Why Sanlúcar de Barrameda?
It is still a hidden gem in the Cadiz coast: Narrow streets, miles-long beaches, fair prices, friendly people, very good food and local-produced wine, incredible history, XVI century buildings...
Sanlúcar de Barrameda is a small Andalusian town located on the coast of Cadiz. It is the typical white village with narrow streets, with so many monuments and historical buildings, that in 1973 it was declared a Historic-Artistic Site.
Sanlúcar has an important place in history because it was the departure point for Magellan's first round-the-world expedition on September 20, 1519.
As in all Andalusian towns, life takes place in the streets. We Andalusians love the street's atmosphere. That's why the bars, the squares, the beaches... are always full of people.
And that is what you will experience in Sanlúcar.
Wines with denomination of origin
Something that makes Sanlúcar very special is that, when you walk through its streets, it smells like wine barrels. There are so many wineries in the city, scattered throughout the historic center, that you will smell the wood of the barrels wherever you go.
Sanlúcar is a producer of wines with "denominación de origen" (certificate of origin), the Sherry of Jerez and the manzanilla of Sanlúcar.
In the wineries, you can do tastings of the different varieties of sherries produced in the region. The life of the city revolves around the wineries. To learn more about the wines produced in Sanlúcar click HERE.
Gastronomic Capital
In 2022 it was declared Gastronomic Capital of Andalusia. Many people from Andalusia come to Sanlúcar just to spend the day eating in one of its famous restaurants.
The town specializes in seafood and fish, as it is a fishing port. The fish and seafood of Sanlúcar, and among them the "langostinos" (big prawns), has a fame that has transcended our borders. This success is due to its own qualities of flavor and texture, as well as the simple way of cooking and presentation.
In the fish market you can buy all kinds of fresh fish and seafood, freshly caught. We will tell you which are the most famous restaurants, the ones that are not famous but are where the locals go to eat well and at a good price, and special places that you might not find on your own.
Doñana National Park
The city is located right at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. On the other side of the river is the Doñana National Park, so when you lie in the sun on the beach, what you have on the other side is a paradise of vegetation.
The park, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, is known for its biodiversity, and it is the habitat for various threatened bird species.
From the city, you can visit the park on a tour that crosses you by ferry and takes you through the park in a 4x4.
There are a multitude of factors of interest to tourists, such as the climate (300 days of sun per year), the Flamenco shows, the beaches of Bajo de Guia, La Calzada, Las Piletas and La Jara, and a number of monuments: Saint James' Castle, Our Lady's Church, the Duke of Medina Sidonia's Palace and Saint Domingo's Convent.
Sanlúcar the Barrameda was named by "the Telegraph" as the best seaside city in Spain in 2023 (see article HERE).
Also, it was named "Spain’s capital of gastronomy in 2022", so if you are a foodie, you'll enjoy as never before!
"The Guardian" also wrote this beautiful article about our town (see HERE).
Here you have a short video where you can have an idea about what to expect ;) (Credits: Pakspan)
Year-round events
February - Carnaval
In the south of Spain, the carnival is celebrated in a very intense way. During the carnival days, you will see performances of carnival groups in the streets, people in costumes singing and dancing. On the weekend there is a big carnival parade.
March-April - Semana Santa (Holy week)
Holy Week in Sanlúcar is the biggest religious event of the year. The different virgins of the churches of Sanlúcar are taken on pilgrimage through the streets. It is one of the most famous in the province of Cadiz, and people from many parts of Andalusia come to see the processions during that week (between mid-March and mid-April).
May - Manzanilla Fair
At the end of May takes place this important festival in which wine, tapas, and flamenco dresses come together. For a week, the town is filled with dance music.
June - Pilgrimage of El Rocio
The Pilgrimage of El Rocio is a huge pilgrimage in which devotees of the Virgin of El Rocio from all over Spain, go on horseback, in carriages pulled by oxen or on foot, to the hermitage of the Virgin located at the gates of the Doñana National Park. All the brotherhoods of Cadiz converge in Sanlúcar to cross the river and continue their way through the park. Undoubtedly, it is a spectacular event. It usually takes place at the beginning of June.
August - Beach Horse Races
Sanlúcar is famous for its horse races on the beach, which take place during the month of August.
November to March - Mosto Route
From November to March is the mosto season in Sanlúcar and other surrounding villages.
The mosto is a young wine that ferments in wooden barrels for only 40 days. Despite its youth, it can reach between 9 and 12 degrees of alcohol. It is served in small glasses, often accompanied by a "tapa".
From November onwards the mosto is ready to be consumed, and you can find it in the bars of Sanlúcar. It is traditional for the locals to make a route through different bars asking for a "mosto" and a "tapa" in each one of them. We will give you tips to make your own route.
Where is Sanlúcar de Barrameda?
Located in the "costa de la Luz" in Cadiz province, it counts with several white sand beaches and a quiet sea, to promenade yourself during the sunset.
It's also very close to lovely and charming cities such Jerez de la Frontera (30 minutes), Cádiz (45 minutes), Sevilla (1 hour and 15 minutes).
From the beach of Sanlúcar you can see the "Coto Doñana", a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1980, the biggest natural reserve for migratory birds in the world.