Jerez de la Frontera - Cadiz - Costa de la Luz

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Jerez de la Frontera is located at less than twenty miles from Cadiz city. It is a city full of contrasts that come together within its walls. Jerez is famous for it's Sherry, the andalusian horses, Flamenco, golf and the world motorcycling championship.

This exotic mix of cultural traditions and modern events add even more colour to an already sparkling town. From morning until night Jerez offers lots of possibilities to enjoy your free time. There is an endless range of tapas and aperitifs to try in bars, inns and taverns in the old quarter. After a local caldo (wine), you can finish up with one of the famous local brandies in one of the late night haunts of Jerez.

Also worth a visit is the Zoo, Botanical Gardens and the only crocodile farm in Spain.

Among the many festivals of Jerez the Semana Santa Grande (Easter) stands out. More than 31 local brotherhoods process through the streets where the baroque gold and silver craftsmanship of more than 60 exhibits is displayed. The festivals of the autumn, sponsored by local patrons, are spectacles of flamenco, horsemanship and wine-producing.

The historic town of Jerez

Local tourist companies offer lots of choice of activities, but, not surprising in a town noted for its horsemanship, riding treks are most popular. The historic town invites the visitor to take time to wander around and take in its squares, poplar groves, ancient buildings and monuments, palaces, bodegas, and distinctive buildings such as: Gallo Azul, Railway Station, Plaza de Toros, Cathedral, Cartuja de Santa Maria, and churches like Santiago, as well as the Theatre of Villamaria, which should not be missed.

In the centre of the town there is a lot of green space provided by well known parks like Hontoria, where the Feria de Caballo (Horse fair) is celebrated, or the Botanical Gardens of the Zoological Park.

No less interesting, but certainly less well known, are the gardens in the precincts of the bodegas which have botanical specimens from all over the world, collected by staff on their travels.

Jerez is Sherry and it's bodegas

In the historic quarter of the town there are many bodegas (wine-cellars) that store the famous Jerez wine (Sherry) and offer guided tours and tastings to their visitors.

Sherry is a fortified wine made from white grapes that are grown in the surroundings of Jerez.

The word "sherry" is an anglicization of Jerez. In earlier times, sherry was known as sack (from the Spanish saca, meaning "a removal from the solera"). "Sherry" is a protected designation of origin; therefore, all wine labeled as "sherry" must legally come from the Sherry Triangle, which is an area in the province of Cádiz between Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María. In 1933 the Jerez Denominación de Origen was the first Spanish denominación to be officially recognized in this way, officially named D.O. Jerez-Xeres-Sherry and sharing the same governing council as D.O. Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Jerez and Flamenco

No visit to the birthplace of flamenco would be complete without going to the Andalucian Centre of Flamenco or visiting one of the many flamenco clubs where it is possible to take part in a show followed by dinner. El Laga de Tio Parrilla (Plaza de Mercado) and Taberna Flamenco (Agostillo de Santiago) will provide a good evening’s entertainment.

Andalusian horses

One of the most interesting shows, “The Dance of the Andalucian Horses”, is put on by the Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre (Royal Andalucian Equestrian School), where one can enjoy beautiful scenery, amazing choreography, music and costumes of the 18th century,

The Feria del Caballo takes place in the Hontoria Park and attracts thousands of visitors each year to this show of popular folklore.

Jerez MotoGP World Championship

The World Motorcycling Championship , in April, is the main sporting event of the year. This event for the largest bikes, attracts over 7,000 bikers to participate in their biggest event of the year. To “Bajar” (to go down to) Jerez, has a special meaning for all who are into the world of motorbikes and competition; it is a pilgrimage to their Mecca.

You can find the calendar of all the events at the circuit of Jerez on the official Circuito de Jerez website:

http://www.circuitodejerez.com/en/calendario.cfm

Finally, the Golf Club of Montecastillo is another sporting shrine, dating from 1992, that was designed by Jack Nicklaus as an 18 hole, par 72, course.

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