This Andalucian jewel offers modern restaurants and inviting Sherry bars, not to mention unmissable bodegas. Sarah Jane Evans MW leads the way, in her Jerez travel guide.
Jerez: where to stay, eat and relax
Hotels
Hotel Sherry Park, Jerez
Between June and September, a swimming pool is essential. The pool here is large, if the rooms are a little dated. A brisk walk from the centre, this is a fine place to spend the siesta. hotelsherrypark.com
Hotel Casa Grande, Jerez
This is a small, friendly, family-run hotel, set in a typical house in a central location. casagrande.com.es
Asta Regia, Jerez
Centrally located, this relatively new hotel is close to the Alcazar. It has small rooms, and a polished, corporate feel. The rooftop terrace has a small pool. hotelastaregiajerez.com
Hospedería Palacio Duques de Medina Sidonia, Sanlúcar
The 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia led the illfated Armada. The family’s historic palace in Sanlucar’s upper town is now a traditionally decorated hotel in lovely gardens. Good café for tea and home-baked cakes. ruralduquesmedinasidonia.com
Hotel Posada de Palacio, Sanlúcar
This 18th-century building is around the corner from the Medina Sidonia palace, and offers a chance to stay in a typical Andalucian house. posadadepalacio.com
Parador de Cádiz
With its toes in the ocean, and superb sea views, this is at the very tip of the peninsula that is Cadiz. While the building itself is an unpromising, modern architectural block, this is convenient for the old city. parador.es/parador-de-cadiz
Restaurants
(For restaurants in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, see here)
La Carboná, Jerez
Period-setting in an old bodega, this has bold, straightforward, traditional cuisine and friendly staff who are happy to discuss the menu. Excellent beef, but order the bluefin tuna when in season (spring, early summer). lacarbona.com
Las Cuadras, Jerez
Relatively new tapas bar, designed to look like a charming museum piece. There is often flamenco singing, but it’s not touristy. lascuadras.es
El Almacén, Jerez
Traditional bar, with honest, uncomplicated food. Calle LaTorre 6, 11403 Reino de León, Jerez In the same street as El Almacén. This selfstyled gastrobar could not be more different from its neighbour. Tapas with a modern twist. reinodeleongastrobar.com
Tabanco San Pablo, Jerez
A typical, historic Sherry bar. Pick up a map to these tabancos in the tourist office (turismojerez.com). Can be stuffed with tourists, but nonetheless it is authentic. One of the many bars to serve snails in season – look out for the hay caracoles signs across the city in May. tabancosanpablo.es
A Poniente, El Puerto de Santa María
The Sherry triangle’s outstanding, creative, modern kitchen. With two Michelin stars, the focus is on fish and shellfish. aponiente.com
El Faro del Puerto, El Puerto de Santa María
After a quarter of a century, El Faro remains a fine introduction to the best of Andalucia. An extensive Sherry list, by glass and bottle. elfarodelpuerto.com
El Romerijo, El Puerto de Santa María
An El Puerto institution: a pile’em high, high-speed business, with every kind of fish fried, and every type of seafood served. romerijo.com
