What better way to indulge in the richness of Andalucía than to savor a bowl of creamy, rich salmorejo sprinkled with jamón, feast on a plate of freshly caught pulpo, and sip on a tumbler of sherry? Enjoy regional culinary delicacies and an authentic Andalusian experience in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
The name of this seaside town is believed to stem from its Moorish heritage. Shaluqa, phonetically akin to Sanlúcar, is the Arabic name for the Levanter winds, which blow through the region and give the the Palomino grapes growing in the Balbaina y Miraflores vineyards their distinctive faintly salted flavor.
Visit the cellars and vineyards of La Gitana, the award-winning internationally acclaimed manzanilla that hails from this charming city, and experience the singularity of these sea salt kissed local grapes. Learn all about the production process and delight in the intricately unique aromas and flavors of some of the world’s most preeminent sherries.
Head to the fishing quarter Bajo de Guía for a meal with a view. Dine on freshly caught prawns while overlooking the city’s several kilometers of sandy beaches.
If you are lucky enough to be in town in August, you’ll have something else to marvel at: the horse races. Families gather along an 1800 meter stretch of shoreline to witness the spectacle. The Carreras de Caballos dates back to 1845 and has become a beloved annual tradition.
If horse racing is not your thing, you can catch a ferry from Bajo de Guía to Parque Doñana, Europe’s largest marshlands. This is a great spot for birdwatchers to see a huge variety of avian species. Migrating birds from northern Europe head there to escape the cold winter months, while birds from Africa flock there in the summer to evade the heat.
Should you visit the city in late May or early June, you’ll have another treat in store for you. Taking place 50 days after Easter, the feria El Rocio is a procession of pilgrims en route to visit the sanctuary of the Virgen del Rocio located at the northwestern edge of Parque Donaña. Pilgrims arriving from Sanlúcar de Barrameda can be seen crossing the Río Guadalquivir with their covered wagons and horses. Join in the celebration or simply admire the vibrant colors of traditional flamenco dresses, the festive dancing and the boisterous singing.
Even if you aren’t lucky enough to experience the races or the festivals of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the breathtaking vistas, warm people, stellar gastronomy and Andalusian charm are well worth the trip!