Escape to Costa de la Luz
Like so many towns in Andalucía the approach to Puerto de Santa María is off putting, the main road is lined with garages, industrial plants and run down building. Keep going though and you will discover one of Cadíz's best kept secrets with a good beach Playa Puntillo and a town centre which is refreshingly traffic free, with cobbled streets lined with orange trees and typical Andaluz architecture with lots of wrought iron and intricate tile work.
Like nearby Jerez, Puerto de Santa Maria is well known for its sherry, be sure to ask for the locally produced "fino" which is very light and dry. Until the train was extended to Cádiz, all sherry from Jerez came through Santa María and its port is still used to some extent. Most of the bodegas offer free tours and tasting to visitors, including Osborne (956 861699), Luís Caballero (956 861399) and Fernando A Terry (956 862700).
One of the most unusual hotels is the Hotel Monasterio de San Miguel, a gracious baroque building and converted convent which dates back to 1727 when it was built by order of the Duke of Medinaceli to house the Clarisas Capuchinas nuns. The restaurant here was once the washing room for the nuns and has a magnificent vaulted ceiling. The original convent chapel is today a magnificent conference room which is also a popular venue for classical concerts which are open to the public.
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On the main Ribiera del Marisco facing the park and the River Guadalete is the "Harry Ramsdon's" of Mariscorias or sea food eateries. Romerijo is a restaurant / bar that has a terrace with aluminium tables and throw the plastic waste buckets on each table. This boisterous restaurant is not to be missed. Come early on Sunday lunchtime or you will be queuing around the block for a table.
You can also buy from a selection of about 25 varieties of seafood by the Kg.
Another attraction to be found in the area of El Puerto de Santa Maria is the archaelogical site of Doña Blanca. Here lie the remains of a Phoenician settlement which are open to the public weekly from Wednesday to Sundays between 10am and 2pm. Carretera del Portal, KM 3.2, Apdo. de Correos 847. 11500 El Puerto de Santa Maria
There is a small ferry which sails across the bay to Cadiz from Muelle del Vapor. This makes for an interesting excursion.
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Shuttle Direct Airport Transfers
Min: 21C