El Puerto de Santa Maria

Explore the historic Plaza de Alfonso X El Sabio in El Puerto de Santa María, a charming square surrounded by beautiful architecture, local cafes, and rich local culture © Michelle Chaplow
Explore the historic Plaza de Alfonso X El Sabio in El Puerto de Santa María, a charming square surrounded by beautiful architecture, local cafes, and rich local culture

El Puerto de Santa Maria

Take me to: El Puerto de Santa Maria Hotels

Like so many towns in Andalucía the approach to El Puerto de Santa María along the main road is lined with garages, industrial plants and run down buildings. Keep going and cross the River Guadalete on the NIV (if coming from south) and turn into Calle Ribiera de los Mariscos and park in one of the car parks signposted.  The old town centre is refreshingly traffic-free, with cobbled streets lined with orange trees and typical Andaluz architecture with lots of wrought iron and intricate tile work. Stray from the centre and the town seems a little less loved. The seafood restaurants and the ice cream parlors are the main draw to this coastal town. You can´t leave town without sampling their delicious food.

El Puerto de Santa Maria has become a very popular holiday destination over the years. Famous for its port and delicious local seafood, waves of tourists descend upon the town during the summer… More →

Being a very popular destination for tourists and lovers of the rich cultural and historic heritage that is kept in the town, it is no surprise that there is an abundance of hotels and places to… More →

This one-Michelin-star restaurant is housed in a converted convent near the Guadalete river. The contemporary space has colourful abstract painted walls and a leafy patio.

A list of cinemas in El Puerto de Santa María. Complete with link to file listing.

Aponiente is the ground-breaking, award-winning restaurant of Angel Leon, Chef del Mar, in El Puerto de Santa Maria. The restaurant offers diners an exciting, immersive marine experience, from the… More →

These two-wheeled upright electric vehicles. If you have never ridden one you will be surprised how quickly you can master the Segway. You simply stand on them and hold the handles of the… More →

Every Spring, the town of El Puerto de Santa Maria, blooms into bursts of colour. El Puerto de Santa Maria began its Fiesta de Los Patios around the year 2000. The "Association of Friends of the… More →

Bus from El Puerto de Santa Maria to other towns stop on the main N-340 road just outside the train station. it is not a bus staton as such, just a bus stop.

Art exhibitions and other cultural activities take place at the Centro Cultural Alfonso X El Sabio. Calle Larga 89. Tel. 956 541 987. Open Monday to Friday 11.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 22.00. A… More →

Golfing in Puerto de Santa Maria may be slightly different to other places in Andalucia just because it might be a more tranquil 18 holes. The Costa Ballena Golf course for example is relatively… More →

Some companies offer luxury yacht and boat hire, a luxury sailing concierge, who can arrange almost everything from sunset cruises with fine dining to trips to Morocco and Portugal. All in all it'… More →

To the east of the Rota American naval base is the town of El Puerto Santa María which is well known for its sherry, cobbled streets and typical Andaluz architecture. The first beach to the east… More →

 

 

Book Boat trips in Bay of Cadiz from El Puerto de Sant Maria

CASTLE

In the old part of town you can also visit the Castillo San Marcos built by Alfonso X around 1264. This is a well preserved delight hidden in the centre of the town and easily missed since, unusually, it is not on raised ground.

Castillo San Marcos, dating from the 13th century. © Michelle Chaplow
Castillo San Marcos, dating from the 13th century.

Sherry Bodegas

El Puerto de Santa Maria forms part of the famous Sherry Triangle, along with nearby Jerez and Sanlúcar. 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  tours and tasting to visitors, including Osborne (956 861 699), Luís Caballero (956 861 399) and Fernando A Terry (956 862 700).

At Osborne at  Calle Los Moros, 7, the English language tour is every day at 10.30h.   The one hour tour os followed by a wine testing, with several options:

  • - Visit+ tasting of our VORS (Very Old Rare Sherries) served with Iberian Ham 5J and snacks, sit down in our private bar: 50 € per person. 
  • - Visit+sherry tasting, brandy and snacks served with Iberian Ham 5J , sit down in private bar: 35 € per person 
  • - Visit+sherry tasting, brandy and snacks, sit down in private bar: 18 € per person 
  • - Visit+sherry tasting, brandy and snacks in tasting room (standing up): 12 € per person. 

 

Take a tour of the world famous Osborne Bodegas. © Michelle Chaplow
Take a tour of the world-famous Osborne Bodegas.

 

Plaza de Toros

The bullring of El Puerto de Santa María is built in the 19th-century eclectic style and was inaugurated on 5 June 1880. Rather than circular in shape, it is a 60-sided polygon, three floors high, with an exterior diameter of 99m and the sand 60m. The bullring's capacity is 12,186 spectators, making it the third-largest in Spain after Madrid and Valencia. In 1995 Jesulin de Ubrique chose this venue for his exhibition solo bullfight against six bulls in the presence of 12,000 women, including all-female officials.

The bullring in El Puerto de Santa Maria. © Michelle Chaplow
The bullring in El Puerto de Santa Maria.

Ferry

There is a modern high-speed catarmaran ferry which traverses the bay to Cadiz from the Muelle del Vapor.  There are about 30 sailings a day (see pdf timetable).

This makes for an interesting excursion. A steam boat service, established in 1929, was replaced in 1955 by El Vaporcito, a diesel-powered monohull excursion boat that was declared of national cultural interest (BIC) in 2001. Unfortunately El Vaporcito sank in Cadiz Victoria Harbour (pic) in 2011. El Vaporcito has since been restored and has sailed again on special occasions.  

 

Catamaran in the marina of El Puerto de Santa Maria. © Michelle Chaplow
Take the high speed catamaran to Cadiz from El Puerto de Santa Maria.

seafood restaurants

Fresh seafood in El Puerto de Santa Maria
Fresh seafood in El Puerto de Santa Maria

On the main Ribiera del Marisco facing the park and the River Guadalete is the "Harry Ramsdens" of marisquerias or seafood eateries. Romerijo is a restaurant/bar founded in 1952 with multiple terraces. Waiters take drinks and food orders, or you can 'take away' from the fried fish counter on one side or seafood counter on the other. You can choose from a selection of about 25 varieties of seafood sold by the kg. Unusually, you pay for the take-away fish or seafood and then return to your table, which can mean you end up with three bills: one for the seafood, one for the fried fish, and another for drinks and more elaborate dishes ordered from the main menu. Priced in line with its excellent reputation, those three bills can soon mount up, but the produce is the freshest possible and quality is superb. This boisterous restaurant is not to be missed. Come early on Sunday lunchtime or you will be queueing around the block for a table.

Spanish food blogger Carlos Mateos @espetoblog has kindly provided Andalucia.com with his insider knowledge on foodie venues.

Upmarket - El Faro del Puerto with chef Fernando Cordoba Serrano,  Aponiente de Angel Leon, and Casa Las Flores.

Great choices of local bars and restaurants - Los Portales, Betis, Pijota, Bodega Obregon, Paca Ceballos, Arriate and Laúl.

Known as Chef del Mar, Angel Leon won his second Michelin star in 2014 and third in 2017. Considered as one of Spain's most innovative chefs, he specialises in experimental seafood dishes using plankton and algae. Typical dishes include bourgignon of scallops, sea iberico (chorizo made of fish) and plankton paella with aioli tartare.
Calle Francisco Cossi Ochoa. El Puerto de Santa María Cádiz Tel.: +34 956 851 870  Map More>

This one-Michelin-star restaurant is housed in a converted convent near the Guadalete river. Tohqa is run by the Pérez brothers, where the grill takes protagonism, ideal for cooking fresh local tuna, prawns, and other fish and shellfish. The restaurant offers two menus, Anafe and Tohqa, and was awarded its Michelin star in 2023.
Calle de los Moros 4,El Puerto de Santa María Cádiz Tel.: +34 635 258 908 Map More>

PATIOS FESTIVAL

Every Spring, the city of El Puerto de Santa Maria, has a Patio Festival. El Puerto de Santa Maria began its Fiesta de Los Patios about the turn of the millenium. The "Association of Friends of the Patios of El Puerto de Santa Maria" (Asociación de los Amigos de los Patios Portuenses) sponsors a type of "open-house" that allows everyone to visit selected patios in the historic part of El Puerto.   More info > 

archaeological site

Another attraction to be found in the area of El Puerto de Santa Maria is the archaeological 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.

Book hotels in El Puerto de Santa María

Patios del Agua

Housed in a historic building, the recently renovated Patios del Agua provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool and free WiFi. Featuring a housekeeping service, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. Staff on-site can arrange a shuttle service.

Baobab

Located in the centre of Santa María del Puerto, in Cádiz, this hostel is next to the bullring. It has a terrace, a lounge and WiFi in all property.
Baobab is within walking distance from the principal wineries in the city. It offers a tour desk and tickets can be booked for local attractions.

Hotel Sur Utopia

Located in El Puerto de Santa María, Hotel Sur Utopia offers free WiFi. It is within 1 km of the nearest beaches and Sherry Port.
Hotel Sur Utopia's simple, air-conditioned rooms have flat-screen TVs and private bathroom. They feature cinema themed and impresionists painters décor.

Chaikana

Located in El Puerto de Santa María city centre and only 5 minutes’ drive from El Buzo and Valdelagrana beaches, Chaikana features spacious rooms with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. These heated rooms rooms include a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with free toiletries.

LA BENDITA LOCURA

Set in El Puerto de Santa María, 31 km from Montecastillo Golf Resort, LA BENDITA LOCURA offers accommodation with free bikes, free private parking, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a garden. 39 km from Genoves Park and 13 km from Jerez Cathedral, the property provides a shared lounge and a terrace.

Villa Julia

Featuring a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a shared lounge, and a garden, Villa Julia provides accommodation in El Puerto de Santa María with free WiFi and pool views. It is located 4.3 km from Playa de La Puntilla and offers a shared kitchen.

Puerta de Algadir

The Puerta del Algadir hotel has practical and well-equipped rooms, and is located near the coastal town of El Puerto de Santa Maria, in Andalusia. It is ideal for a sun-filled holiday near the beach.

Travel the short distance to the coast and spend the day on one of the fantastic beaches of the Costa de la Luz.

Del Mar Hotel & Spa

Located a 15-minute walk from the centre of Puerto de Santa María, Del Mar Hotel offers a spa and air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi.
Del Mar Hotel & Spa has an indoor pool, hot tub and Turkish bath, available for an extra cost. You can relax on the terrace or in the gardens.

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