Road Trip on the Costa de la Luz – From Jerez and Cadiz to Tarifa

Overview of 4-day Road Trip on the Costa de la Luz

Day 1 – Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez, along with El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda, forms the famous Sherry Triangle. Besides sherry, Jerez is known for flamenco, Andalusian horses, and its prestigious riding academy. The city doesn’t boast grand monuments like some other Andalusian cities but takes pride in its cultural richness and unique character.

Things to see in Jerez

• Alcázar de Jerez
• Catedral de San Salvador
• Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art
• Bodegas Tradición and Bodega Tío Pepe

Apart from the main attractions, Jerez has much to offer, including numerous churches, flamenco shows, and ever-relaxing Arab baths. That’s why I recommend spending at least half a day in Jerez de la Frontera.

Families with young kids might want to focus on horse shows and head to the beach more quickly, while adults may enjoy spending more time exploring the Sherry Triangle..

Where to Stay in Jerez

You’ll have to chose a place to stay for you first day of this road trip. I recommend staying in Jerez if you want to have more time to do the attractions. The Jacaranda trees are blooming in May make this month a great one to stay in the city.

My pick would be the Hotel Bodega Tio Pepe for the affordable luxury it offers. The Bodega has a rooftop pool and a beautiful view of the city of Jerez.

Day 2 – Road to Cadiz

Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Drive time from Jerez : 24 min.

Sanlucar de Barrameda has lovely walkways and charming squares. The main highlight is, of course, wine tasting in its various bodegas. What I like about it is that it’s charmingly untidy, a bit lively, mostly away from the tourist crowds, and excellent for food and drinks

Things to see in Sanlúcar de Barrameda

• Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana and Bodegas Barbadillo
• Doñana National Park

If you’re visiting in August, Sanlúcar de Barrameda is famous for its horse races on the beach. The city also has its occasionnal corrida.

What if you don’t have a car? You can reach Sanlúcar de Barrameda from Jerez without a car, but only buses serve this route. The ride takes 50 minutes.

Chipiona

Drive time from Sanlúcar : 16 min.

Travelers love Chipiona for 2 things: its beautiful beach, one of the best in the region, and its delicious seafood. The town is also famous for its sweet wine, and you can taste it straight from the barrel at the Museo del Moscatel.

Being close to the ocean, Chipiona has a refreshing and open feel. While you’re there, make sure to visit the Faro de Chipiona, Spain’s tallest lighthouse, for just 5 EUR.

What if you don’t have a car? You can take a bus from Sanlúcar de Barrameda to Chipiona, and it only takes 15 minutes.

Rota

Drive time from Chipiona : 16 min.

Rota is quite different from the typical UK-in-the-sun resorts. Loved by Spanish tourists for its authentic Spanish vibe, the town’s biggest attraction is its long beaches that run along the entire coastline. Rota is perfect for water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing.

Things to see in Rota

• Castillo de Luna
• Playa de Costa Ballena

What if you don’t have a car? You can take the bus from Rota to El Puerto de Santa María. (Takes 25 min.)

El Puerto de Santa María

Drive time from Rota : 19 min.

Your last stop in the Sherry Triangle is El Puerto de Santa Maria. Don’t miss out on visiting the local bodegas; they’re a must-see.

Right in the center of town, there’s a 13th-century castle called the Castillo de San Marcos. It’s a must-see—it’s the only castle on our Costa de la Luz road trip. What’s cool is that the castle has its own winery (of course!), where you can learn about their sherries and have a tasting session.

Things to see in El Puerto de Santa María

• Bodegas Gutiérrez Colosía and Bodegas Osborne
• Castillo de San Marcos
• Palacio de Araníbar
• Playa de Valdegrana

Heading to the coast, you’ll find a wonderful beach with many sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent. The water is exceptionally clear, and there are numerous restaurants and bars along the lively promenade.

What if you don’t have a car? You can reach El Puerto de Santa María by bus (takes about 20 minutes).

Day 3 – Cádiz

Drive time from El Puerto : 18 min.

To me, Cadiz feels a bit like the Venice of Andalusia—this isn’t my first time making such a comparison (I can’t help it). While lacking the canals, it’s one of the rare spots in Spain where a town reaches out into the sea.

Things to see in Cadiz

• Catedral de Cádiz
• La Caleta Beach
• San Sebastian Castle
• Fish Market

Cadiz is not only beautiful but also compact. The remarkable cathedral holds oodles of history and is a must-see in the charming historic center. Another unique thing to do in Cadiz is the walk to the San Sebastian Castle; the views there are really breathtaking.

As the largest city on the coast, Cadiz is home to some fantastic seafood restaurants. (I have a soft spot for Taberna El tío de La Tiza.) And don’t hesitate to take a look at the local fish market.

What if you don’t have a car? That one is easy! Both the train and the bus travel from El Puerto de Santa María to Cádiz. The bus is faster and takes around 20 minutes. If you prefer the sea route and don’t mind skipping El Puerto de Santa María, there’s a ferry from Rota to Cadiz old town (check the schedule here.)

Where to stay in Cádiz

Day 4 – Road to Tarifa

Medina-Sidonia

Drive time from Cádiz : 33 min.

Medina Sidonia is an ancient town perched on a hill, often overlooked despite its rich history. Some say it’s the oldest city in Europe, chosen for its elevated position in military strategy. Yet, beyond its historical importance, it’s a charming place to wander.

Things to see in Medina-Sidonia

• Palace of Medina Sidonia

The lively square, the heart of the city, buzzes with bars and restaurants. Like many other picturesque towns, it boasts medieval walls and narrow winding streets. What sets it apart is its reputation for hosting ranches that breed fighting bulls.

What if you don’t have a car? The bus that takes you to Medina-Sidonia takes 1 hour to get there from Cadiz.

Vejer de la Frontera

Drive time from Medina-Sidonia : 29 min.

Vejer de la Frontera is a charming historic town and a part of the iconic white villages of the Frontera region. The town is small and perfect for exploring on foot, with its winding streets that invite you to wander for hours. While there might not be a ton of attractions, there are a few must-see spots, like the famous archway starting at Calle Judería (the most popular spot for photos in Vejer).

Things to see in Vejer de la Frontera

• Playa El Palmar
• Plaza de Espana

IMHO, the town’s architecture strongly resembles Tetouan, Morocco, and as you stroll through the streets, you’ll discover shops with Moroccan trinkets, adding a unique touch to this Spanish town.

What if you don’t have a car? The bus ride from Medina-Sidonia to Vejer takes 2 hours. It’s better to consider taking a taxi or skipping Medina-Sidonia and catching the 1-hour bus directly from Cadiz.

Where to Stay in Vejer

Zahara de los Atunes

Drive time from Vejer : 22 min.

Zahara, with its 40 kilometers of beautiful coastline, is a fantastic beach destination. What’s special about this place is how the town smoothly blends with the beach, a real dream of urban architecture for beach lovers, if you ask me.

Things to do in Zahara de los Atunes

• Playa de Zahara
• Playa Los Alemanes
• Playa Arroyo del Canuelo

With its roots as a humble fishing village dating back to Phoenician times, Zahara has transformed into an upscale beach town known for its gourmet restaurants and wine bars. But be sure to also enjoy its ‘chiringuitos’ along the shore.

Zahara de los Atunes is famous across Spain for its excellent bluefin tuna, perfectly reflected in its name, meaning “sahara of the tuna.”

What if you don’t have a car? The bus going from Vejer de la Frontera to Zahara takes 20 min.

Tarifa

Drive time from Zahara de los Atunes : 36 min.

Located at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula, Tarifa is more than just a gateway to Tangier and the magic of Morocco. It’s an eclectic beach town, offering beautiful beaches and a charming old town with cozy cafés.

Things to see in Tarifa

• Playa de Bolonia
• Playa de Valdevaqueros
• Playa de Los Lances
• Castillo de Guzman el Bueno

The town’s charm comes from its unique character, where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, winds become an attraction, and surf shops are as common as in Malibu, California. That why despite its small size, it attracts many water sports enthusiasts each year.

Beyond water activities, Tarifa offers a variety of attractions for all kinds of visitors. One notable spot is the Castillo de Guzman el Bueno, which gives you with amazing views of the old city of Tarifa and even glimpses of northern Morocco.

What if you don’t have a car? You can take the bus from Zahara to Tarifa. The journey takes around 1 hour.

Where to Stay

The west coast of Andalusia is pretty much a straight line, but there are a few ways to plan this road trip on the Costa de la Luz.

• Stay 2 nights in Cadiz: You can stay one night in Jerez, 2 nights in Cadiz, and spend the 4th night in Zahara de los Atunes. This way, you get a quiet night in a peaceful town at the end of the trip without too much back and forth. (This is how I’d do it.)
• Stay in Jerez, Cadiz, Vejer and Tarifa: If you don’t mind changing cities every night or don’t have access to a car, you can stay in a different city each night. (The best way for most people.)
• Stay all 4 nights in Cadiz: You could easily use Cadiz as your base for the entire trip since it’s centrally located. It involves some back and forth, but it’s manageable.

Want to add a day?

Add a night in Vejer de la Frontera

Vejer de la Frontera is the most popular small town on the trip, with many day trips from Seville every day. Consequently, the hotels there are quite attractive. It would be entirely understandable if you wanted to spend the night there.

Add a day trip to Tangier

You can’t talk about Tarifa without mentioning Tangier. In fact, going to Tangier is one of the most popular tours people do in this windy city. Consider adding an extra night at the end of your trip in Tarifa to allow yourself to explore Morocco for a day.