surroundings

Medina-Sidonia is an undiscovered white pearl in a lesser-known part of Andalusia. Quietly located inland from Cádiz, just 25 kilometres from the beautiful Costa de la Luz, it offers a perfect balance between authentic village life and easy access to the coast.

Perched on a hill at an altitude of 300 metres, the town enjoys breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views. On clear days, you can see the Atlantic Ocean—and even the coast of Africa.

Stroll through the ancient streets and experience the charm of traditional Andalusia. Along the way, you may catch the sweet aroma of handmade alfajores, a local delicacy made with honey, nuts, and spices. These treats have been produced here for centuries, following recipes influenced by Arabic and Roman traditions.

Medina-Sidonia enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is around 22°C, making it an attractive destination throughout the year.

Jerez de la Frontera, famous for its Sherry, is also half an hour's drive away. A sherry tour is definitely recommended, but the city itself is also really worth a visit. It is a maze of streets, beautiful buildings and cosy squares with terraces.  The imposing Cathedral is not only striking for its dome but also for its buttresses. Both Baroque and Gothic building elements adorn the facade.  The Moorish fortress the Alcázar de Jerez is also a must-see, providing a journey through the history of the city, both during its Islamic and Christian periods.

Don't miss the Calle Pescaderia Vieja, a colourful little street with bars and restaurants, or the buzzing Mercado Central de Abastos. Jerez is also famous for its horses. Fundación Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre is Andalusia's royal riding school. Here, horses are trained following the example of the Vienna Riding School. 

Jerez is often called the cradle of flamenco, referring to the important role the city enjoyed in the origins of flamenco. The Centro Andaluz de Flamenco offers an interesting overview of flamenco with film material, archives, photos and paintings. Finish your visit in one of the bodega's with a passionate flamenco show!

The surfing mecca of Tarifa is only an hour's drive away. Tarifa has a cosy old centre with a warren of narrow streets and white-painted houses and little shops where you can stroll around for hours. Or just relax on one of its most beautiful sandy beaches. In addition, you can book a boat trip here (April-October) to see dolphins, whales and orcas (July/August) or take the one-hour ferry to Tangier, Morocco.

A day trip to Tarifa can be combined well with a visit to the archaeological site Baelo Claudia, declared a National Historic Monument. In the 3rd century AD, Baelo Claudia was hit by an earthquake, but a small village managed to survive until the early 7th century, when it was finally abandoned. With the Baelo Claudia Archaeological Site, the province of Cadiz retains one of the finest known examples of a Roman city. 

There are several golf courses in the Medina-Sidonia area.

1. The IBEROSTAR Novo Sancti Petri Golf Club is 36Km away. The golf course has two 18-hole courses, both designed by Spanish legend Severiano Ballesteros.

2. Barceló Montecastillo Golf Club is 43 KM away, an 18-hole course with over 160 hectares of native flora and fauna. It is considered one of the Top 10 golf courses in Spain and was designed by Jack Nicklaus.

3. Benalup Golf & Country Club is 21Km away. Belgian golf course architect Paul Rolin designed this 18-hole course 2001. The course lies on gently rolling terrain, with many trees and artificial lakes.

4. Villanueva Golf is 33KM away, this course is not too difficult and therefore very enjoyable for beginner golfers.