What to visit in Jerez de la Frontera
Are you searching what to do or to visit in Jerez de la Frontera? Jerez is a wonderful place where you can enjoy several days exploring its monuments as well as its unique culture. Jerez is the capital of the D.O. Jerez-Sherry-Xeres. It is also one of the European cities with most tree cover as you will notice once you start walking along the streets of the city. Jerez is also one of the places where flamenco is thought to have originated.
Jerez was once the most important city in Cadiz, when the Phoenicians decided to move from Cadiz to Xeres (Jerez) due to the strong winds. Therefore it has lots of historic buildings and places to visit! The price of entrances to the buildings and timetables are in the links.
Below is a potential historical walk through Jerez de la Frontera to follow.
Alcazar of Jerez de la Frontera
First of all, we will start this historical walk through Jerez de la Frontera with this amazing fortress. It is a Moorish castle from the 11th-12th centuries, meaning that it is the oldest Almohad building in the Iberian peninsula. The Alcázar is a Bien de Interés Cultural designated site.
Points of interest are the Ciudad Gate, the mosque, the Villavicencio Palace (17th-18th century) as well as the gardens, the Campo Gate and the Arab baths and the Dark Chamber, located in the tower of the Palace in the fortress, which is the oldest monument in the city.
Cathedral of Jerez de la Frontera
The cathedral is a building with Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture from the 17th century. Similar to many churches and cathedrals of the time, it was constructed above the earlier great Mosque of Jerez. The inside is amazing, and the 2chapels within it are worth visiting, with Las Animas chapel from the 14th century. Building on top of the old mosque was a normal thing to do during the reconquest.
The bell tower, outside of the cathedral, was most probably built on top of the old minaret. With the entrance to the cathedral you can also go up above the bell tower and enjoy the views.
Virrey Laserna Palace / Domecq Palace
There are many palaces in Jerez de la Frontera, but the palace of the Viceroy Laserna is worth a visit. It is from the 13th century and through the guided tours you can learn about the exciting history of General José de Laserna, Count of the Andes, hero of the War of Independence, last Viceroy of Peru and Spain in America. He lived in the palace during the 18th and early 19th century.
The palace Domecq is interesting as well, as the family were once an important Sherry wine producer and shipper family.
Los Claustros de Santo Domingo
It consists of many different buildings built at different times with different architecture. Visiting it is like travelling through time! Alfonso X gave to the “Dominicos” a Moorish army building to build their church, and this part is the oldest part.
Church of San Miguel / San Marcos
Church of San Miguel is a World Heritage Site. It is a beautiful temple built during the 15th to the 18th centuries. The oldest of the Church’s facades is St Joseph facade, built in 1480 as a robust Baroque tower. The upper part supports a spire covered with tiles. In the choir the altarpiece is an extraordinary late Renaissance piece.
One of the first churches to be built was San Marcos. The church, built on top of an old mosque following the orders of King Alfonso X, is late Gothic (15 Century). Parts of the church also have a Baroque style from the 17th century and great part of the church reformed in the 18th century.
Arqueological museum Municipal de Jerez de la Frontera
If you want to visit a museum one of the most important museums in the city and in the province of Cadiz is the Jerez Archaeological Museum. They display the items in nine rooms in cultural and chronological order from Paleolithic and Neolithic times.
Plaza de la Asuncion
It is a mixture of Gothic and Mudéjar (Saint Dionysius church 15th century), Renaissance (the former town hall from 16th century), and 1950-ish architecture (the central sculpture).
Royal Andalusian equestrian academy
Assist to one of the equestrian shows that they do at this school. Enjoy seeing the Andalusian horses dancing, the traditional costumes, vehicules and a small museum. It is a really interesting experience.
Full day tours in Jerez de la Frontera and Cadiz province
If you are looking for hiking, Andalusian culinary food, cultural and Sherry wine experiences for sightseeing Cadiz province after appreciating this historical walk through Jerez de la Frontera, then keep reading. I will now take advantage to show off to you the great food tours throughout Cadiz province that we do. Officially, Vejer de la Frontera is one of the most beautiful villages of Spain, you should come and meet us!
Hiking tours Cadiz province
Cadiz province is one of the most biodiverse provinces in mainland Spain. Habitats range from dense forest reminiscent of cloud forest to Mediterranean forest, dune systems, and more. Moreover, you will be seduced with views of magical landscapes in Cadiz and the Strait of Gibraltar. Cadiz has over a third of its surface protected, while its climate and sunlight hours are similar to Canary Islands.
In this guided nature tour we will discover more about Cadiz and learn about our location, our history, and to the many culinary, medicinal and traditional use of Mediterranean plants found within Cadiz province.
Cultural and culinary food tours
If you want to learn the whole process of the Almadraba and Bluefin tuna in Cadiz province check our Bluefin tuna tour. You will learn the history of Bluefin tuna in the area since Phoenician times. You will go in a private boat ride to visit the Almadraba (if you are lucky it may be active); visit a local food market; and taste different parts of bluefin tuna in all ways, salt-dried, grilled, raw.
If you want to learn more about Jerez de la Frontera, its traditions and gastronomy book our tabancos tour! Learn about sherry wine, wine tastings, and how to pair it with traditional local food from the area. Taste different types of Spanish Sherry wines and local foodin traditional tabancos buildings. The tour includes 5 tapas and 5 Andalusian wines/Sherry wines.
If you would like to visit other beautiful white towns like Vejer, we can do a tour of the white towns in Cadiz province. On the other hand we can mix a visit to a beautiful white village with a visit to an olive oil mill. Or you can choose to do a private tour that we can design especially for you based on your interests. Come and join Explore la Tierra in Vejer de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain!
Our latest addition is our become an artisan for one day tour. Make your own cheese and your own leather souvenir in Ubrique and enjoy its great history and panoramic views. This white village is famous worldwide for its importance for the international leather companies.
Sherry wine tours
Would you like to learn more about Sherry wine and immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions? If you want to learn and experience it with the company of a local guide and turn your visit to Cadiz into an exciting culinary adventure, book with us. Sherry wine love is very contagious, surely you will also become one!
If you have your own transport we can accompany you while learning about Sherry. Enjoy the best Sherry wine bodega tours, local culture and traditions and the local gastronomy. In case you do not have a car we can arrange transport, restaurant and the rest of your trip for you.
If you would like to learn all about Jerez-Sherry-Xeres D.O. then join us for our Ultimate Sherry wine Tasting tour. We can design a private tour just for you and your family.
If you are staying within Cadiz province we can organize a private Sherry wine tasting with local gourmet tapas for your group. We will go to your place and do a Sherry wine or Andalusian wine tasting for you privately. We can focus on premium Sherries; VORS and premium Sherries; or Andalusian wines in case you do not like Sherry wine.
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