What to see and do in Sanlucar de Barrameda

The essential things to see in Sanlucar de Barrameda

In this article you’ll find information on everything you need to see in Sanlucar de Barrameda :

• A few words about Sanlucar de Barrameda
• Where is Sanlucar de Barrameda on the map?
• What to see in Sanlucar de Barrameda
• What to do in Sanlucar de Barrameda
• Book accommodation
• The best festivities in Sanlucar
• What to see in the Sanlucar area
• Some useful links
• Continuing your trip to Andalucia

A few words about Sanlucar de Barrameda

Sanlúcar de Barrameda is a small coastal town in the province of Cadiz. It has long been a holiday resort for the bourgeoisie. The large number of palatial houses in the town makes this quickly apparent.

It is located on the left bank of the mouth of the Guadalquivir and lies directly opposite the Doñana National Park. The Doñana National and Nature Park is considered Europe’s largest ecological reserve.

The town is famous for its historic centre, its wine – and its manzanilla cellars – its horse racing on the beach, and its rich gastronomy. It is for this reason that it has been designated the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy in 2022. Its tuna and prawn dishes are the most famous.

In summer, it is one of the small coastal towns that attracts the most visitors, many of them Sevillian.

a bit of history

The name Sanlucar de Barrameda is a curiosity in itself. The first part seems to come from the Latin words Sanctus Locus, which in Castilian are called Santo Lugar. They refer to a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Astarte, the goddess of love. Barrameda seems to come from Arabic, from the words bar-am-ma’ida, meaning the well of the tableland.

This place is also known thanks to the great navigators

It was from Sanlucar that Christopher Columbus set off on his third voyage to the New World. Above all, the Magellan-Alcano expedition left Sanlucar on 20 September 1519 and completed the first circumnavigation of the globe here on 8 September 1522.

In 2022, Sanlucar de Barrameda celebrated the 5th centenary of the first circumnavigation.

Where is Sanlucar de Barrameda on the map?

What to see and do in Sanlucar de Barrameda

Sanlucar de Barrameda is a real joy to visit, with so many different things to see.

There are often 2 neighbourhoods to visit: Barrio Alto, where you’ll find the castle, palaces and main churches, and Barrio Bajo in the lower part, which is more popular and leads down to the sandy beaches.

1 – Santiago Castle

2 – Visit to the bodegas de manzanilla

3 – Bourbon-Orleans Palace – Town Hall

4 – Ducal Palace of Medina Sidonia

5 – Church of Nuestra Señora de la O

6 – Circumnavigation monument

7 – The Covachas

8 – The market – Plaza de Abastos

9 – Plaza San Roque

10 – Plaza del Cabildo

11 – Beaches of Sanlúcar de Barrameda

12 – Doñana Park

1 – Santiago Castle, one of the must-see sites in Sanlúcar de Barrameda

This castle is the ideal place to start your visit to Sanlucar de Barrameda. It has been listed as a Historic-Artistic Monument since 1972.

It is a fortress built by the House of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia at the end of the 15th century. Its purpose was to defend and control access to the River Guadalquivir.

Highlights of a visit to the castle :

• the parade ground
• Mermaid Gate
• the Homage Tower
• the museum
• panoramic views of the city, the sea, the mouth of the Guadalquivir and Doñana Park

Note: It is said that Isabella the Catholic first saw the sea from this castle.

2 – Winery visits

Sanlúcar de Barrameda has always been part of the Jerez, Vinagre and Brandy de Jerez designations of origin. However, the wine for which it is best known is Manzanilla.

Here are the different bodegas, which curiously enough are all located in the town itself (this is due to the micro-climate in the town’s location):

• Barbadillo
• Hidalgo-La Gitana
• Argüeso
• Bodegas Covisan
• La Cigarrera
• Bodegas Barrero
• Delgado Zuleta
• Yuste
• Portales Pérez-Los Caireles
• Bodegas Alonso
• Bodegas Muchada-Leclapart

Bodega Barbadillo, founded in the 19th century, is located right next to the castle. Here you can take a guided tour to discover all the secrets involved in making this Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO wine.

After visiting the bodega and its museum, you can take part in a tasting of 4 wines with an oenologist!

Most wineries offer guided tours. However, the best thing to do after visiting the castle is to visit the Barbadillo wineries. You can even book your visit in advance, which is advisable depending on your dates.

3 – Palacio de Orleans Borbón – Town Hall

Here’s another interesting site to visit in Sanlucar de Barrameda: the Town Hall!

It was built between 1860 and 1870 by the Dukes of Montpensier: Prince Antonio de Orléans and his wife, Princess Marie-Amélie de Bourbon-Siciles. It was their summer residence.

The building was sold in 1971 to the municipality, which turned it into the town hall a few years later.

Inside this neo-Mudejar palace, you can visit some of the rooms and a beautiful garden.

4 – The Ducal Palace of Medina Sidonia, a must-see in Sanlucar de Barrameda

The Palacio de los Guzmanes, better known as the Palace of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia, is a special place in the city.

The palace has belonged to the family since 1297. For the record, the Duchy of Medina Sidonia is the oldest continuous hereditary title of nobility in the Crown of Castile and the Kingdom of Spain, dating back to 1445.

Its façade gives no hint of what it looks like inside.

It was built on the remains of an ancient Arab fortress – the Alcazar Viejo – dating from the 11th century, during the Almohad period, many elements of which have been preserved.

If you visit the Alcazar Viejo, you’re in for a real surprise.

The building was declared a historic and artistic monument in 1978 and is home to :

• the Casa Medina Sidonia Foundation, which has one of the most important archives in Spain, documenting historical events over the centuries.
• a beautiful 9-room hotel.
• paintings by masters such as Murillo, Zurbarán, Goya…
• a bar with a courtyard that has preserved elements from the Al-Andalus period (you’ll enjoy your break in this enchanting place).

Note: the bar is open most of the time. Guided tours are only available on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11.30am.

5 – Church of Nuestra Señora de la O

Right next to the Ducal Palace of Medina Sidonia you’ll find the church of Nuestra Señora de la O, which is another of the most beautiful places to see in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

This church has been declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument since 1931.

This 14th-century Mudéjar Gothic church features an impressive Mudéjar façade crowned with the coats of arms of the Guzmán and de la Cerda Houses.

The church’s interior boasts a magnificent Mudéjar coffered ceiling.

Note 1: Nuestra Señora de la O is an invocation of the Virgin Mary, commemorating the expectation of the birth of Mary and the birth of Jesus. Many invocations begin with ‘O…’.

Note 2: the base of the bell tower is a priori the plinth of one of the 7 ancient towers of the 11th century Almoravid Arab castle.

6- Circumnavigation monument

In Calle Escuelas, next to a former convent, you can see a monolith commemorating the famous exploit of the first circumnavigation of the globe by boat, begun by Magellan and completed by Elcano.

7 – The Covachas

After seeing the essentials of Barrio Alto, head down the Cuesta de Belén towards Barrio Bajo.

The Cuesta de Belén is home to the famous Covachas.

Las Covachas are home to the Centro de Interpretación de la Manzanilla, which I recommend you visit. It’s very instructive, too, as you learn about gastronomy and the various crafts based around vines and wine. These Covachas are located in one of the rear walls of the Ducal Palace of Media Sidonia.

This porticoed gallery, made up of thirteen arches, each with a snake on it, was once the site of a merchants’ market and is the best example of Gothic architecture in the city.

8 -The market – Plaza de Abastos

This covered market is the centre of Sanlúcar’s social life.

It sells top-quality fish and seafood.

There are also stalls selling meats, fruit, vegetables and tubers of great repute, such as sweet potatoes and potatoes.

Wandering around the many fruit, meat and fish stalls was one of my favourite moments in Sanlucar.

9 – Plaza San Roque

After the Plaza de Abastos you come to the Plaza de San Roque.

Here you can admire the magnificent church of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados.

Right next to the square you’ll find the Bodegas de la Cigarrera, a picturesque spot for lunch. To get there, take this alleyway:

After passing through the cellar and the wine barrels, you will reach the restaurant:

The shopping streets next to this square are a delight to wander through.

There are typical shops, small churches, bars and restaurants.

10 – Cabildo Square

Continuing your stroll towards the sea, you’ll come to the Plaza del Cabildo.

This is a square of great beauty, and also the most popular in Sanlucar de Barrameda.

In the centre of the square is a large fountain.

It’s a great place to sit on a terrace and enjoy some typical tapas. The three most famous taverns are Casa Balbino, Barbiana and La Gitana.

Not far from here is a beautiful palace house, which could be the ideal place to stay in Sanlucar.

Here’s the link to see more photos and make a reservation : Cisnes Palace

11 – Beaches of Sanlúcar de Barrameda

To reach the beaches of Sanlucar, continue along the Avenida Calzada de la Duquesa Isabel. This will take you to Bajo de Guía beach.

It’s a beautiful beach of fine sand, with views of the Doñana Park directly opposite.

At the end of the day, it’s a magical place to watch the sunset.

Note: this beach of fine sand and calm waters is crossed every year by the brotherhoods on their pilgrimage to El Rocio.

Other beaches in Sanlucar :

• Playa de Bonanza, located at the mouth of the Guadalquivir, which is also right next to an area of salt marshes.
• Playa de Piletas, home to the famous horse races.
• Playa de la Calzada
  

Finally, there is the playa de La Jara, on the border with the town of Chipiona. This beach is a little less crowded, and wilder with its landscape of small dunes.

12 – Doñana Park

A visit to Doñana National Park, declared a World Heritage Site in 1994, is one of the natural wonders to be seen.

This 122,000-hectare park was created in 1969.

The best way to visit and book is to go to the La Fabrica de Hielo visitor centre. The boarding platform for the Guadalquivir river crossing is right next door.

What activities can I do on site?

Below you’ll find the excursions and visits available in Sanlucar de Barrameda and the surrounding area.

You can also book them online today (with free cancellation):

Dates of the best festivities in Sanlucar de Barrameda

The Feria de la Manzanilla at the end of May

The Feria de la Manzanilla is the local wine festival with a long-standing reputation. It takes place on the avenues of Bajo de Guía, Las Piletas, Calzada de la Duquesa Isabel and Estación. Here’s a link to find out more about the Feria de la Manzanilla (link under construction).

Las carreras de Caballo in August

To find out more and book a place in the official grandstand, here’s the link to the Carreras de Sanlucar de Barrameda (link under construction).

Book accommodation

Below you will find all the hotels and accommodation available in Sanlucar de Barrameda, once you have selected your dates:

What to see and do around Sanlucar de Barrameda?

There are some fabulous sites to discover in the Sanlucar area. Here are 3 ideas for visits fairly close to Sanlucar de Barrameda.

Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez de la Frontera is a city with many little wonders to discover. Of course, the famous Jerez wine cellars are one of them. Below is the weathervane of the Tio Pepe wine cellars.

If you have the chance, don’t hesitate to visit Jerez de la Frontera.

El Rocio on the other side of the Doñana Park

El Rocio, an incredible stopover in a sandy village, with an atmosphere that takes us back to the origins of the ‘western’.

Here’s the link to visit El Rocio.

Arcos de la Frontera

This small town is considered to be the starting point for the Route of the White Villages. It is undoubtedly one of the most authentic and richest in terms of the number of places to see.

Here’s a link to Arcos de la Frontera.

Some ideas and useful links

The links below can be very useful depending on where you are staying and what you need to do to have a wonderful time in Andalucia.

• An interactive map of Andalucia to find lots of ideas for visits around you, off the beaten track.

• link to book a rental car at Malaga airport.

• link to book a rental car anywhere else in Andalucia with the rentalcars platform.

• If you’re on the Costa del Sol and looking for ideas for excursions in Andalucia, you can use the following link to book a tour departing from Málaga, Torremolinos, Estepona or Benalmadena.

Discover more of Andalusia’s beautiful sites in the Andalucia blog pages.

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