Sanlúcar de Barrameda travel information and video

Sanlucar de Barrameda

Forming part of the sherry triangle in the province of Cadiz is the wonderful seaside town of Sanlucar de Barrameda. The lively town is surrounded by the Guadalquivir estuary, and is famous for being the place from which Christopher Columbus set sail in 1498 to discover the New World.

Sanlucar de Barrameda is responsible for producing the distinctive Manzanilla wine, which has a slightly salty bite due to the coastal location in which it is produced.

This delightful town is blessed with splendid beaches, wonderful seafood, and a wonderful history.

History
Sanlucar de Barrameda’s history dates back to the Roman times and was later occupied by the Moors, whose defensive fort was later turned into an important port.

The town’s claim to fame is for being the port from which Christopher Columbus set off and you will find lots of interesting monuments in the town to commemorate this.

About town
Sanlucar de Barrameda is a town with a rich historical heritage, which can be found in its many monuments and historical buildings. Set in the heart of the old quarter is the attractive, palm-lined Plaza del Cabildo, a wonderful upbeat square with lots of pleasant restaurants and bars.

The town offers plenty of amenities for visitors, including supermarkets, bars, restaurants, chemists, post office, medical centre, and much more.

Cultural attractions
The town is bursting with cultural and historical monuments, including the neo-Mudejar Palacio de Orleans y Borbon, now the town hall building, which is set in beautiful gardens, or the 16th Mudejar church in the Plaza de la Paz.

The Iglesia (Church) San Francisco in Sanlucar de Barrameda was built by the English king, Henry VIII, whilst he was married to Catherine of Aragon; it was built as a hospital for English sailors.

The town also has its own ruined castle, which is located next to the Barbadillo sherry company. The building is under a restoration program. The Barbadillo bodega is well worth a visit; there are guided tours and wine tastings. The bodega produces four types of sherry – fino, olorosa, pasada and solear muy vieja.

Sanlucar Horse Racing
During the month of August Sanlucar de Barrameda hosts horse racing competitions on a 2000 metre stretch of beach along the Rio Guadalquivir. It’s a truly thrilling event, with the racehorses thundering past the spectators who line the sand. The event is international, with participants from other countries taking part.

Beaches
If you are looking for a beach holiday location, then Sanlucar de Barrameda will not disappoint. The town boasts over seven kilometres of white, sandy beaches, and the beautiful natural Guadalquivir estuary flanks the town.

Natural surroundings
Catch a ferry from the Bajo de Guia beach over the river to the wonderful Parque Nacional de Doñana, which is one of Europe’s most important protected wetland reserves.

Eating out
Sanlucar de Barrameda is home to plenty of bars and restaurants; here the specialty is definitely seafood, but there are also some wonderful tapas bars in town. Head to the Plaza Cabildo for a wide choice of restaurants. Plus the old fishing port and quarter of Bajo de Guia is where you will find some of the best seafood restaurants.

Climate
Sanlucar de Barrameda enjoys a mild climate; the hottest period of the year is during the summer months of July and August, when the temperature rises to around 32 degrees, and the winter months drop to around 18 degrees.