Jerez de la Frontera

The city of Jerez de la Frontera is known throughout the world for its wines and horses. Its wonderful wine cellars, flamenco festivals and bullfighting complete the appeal of this city of many monuments. There is plenty to do in Jerez de la Frontera and it will take you a good two days. If you are thinking of extending your stay, you should visit Cadiz, Chipiona or Arcos de la Frontera. Nature lovers can enjoy the Bay of Cadiz Natural Park in the south.

To visit Jerez, you should start in the old part of the city, where you can see the remains of the fortress of Jerez (12th century), including its octagonal tower and an old mosque, now the Chapel of Santa Maria. The Villavicencio Palace (18th century) is interesting for its Black Room which offers a wonderful panoramic view of the city.

Among the various churches, the one of Santiago (13th century), San Miguel (15th-16th century) and those of San Lucas, San Marcos and San Mateo with high altars from the 18th century are particularly noteworthy.

You can visit many palaces in Jerez de la Frontera, all of them named after important figures in local history: Domecq (18th century), Pérez-Luna (18th century), Riquelme, Dávila (Renaissance style), Camporreal (neoclassical), Duque de Abrantes (19th century), where the Royal Riding School of Andalusia and the Museum of Equestrian Arts are located.

Its wine cellars are very popular. In the Williams-Humbert cellar you can visit the Jerez Wine Museum. In the Estévez Group Cellars, Picasso's paintings are on display (Vollard Museum collection) and in the Tradición Cellars you will find some outstanding paintings of Spanish art.