A city of history
In Jerez you’ll find centuries of culture coming together. It was once a Phoenician settlement, later thriving under Roman and Muslim rule before becoming a Christian frontier city in the 13th Century. The Old Quarter is a delightful juxtaposition of architectural styles, with the 12th Century Alcázar standing near the Baroque Cathedral, elegant palaces and shaded squares. Every corner of the city’s narrow streets tells a part of Andalusia’s story, with traces of trade, art and tradition. When maritime routes to the Americas were established the region became wealthy. Ornate façades and lively plazas remain the heart of the city. But Jerez’s heritage is not frozen in time. It lives in its architecture, its rhythms and its people.
Jerez is alive
Life in Jerez is marked by a constant rhythm of celebration. In spring, the Feria del Caballo transforms the city into a spectacle of colour, music and horse-drawn carriages. Autumn brings the harvest festival, while Christmas glows with zambombas – lively flamenco carols sung in the streets with everyone joining in. Holy Week processions at Easter and the International Flamenco Festival add solemnity and cultural depth. These traditions aren’t just events, they are part of the way of life here. For newcomers, it means arriving in a community where warmth, hospitality and joy fill the calendar from one season to the next.
The birthplace of flamenco
In Jerez, flamenco isn’t something you watch from a distance – it’s something you feel up close. Its peñas and tabancos echo with clapping hands, guitars, and voices that move your very core. All through the city you’ll find corners where you’ll hear the unmistakable rhythm and musical heartbeat. Indeed, flamenco is the most authentic way to get to know the soul of Jerez, where the spirit of flamenco was born.
Culinary excellence
Jerez’s cuisine reflects the richness of both land and sea. Markets overflow with Atlantic seafood, fresh vegetables from fertile plains, and meats from the nearby mountains. Tapas bars offer local favourites like crisp shrimp fritters, spiced carrot salads, savoury stews (cooked in sherry, of course), each best enjoyed with a glass of sherry. Moorish influence lingers in sweet treats like honeyed pestiños and almond-filled alfajores. Dining here is a relaxed, social affair – meals are savoured slowly in good company, in historic tabancos and modern restaurants with a creative twist.
The city of sherry
Wine is the soul of Jerez, and has shaped its landscape and lifestyle for centuries. The region’s chalky soils and Atlantic breezes give life to the vineyards that surround the city, producing the world-famous sherry. A visit to one of the city’s bodegas reveals wine maturing in oak casks under the traditional solera system, filling the air with the aroma of time-honoured craft. You’ll want to taste the whole range of sherries, from the crisp dry finos to exquisitely rich Pedro Ximénez. Sherry is more than a drink here – it’s part of daily life. To live in Jerez is to live among vineyards and to enjoy a tradition that unites neighbours, families and visitors alike.
An equestrian spectacle
Jerez’s identity is inseparable from its elegant Andalusian horses. For centuries, these noble animals have been bred in the region, giving rise to the renowned Carthusian line. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art showcases this heritage with graceful performances where horse and rider move in perfect harmony. Springtime’s Feria del Caballo celebrates this deep-rooted bond, as riders and carriages parade through the fairgrounds packed with ladies and gents decked out in their best historical finery. Beyond festivals, the surrounding countryside invites exploration on horseback, through vineyards and gentle hills. Horses are not just part of Jerez’s tradition but a living emblem of charm and character.
A golfer’s paradise
With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Jerez is a natural haven for golfers. Just outside the city you’ll find courses framed by vineyards and rolling hills, offering scenic fairways and a relaxed pace. The clubs cater to all levels and often combine the game with excellent dining and leisure facilities. A morning round of golf can be followed by lunch at a winery or an afternoon on a nearby beach. For many, golf here isn’t just a hobby – it’s a sun-filled way of life.
Nearby destinations
One of Jerez’s great advantages is its location. Within a short drive or train ride are the golden beaches of the Costa de la Luz, the hilltop white villages of the Sierra de Cádiz and the wetlands of Doñana National Park. The historic cities of Cádiz, Seville and Ronda are all within easy reach for day trips or weekend escapes. Surfing, hiking, wildlife watching and wine routes add endless variety to life here. Living in Jerez means enjoying a vibrant city while having sea, mountains and rich culture just around the corner – a perfect base to explore the best of Andalusia.