Located partway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cadiz Mountains, Jerez de la Frontera is a bustling economic, transportation and cultural centre in Andalusia. It’s famed for its traditional flamenco music and the production of sherry, and is home to one of the world’s most prestigious classical riding academies.
Things to do in Jerez de la Frontera
Dominating the city’s old quarter is the Alcazar de Jerez, an 11th-century Moorish fortress that was once a residence of the Almohad Caliphate. Marvel at its imposing walls and the Octagonal Tower, as well as the beautifully preserved bathhouse and mosque. The complex is also home to the Baroque-style Palacio de Villavicencio, which features a camera obscura inside its main tower.
Directly opposite the Alcazar de Jerez is the headquarters of Tio Pepe, which produces one of the world’s most famous sherries. Originally founded in 1835 by Manuel González Angel, the bodega offers guided tours of its atmospheric cellars. Alternatively, you can head to the Bodegas Tradicion to taste unfiltered sherry while admiring works by Goya and Velazquez.
No trip to Jerez de la Frontera is complete without visiting the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, which is dedicated to Spanish Baroque horsemanship, saddlery and coach driving. In addition to hosting impressive shows featuring its “dancing stallions”, it’s home to the Museum of Equestrian Art and the Carriage Museum where you can learn about the history of horse driving.
Getting around Jerez de la Frontera
Jerez Airport is a 15-minute drive from the city centre and has flights to destinations across Europe. Trains connect from towns and cities across Andalucia to the Jerez de la Frontera railway station and buses travel throughout the city. Jerez de la Frontera’s old town is ideally explored on foot.