Free walking tours in Jerez de la Frontera and what to see

Must-sees

Jerez is best understood through three things: wine, horses and flamenco. Start at the Alcázar, an Almohad fortress with a mosque, Arab baths and gardens, and carry on to the cathedral, right next to it. From there you enter the bodega quarter, where several sherry houses open their cellars to show how fino, oloroso and amontillado are aged.

The centre has the Plaza del Arenal and Calle Larga, good for a stroll and a drink. The Santiago and San Miguel quarters are the cradle of Jerez flamenco, with Gothic churches and peñas, the local flamenco clubs. Look out for a tabanco, the traditional taverns where sherry is served straight from the barrel. And leave room for the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and its horse show.

Free tours and guided visits

Jerez’s free tours are tip-based. They cover the old town, the outside of the Alcázar, the cathedral, the Plaza del Arenal and the flamenco quarters, and tell the story of sherry and the bodega families. They last about two hours and make a good first introduction.

Among the paid visits, the classic is a bodega tour with tasting. The Royal Equestrian School show and a night of flamenco in a tablao or a peña are also worth it. From Jerez there are trips to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cádiz, the white villages of the mountains and Doñana.

How long to spend

Two days is about right. On day one, spend the morning at the Alcázar and the cathedral and the afternoon at a bodega and the tabancos. On day two, go to the Equestrian School in the morning and walk around Santiago and San Miguel before seeing flamenco at night. With a third day you can go to Sanlúcar or Cádiz, which are close by.

Where to stay

The most convenient choice is to stay in the centre, between the Plaza del Arenal, Calle Larga and the Plaza del Banco. The Alcázar, the bodegas and the tapas bars will all be within walking distance. If you’re into flamenco, the area around the Santiago quarter puts you close to the peñas. During events such as the Horse Fair or the MotoGP Grand Prix the city fills up, so book early.