Locations you must see in Jerez

Posted on 14 March 2022

When it comes to holidays in Spain, taking a trip to the city of Jerez is an easy decision to make. If you organise a car hire from Malaga airport you can easily travel to Jerez and spend a few days here as well as travel to other parts of Andalucia. Located in the province of Cadiz, Jerez is known in particular for its wine industry and horse breeding. With ancient fortresses, wineries, relaxing plazas, and a beautiful cathedral, there’s a lot to be excited about in Jerez. If you are planning a trip to the area, this guide will let you know about some of the locations you can look forward to visiting in Jerez.

Bodegas Tio Pepe

When you pay a visit to Jerez, taking the time to sample some of the local wine is a must, particularly the sherry. Sherry comes from Jerez in fact, with the name being an English translation of ‘Jerez’. The fortified Spanish wine has made Jerez known around the world and when in the area there are plenty of opportunities to do a bit of wine tasting. One of the best locations to do so is at Bodegas Tio Pepe, one of a number of fantastic bodegas in Jerez, and producers of perhaps the best sherry there is. By paying them a visit, you can take a tour of the winery itself to learn the history, enjoy a paring, and Tio Pepe even has a hotel you can stay at!

Janis, from the travel blog Our World for You, spoke with us about her trip to Bodegas Tio Pepe, sharing what she enjoyed about it: “We loved our tour around the Bodegas Tio Pepe. Our knowledge of sherry prior to heading off on the tour was reasonably limited.

“It’s not until you dig a little deeper and understand the process that you truly appreciate the incredible flavours of the fortified wine, from the pale finos, through to the Amontillados, onto Oloroso, before heading to the dessert sherry of Pedro Ximénez. Our overriding memory of the bodega tour was the delightful sherry scent from the oak barrels; it lifted your senses.”

Jerez Cathedral

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Andalucia is certainly not short of beautiful old churches and in Jerez, you can look forward to seeing the city’s cathedral, built between 1665 and 1778 in a mixture of Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Jerez Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Asidonia-Jerez and sits above the earlier Great Mosque of Jerez and the old Church of El Salvador. It’s an exquisite building to look at, inside and out, with its chapels and belltower being of particular interest. There is also a cathedral museum to explore.

Krista, from the travel blog, Krista the Explorer, has been to Jerez Cathedral herself and shared with us her thoughts about the attraction as well as a top tip for visitors: “Jerez Cathedral is one of the most important buildings in the city and a major tourist attraction. It may look medieval, but surprisingly it was only built in the 17th century and wasn’t declared a cathedral until 1980. It’s a fascinating building to explore, with its interior being equally as beautiful as its exterior. Even if you visit on a day when the cathedral doors are shut, you’ll still be able to marvel at the intricate details carved into the stones outside.

“For an even better view of the cathedral than you’d get from the street level, I’d recommend booking into the Arab Baths across the road and heading to their rooftop to see the cathedral in all of its glory. You really shouldn’t miss Jerez Cathedral when you’re visiting the city.”

Alison, from the blog Alison in Andalucia, has also visited Jerez Cathedral, and shares with us a tip for those planning to see the cathedral for themselves: “Jerez Cathedral is an impressive building with a real mix of architectural styles due to the fact that it took almost 100 years to complete. Visitors shouldn’t miss the treasury behind the main altar with its collection of dazzling silverware and artwork, nor the orangery at the rear of the cathedral. Calming and peaceful at any time of year, it’s particularly special in spring (my favourite time to visit) when the air is heavy with the scent of orange blossom.”

Alcazar of Jerez

Andalucia is replete with an array of historic fortresses, many of which are of Moorish heritage. The Alcazar of Jerez is one of these locations, likely built all the way back in the 12^th century but an earlier structure from the 11^th century also existed on the site. Belonging to the Muslim empire known as the Almohad Caliphate, the Alcazar would end up in the hands of the first Christian mayors after the Reconquista.

Visitors can look forward to exploring the nicely preserved complex of buildings, with its ancient walls, watchtower, gardens, and mosque. It’s a great place to enjoy a slice of Andalucia history and experience beautiful Moorish architecture.

Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

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Aside from sherry, Jerez is also perhaps best known for its marvellous breeding operation, producing the beautiful and powerful Andalusian horse breed. In Jerez, you can find the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, the perfect location to see some of the world’s most magnificent horses in action, with equestrian shows put on for the public to enjoy. Called ‘How the Andalusian horses dance’, this amazing ballet also features wonderful Spanish music and 18^th-century costumes. There are also tours of the school available, as well as the Museum of Equestrian Art and the Carriage Museum. If you are a horse lover, rider, or just someone who wants to learn more about the region’s culture, the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is a great place to visit.

READ ALSO: 48 hours in Cádiz

Plaza de la Yebra

If you are looking for somewhere to rest your feet after exploring Jerez, the city’s plazas are a wonderful place to do so. One of these is the lovely Plaza de la Yebra, a romantic tree-lined location that is part of Jerez’s old town. The plaza is home to a number of tapas bars where you can take a load off, enjoy a refreshment, and take in the local culture. If you are hunting for something a bit more substantial, Plaza de la Yebra also has a number of restaurants. The plaza isn’t a tourist trap, being a popular spot with the locals as they come to enjoy the sunshine and a quiet drink while watching the world go by.

Places to visit in Jerez, Spain

– Bodegas Tio Pepe

– Jerez Cathedral

– Alcazar of Jerez

– Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

– Plaza de la Yebra

These are just some of the wonderful locations to visit in Jerez. There is plenty to keep you entertained and intrigued during your time in the area, and with a car rental, it’s easy to explore the wider Andalucia area and find even more of what is on offer.

For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.