Are you planning your trip to Cádiz? This is your place! Follow our steps and we will show you unique things to do in El Puerto de Santa Maria, typical of Andalusian culture. Besides the good food, the good weather, the kindness of the people, the wonderful sunsets, nature, the beach… Shall we start?
First of all, it is essential to visit the old town to delight yourself with historical and architectural points of this city. Here we show you the most emblematic places:
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Contents
- 1 Castillo de San Marcos.
- 2 Iglesia Mayor Prioral.
- 3 Fundación Rafael Albertí.
- 4 Casas de Cargadores de Indias.
- 5 Patios portuenses.
- 6 Mercado de la Concepción. (Food Market).
- 7 Casa de los leones
- 8 Plaza de las Galeras Reales y Fuente de las Galeras.
- 9 Monasterio de la Victoria.
- 10 Visit the Bodegas (wineries)
- 11 . Distilleries
- 12 Beaches
- 13 Natural Park
- 14 Puerto Sherry.
Castillo de San Marcos.
Perhaps the most prominent and iconic place in this city, with astonishing exterior architecture and interior design that fascinates everyone who observes it. This castle is a church and fortress built on the foundations of a mosque in 1264. Currently, it belongs to Bodegas Caballero, and you can also enjoy a visit to its cellars inside the castle. You can not lose this.
Located near the food market, is this beautiful church built in the 15th century in a Gothic style, however, it has Plateresque and Baroque elements in its exterior architecture, this is due to an earthquake that destroyed part of it, being rebuilt in the century XVII. In its interior different styles coexist such as neoclassical and baroque, in this you can see the chapel of La Virgen de los Milagros. You cannot leave the Port without seeing Puerta del Perdón and Puerta del Sol.
Do you know who Rafael Albertí is? He is a very famous and recognized Spanish poet in Spanish literature. Are you surprised if I tell you that he lived in the Port? Without a doubt the best place and landscape as inspiration to the precious poems of him. This place is an Andalusian house with three floors, where he lived the beginning of his life, the interior of the house has been converted into a museum that tells his biography, preserving the Andalusian architecture and decoration.
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Casas de Cargadores de Indias.
In your visit to El Puerto de Santa María you cannot miss under any circumstances, the visit to Casas de Cargadores de Indias (Houses of the Shippers to Indias), these are a very marked element in Andalusian culture, and that will undoubtedly create in you the need to see them again. These have an Andalusian patio in the central part of the interior. They stand out for being colorful with different species of plants and tiles. These houses in ancient times belonged to merchants and shippers at the time of the boom of trade with America. For this reason, the name of Ciudad de los Cien Palacios (City of Hundred Palaces) is sometimes used to refer to El Puerto. Palacio de Araníbar and Palacio del Almirante Valdivieso are very characteristic here.
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Patios portuenses.
The citizens from El Puerto decorate their patios with flowers and colorful pots, it is a visual spectacle. In addition, they show their houses so that you can appreciate the closeness, joy and hospitality of the people. Some offer tapas and a glass of sherry wine.
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Mercado de la Concepción. (Food Market).
Have you ever been to an Andalusian food market? Imagine a great variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers, legumes, meats and super fresh fish collected the same morning. All very tasty due to the incredible climate we have here. Don’t miss the Tapas around!
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Casa de los leones
It is a 17th century palace of original baroque style, inside the facilities have been modified and modernized so that they can be tourist apartments although they retain the architectural elements that represent the palace houses with interior patios, you can even reserve a room in this palace !!
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Plaza de las Galeras Reales y Fuente de las Galeras.
If you are going to take a walk along the Guadalete river, you will probably find the Plaza de las Galeras Reales, which has the fountain of the galleys created in 1735 with a classicist style and with six streams of flowing water. Enjoy a wonderful walk to enjoy the good weather and the freshness provided by the river water.
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Monasterio de la Victoria.
You will be impressed by the Gothic architecture of this temple built in the early 16th century. If it surprises you on the outside, its interior design will blow you away. It is one of the places that you should not miss if you come to El Puerto de Santa María.
As everyone knows, Sherry wines are very famous worldwide, and Puerto de Santa María is very close to this other city. If you come to the Port you cannot leave without visiting at least one winery, and you will surely love it, that’s why we tell you some, so you can repeat! If you want to visit a winery you can go to Bodegas Osborne, Gutierrez Colosía, Caballero or Grant!
Some Bodegas have been making sherry wine since 1773! This is the perfect opportunity to learn about the production of their wines and taste them .
. Distilleries
You can also visit Cacao Pico Distilleries where they have been produced for 200 years, a natural cocoa liquor made by hand, you cannot leave without trying it!
If you are Gin Lover you can also visit the Rives Distillery, one of the best known and most popular Spanish brands!
In Andalusia we stand out for having an incredible climate 300 days of sun , and a wonderful landscape. In El Puerto de Santa María you can enjoy its 7 beaches, these are:
- Fuentebravía
- Santa Catalina
- La Calita
- La Muralla
- Valdelagrana
- La Puntilla
- Playa de Levante
Fall in love with beaches with clear waters and golden sand.
. There is also the Los Toruños Natural Park, the perfect place to go on a bike or kayak route and enjoy nature.
. Restaurants
If you come to El Puerto de Santa María, you will never forgive yourself for not having gone to Puerto Sherry, this is a marina that has dreamy views and has a wide variety of restaurants like Casa Pepe , Berdó , Crefondue , Blanca Paloma with terraces to enjoy the sun and the sea while eating with an amazing landscape, it is also right next to Santa Catalina Beach!
. Beach Bars
There are also some Beach Bars from April where you can enjoy a Beer or Cocktails with some music and the beatiful Cadiz Bay . We give you some ideas Phi Phi Beach , Playa Canalla , Margarita Puerto Sherry
. Local Tip:
An important event is La Feria of El Puerto de Santa María (fair). It used to last a week in May, although the weekend is the best time to go. This event has many elements of Andalusian culture like Tapas, Sherry wine, horseback riding, flamenco singers and people dancing sevillanas (flamenco dancers).
Are you still thinking about where to go in your next holiday?
Contact Alsherry Experiences and we will design the perfect itinerary adapting to your length of stay and interests!!! What are you waiting for?