Andalucian towns with Christmas Flavor
Daytrip to Jerez de la Frontera: wine, horses and flamenco in the heart of the province of Cadiz
Wine, horses, flamenco and motorcycling are the hallmarks of Jerez de la Frontera. Discover with us this unique enclave in Andalucia. We propose a day trip for you to keep the best of this enclave in your backpack memories. Pick up the essence of this city of Andalucia and get ready to enjoy it with your five senses.
Excursion to Jerez de la Frontera
Start your day in the best way having breakfast at the hotel. After that, take the car without forgetting your camera and all your excitement. Ideally, you should get to Jerez de la Frontera around 9:30 am so that you have time to discover every corner of this city of Cadiz.
09:30 HOURS
Arrival at destination. You’re in Jerez de la Frontera and there is nothing better than walking through the old city to have a first contact with the place, declared Historic-Artistic Monumental Heritage, where churches, palaces and unique buildings unfold before your eyes.
Start your tour at Larga and Lancería street, walk along Plaza del Arenal and visit the Convent of Santo Domingo, which is dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, co-patron of the town. It is also headquarters of the Brotherhood of Rocio Jerez de la Frontera.
Along the way you’ll find stately palaces among which we can mention the Domecq Palace, Dávila Palace and Palacio de la Luna. The first one is the typical Jerez mansion, of Baroque style and dating from 1778. It has an Italian red marble patio with decorated arches.
For its part, the Dávila Palace is an example of Renaissance art, exhibits a soberly decorated façade with a balcony and angled windows including classic architectural elements. Finally the Palacio de Luna, built in 1777, is another example of a Baroque mansion which highlights its beautiful façade in Rafael Rivero square and the balcony decoration on which it rests.
Another building that you can see is the Gallo Azul, a popular meeting point of Jerez and symbol of the city. In the vicinity of Plaza del Arenal lies the Alcázar (ancient Arab fortress-city), which features the Palacio de Villavicencio and a Camara Obscura inside. From this fortress you can access the Old Avenue and the Cathedral of San Salvador.
We will postpone our visit to the monuments for later. It’s time to see one of the most impressive performances of Spain: “How the Andalucian Horses Dance”. We need to walk a few steps towards Avenue Duque de Abrantes and delve into the Royal Andalucian Foundation School of Equestrian Art.
12:00 HOURS
If you want to be a protagonist of this equestrian experience you should keep in mind that you have to arrive at Jerez on Tuesday or Thursday, as these are the days where this exhibition takes place. “How the Andalucian Horses Dance” is an authentic equestrian ballet with exclusively Spanish music and eighteenth century costumes, mounted on choreographies taken from the reprisses of classical and country dressage and other works of traditional horsemanship. Each presentation consist of between 6-8 choreographies.
A unique event showing the beauty of the Spanish horse breed. Horses have always been a great heritage of Jerez. The Thoroughbred Spanish breed dates back to Muslim times, when the Arab horses were mixed with local breeds.
On the other hand, in the fifteenth century the monks of the Cartuja de Jerez experimented a new crossing. This time the Carthusian crossed the Hispano-Arab horse with horses of German origin, leading to the famous Carthusian race, or Jerez horse, a breed that has lasted until today. You should not miss this unique show in the world because you’ll get one of the most local memories of this destination.
14:00 HOURS
It is time to eat, so we have to find a good place. We recommend La Carbona a typical Jerez establishment. This is a restaurant where discreet and friendly combine, exquisite and simple, encompassing all the romance and charm of old and winemaking Jerez, as one of its peculiarities is that it is located in a typical Jerez tavern which has kept the original beams and floor. Here the specialty is grilled meats.
C. San Francisco de Paula, 2, 11401 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz
Tel: +34 956 347 475
Restaurante La Tasca
C. Paraíso, 74, 4, Edificio, 11405 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz
Tel: +34 956 310 340
Bar & Restaurante Albores
C. Consistorio, 12, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz
Tel: +34 956 320 266
La Espartería Jerez
Edificio JEREZ, C. Paraíso, 74, 11405 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz
Tel: +34 956 030 720
Las Banderillas
C. Caballeros, 12, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz
Tel: +34 856 911 968
Casa Sánchez
C. Circo, 4, 11405 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz
Tel: +34 611 413 786
Restaurante Albalá
C. Divina Pastora, s/n, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz
Tel: +34 956 346 488
15:30 HOURS
After lunch you can continue walking the beautiful streets of Jerez. If you like museums you can visit the Archaeological Museum in the Old Market Square, where among other interesting things you will see the Corinthian Square, unique in the Western world, found in the surroundings of Cartuja, by Guadalete river. Jerez also has the Atalaya Museums comprising the Mystery of Jerez (wine museum) and the Palace of Time (Clock Museum).
However one of the most visited museums is the Motor Museum. Jerez is the world capital of motorcycling during 2015. If you want to get close to this area it has to be in the morning so you must choose between the horse show or a guided visit to this museum. Depending on what you are interested in, you can choose either option.
17:00 HOURS
Jerez is a city of fine wines and therefore you should visit one of its wineries. Andalucia is a fertile land that offers magnificent crops and products. In this unique setting the Andalucian brandies were born, among which we have the Designations of Origin “Jerez-Xeres-Sherry”. If you want you can visit the Alvaro Domecq, the Tio Pepe, or the Group Estévez. In many of these Jerez wineries you will find out about the process of winemaking and even in some of them, you’ll be able to visit the vineyards. A unique experience not to be missed.
The 16 Best Jerez and El Marco Wineries
20:00 HOURS
When the evening comes, enjoy the best Spanish music in one of the cradles of flamenco. Tablao Flamenco Puro Arte Jerez offers the possibility to experience this unique show first-hand with the best singers and dancers of Andalucia while you taste tapas and other local products. A great finale for this special day in one of the most important towns in the region.
Curiosities about Jerez de la Frontera
- Capital of Sherry Wine: Jerez de la Frontera is known as the capital of Sherry wine, famous for its production of fortified wines and brandy.
- The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art: Jerez is home to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, where classical dressage shows and exhibitions of Andalusian horses take place.
- Feria del Caballo: The city is famous for the Feria del Caballo, an annual event that celebrates the equestrian culture and traditions of the region.
- Flamenco: Jerez is considered the birthplace of flamenco, with numerous flamenco venues and clubs where you can enjoy this traditional art form.
- Wineries and Tastings: The city is dotted with numerous Sherry wine cellars that offer tours and tastings to learn about the wine production process.
- Alcázar de Jerez: The Alcázar of Jerez is an ancient fortified palace that combines Arab and Gothic elements, and is one of the main historical attractions of the city.
- Cartujano Horses: Jerez is known for breeding Cartujano horses, a noble and elegant breed that has been appreciated for centuries.
- MotoGP: Jerez hosts the Spanish Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto, one of the most important events on the world motorcycle racing calendar.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Fuerte Conil Resort
Fuerte Hoteles is always the best option to stay in Andalucia, visit its cities and rest. The chain has places where you can, in addition to its services, enjoy the best of each part of the region. With more than 60 years experience, Fuerte Hoteles is the best starting point of your perfect trip or journey. Fuerte Conil-Resort is located opposite one of the most beautiful beaches of Spain, the beach of La Fontanilla. It stands out due to its unique Andalucian style, its 25,000 square meters of gardens, 4 outdoor pools, jacuzzi, tennis courts and a full service spa. Definitely the best option to enjoy your holidays between the sea and a quiet getaway to Jerez de la Frontera.
