If you travel to Jerez de la Frontera with children, there will be no shortage of plans. The city has swings and attractions for different ages; a zoo that can be reached on foot from the city centre; and a museum where you can learn about the art of flamenco.
Also, if you spend several days in Jerez, a few kilometres from the town centre there is a water park, as well as different options for spending a day in the heart of nature.
Here is a list of plans to do with children in Jerez:
- Cultural activities with kids
- Amusement parks, water parks and the zoo
- Nature activities with children
- Recommended trips with children
- Family activities at the Barceló Jerez Montecastillo hotel
Cultural activities with kids
Regardless of the children’s age, Jerez is a friendly city for strolling with a pushchair or walking with the youngest members of the family. Moreover, strolling through its streets and squares and visiting some of its landmarks is a small lesson in the history of Andalusia.
If you have to choose, you should visit the Alcazar fortress (12th century), an example of Almohad architecture and the oldest monument in Jerez. Its mosque, Arab baths, walls, towers and battlements evoke the Arab past, but also the Christian era. The kids will surely be drawn to the Camera Obscura for a 360-degree panoramic view of the city.
Needless to say, if your children love dancing and music, the San Miguel and Santiago neighbourhoods exude flamenco. As the birthplace of great artists of the Andalusian musical genre par excellence, you will most certainly hear the sound of a guitar or flamenco singer as you stroll through its streets. If want to find out more, you will find the Andalusian Flamenco Documentation Centre and Jerez Flamencology Chair located in the Santiago neighbourhood.
Also worth a visit is the Time Palace (Calle Cervantes, 3), a mansion that exhibits 287 clocks made between the 17th and 19th centuries. It is considered one of the finest collections in Europe.
If you spend several days in Jerez, its Archaeological Museum (plaza del Mercado s/n) invites you to check out the city’s history and socio-cultural development.
Amusement parks, water parks and the zoo
La Ciudad de los Niños y las Niñas (Avenida Tío Pepe, 12) is clearly the favourite amusement area among the local children and those visiting the city. It has slides, bouncy castles, zip lines, a small open-air theatre, etc. In this large area, which is free of charge and dedicated to children, you can spend a fun-filled family day out. It also has establishments where you can grab a bite and some attractions that are pay-as-you-go.
In summer the heat is scorching in Jerez, so a good plan is to drive to a large water park with water attractions for different ages. Aqualand Bahía de Cádiz is around 20 minutes by car in the direction of El Puerto de Santa María.
Without leaving Jerez, Zoobotánico is located in the Santiago neighbourhood. With more than 72 years of history, it is a place where young and old alike can get up close to almost 900 animals belonging to more than 180 species (lions, giraffes, chimpanzees, hippopotamuses, etc.).
Nature activities with children
It is the largest natural park in Cádiz province. About 50 kilometres down the road, near the village of Alcalá de los Gazules, is one of the most popular entrances to the Los Alcornocales Nature Reserve. It is a unique site where you can spend the day hiking along a child-friendly trail, sailing on the waters of the Barbate reservoir or bird watching at the El Aljibe visitor centre.
The Las Aguilillas forest park (Km. 6 on the CA-501 road from Jerez to Cortes) is a green and wooded area near the city where you can spend a day with the family having a picnic. If children like (and want) to walk and explore, you may even see hedgehogs, lizards, snakes and birds such as kestrels.
Further away from Jerez, about 20 kilometres by road, is the Honey and Bee Museum at the ‘Rancho Cortesano’ (Carretera de Cortes (A-2003 road). Desviación El Torno, Km. 2). Boys and girls will be able to learn about bee-keeping and the world of bees. There are around 2,000 hives in 40 apiaries.
Recommended trips with children
One of the top wineries in Jerez, and in Spain, is Bodegas Tío Pepe-González Byass (1835). You can visit the vineyards in a mini-train. The whole family can get on this unique transport to tour the large estate and learn about the process of making brandy and sherry wine.
If your children love cars or motorbikes, a visit to the Jerez Circuit (around 10 kilometres from the centre) is also good plan. In addition to its tracks, there is a Motor Museum.
Family activities at the Barceló Jerez Montecastillo hotel
In Jerez, the four-star Barceló Jerez Montecastillo & Convention Center hotel has a good location since it is next to the circuit and about 10 minutes from the airport and the city, provides a relaxing stay and has all types of services. It is a great option if you are going with your family for a few days.
It has four outdoor pools and an indoor pool with spa. One of the pools is for children and has a water park. If you go in summer, there are children’s activities organised with monitors.
For children aged 4 to 12, there is also a club (Barcy club) with an extensive programme of educational activities and parties.
