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La Barrosa, Chiclana, near Cadiz, Costa de la luz, Spain; 2 bed apartment.
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Cadiz, Sevilla, Chiclana, Jerez, Gibraltar, Tarifa, Cape Trafalgar.
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Food and drink
Seafood is a big favourite here and you’ll find it on most menus, also, pork is very popular. Make sure you try the salchichon and longanizas (pork sausages). Gaspacho (cold tomato soup) and Paella are specialities of the region; as is fish cooked in salt a local delicacy, which is certainly worth ordering.
The area is famous for its wine and sherry making, try Tierra Blanca a local white wine or fino, moscatel and oloroso which are all types of sherry ranging from dry to sweet. The area also produces 90% of Spain's brandy, the local wine, sherry and Funtador brandy are all produced using traditional methods that have been used for centuries. Jerez is the centre of sherry & brandy production and has a higher number of producers, however there a few local Bodegas in Chiclana offering tours; where you can learn about the process and sample the product.
Siesta time.
Most shops and all banks close during the hours of 14:00 to 18:00. Some shops do re-open, but the banks do not. The larger supermarkets however remain open all day.
Nearest banks and shops
Are located in Novo Sancti Petri (see below) and in central La Barrosa, which is 2 minutes away by car. Here there's a small supermarket, a pharmacy, a place to access the internet and a tabac, as well as quite a few good bars and restaurants. There is also an Irish/English pub in the Plaza.
The two largest supermarkets (Mercadona & Supersol) are 5 minutes away by car. Note these are not open on Sundays, but the one in the main beach shopping area is.
At the top of the road, next to the tennis club there's a bakery which also sells some essentials, or you can continue straight at the roundabout, where there is another small supermarket.
The nearest beach within walking distance is in Novo Sancti Petri, which is also where the tourist information office is. If you are prepared to walk further or drive then we recommend checking the beachfront promenade out. It has a number of excellent bars and restaurants all along it. There’s a great Cuban restaurant at the far end of the promenade and the sport's bar next door to it also has internet access. As you walk down the promenade there are a few places where you can hire bicycles or book boat trips to the island or to view the sunset.
Novo Sancti Petri.
Is where many large hotels are located, it is within walking distance or 2 minutes away by car. There is a large commercial centre here with a supermarket, sport's bar with internet access, banks, clothers shops and a number of bars/restaurants. In case of a medial emergency there is an excellent medical centre in Novo Sancti Petri, which has some English speaking staff. The riding school, Cycling track, Football pitch and both golf courses are located here too. Although Novo Sancti Petri's commercial centre does tend to be quiet out of season.
Sancti Petri
A very Pretty abandoned fishing village is at the far end of La Barrosa. It has a fabulous beach with the best place for cocktails available from the Bar Bongo on the beach and a small harbour which is where the windsurf and sailing clubs are located. You can take a bus there from outside the tourist information office.
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Places to visit:
Chiclana (10 mins by car – also bus service from La Barrosa)
The nearest town is an old Andalucian city with the narrow streets and courtyards typical of this region of Spain. It has a wide range of shops and services as well as bars, restaurants, markets and sherry bodegas.
The centre, located around the Town Hall Square and the covered market, is bustling and lively. The market has an array of fruit and vegetable, fish and meat stalls. On Tuesday mornings, a large outdoor market is held by the blue bridge across the river.
There are three excellent local websites packed with information including maps of the town centre and surrounding areas listed at the end of this page.
Cape Trafalgar:
Where Nelson fought his famous battle is worth visiting – not just to see the memorial -as you can see the coast of Africa on a clear day and it has an excellent beach.
Cadiz (Approx 30 minutes by car)
Is thought to be the oldest city in Europe and is certainly worth a visit. Cadiz is still predominantly an old city with many interesting narrow cobbled stone streets and attractive plazas; some with excellent shops, restaurants and tapas bars. It’s a wonderful city to wander around and lose yourself and if you have time after all the shopping and tapas then try to visit the spectacular 18th century Baroque cathedral.
Cadiz has many delightful parks and surprisingly for a city it also has a number of beautiful beaches. The train station is modern with fast links to Seville and Madrid and has a selection of car hire companies based there. Seafood is always on the menu, as Cadiz also remains a working seaport.
Cadiz is such an interesting and vibrant city that one cannot do it justice on half a page so we recommend you visit the website at the end of this page and decide for yourself.
Conil de la Frontera
A beautiful, Moorish seaside town, with its white walled houses and narrow streets is worth a visit just to find a parking space! Local ceramics production creates tremendous interest, as does the beach and local restaurants specialising in fresh fish.
Jerez
Became famous throughout the world for its sweet wines named after the town, which the British pronounced "sherry". If you are really into sherry tasting then Jerez is the place to go and many of the larger bodegas “wine makers” in Spanish, offer guided tours followed by tasting sessions. Jerez is also famous, throughout the world, for its fine horses and brilliant singers and dancers of flamenco. There are a number of leaflets in the file in the apartment or for more info visit the website at the end of this page.
Medina Sidonia
An interesting Moorish town at the top of a hill, famous for its cakes, which are out of this world. Visiting here is like going back in time, the town itself is over 3000 years old. The Roman colony of Asido Caesarina was constructed over Phoenician settlements and you can still view the remains of the Roman community. There are fabulous views of the surrounding countryside and the Bay of Cadiz if you take the very steep climb up to the church. The restaurant there has a viewing gallery and offers much needed refreshments!
Sancti Petri Island
You can take a boat trip from Sancti Petri harbour to Sancti Petri Island, where you will find The Temple of Hercules. During Spring and Summer evenings, the sun sets spectularly behind the tower, throwing it into a dark silhouette. It is possible to take a sunset cruise to experience this for yourself. You can either book direct at Santi Petri Harbour or from one of the cabins on La Barrosa promenade.
Sevilla (90minutes by car) - An excellent day out The regional capital of Andalusia, still retains much the charming moorish style architecture, with the 400 year old, gothic style Cathedral and the Giralda tower at the heart of the old city. (You can climb the steps inside the tower for a magnificent view). Very close by is the royal Mudéjar palace known as the Alcazar with marvellous gardens and the Santa Cruz quarter, with cramped streets, flowered balconies, richly decorated facades and hidden patios. Also Don't miss out on the tapas. The city is credited with their invention and has more than a thousand bars where the choice of food, is virtually unlimited, from seafood to ham and sausage, from vegetable to cheese. The Sevillians really like to make a meal of them, moving from bar to bar and trying one dish at a time. Tarifa (about 55 minutes drive)
Only 14 kilometres from the coast of North Africa, Tarifa is a walled town with strong Arabic influences. It still has a thriving fishing industry.
The unbeatable conditions for windsurfing have turned Tarifa into the windsurfing capital of Europe. Tarifa is the southern-most tip of Europe where the Med. meets the Atlantic Ocean, enjoying spectacular views of the Rif Mountains of Africa across the water.
Vejer de la Frontera (Approx 35 mins drive)
A breathtakingly beautiful village set at the top of a steep hill, it is a perfect example of Arab/Andalusian architecture. It is declared a Protected Area of Historical/ Artistic Interest and its hilltop position has made it a favourite destination for gliding.
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