Sherry, Horses, and So Much More: The Top 5 Things To Do in Jerez de la Frontera

Beautiful weather, streets lined with palm trees, delicious regional food—what’s not to love about the home of sherry, Jerez de la Frontera?

Jerez is sometimes overlooked when people travel to nearby Seville or Cadiz—but this is a mistake! Jerez has the same Andalusian charm as Seville without all the crowds, and it has something else going for it as well: sherry! Sherry originated in Jerez, and in fact, the two words mean one and the same. While Jerez is a mandatory stop for anyone wanting to dive deeper into Spanish wine culture, this city has something for everyone—wine lover or not! Follow our guide for the top five things to do in Jerez de la Frontera and you’ll leave with a new favorite Spanish town.

Jerez is a charming and captivating Andalusian town. If you're visiting the region, it should definitely be on your list! From sherry to horses and everything in between, we tell you the best things to do in Jerez de la Frontera.

1. Visit a sherry winery in Jerez

The city of Jerez de la Frontera is synonymous with its most famous export: sherry wine! This fortified wine is produced only in the Jerez wine-making region, then aged in the towns of Jerez, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María. These three towns make up “the sherry triangle.” This means that no visit to Jerez is complete without visiting one of its famed wineries and sampling the famous sherry wines for yourself!

As it is one of the most essential things to do in Jerez, there are some great wine tours in the town. We personally love the tour of Bodegas Díez Mérito. They’ve been making sherry wine since 1876! This family-run winery is beautifully maintained and visiting it is the perfect opportunity to both learn about and try the unique wines of the region.

Address: Calle Diego Fernández Herrera, 4

Probably the most essential of all the things to do in Jerez is visiting a sherry winery! Jerez is the home of sherry and there are so many wineries that are worth your time. Take a tour and discover the secret world of sherry!
Trying different kinds of sherry is a must while in Jerez.

2. Visit typical tapas bars and go on a tapas crawl!

It’s said that tapas were invented in Jerez—so what better place to embark on a tapas crawl? Traditionally, a small snack on a piece of bread would be placed over the small sherry glasses as a ‘lid’ (or tapa). This served to protect the wine from sand and flies.

If you’re looking for the perfect place to eat tapas in Jerez, try a tabanco. This type of establishment is found only in Jerez. They emerged in the 17th century, and there are still several of these traditional places scattered around the city centre today. Tabancos served both as taverns where you could sip on sherry and nibble on typical tapas, as well as places where you could buy wine in bulk. We love the atmospheric Tabanco San Pablo (Calle San Pablo, 12), which dates back to 1934. For a modern take on the traditional tabanco, try El Almacén (Calle Latorre, 6), a wine bar located in the city center. And don’t leave without trying their buñelos de bacalao!

There is even an official Ruta de Tabancos (Tabancos Route) in Jerez. Read about the tabancos here and add this to your list of things to do in Jerez!

One of the top things to do in Jerez is visiting a tabanco! This special kind of bar originated in Jerez in the 17th century and there are still several of them in the city center. Visit a tabanco to sip sherry and nibble on tapas in true Jerez fashion!
El Almacén has the perfect combination of traditional and modern touches. Photo Credit: El Alamcén

3. Take a trip back in time at the Alcazar

While smaller and lesser-known than the famous Alcazar in Seville, anyone interested in architecture or history will love checking out this Moorish wonder in Jerez! Built in the 11th century under Muslim rule, this fortress is now a great architectural throwback to Spain’s past. Visiting it is one of the most interesting things to do in Jerez.

The fabulous towers, patios and fortifying walls are evident. Inside, there are some more surprising and interesting things including an olive oil press, an old pharmacy and Arab baths. Tickets cost five euros, with the added bonus of a much lower number of visitors than at the Alcazars in Seville and Cordoba. There’s no doubt that it’s an absolute must-see in Jerez!

Address: Calle Alameda Vieja, s/n

4. Get lost inside a palace

Have you ever wanted a glimpse into the life of Spanish aristocracy? A visit to the Palacio del Virrey Laserna is your opportunity to do exactly that! Kept within the same family since the 13th century, this residential palace has been passed down through generations. Finally, in 2015 it became open to the public for the very first time.

The family still lives in the house today, and it is filled with antiques, art and family heirlooms, creating an interesting take on a museum. The palace has been the residence of the Count of the Andes since the 18th century. At your visit, the Count of the Andes himself will show you around! Entrance is 7 euros and you can do the obligatory guided tour in English, French or Spanish. It lasts around 40 minutes. This visit is certainly one of the most unique things to do in Jerez.

Address: Conde de los Andes, 8

The Palacio del Virrey Laserna is on our list of things to do in Jerez for good reason! Where else can you visit a palace that has been passed down over hundreds of years, and is still lived in today?
Visit the Palacio del Virrey Laserna for a window into how real aristocrats live. Photo Credit: Nuevo Estilo

5. See a spectacle of horses!

Jerez isn’t just famous for sherry. This town is also known throughout the country for its Andalusian horses. Another popular attraction for visitors to Andalusia is seeing a Jerez horse show. If you’re interested in witnessing this incredible performance, head to the Fundación Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre. The 90-minute show is an equestrian ballet which shows off the typical dancing of the Andalusian horses, complete with 18th-century costumes. Check the calendar on their website for availability and make sure to add this to your list of things to do in Jerez!

Insider’s Tip: Visit Jerez during the annual Feria de Jerez (also known as Feria del Caballo) which happens every May, to combine Jerez’s two great loves: sherry and horses! Aside from a number of horse-related events and activities, you’ll also enjoy the week-long party and festive atmosphere that fills the fairground.

Address: Av. Duque de Abrantes, s/n

6 Comment

  1. Lode De Vrieze says
    September 18, 2018 at 11:46 am

    Hello

    I’m looking for a guided visit for one day for a group of 32 or 34 persons on the 3th of November. Should be included the historical center, a horse riding spectacle and a visit to a sherry producer. Can you help me in this?
    Thanks

    Lode De Vrieze

    1. Devour Tours says
      September 18, 2018 at 6:09 pm

      Hi Lode! We’ll send you an email!

  2. Anderson says
    October 10, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    Of the 5 items for wine, and horses, and so much more…

    Two are wine related, one is horse related.

    Was hoping for off the beaten path ideas. Not your standard google hits.

    1. Ashley Duncan says
      October 15, 2018 at 10:30 pm

      Thanks for your comment! I lived in Jerez for two years, so you’ve come to the right place—I’m happy to suggest some more off-the-beaten path ideas. You can find street art here, pay a visit to the Mercado de Abastos, stop by the clock museum (Palacio del Tiempo) and archaeological museum, and stroll through the Barrio de Santiago, the birthplace of flamenco in Jerez. In general, Jerez is small and not the kind of place I’d visit with a bucket list and sights to check off—it’s more suited to wandering, people watching in plazas (this one’s my personal favorite), and frequent stops for a glass of sherry. Enjoy—I hope you love it as much as I do!

  3. H. Jane Mossop says
    September 13, 2019 at 8:46 pm

    Please tell me how far in advance is it advisable to buy tickets for the equestrian show in October?

    1. Devour Tours says
      September 17, 2019 at 9:54 am

      Hi Jane! Tickets for the October shows are available now, so we recommend purchasing yours as soon as possible to ensure entry. Enjoy Jerez!

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