Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Spring and autumn are pleasant. Summer is hot but the sea wind helps, and the beaches are busy in August. Winters are mild.

Feria de la Manzanilla in late May or early June is the main festival, and the horse races on the beach in August are unique to Sanlúcar.

• Palacio de Orleans-Borbón is a 19th-century palace of the Orleans-Borbón family, now used by the local government, with gardens.
• The Castillo de Santiago is a 15th-century castle with a tower, near the Bajo de Guía.
• The Palacio Ducal de Medina Sidonia is a palace of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia, in the old town.
• The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la O is a church with a Mudéjar portal.
• The Convento de Santo Domingo and the Convento de la Madre de Dios are old religious buildings.
• The Bajo de Guía is a waterfront with seafood restaurants facing Doñana.
• The visitor center of the Poblado de la Plancha is the start of Doñana National Park tours.
• The bodegas (wine cellars) offer visits and tastings of manzanilla.

• Visit a manzanilla bodega and taste with local snacks.
• Eat langostinos and fried fish at the Bajo de Guía.
• Take the boat trip into Doñana National Park.
• Walk the beach at sunset, and watch the August horse races if you are there.
• Visit the castle and the palaces.

• Doñana National Park: a boat trip across the Guadalquivir to a wetland reserve.
• Jerez de la Frontera (about 25 km): sherry cellars and horses.
• Cádiz (about 45 km): an old port city.
• Sevilla (about 120 km): the capital of Andalusia.
• Carmona (about 150 km): a historic town.

Other places nearby:

• Cádiz province: Jerez de la Frontera and Cádiz.
• Seville province: Sevilla and Carmona.

• By air: Jerez airport is about 25 km away, and Seville airport about 120 km.
• By train: The nearest main station is Jerez, with a connection by bus or taxi. Check Renfe schedules.
• By bus: Buses run from Jerez, Cádiz and Seville.
• By car: The A-480 road from Jerez and the AP-4 motorway.

• On foot: The center is walkable, and the upper town is on a hill.
• Taxi: To reach the beaches and the Bajo de Guía.
• Bus: Local buses connect the beaches.

• Is a car worth it?: Optional. The town is easy on foot, but a car helps for Jerez and the coast.
• Parking: Paid parking is available, with limited space in summer.
• Roads: Roads are good, but busy in August.

Sanlúcar is a gastronomic town. The signature drink is manzanilla, a pale dry wine, served cold with fried fish, tortillitas de camarones (shrimp fritters) and the local langostinos (prawns). Also try gambas, tortillas, and the sweet tocino de cielo of the area.

Sanlúcar is a safe town. The Atlantic currents at the river mouth can be strong, so swim at supervised beaches. In summer, use sun protection.

The town was a Moorish settlement and later a possession of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia, who ruled it for centuries. In 1498 Columbus left from here on his third voyage, and in 1519 Magellan's expedition sailed from the town on the first circumnavigation.

Sanlúcar later became an important port for trade with the Americas, and manzanilla made it known for wine.

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