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Jerez de la Frontera[1] is in Costa de la Luz, in Spain.

[edit] Understand

Few places in Spain can be said to enjoy the international renown of Jerez as, thanks to its sherry wines, the name of the city crossed international borders many years ago.

But Jerez is not just a city of wines and beautiful buildings, it has much more to offer than that: home of the Carthusin horse, the fighting bull, cradle of flamenco art, capital of motorcycle racing and home to international sporting events, and on top of all that, declared to be of Artistic and Historical interest.

Nowadays Jerez is a large city where long-standing traditions coexist in perfect harmony with the modern: large shopping centres and wide avenues converge upon the historic, cheerful and bustling city-center, where shopping and tapas go hand in hand. All of these distinctive features, together with a privileged geographical situation and climate, a unique and distinct tourist attractiveness, and modern infrastructures, all make Jerez the perfect place to live in and to visit.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

Jerez is on the main line between Sevilla and Cadiz. RENFE, Spanish National Railway. [2]

[edit] By bus

Consorcio de Transportes Bahía de Cádiz [3] operate a semi-regular bus service from Jerez Airport to downtown Jerez (one-way ticket €1) and onwards to Cádiz (view timetable [4]). A train service operates from Sevilla San Justa train station direct to Jerez and Cadiz, for those arriving via Seville airport.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

• Equestrian Events (Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art[5],Yeguada La Cartuja - Hierro del Bocado)
• Bodegas (Tio Pepe [6], Romate [7], Sandeman, Domecq, Williams and Humbert, Garvey, Harveys, Lustau...)
• Flamenco (Andalusian Flamenco Centre [8], Ciudad del Flamenco [9], La Taberna Flamenca, Tablao del Bereber)
• Natural (Zoo and Botanical Garden [10])
• Museums (Municipal Archaeological Museum, The Mystery of Jerez [11], The Wine Museum, Bullfight Museum Restaurant, The Time Palace - Antique Clock and Watch Museum ...)
• Architecture Heritage (Conjunto Monumental del Alcázar de Jerez [12], Mosque and Morish Baths, Camara Obscure, Domecq Palace, Duque de Abrantes Palace...)
• Religious Buildings (San Salvador Cathedral, San Miguel Church, San Dionisio Church, San Mateo Church, San Juan de los Caballeros Church...)
• Parks and Natural Spaces (Laguna de Medina, La Suara, Montes de Propio...)

[edit][add listing] Do

• Alameda Vieja Walk at dusk around this area, on the top of the hil where the Alcazar was built. The fresh air from the cost, the nice and colorful sun make it unforgettable, besides enjoying one of the nicest area in the city, among the Cathedral, the Arab fortress and a Wine Cellar.
• Casco antiguo. Bring a map and let yourself discover the narrow streets, small squares and noble buildings from Middle Age. Calle Francos is a must, since was the central street during the Arabs dominion, linking the Santiago Gate and the Royal Gate (Plaza del Arenal), and Plaza del Mercado, in which the Andalusi market was established during the Middle Age as well.
• Terraza Sabores is the nicest terrace roof you can find in the old city during summertime. It belongs to the Hotel Chancilleria([13]), it´s very easy to access, just taking the elevator in the main patio or going upstairs. Sorrounding by old church towers, the view and situation are really nice, enjoying a wine, cold drinks or any cocktail, they usually play soft music, bossa nova or jazz.
• Hammam Andalusí, Arabic Baths, has become an essential stop for any visitor to Jerez as indeed it is to many locals. It is set in a beautifully restored 18th century house in the old part of the town and consists in a circuit of 3 pools (warm hot and cold)with optional relaxing massages of 15 and 30 minutes, starting at €15 for an hour and a half of bath only, 25 and 40 with the respective massages included. They also have special treatments which include scrubs and wraps which are ideal for a couple and last 2 and a half hours. The accompanying relaxing music and candle-lit atmosphere provide for a truly memorable and relaxing time. Highly recommended. Incidentally, on the 21st October (Year?) they tell me they are going to open a stunning tea-room upstairs on the first floor, for those who might visit after that date.

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are many shopping centres in Jerez, mainly out of the city centre. Cinemas, department stores, etc. but if you want to enjoy the taste and charm of the city, the city centre is the best place to stay.

• Calle Larga. The local people, jerezanos, say that no one can talk about having been in Jerez and not having walking around this street. As large as the old wall was, this street is full of bars, shops and anything you may need.
• Jerez Souvenirs. Calle Lanceria, Centro Comercial Lanceria. Souvenirs about horses, flamenco and wine cellars.
• Vinoteca Rafael. Calle Arcos, 6. Any kind of Sherry wine you may fancy, you will find in this old-fashioned flavour shop.
• Zoco de Artesanía. Plaza Peones, s/n - Edif. Carnicerías Viejas. Charming place in the old-district. Handicrafts and local products.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Much of the eating is done in bars:

• La Cruz Blanca. Calle Consistorio - Plaza de la Yerba. Nice place in a small old square by the city hall. Many local people
• La Alternativa. Calle San Pablo. Modern vegeterian restaurant in Calle San Pablo, by Plaza del Arenal. Gay-friendly.
• El Almacen. Calle Consistorio. Other bar by the City Hall.
• Bar Juanito Pedestrian old street, between Plaza del Arenal and Pescaderia Vieja. Regional menu. Maybe too touristic.
• Plaza Rafael Rivero. With Plaza de la Asunción, one of the most beautiful square in the old city. Among places and old houses, several tapas bars until late.
• La Parra Vieja. Calle San Miguel. In the charming San Miguel area, well-known by its flamenco tradition, this restaurant is open since 1886.
• Maypa, in the center of the San Miguel district. Cold tapas (specially spanish omelette) can be tasted in a typical environment.
• Bar la Moderna, end of the 'Larga' Street, close to Alameda Cristina. The ancient wall surrounding Jerez is still present at its back. A nice nightly environment.

Further from the centre:

• Erdavid, in San José district.
• De paco, El Buen Comer in 'Chapin' district;
• Marruzella, Casa Pepa, El Bar de Manolo, next to the railway station.

Another eating option is small shops, ventas:

• Venta Juan Carlos, Venta Las Cuevas (you can find an excellent bread in it), Venta Antonio, Venta Esteban. Typical dishes served: Ajo,Sopa de Tomate, Tagarninas, Carrillada, Caracoles (spring only), fish (Pescado frito), Tortilla de Patatas, Ensaladillas , Patatas Ali-Oli, Tortillas de camarones, Sangre con Tomate, Atún Encebollado, Menudo.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Tasting the local sherry is mandatory. There are two main areas to go out.

City center

People usually get some nice tapas around Plaza del Arenal or Plaza Rafael Rivero and then some drinks out.

• La Lola. Calle Porvenir, 1. Three floors in a 1780´s building. Cool atmosphere. Live shows everyweek.
• Kapote. Avenida Alvaro Domecq. A bit stylish, people around 40´s.
• Café Bereber. Calle Cabezas, 8. Disco, flamenco show & dinner and also coffee shop. Very late on weekend.
• Damajuana. Calle Francos, 18. A classic bar in the old area, always busy and funny, many local people. Live pop music shows and cultural exchange.^
• Cuatro Gatos. Calle Santa Rosa, 10. Jam session every Tuesday, DJ sessions every weekend at night. Also blues, rock, punk. etc.
• Montparnasse. Calle Adriático, 6-7. A bit posh but relaxing. Live concerts.
• Oxi. Calle Zaragoza. Big discoteca, mainly young people.

Avenida Lola Flores

This new district, by the socces stadium, attract many young people -and not so young-.

• La Thipica. Good for some drink, but you can even keep dancing on any Sunday evening.
• Discoteca Rouge. Terrace, different atmosphere. Ibiza flavour.

Gay-Lesbian scene

• Discoteca Fangorias. Guadalcacín. The one gay disco in the province. Mainly young people
• Café-Pub Sinatra. Edificio Málaga 1, Jerez. Nice pub to hang out and enjoy some drinks. Live shows.
• Café Central. Calle Remedios, 7. It´s not openly a gay café, but you will find many local gay and lesbian people.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• La Fonda Barranco, C/Barranco 12, Jerez de la Frontera, ☎ 956 332 141, [14]. La Fonda Barranca [15] is a delightful new boutique hotel in the historic centre of Jerez. Just eight rooms and a suite arranged around an interior courtyard tucked in behind a discreet street facade. Elegant Andalusian/Moroccan decor, superb showers and toileteries, and breakfast on the roof terrace. Very good value at about €85 (double) a night. It's comfortable, quiet, and friendly.  edit
• NH Avenida Jerez, Avda. Alcalde Alvaro Domecq, 10, +34.95.6347411 [16]. This comfortable hotel is situated in the centre of the city, near the ‘Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre’ (Andalusian Royal School of Equestrian Art), and 10km from the beach, its modern and functional decoration creates the feel of being in a different hotel.
• Hostal Las Palomas, Calle Higueras 17 (Just off Calle Medina, half way between the train/bus station and the centre), [17]. Shared bathroom, no breakfast. Single 20, double 35..  edit

[edit] Get out

Arcos de la Frontera. 40 minutes by bus from Jerez. One of Andalucia's most dramatically positioned pueblos blancos (white villages), Arcos balances atop a rocky limestone ridge, its whitewashed houses and stone castle walls stopping abruptly as a sheer cliff face plunges down to the fertile valley of the river Guadalete below.