Trip to Sanlúcar, home of the 'Greatest Show on the Beaches of the South'

The "

is about to arrive in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Locals and visitors prepare to experience one of the most important (and showy) events in the beautiful town of Cadiz:

.

Like every August since 1845, Las Piletas beach, at the mouth of the Guadalquivir, is the beautiful setting where this equestrian competition is held, one of the oldest in Spain, planned in two batches of three days each, always at the sunset and taking advantage of the low tide.

Declared of International Tourist Interest

since 1997, the 177th edition of this traditional event will be held from August 9 to 11 (first cycle) and from August 23 to 25 (second cycle), with a total of 25 races (12 in the first stage and 13 in the second) in which thoroughbred horses, three years old and older, will have to cover a distance between 1,400 and 2,000 meters (price: 14 euros/day).

More information and ticket sales here.

It is, without a doubt, the event of the summer for the town, which this year coincides with another very important one: Sanlúcar is the

.

Throughout the year, the city is carrying out a series of activities to promote local gastronomy even more, in which manzanilla and prawns stand out (more information and program here).

All this, horse racing and delicious cuisine, together with the natural environment in which it is located (opposite the Doñana National Park), the beaches and an irresistible historic center make Sanlúcar the ideal getaway for this month of August.

Beaches

Las Piletas beach.

One of the great claims of the town are its incredible sandbanks.

To the aforementioned

, 2,300 m long, which runs along a lively promenade and where many small boats dedicated to fishing and recreation anchor, is joined

, next to the salt flats and marshes of the Doñana natural area, with calm waters and easy access on foot and by car;

ideal

for sailing or windsurfing and where the dock of the Real Fernando ship is located, which crosses the Guadalquivir and docks in Doñana, or

semi-urban beach protected by cliffs of mud of the Holy Spirit and by dunes and artificial breakwaters.

Heritage

Old town of Sanlúcar, with the Castillo de Santiago in the background.

The Barrio Alto

de Sanlúcar is the oldest area of ​​the city.

In it you can see the remains of the

, such as the Puerta de Rota, an access built between the 13th and 15th centuries, and a multitude of palaces, such as

(15th century) or

(15th century). XIX), current City Hall, as well as stately homes, convents (the Descalzas, from the 17th century), the

(17th century) and churches of great artistic value that are worth visiting .

The busiest places in the town center are

, the nerve center of the town, presided over by the Town Hall, full of terraces, bars and inns, and the

, a fortress built between 1468 and 1492 by the II Duke of Medina. Sidonia, which

(price: 7 euros).

chamomile and prawns

Another of Sanlúcar's hallmarks is

, the dry white wine, with its own denomination of origin, which makes the city famous.

There are numerous wineries located in the municipality, most of them with centuries of history, which open their doors to the public.

Among them: the centenary

(Luis de Eguilaz, 11), which houses the Manzanilla Museum,

(Banda Playa, 42), founded in 1792,

(Plaza Madre de Dios, s/n) , from 1758, or

(Avenida de Rocío Jurado, s/n), from 1744 and where the Wine Interpretation Center is located.

Manzanilla is ideal as an aperitif and accompaniment to shellfish and fish, especially

.

Fried

, seafood stews, seafood rice dishes, clams, ortiguillas, shrimp tortillas, cuttlefish roe or dogfish in marinade are some of the tasty culinary specialties from Sanlúcar that

even better with this wine.

Where to taste these delicacies?

At

(Plaza del Cabildo, 14. Tfn.: 956 36 05 13), a typical Sanlúcar tavern ideal for tapas;

(Ancha, 2; tel.: 956 362 894), to have a portion of king prawns and a glass of chamomile, or the

(Rubiños, 43. Tfn.: 856 13 13 35), famous for its stews, seafood rice and their house manzanilla.

Sanlúcar prawns and white prawns, at

(portico Bajo de Guía, 10. Tfn.: 956 36 26 96), a seafood tavern next to Bajo de Guía beach.

Where to sleep

Albariza Hotel Boutique

(C. Bolsa, 63 and 65, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cádiz; tel.: 856 620 130).

Charming hotel in what was a warehouse in the center of the city.

It has family rooms with a terrace and is a 10-minute walk from the beach.

: from 200 euros.

Reservations here.

Hotel Posada de Palacio

(Caballeros, 9. Tel

956 36 48 40).

Restored 18th-century palace with a beautiful Andalusian-style patio located in the upper part of the city, just a five-minute walk from the Castle of Santiago and about 15 minutes from the beach.

: from 83 euros.

Reservations here.

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