure of Calle Larga is El Gallo Azul. It was built in 1929 as a gift to the city from the Domecq family to mark the exposition in Seville. It was designed by the same man who designed Plaza de España in Seville. At the top of the rounded building you can see a sign of the brand Fundador, a famous sherry brand from Jerez. It has a tapas bar on the ground floor which is meant to offer the best food and wine from the city. Sadly it was closed when we visited, but I still wanted to take a quick look as it’s a unique thing to see in Jerez de la Frontera.
Mercado Central de Abastos
Sitting just to the right of El Gallo Azul is the Mercado Central de Abastos, which was built at the end of the 19th century. It’s a very popular place with the locals and sells lots of fresh produce. If you’re planning a trip to Spain, chances are you’ll end up in one of these markets wherever you travel to – they’re that popular.
Plaza del Arenal
Plaza del Arenal is the centre of activity in Jerez and is surrounded by lovely tapas bars and restaurants. Right in the centre of the plaza stands a statue dedicated to Miguel Primo de Rivera who was born in Jerez and became the dictator of Spain in the 1920s. It was actually his son who started the Fascist party that would lead to Franco’s rule. It’s a somewhat controversial statue but it’s been placed in a beautiful setting in the midst of flowers.
Grab a cocktail at La Favorita
Sure, Jerez is famous for its sherry wines, but the city also has some great cocktail bars to hop between. We stopped at La Favorita, which is a short walk from Calle Larga so it’s in a great location. It’s a Cuban inspired bar with a unique space upstairs and a large selection of cocktails on their menu.
Watch a flamenco show
Every summer Jerez holds weekly flamenco shows on a Friday, which are normally in the courtyard of the Alcazar de Jerez. When we visited they had a change of venue and the performance took place at Claustros de Santo Domingo. Seeing a flamenco show is one of the top things to do in Jerez, so if you have time I would highly recommend doing some research and seeing a live show. Flamenco remains an important part of the culture in this region, so what better place to watch it?
Monasterio de la Cartuja
If you have a car or don’t mind taking public transportation, and are spending longer than a day in Jerez, visiting the Monasterio de la Cartuja is a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. It’s one of my favourite things to do in Jerez and is a very peaceful spot in the city. The monastery was built in the 15th century using funds left by a knight who fought in the reconquest of the city in the 13th century. He had no descendants so instead he wanted a Carthusian monastery established in Jerez. It’s still an active monastery today, and when we visited we caught a glimpse of the nuns at prayer.
Wine tasting at Bodegas Lustau
What better way to end this list of the best things to do in Jerez than with another bodegas? Lustau is one of the leading names in sherry production, and their bodegas are located right in the heart of Jerez. It was founded in 1896 and is the only winery within the Sherry Triangle to produce wine in all 3 of the main towns. It’s a beautiful winery to walk around and the tour takes you to some of the most important parts of it.
We joined their full tasting tour, and were given the opportunity to sample a wide variety of wines, including their very popular Vermouth. It was a very informative tour where we learned about the production of their wines as well as a lot of interesting historical facts about the bodegas and the company itself. Our guide was a licensed sommelier who was very nice and able to answer any questions we had during the wine tour.
Cycle around Parque de los Toruños
Although not exactly in Jerez de la Frontera, Parque de los Toruños is a gorgeous area to explore, either by bike or on foot. It’s located between El Puerto de Santa Maria and Puerto Real, so you’ll need a car to get to it. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one on site for a very small fee. We visited just before sunset so we were able to take in the views along the beach before cycling around this ecological paradise.
Where to eat in Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez is a beautiful city with a lot of historic attractions to visit. Although it’s well known for its sherry production there are also some phenomenal places to eat in Jerez de la Frontera that shouldn’t be missed. One of the many things to do in Jerez de la Frontera is to indulge in the local cuisine, so here are a few places to add to your food itinerary.
Heladeria La Rosa de Oro
Nestled between Plaza de la Yebra and Plaza del Arenal is Heladeria La Rosa de Oro. They began making traditional pastries and delicious ice cream in 1928 and still use the same methods today. The products they make are based on specific times of the year and have become somewhat of an institution in the city. Make sure you write this one down on your list of things to do in Jerez de la Frontera – you’ll probably come back more than once.
La Taberna
Don’t leave Jerez without trying some tapas. There are many restaurants to choose from, but I would highly recommend visiting La Taberna which is located in Plaza del Arenal. They serve a mixture of traditional and regional dishes, most of which you can get as tapas portions. Best of all, it’s a great place to eat if you’re visiting Spain on a budget.
Heladeria La Polar
Sitting directly across from La Taberna is another ice cream shop that I’d recommend trying out – Heladeria La Polar. It’s right around the corner from Heladeria La Rosa de Oro too and is considered to be the oldest ice cream shop in Jerez. They have a good selection of flavours to choose from – just make sure you eat it fast or it will start to melt. For those of you visiting the city in the summer, this will be one of the top things to do in Jerez to escape the heat for a bit.
Bina Bar
If you want to know where the locals eat head over to Bina Bar. This modern restaurant serves a delicious selection of seasonal Spanish dishes and some have a French flare to them. It’s located a short 20 minute walk north of Jerez’s old town in a residential area of the city so you won’t find too many tourists here – unless they know where to look! As soon as you walk into Bina Bar you’ll immediately fall in love with the simple yet modern decor and since their menu is designed for sharing you can enjoy tucking into several dishes – and pairing them with wine.
I have to say that the classic Iberian ham croquettes are a must-try and were honestly the best I’ve ever tasted. We also tried the beautifully presented scallops which were served in a spring onion emulsion, the Russian salad with white prawns, the tuna tartare, a montadito of mixed meats, and the melt-in-your-mouth sea bass. All of these dishes tasted amazing and were incredibly fresh so I would recommend ordering them if they’re still on the menu when you visit. There are larger dishes available if you don’t feel like tapas dining as well.
And let’s not forget about dessert either. If you like cheesecakes then you’ll definitely want to try Bina Bar’s version which is very flavourful and creamy. I opted for the warm chocolate fondant which was served with ice cream and was a great way to round off our dinner. Bina Bar has immediately become our new favourite restaurant in Jerez de la Frontera and it’s the perfect affordable fine dining experience in this historic city.
If you’re still in the planning stages of your trip to southern Spain, or are looking for somewhere to go on a day trip, Jerez is a gorgeous city to visit with lots to offer. It’s often overlooked because of the larger cities in the area such as Cadiz and Seville, but there are a lot of things to do in Jerez de la Frontera that will keep you busy for a day or more.
I would love to hear about your own experiences in Jerez de la Frontera or anywhere in southern Spain, so please leave me a comment or send me an email. And don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram too!
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