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Between
white beaches and smooth hills
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Sun,
Wind and the Sea – Horses and Wine!
The suffix "de la
Frontera" that many of the Andalusian villages add to their
name, reflects the long struggle between Christians and Muslims.
Fishing and wine production were practised in Andalusia for
hundreds of years, whereas bull- and horse breeding began
later. Nowadays the Costa de la Luz is a vocational region not
only for the Spanish, but also for the foreign tourists, attracted
by its numerous golf courses, several marinas and by its
excepcional climate.
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Highlights
-
Arcos de la F.
- Sanlúcar de B.
- El Puerto de
Santa María
- Vejer de la F.
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Desciption
This route, which is specially recommended for the fans of
Andalusian
horses and Sherry, starts in Jerez.
The itinerary follows the coastline from Sanlúcar
de Barrameda up to Vejer de la Frontera and
finishes, after having crossed part of the provinces
interior in Arcos de la Frontera. The route can be
combined with excursions to the National Park Doñana
or to the Natural Park Los Alcornocales.
Itinerary
From Jerez to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cadiz and along the
coast up to Vejer de la Frontera; the route continues then
to the interior towards Arcos de la Frontera.
Time
needed
At least 2 or 3 days.
DistanceLänge
approx. 225 kilometers/ 140 miles,
Possible excursion to Gibraltar.
Best
travel season
From February to November. The coast has an agreeable
climate in July and in August.
Landscape and protected
areas
A great part of the route runs along the Cadiz coastline and
the Bay of Cadiz. In the back country of Sanlúcar de
Barrameda there are many agricultural activities. In the
area between Jerez, Arcos and the coast there are soft
pasture hills.
Parque Nacional Doñana (National Park)
Most of the 56,544 hectares of Doñana's National Park
spreads over the province of Huelva; a smaller part
belongs to Seville and to Cádiz. Its ecosystem is
composed of three basic types of landscape:
the sandig dry heath country with fixed dunes
("coto"), the moving dunes in the coastal strip
("dunas móviles"), moving annually around
about five meters, and the
damp marsh country ("marisma").
Particularly for migratory birds the humid area is an
important resting and nesting place.
Nature reserve Bay of Cadiz
This park of approximately 10.000 hectares is humid and
salty, and in it prevail mixed dunes, marshes, salt mines,
reed and beaches. Among the vegatación dominate the
shrubs and several types of pines. It is a favourite
refuge for birds.
Parque Natural La Breña y Marismas de Barbate
The charm of this small natural enclaave (3,130
hectares) between Barbate and Caños de Meca, begins in the combination of cliffs, rocks, beaches
and pine trees. It serves as a refuge for many types of
birds. Among the vegetation predominate shrubs and different
types of pines.
Parque Natural de los Alcornocales
Fifteen villages lie in the Natural Park
of 170,025 hectares, divided between the provinces of
Cadiz and Malaga. As its name says, the world's
largest forests of cork trees can be found there.
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Tourist
information
Arcos
de la Frontera
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Plaza del
Cabildo
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Cádiz
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Calderon
de la Barca 1
Plaza San Juan de Dios 11
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Chiclana
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Alameda
del Rio
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Conil
de la Frontera
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Carretera
1
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El Puerto
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Guadalete
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Jerez
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Larga 39
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Medina
Sidonia
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Plaza de
la Iglesia Mayor
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Rota
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Plaza de
España
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San
Fernando
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Real 24
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Sanlúcar
de Barrameda
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Calzada
del Ejército
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Vejer
de la Frontera
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Marqués
de Tamarón 10
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Accommodation
There
are many hotels and hostels along the route, especially
in Cádiz, Jerez and Arcos. The number of apartments and
campsites is very high along the coast.
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Activities
Arcos
de la Frontera
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Horseriding,
Hiking
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Cádiz
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Marina, Sailing
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Chiclana
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Marina, Horseriding, Sailing, Golf
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Chipiona
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Marina, Sailing
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Conil
de la Frontera
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Horseriding,
Diving
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El Puerto
de Santa María
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Marina, Golf
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Jerez
de la Frontera
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Golf,
Horseriding, Motor Sports, Flying
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Rota
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Marina,
Golf, Horseriding
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Sanlúcar
de Barrameda
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Horseriding
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Vejer
de la Frontera
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Golf,
Horseriding, Diving
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Feasts/Festivals
Patron
Saint Feasts / Ferias
almost
each town celebrates its own patron saint, a procession
and/or its "feria" (fair).
Pilgrimages
- "Romerías"
Chiclana
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Santa
Ana (July 26)
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Conil
de la Frontera
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San
Sebastián (Jan. 20)
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El
Puerto de Santa María
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Virgen
del Carmen (Aug. 16)
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Sanlúcar
de Barrameda
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El
Rocío (Week before Whitsun)
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Others
Arcos
de la Frontera |
Holy
Week |
Cádiz |
Carnival |
Chiclana |
Carnival |
Chipiona |
Wine
festival (Sept.) |
El Puerto
de Santa María |
Feria de
Primavera (May) |
Sanlúcar
de Barrameda |
Wine
feast (May), Horse races on the beach (July and
August) |
Vejer
de la Frontera |
Velada de
Agosto (10.-24.8.) |
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Jerez
de la Frontera (Miles 0;
207,530 Inhabitants)
The biggest city of the province and center of numerous
economic activities. Famous for his sherry wine cellars
(bodegas) and for Andalusian horse-breeding. Has a nice historical center.
Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Miles 14;
65,800 Inhabitants)
Charming town, located at the mouth of the Guadalquivir
river. From here come the white "manzanilla"
wine and delicious prawns. Castle Santiago; churches de la Trinidad
and Nuestra Señora de la O. Boat excursions
to the Doñana National Park.
Chipiona (Miles 20; 18,580
Inhabitants)
Coast village with marina and an impressive lighthouse.
Worth visiting is the sanctuary Nuestra Señora de la
Regla.
Rota (Miles 31; 28,520 Inhabitants)
Formerly a fishing village, today a place of summer holidays
for families. Well preserved old town and nice beaches. Church Nuestra Señora de la O.
El Puerto de Santa María (Miles 40;
87,700 Inhabitants)
Ancient fishing town. Christopher Columbus departed twice from its port towards America. Birth
place of the Andalusian poet Rafael Alberti. Many
monuments, churches and the monastery of Nuestra Señora
de la Victoria.
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Cádiz
(Miles 56;
126,770 Inhabitants)
The most ancient city of Europe, located in the bay of the
same name, was - according to the legend - founded by
Hercules ("Melkart"). The Romans called it Gades.
San Fernando (Miles 65;
96,370 Inhabitants)
Located on the other side of the bay, it is the
"twin" city of Cadiz. As Cadiz it bloomed in the 18th century. Many Baroque and Neoclassic style.
Chiclana
de la Frontera (Miles
71;
77,290 Inhabitants)
Placed between salt mines and pine groves, this village
possesses a beautiful beach called la Barrosa (6 Miles long). Churches San Juan Bautista, Santa Ana
and Jesus Nazareno.
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Conil
de la Frontera (Miles
86;
20,980 Inhabitants)
Historical maritime village, nowadays in full tourist
raise. Tower of Guzmán el Bueno, church Santa
Catalina; convents de la Victoria and San
Francisco de Paula. 14 km of fine beaches.
Vejer de la Frontera (Miles 97;
12,970 Inhabitants)
Village of medieval character, its historic center is
protected. Arabic castle, many churches and a
convent de las Monjas Recepcionistas.
Excursions:
- Cape Trafalgar (9 miles), near the site of
Admiral Nelson's victory against the French and Spanish
fleets in 1805;
- village of Barbate
with the Natural Park La Breña y Marismas de Barbate
(6 miles);
- Tarifa, a surfer’s paradise (31 miles
southeast).
Medina Sidonia (Miles 116;
11,680 Inhabitants)
Phoenician foundation with Arabic style and archaeological
remains of the Roman period. Ancient city gates. Churches Santa
Maria la Mayor, Santiago and San Juan de
Dios.
Excursions:
- to Alcala de los
Gazules (19 miles)
- to the Natural Park los
Alcornocales.
Arcos
de la Frontera
(Miles 139;
31,210
Inhabitants)
Situated on a mountain range 160 meters high above the
Guadalete river. One of the most beautiful villages of
Andalusia.
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