Jerez de la Frontera was the first stop on our Spanish Roadtrip 2021. In total it was 17 days, 8 cities and over 4,000kms, and lots and lots of fun. But it all started with these 2 days!
August 13 (journey day 1)
The Journey
It was 9:30 in the morning when we left Lisbon. A 5-and-a-half-hour trip awaited us. If in the past we might have found this number unbearable, today, with the experience we have gained and the adventures we have lived through, it is a very reasonable number. And believe me, it goes by faster than it seems, and enthusiasm always helps.
We decided to bring lunch so that we wouldn't have to waste time on the way, and thus also reduce costs. In these situations, either because of the heat or the practicality of the situation, we opt for snacks. That day we took wraps (including vegetarian ones), fruit, and lots of water. We already had the playlist is chosen, movies on the gadgets and there we went.
Halfway through the trip, we stopped for lunch, but without much delay. Just enough to stretch our legs, buy a cup of coffee, go to the bathroom, and we were on our way again.
The Palace
We arrived at 16:00 at Palacio La Torneria, in the middle of the historic area of Jerez de La Frontera. We were enchanted by the picturesqueness of this town. But not everything was easy. Finding the entrance to the place where we would be staying was not easy. It was in a pedestrian zone and we couldn't figure out how to get through with the car to unload our bags, but we managed. On this trip, we often chose to stay in the historic city centers, which made parking the car difficult.
40º in the Shade
It was 5:30 pm and the thermometer read 40 degrees. We opted to go straight to Puerto de Santa Maria. A giant beach (valdelagrana) awaited us, with tepid, calm waters and fine sand. We stayed on the beach until 8:30 pm. With temperatures like these, people stay much longer on the beaches. When we left, the beach was still full of people. We decided to have dinner by the beach. We chose the Beach Club Las Olas, a typical beach bar, with a very nice decoration, with a direct view of the sunset. Bare feet on the sand, good food, and we just let the time go by very slowly.
We arrived at the hotel after 11 pm. We went out for a walk through the bars and restaurants in the historic area of Jerez. The view, the people, the voices, the laughter, the music, the heat of the night, the smells... it was a perfect first day of vacation. Jerez deserves to be on your Andalusian itinerary.
August 14 (journey day 2)
We spent much of the morning getting to know the entire historic area of Jerez on foot. We had breakfast right next to the Cathedral and wandered through the many narrow streets of this beautiful city, contemplating all its history and buildings.
Cadiz
Then we left for Cadiz. It's about a 30m drive, but it's very worth it. We had immense difficulty finding a place to park. The paid parking lots themselves were full. After a few dozen laps around the city, which was funny because it "allowed us" (those accidents that happen) to pass by the most emblematic sights and monuments of Cadiz, we managed to get a parking space on the street. Solved.
We stayed at Santa Maria del Mar beach first, then we had lunch at a restaurant right in front of the beach, with lots to offer, and then we went back to the beach, this time La Vitoria beach. The beaches are huge and they follow each other. You just have to choose.
We closed the afternoon with Gins and beers at one of the beach bars, with our salty bodies, messy hair, bare feet, and that view of the sea that we love so much.
One More Surprise
Back in Jerez, the surprise of the day. A World Cuisine restaurant, with dishes from all over the world... Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe. A delight. Jerez has a huge gastronomic offer. The hard part is really choosing.
In our case, because Mariana is vegetarian, we always look for a place with vegetarian alternatives, which is not always easy. But we quickly adapted and faced the tortillas or some "Patatas Bravas" as good solutions. But when we left the door of our hotel, had not yet turned the corner and saw a sign saying "Vegan", which immediately caught Mariana's attention. And just as well, because it was just wonderful. You can't miss it. It is a very different cuisine.
You will have no trouble eating well in Jerez. Metro yes, metro no, there is an excellent space, with its own decoration, music and, of course, tapas.
We have already read that Jerez is the birthplace of tapas. We don't know if it is or not, but here's a curiosity: do you know where the name comes from? In the old days they used to put this appetizer on top of the wine glass, as a lid, or "tapa" in Spanish, to protect it from flies and sand.
Jerez is also known for Xerez wine, which is produced exclusively in the Xerez wine region, which includes Jerez de La Frontera. If you get a chance, go visit one of the many local wineries (bodegas). We didn't go, but it was highly recommended to us. It will certainly stay for the next visit.
August 15 (journey day 3)
Camiñito or Marbella?
The 3rd day was reserved for us to do the Caminito Del Rey. It is beautiful and imposing...at least in the pictures! But the heatwave that crossed Spain, especially Andalusia, and the 44⁰ expected, made us change our minds.
We knew that July and August were hot months in this area, but this heatwave and humidity made matters worse. 44 degrees in the shade and 80% humidity were to drag each other down.
We quickly got down to business and researched alternatives. Et voilà... Marbella was the choice.
We set out on our journey right after breakfast. We entered Marbella and glimpsed those dozens of kilometers of Mediterranean sand. The beach is right in the center of the city. Dark sand (reminiscent of San Miguel), refreshing and crystal clear water... and jellyfish that never ends... It was funny to see the kids having so much fun catching them with their shrimpers. Indeed, the attitude with which we face difficulties makes all the difference.
We refreshed, got some sun, and left for Granada, our next destination. With this change, we got to know Marbella, which was not in our initial plans and is beautiful. We didn't go to do the Caminito del Rey, but it was on our to-do list. We will clearly come back.
Follow the rest of our Spanish Roadtrip 2021.
Watch the various parts of this adventure
Part #1 (13 to 15) - Jerez de La Frontera, Cadiz and Puerto de Santa Maria