Although there is no beach in Jerez de la Frontera, less than a 15-minute drive away, you can take a dip in some of the most popular swimming spots in the province of Cádiz. If you are looking for unspoilt beaches, such as El Palmar, you will have to go a little further afield but the coastal paradises surrounding the municipality make any short trip worthwhile.
- Jerez de la Frontera context: a city with the sea on its doorstep
- Beaches closer to Jerez: a short distance from the sea
Jerez de la Frontera context: a city with the sea on its doorstep
Although Jerez de la Frontera does not have a beach within its municipal boundaries, its relationship with the sea is crucial, especially when it comes to sherry production owing to its fossil-rich soil. Jerez is located just 20 kilometres from some of the most spectacular beaches on the coast of Cádiz. For this reason, many visitors choose Jerez as their base from which to visit the beaches in some of the region’s most beautiful towns, such as Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Rota, El Puerto de Santa María, Vejer de la Frontera and even Tarifa. What’s more, the paradise is very well connected by several motorways, making travel between Jerez and the coast straightforward.
Beaches closer to Jerez: a short distance from the sea
Valdelagrana
This is one of the most popular beaches among locals due to its proximity. In fact, many people go there just to spend the day and then return home. Located in Puerto de Santa María, Valdelagrana is a fine sandy beach measuring about two kilometres long, with calm waters and a seaside promenade. It tends to be very crowded in the summer months, however, as it is very easy to get to.
The beach can get quite windy, especially when the easterly wind blows, so many people go there to do water sports such as windsurfing or kitesurfing. Valdelagrana stretches from the breakwater of the Guadalete river to the first dunes alongside Avenida del Mar, with the mouth of the river separating it from the centre of El Puerto.
Costa Ballena: a paradise for fun and relaxation
This swimming spot, which also has a residential development of the same name, is located between Rota and Chipiona. It is the perfect place for families with children, as it is a very quiet beach with fine golden sand and all the services you could possibly need. The central area of Costa Ballena has a very wide sandy beach with little surf, making for a pleasant swim, while the Playa Ballena and Tres Piedras areas, towards Chipiona, are wilder and more natural.
Costa Ballena is home to one of the best-known golf courses in Cádiz—boasting 27 holes and designed by José María Olazábal—where you can play golf without losing sight of the sea. What’s more, owing to the natural surroundings, the sunsets are spectacular, especially from the sun loungers of a beach bar, the seaside promenade or the landscaped areas around the lakes.
El Puerto de Santa María: just a stone’s throw away
El Puerto has seven beaches less than 20 minutes from Jerez, including Fuentebravía, Santa Catalina, La Calita, La Muralla, La Puntilla, Levante and Valdelagrana, which we have already mentioned. Levante beach is an unspoilt stretch of sand spanning more than four kilometres, surrounded by marshes, making it a protected and magical area. In the sand, you can even find nesting sites for some species typical of the ecosystem. It can be reached on foot from Valdelagrana, by electric train (which only runs during the summer months) or via a special trail.
La Calita beach is located between rocks from which a strip of sand emerges. Very close by is La Muralla beach, where the remains of the old El Palmar battery protect it from the westerly wind. It is a small beach without much surf. La Puntilla beach is the most popular in El Puerto de Santa María, because it is very wide and very close to the seaside promenade. Its waters are calm, making it a favourite spot among swimmers with small children.
El Palmar: a beautiful unspoilt beach
The miles of unspoilt beach in El Palmar are one of the biggest attractions on the coast of Cádiz. It is a natural area with a very relaxed atmosphere, where the sand, sun, and sea seem to form the perfect triangle. The beach has fine golden sand, surrounded by dunes and vegetation typical of these types of ecosystems. What’s more, the water is crystal clear, making you feel as if you are in the Caribbean without leaving Spain.
El Palmar is very easy to get to and one of Cadiz’s most popular spots for surfing fans, especially between October and April when waves can reach up to two meters in height. In fact, the town has several surf schools for all levels, which are active during the summer months when the sea is calmer and lessons can be held. Another of El Palmar’s attractions is its impressive sunset, which can be seen from the dunes that make up the beach.
Tarifa: the queen of the surf
The beaches of Tarifa are the most famous in Cádiz due to their size and the wind that makes them one of the most important places in Spain for windsurfing, surfing, and kitesurfing. It is even common to see kite enthusiasts running across the fine sand holding the strings of their soaring kites, taking advantage of the wind that blows.
The most famous swimming spots in Tarifa are Los Lances, which is perfect for water sports; Valdevaqueros, with its unique landscape; and Punta Paloma, which is much less crowded and quieter. In addition to the excellent food at its beach bars, companies in Tarifa offer boat trips to see dolphins and whales in the Strait of Gibraltar, which is a unique experience, especially at sunset.
