Jerez de la Frontera – Sherry, Flamenco and Historic Architecture

Jerez de la Frontera offers a distinctive wine-growing landscape covering approximately 2,000 hectares. Vines of the Palomino, Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez varieties grow there.

Wine and Local Tradition

The bodegas of Jerez open their doors to visitors and provide an insight into soleras and criaderas, the sherry production system. The tabancos are reminders of the city's former wine shops. Jerez wines can be sampled there together with local cuisine. On the Ruta de los Tabancos, some tabancos occasionally offer flamenco performances or other cultural activities. The wine pairings described in Jerez include fino with ham, amontillado with cheese and oloroso with meat.

Culture and Collections

“How the Andalusian Horses Dance” is an equestrian performance presented as a riding ballet. Typically Spanish music accompanies the performance. The show is accompanied by costumes in the style of the 18th century. Jerez de la Frontera hosts the Feria del Caballo. It is a festival of International Tourist Interest. At the Feria, the horse and rider take centre stage.

The collection of the Municipal Archaeological Museum comes almost entirely from the numerous archaeological sites in the municipality of Jerez. Mesas de Asta and the city of Jerez itself are particularly noteworthy.

At the Centro Andaluz de Flamenco, visitors can view a gallery of historic figures. It features figures from flamenco singing, flamenco guitar playing and flamenco dancing. The Centro Andaluz de Flamenco is located in the Palacio Pemartín. The Palacio Pemartín dates from the 18th century.

The Palacio del Tiempo on the La Atalaya estate houses almost 300 working clocks. These clocks date from the 17th to the 19th century.

Another local destination page is El Torno.

Historic Architecture

The Alcázar is a fortress of Islamic origin dating from the 11th century. It is the oldest surviving building in Jerez de la Frontera. Outstanding sights in the Alcázar include the Puerta de la Ciudad, the Mezquita and the Patio de Armas. They also include the Palacio de Villavicencio, the gardens, the Puerta del Campo and the Baños Árabes.

Jerez Cathedral is a rectangular Baroque building with five naves. Construction began in 1695. Construction was completed in 1778.

Natural Environment

Jerez's natural surroundings include cañadas, lakes and lagoons. Rivers and mountains are also part of the landscape. The natural area associated with Jerez includes the Montes de Propios in the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales. The Montes de Propios can be visited while hiking or on off-road vehicle routes.

For a stay in Jerez de la Frontera, a hotel can be reserved under the name of the city as accommodation; the place name remains open to the specific choice of stay and does not specify any particular location, amenities or availability.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cadiz.

More About the Destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Jerez de la Frontera: experience sherry, horses and the old town.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Ubrique, La Línea De La Concepción, Bornos, Villaluenga Del Rosario, Chiclana De La Frontera, Cádiz.