31 Things to Do in Jerez de la Frontera
Last Updated on April 11, 2024 by Kelly
Jerez de la Frontera, located in Southern Spain, is known for its sherry, horses, and and flamenco! If you’re planning to visit Andalucía, you absolutely must visit Jerez de la Frontera. The city is filled with rich cultural heritage. It’s known as the birthplace of sherry wine, and people travel all over the country to see the city’s famous dancing horses.
I used to live in the nearby city of Cadiz, and so I visited Jerez de la Frontera on several occasions. I have two really good friends that live there, and they made sure that I visited the Bodega Tio Pepe to try the sherry. When I think of Jerez de la Frontera, I personally think of dusty bottles of aged sherry!
I loved learning all about sherry production and visiting the cathedral. In this post, I’m sharing my best tips for visiting Jerez de la Frontera!
About Jerez de la Frontera
Before I share my favorite things to do in Jerez de la Frontera, it’s important to learn a little background about the city.
The word jerez translates directly to sherry in English. Thus, Jerez de la Frontera is known as Sherry of the Frontier. Jerez de la Frontera is part of Spain’s famous sherry triangle. The city is actually known as the capital of this wine region! If you like to drink wine, that’s reason enough to visit Jerez. There are over 100 sherry bodegas!
Jerez de la Frontera is also well-known for its horses and equestrian performances. The Andalusian horses are strictly bred as Pura Raza Española. The horses are known for being slender, elegant, and muscular. They typically have a light grey color. Jerez de la Frontera is home to the famous riding school Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre. The school regularly puts on performances called Cómo Bailan los Caballos Andaluces, or How the Andalusian Horses Dance.
In terms of history, there’s evidence that the city was inhabited by the Phoenicians even before the Romans arrived. When the Moors came to the city, they named it Xerix. The city was under Muslim rule from the 8th century to the 12th century. In 1264, the city was captured by King Alfonso X of Castile.
| Be sure to check out the nearby cities of Cadiz, Ronda, and Vejer de la Frontera as well! |
Best Things to Do
We’ve put together our top 33 things to do in Jerez de la Frontera. I have family friends that live in the city, and I’ve personally had the opportunity to visit Jerez de la Frontera on several occasions. It’s a beautiful city!
Map of Things to Do in Jerez de la Frontera
Feel free to use the map below to help you plan your trip!
1. Bodega Tío Pepe
Address: C. Manuel María González, 12, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain
Jerez de la Frontera is the capital of sherry wine, and Bodega Tío Pepe is one of the most famous sherry production venues in the city. They have been producing wine for over 180 years.
My family friends brought me to Bodega Tío Pepe during my first visit to Jerez. You can reserve a tour of the bodega in either English, Spanish, or German. My favorite part of the tour was seeing the cellars with barrels covered in years of dust. The tour also includes two wine tastings. If you’d like to have more of a tasting (visita de cata), you can choose between 5 wine tastings or 9 wine tastings.
Bodega Tío Pepe is located right in the historic center of Jerez, so it’s conveniently located to other attractions within the city. I definitely recommend that you visit this bodega!
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2. Alcázar de Jerez
The Alcázar de Jerez is a former Moorish alcázar (fortress or palace) and is currently a beautiful park. It’s believed that the alcázar was built in the 11th century. You’ll be able to see the gardens and Arab baths. While you’re there, also check out the camara obscura. Using mirrors and lenses, you’ll be able to see a live depiction of many elements of the city of Jerez. It’s only a small price on top of your admission ticket, and it’s definitely a unique experience! You can visit the alcázar and the cathedral when you book a guided walking tour.
3. Casco Antiguo (Old Town)
While you’re in Jerez de la Frontera, you’ll want to be sure to walk around the casco antiguo. You’ll see the alcázar and the cathedral, but it’s worth it to just wander around and check out various shops and restaurants.
4. Catedral de Jerez
The Catedral de Jerez is the most prominent cathedral in the city. It was built in the 17th century, and it was declared a national historic site (Bien de Interés Cultural) in 1931. The cathedral is a blend of Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical architectural styles. It was built over the Great Mosque of Jerez and the previous Church of El Salvador. You can visit the church and museum for a small fee, and visits are free on Sundays. For a small fee, you can climb the bell tower for an excellent view of the city.
5. Take a Walking Tour
You can book a guided walking tour that focuses on the history and art of the city. This two-hour tour will teach you all about the many cultures that helped to shape the city of Jerez.
Don’t forget to check out all our posts about destinations in Spain!
6. Book a Food Tour
One of the best ways to get to know a city is through its food! You can book a tapas food tour that will guide you through some of the city’s best tapas restaurants. With this tour, you’ll get to have several tapas and several accompanying drinks.
7. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art
The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is known around the world for its spectacular horse shows. The shows are considered the ballet of horses. Their signature show is called “How the Andalusian Horses Dance”.
8. Museum of Equestrian Art and the Carriage Museum
While you’re at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, you can also visit the Museum of Equestrian Art and Carriage Museum. If you’re interested in showmanship and equestrian art, it’s definitely worth a visit. The Carriage Museum (Museo de Enganche) is filled with beautiful historic carriages.
9. Visit Several Bodegas
Because Jerez de la Frontera is known for sherry, it’s worth visiting several bodegas. (As we mentioned above, we really loved Bodega Tio Pepe!)
Some other bodegas to consider visiting include:
- Bodegas Tradición: Bodegas Tradición serves excellent wines and brandy. At the time of this writing, a visit costs 50 euros and includes tastings, a guided tour, and a tour of the numerous historic paintings.
- Bodegas Lustau: Bodegas Lustau is a beautiful property that provides tastings in English. The full tasting includes approximately 8 wines, and the standard tasting includes approximately 6 wines.
- Bodegas Fundador: Founded in 1730, this is the oldest bodega in Jerez de la Frontera. You can visit the bodega for a wine tasting, visit their gorgeous gardens, and also stay to dine at their restaurant.
10. Museo Arqueológico Municipal
The Museo Arqueológico Municipal had displays of archaeological artifacts. The main building dates back to the 18th century, and the large museum complex has several pretty patios. The museum is closed in the late afternoon, Sundays, and Mondays. At the time of this writing, admission was 5 euros for a standard adult ticket.
11. Centro Andaluz de Flamenco
The Centro Andaluz de Flamenco is open free-of-charge for unguided visits. This is the place to learn all about flamenco and its history. The center is also located in a beautiful 18th century mansion.
12. Watch a Flamenco Show
After you’ve learned about flamenco as an art form, it’s definitely a lot of fun to watch a flamenco show. We recommend that you go to Puro Arte Tablao Flamenco Jerez.
13. Plaza del Mamelón
Plaza del Mamelón is one of the most elegant plazas in Jerez. The plaza contains a beautiful fountain, and lots of important buildings.
14. Calle Larga
One of the principal streets in Jerez de la Frontera is Calle Larga. Calle Larga is filled with tons of restaurants, shops, and points of interest.
15. Iglesia de San Miguel
The Iglesia de San Miguel is another beautiful cathedral in Jerez de la Frontera. The church was built in the 15th century and contains 3 naves. It was built in the Gothic style.
16. Statue of Lola Flores
Lola Flores was a celebrated flamenco dancer. The statue is very large, and it’s pretty cool to see her in a classic flamenco pose.
17. Real Convento de Santo Domingo
The Real Convento de Santo Domingo was constructed in 1266. It’s another example of historic architecture within the city.
18. Circuito de Jerez
The Circuito de Jerez is a racing track. The circuit also has guided visits. At the moment, the Museo del Motor is closed. If you enjoy motor races, it’s a good idea to check out the Circuito de Jerez.
19. Palacio del Virrey Laserna
The Palacio del Virrey Laserna is located in Jerez’s historic center. The palace has been handed down through generations of families starting from the 13th century. The palace is open Tuesday through Saturday.
20. Plaza de la Asunción
The Plaza de la Asunción is filled with historic buildings that blend multiple architectural styles. There’s no church in the square, but you’ll find the old city hall and a large sculpted pillar.
21. Plaza del Arenal
The Plaza del Arenal is a gathering place for festivals and cultural events. There’s a monument in the center honoring Miguel Primo de Rivera (a dictator who led a coup to overthrow Spain’s previous parliament).
22. Iglesia de San Mateo
This church was constructed in the 15th century and has a Gothic style. Jerez de la Frontera is filled with many historic buildings, and it’s very interesting to see them all as you walk through the city.
23. Attend the Annual Horse Festival
The Feria del Caballo (Annual Horse Festival), is an internationally-recognized event. If you are able to visit Jerez whenever you’d like, it’s definitely a good idea to attend one of the city’s famous festivals. The Feria del Caballo occurs each May. You’ll be able to see parades of horses, dancing horses, polo, carriage riding, and more. During the evening, there’s lots of live music, food booths, and sherry sampling. The fairground (el recinto) will be filled with lots of casetas (booths).
24. Attend the Annual Festival Flamenco de Jerez
Each year, the city of Jerez de la Frontera hosts an annual flamenco festival. There will be flamenco shows throughout the city and streets, with the main venue being the Villamarta Theatre. The festival typically occurs during February/March.
25. Attend the Sherry Festival
As you can tell, Jerez is home to several important festivals. The Sherry Festival typically occurs on the first Saturday in September (during the traditional grape harvest).
26. Visit the Tabanacos
Tabanacos are known for serving tapas. Instead of being called taperías, the restaurants are called tabanacos because they are housed in sherry bars. You can book a tabanaco tour, which will take you to several of the most popular tabanacos among locals.
27. Statue of Manuel María González
While you’re in the city, also be sure to see the statue of Manuel María González. Manuel was the owner of one of the earliest bodegas, which became the Bodega Tío Pepe. The statue depicts him standing next to a barrel.
28. Hammam Andalusí Arabic Baths
If you ever wanted to enjoy Arab baths, you can head to Hammam Andalusí Arabic Baths. Depending on the package you book, you can enjoy the baths, steam room, massage, and more. The facility has a beautiful terrace overlooking the city, as well as a tea house.
29. Palace of Time (Clock Museum)
The Palace of Time is a museum that features numerous antique clocks and watches. The museum has numerous pieces that date back hundreds of years. There’s also a beautiful garden at the museum. There are guided tours available in English.
30. Mercado Central de Abastos
The Mercado Central de Abastos is the primary market in Jerez de la Frontera. The market has 115 vendors that are all located within the building that was constructed in 1885.
31. Monasterio de la Cartuja de Santa María de la Defensión
The Monasterio de la Cartuja is one of the most beautiful buildings in Jerez. It was constructed in the 17th century.
How to Get There
Jerez de la Frontera is located in Southern Spain, in what is called the region of Andalucía.
Jerez de la Frontera is about 100 kilometers (62 miels) from Seville, and about 35 kilometers (21 miles) from Cadiz.
There is an airport in Jerez de la Frontera, with airport code XRY. I have flown into this airport several times via regional destinations, and I’ve found it to be an easy airport to navigate.
The city is easily reached by train. The train station in Jerez de la Frontera serves many cities in Andalucía. The train station also has a stop at the airport. If you arrive by plane, you can easily take the train from the airport into the city proper.
Where to Stay
Jerez de la Frontera is a popular destination in Southern Spain. We recommend that you book your accommodations well in advance, especially if you are planning to visit during one of the city’s famous festivals.
Here’s a few hotels to consider for your trip:
- Casa Palacio Maria Luisa: This 5-star hotel is the most luxurious hotel in Jerez de la Frontera. The palatial residence was home to the elite families of Jerez. Today, you can stay there yourself! The hotel has an outdoor pool and a restaurant.
- Hotel Bodega Tio Pepe: If you’re traveling to Jerez for the sherry, nothing beats staying at a bodega! The rooms are clean and airy. The outdoor swimming pool has a beautiful view.
- Palacio del Virrey Laserna: When you stay at this hotel, you’ll be staying at a historic residence. This elegant hotel has a swimming pool and elaborately-decorated rooms.
- Casa Palacio Jerezana: Located in the city’s center, this bed and breakfast is also extremely elegant. When you stay here, there’s a free breakfast buffet at Bodega Casa del Marqués and a free drink.
Summary
Jerez de la Frontera is one of the most culturally-rich cities in Andalusia. The city has everything that Southern Spain is known for: sherry, flamenco, and Andalusian horses. For these reasons, Jerez de la Frontera is absolutely worth visiting! Jerez de la Frontera makes for an easy day trip from major cities such as Cadiz and Seville, so there’s no reason not to add it to your list.
When I first visited Jerez de la Frontera, my favorite aspects of the city were the cathedral and the bodegas. I especially enjoyed the tour at Bodega Tío Pepe.
I hope this post inspires you to add Jerez de la Frontera to your itinerary!
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