5 Places to Visit in Jerez, Home to One of Spain’s Most Iconic Bodegas

Imagine strolling down narrow, sun-drenched streets filled with chic tapas bars — each offering delicious local cuisine, soulful rasgueado guitar, dramatic flamenco dancers, and (of course!) irresistible Sherry, rum, and other drinks. Sound like a dream? Then, it’s time to visit Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

Located in southwestern Spain — about a 30-minute drive from Cadiz and the Atlantic Ocean — Jerez de la Frontera is a charming town steeped in history and culture. It’s also home to our world-renowned producer partner, Bodegas Williams & Humbert, makers of fine Sherries, Dos Maderas rum, and Gran Duque de Alba brandy.

With a winemaking tradition that dates back over 3,000 years, Jerez is one of the most respected wine regions in the world. Jerez’s great contribution to wine and spirits originated in 711 CE, when the Moors conquered the region and introduced distillation, which resulted in the creation of Sherry wine and brandy. To this day, the Sherry wine industry remains the backbone of Jerez’s economy.

Whether you’re into Sherry and spirits, stunning historical architecture, or vibrant musical performances, Jerez de la Frontera has something for everyone. Here are five exciting places to visit.

Bodegas Williams & Humbert

Your first stop is Bodegas Williams & Humbert. Established in 1877, it is among Jerez’s most famous and respected Sherry producers, rising to prominence for its iconic Sherry brand, Dry Sack, launched in 1906, and for becoming a founding member of the official DO Jerez-Xérès-Brandy in 1920.

The bodega also crafts the exceptional Dos Maderas rum range, including Dos Maderas Selección, which won Spain Rum of the Year and a 95-point gold medal at the 2024 New York International Spirits Competition. And it’s home to the super-premium Gran Duque de Alba line of brandies, whose flagship Solera Gran Reserva earned a 93-point gold medal at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

A tour of Bodegas Williams & Humbert is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, combining Jerez’s wine and spirits tradition with architecture, food, music, and other aspects of Andalusian culture. The winery spans a massive 50,000 square meters / 12.35 acres, making it one of the largest in Europe. Thanks to the historical design and impressive engineering (the building consists of 7,657 concrete pieces), it has been declared an Andalusian Heritage Property and holds the National Architecture Prize.

During your visit, you’ll explore the bodega’s various facilities — including the vast barrel cellar, which houses 60,000 oak barrels. This room is the heart of Bodegas Williams & Humbert, home to their remarkable library of aging Sherries, Gran Duque de Alba brandies, and Dos Maderas rums. Yes, rums!

Williams & Humbert is the first Sherry house in Jerez to use its solera system (particularly barrels that previously held Palo Cortado and Pedro Ximenez Sherry) to age and blend its rums. Before arriving in Spain, the rum ages for five years in ex-Bourbon American oak casks in the Caribbean. This unique, dual-aging process is key to Dos Maderas’ distinctly smooth, complex flavor profile.

Of course, every tour includes the opportunity to taste Williams & Humbert’s exceptional wines and spirits, along with local food pairings. Visitors can also tour the vineyards, attend an equestrian show, or see a flamenco performance.

Insider tip: The bodega’s private tour guides speak Spanish, English, and German, with other languages available upon request.

Mercado Central de Abastos

Though it doesn’t steal the limelight like Madrid, San Sebastian, or Barcelona, Jerez is one of the top gastronomic centers in Spain — and a must-visit for self-proclaimed foodies. Located in a magnificent neoclassical building constructed in 1885, the Mercado Central de Abastos is the city’s vibrant, bustling food market.

Particularly renowned for its seafood, sourced fresh daily from the Atlantic, the market also boasts a wide selection of meats, fruits, vegetables, and more, which reflects the rich diversity of Andalusian food culture. Traditional local delicacies include berza jerezana (chickpea stew), Sherried kidneys, rabo de toro (oxtail), ajo de viña (a garlicky bread pudding), and tocinos de cielo (caramelized egg flan). The latter would make a delectable pairing for Dos Maderas 5+5 Rum, which has a similarly rich, sweet, smooth character plus intriguing flavors of fig, raisin, smoky oak, and tobacco leaf.

Insider tip: Visit the market early in the morning for the freshest catches. You may even see the lively bartering between local chefs and vendors.

Tabancos

Jerez de la Frontera’s iconic Sherry bars, called tabancos, offer a unique way to immerse yourself in Andalusian culture. At these charming, characterful establishments, you can enjoy a range of Sherries straight from the cask — exactly how locals traditionally consume wine in Jerez. Tabancos also host live flamenco performances and serve classic tapas like caracoles (snails), salt cod fritters, and chicharrones (crunchy, fried pork skins).

Insider tip: Head to tabancos in the late afternoon or early evening. That’s when the locals go, and you’re likely to catch an impromptu flamenco performance!

The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

Renowned worldwide for their exceptional beauty and graceful demeanor, Andalusian horses were bred by Carthusian Monks in the late Middle Ages, making the breed one of the oldest on record. Jerez celebrates these majestic creatures through several festivals and regular shows.

For the ultimate experience, visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. One of the world’s finest riding centers, it features mesmerizing Andalusian horse shows. Visitors can also watch training sessions inside the Picadero (indoor arena), tour the stables and tack rooms, and see the carriage museum and museum of equestrian art.

Insider tip: If you go on a training day, you might glimpse the riders and horses preparing for their shows.

The Alcázar de Jerez

While Jerez dates to Paleolithic times, in the Middle Ages, the Moors created a lasting effect on the city’s architectural landscape. The Moorish design style continues to define Jerez’s unique, beautiful aesthetic, and Alcázar de Jerez offers a stunning glimpse into this legacy.

Built in the 11th century, the Alcázar de Jerez is one of the best-preserved Moorish fortresses in Andalusia. It features imposing walls, remarkably preserved Arab baths, and an impressive octagonal tower added in the 14th century. The building also houses the last surviving mosque in Jerez (there were originally 18), which was later converted into a chapel.

Insider tip: For a prime photo opp, visit the Alcázar at sunset when the “golden hour” light casts enchanting shadows on the ancient walls.

To learn more about Jerez’s historic, world-famous Bodegas Williams & Humbert winery, click here.

And if you do find yourself in Jerez de la Frontera, we’d love to see highlights from your trip! Tag Palm Bay International, along with Bodegas Williams & Humbert, Dos Maderas, or Gran Duque de Alba, in your travel photos on Instagram and Facebook.