Sanlúcar de Barrameda: Nature, History and Manzanilla

Sanlúcar de Barrameda lies opposite Doñana National Park on the left bank of the Guadalquivir estuary.

Nature and Doñana

The natural marshlands of Sanlúcar, which are connected to the Guadalquivir estuary, share habitats for various animal and plant species with Doñana; flamingos and black-winged stilts, among others, can be observed there. The Marismas de Bonanza Nature Park is located within the municipality of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The Pinar de La Algaida is freely accessible and features a landscape very similar to that of Doñana's pine forest.

The official visitor offering in Doñana includes the Sanlúcar de Barrameda–La Plancha–Sanlúcar de Barrameda river route. The river routes in Doñana are operated by concession-holding or authorised companies with specialised nature guides.

History and Culture

The old town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda originated in the Muslim era and preserves narrow streets that extend and wind towards the sea and the river. Sanlúcar was an important departure port for Christopher Columbus's third voyage and Magellan's first circumnavigation.

Castillo de Santiago was built in the 15th century by the House of Medina Sidonia. General admission to Castillo de Santiago includes the Museo del Traje and the Museo de las Armas. The Palacio de los Guzmanes in Sanlúcar was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1978, and Las Covachas received this designation in 2007.

The Fábrica de Hielo Visitor Centre is located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda's Bajo de Guía fishing district and is housed in a restored former fishermen's guild hall and ice factory. The Fábrica de Hielo offers an exhibition, a viewing terrace and the sale of tickets for the river route.

Espacio Exploraterra Sanlúcar is a cultural centre commemorating the First Circumnavigation and a permanent exhibition centre where visitors can relive the First Circumnavigation. Espacio Exploraterra Sanlúcar uses audiovisual media, immersive presentations and facsimiles in its exhibition rooms. It covers 440 m² on two levels, with ten exhibition rooms – five per level – and two connecting main corridors.

The Palacio de Orléans was built between 1860 and 1870 by the Dukes of Montpensier, Antonio M. de Orléans and Maria Luisa Fernanda de Borbón, as a summer residence. The historic garden of the Palacio de Orléans-Borbón uses botany to reconstruct the geography of the former Spanish Empire and the First Circumnavigation. The Sanlúcar Magallánica garden comprises 14 areas with 109 species and a total of 2,600 specimens.

Routes and Festivals

The route through the Barrio Alto passes palaces, wineries, castles, parish churches and convents representing Sanlúcar's civil and religious architecture. The Baroque route runs through large parts of Sanlúcar; its longer section is in the Barrio Bajo.

The first horse races on Sanlúcar's beaches took place on 31 August 1845. The Sanlúcar horse races are traditionally held at low tide on the beach and in the late afternoon, usually in two cycles of three race days each; since 1997, they have been recognised as an event of international tourist interest. Sanlúcar's Semana Santa dates back to the 15th century in origin and has been awarded the title Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional de Andalucía.

The Feria de la Manzanilla takes place on the Paseo de la Calzada on the banks of the Guadalquivir.

Other destinations include Medina Sidonia, La Línea De La Concepción, Jimena De La Frontera, Setenil, Puerto Real, Bornos and Rota.

Wine and Regional Products

Bodegas Barbadillo offers a tour through the history of the winery, ending with a tasting of three of its best-known wines. The Bodegas Barbadillo visitor experience presents a history that began in 1821 with the Barbadillo family's settlement in Sanlúcar; in 1827, the family bottled its first Manzanilla.

Sanlúcar potatoes are grown in soils known as „Arenas Finas“; their salt content shapes their flavour.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cadiz.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Sanlúcar de Barrameda: Manzanilla, beach and Doñana.