Which food festivals you should not miss in Cadiz province?
There are lots of culinary festivals in Cadiz province. In this blog we will help you choose the best food festivals in Cadiz province for each food category. Cadiz is famous for its Sherry, its international prized cheese and Bluefin tuna. However, we also celebrate the wild mushroom festival during its season, the fresh vegetables and Iberian ham.
We have chosen our favourite festivals in each food category based on: amount of bars involved, public involvement, activities going on during the festival, how crowded it is, price for quality, and of course amount of work and creativity in the design of the tapa.
I hope these recommendations will help you to design your trip to Andalusia and Cadiz. This is just our opinion, but all of them are worth going to if you are visiting for just a few days.
Almadraba Bluefin tuna
There is a Bluefin tuna food festival going on at each town that has an Almadraba in Cadiz province, if you want to learn more about the fishing method and the festivals click here. All of the Bluefin tuna festivals are worth it but our favourite is Zahara de los Atunes festival.
The bluefin tuna tapas festival in Zahara de los atunes is spectacular. The amount of bars competing and the quality and design of each tapa is outstanding. The streets are not as packed as in Conil de la Frontera although the bars become quite full. The price in 2019 was worth it, 4€ per tapa with a drink. Get a stamp from the bars and vote for your favourite bluefin tuna tapa after eating at least 5 tapas.
Retinto beef
There is a Retinto food festival going on in different towns throughout the year in La Janda. This region of Cadiz produces lots of Retinto cows. If you want to learn more about Retinto breed and sustainable beef, click here.
There are two main Retinto tapas festivals, which are in Conil de la Frontera and Zahara de los Atunes. And again, we have chosen Zahara de los Atunes as our favourite. In Conil de la Frontera there were lots of tapas to try but most of the tapas were more expensive and without drinks. In Zahara de los Atunes however, the quality of each tapa was outstanding, again with a drink for 4€. At the same time there was a Jazz festival going on so you could appreciate some music while tasting lots of well designed tapas in this food festival in Cadiz.
Huerta in Conil de la Frontera
Huerta translates to “vegetable garden”. Conil de la Frontera has lots of farms that produces fresh produce for the rest of the province. Usually in April, they have a tapas festival with local vegetables. Many bars in the town compete creating very tasty and fascinating tapas. As April is not yet very busy, you can enjoy this white town before it becomes crowded in summer during this food festival in Cadiz province.
Mycology in Cadiz (Wild mushrooms)
There are several places that focus on this part of the gastronomy. They usually design activities to go to a natural park and learn about wild mushroom identification and then be able to taste them. However, Benalup-Casas Viejas goes even further with the wild mushroom food festival. Benalup-Casas Viejas is found just outside of the Natural Park of Los Alcornocales. Here you can find a paradise for all kind of wild mushrooms.
In this food festival they do trips to learn about Mushroom identification in Cadiz, learn how to cook wild mushrooms, expositions showing toxic, venomous and edible wild mushrooms. They also had an exposition of local tradition and cultures in the villages, and how they lived in the Natural Park. The amount of tapas, the design and the prices is impressive. For just 2€ you have a tapa with a great design and amazing taste. You can vote which is your favourite tapa after tasting at least 8 wild mushroom tapas in different parts of the village.
Sherry wine in Cadiz
You will always enjoy visiting Sherry wine bodegas throughout the year. However the best moment to come would be during the festivals and celebrations going on in September, when we celebrate the grape harvest, and November, the international Spanish Sherry week. There are special events for sherry wine tastings, creative cocktails and exhibitions to see.
Full day tours in Vejer de la Frontera and Cadiz province
If you are looking for Andalusian culinary food, cultural and Sherry wine experiences for sightseeing Cadiz province, then keep reading. I will now take advantage to show off to you the great food tours in Vejer de la Frontera and 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!
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 Vejer de la Frontera, its traditions and gastronomy book our Sherry & Tapas tour! Learn about sherry wine, wine tastings, and how to pair it with traditional gourmet food from the area. Taste different types of Spanish Sherry wines and local food like bluefin tuna, bull meat, salmorejo, eggplant with honey and pinenuts, etc. The tour includes 5 tapas and 5 Andalusian wines/Sherrt 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 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 in Vejer de la Frontera or 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.
Contact us
To learn more about sherry, culture and travel guides, please hit the big blue button to read other blog posts. If you have any ideas and suggestions, please do not hesitate to write us an email at info@explorelatierra.com. Please read our privacy policy before you get in touch with us. We will take your new recommendations into consideration.
