Sevilla, Aracena, Sanlúcar de Barrameda & Cádiz

Sevilla & Cádiz: Pure Andalusia Tour

Overview

Pure Andalusia: Sherry, flamenco, tapas bars and more. Start in Sevilla, Andalusia’s atmospheric capital, where tapas and flamenco flow around the monuments of Spain’s imperial glory. Take a day to discover the hills of Aracena, home to jamón ibérico. Taste artisan olive oil before lunch at a hidden tapas bar. Visit Atlantic Sanlúcar de Barrameda for artisan sherry wine and local seafood before heading to Cádiz. Cádiz resembles little else in southern Spain. Surrounded by water on three sides with a gorgeous intact historic center, the city marks its own rhythm. You’ll be able to relax into the city, exploring its narrow streets and trying the best cocina marinera and tapas available.

Sevilla → Aracena → Sanlúcar de Barrameda → Cádiz

☾ 5 Nights

ANDALUCÍA

Covering most of the southern part of Spain, Andalusia holds a charm that no other Spanish region can claim. It is, after all, the ancestral home of so many Spanish images–flamenco, Andalusian horses, bullfighting, sherry and tapas like pescaíto frito, the fresh quick-fried fish so ubiquitous in the south. Even by Spaniards, Andalusia tends to be painted as a single culture and destination, but in truth it’s perhaps the most varied part of the country. The wild coast of Huelva and Cádiz, with windswept beach bars and fresh seafood. The classic inland Andalusian cities of Sevilla, Jerez, and Córdoba, which are sisters but differ so much in their culture, food, history, and atmosphere. The mountain hideaway of Granada, the coastal metropolis of Málaga, the white villages of the mountains. To those with some experience in other parts of Spain, coming into contact with deep Andalusia is a revelation, like discovering a new world that begins south of Madrid.

SEVILLA

Andalusia’s capital breathes vitality and energy: groups of people spilling out of bars and restaurants onto the streets, loud and passionate conversations and strains of flamenco floating out of windows, narrow streets and beautiful plazas stoked with orange trees ablaze in the southern sun. It’s a city of grand monuments, the riches of the Americas converted into churches and palaces and statues, but also of tiny atmospheric holes in the wall hidden away from time. To arrive in Sevilla from another Spanish city is to be transported immediately and powerfully into Andalusia. The feeling that accompanies that immersion is so strong that many find they never want to leave.

Sevilla has three World Heritage Sites: the Cathedral (the largest Gothic temple in the world), the Real Alcázar (Moorish palace which features a stunning combination of Mudéjar and Baroque architectural styles) and the Santa Cruz district (the former Jewish Quarter) with narrow streets, hidden patios and countless quaint corners.

SANLÚCAR DE BARRAMEDA

Where the Guadalquivir River, once the trade waterway to the Spanish overseas Empire, empties into the Atlantic lies Sanlúcar de Barrameda, a surprising and enchanting food and wine destination and Spain’s Gastronomic Capital in 2022. Forming one corner of the Sherry triangle, this riverfront town is best known in Spain as the home of manzanilla sherry, a pale colored, fresh, salty even, style of sherry wine. The Guadalquivir River delta gives rise to Sanlúcar’s second claim to fame, after manzanilla– the langostino de Sanlúcar, a delicious prawn that thrives in the brackish waters off the coast here. This single ingredient rises above the rest in the restaurants of Sanlúcar. But in fact all of the readily available fresh seafood coming daily into Sanlúcar pairs extremely well with the light manzanilla made here.

Sanlúcar has emerged as the center of a new wine movement in sherry country. Using the same grapes grown throughout the Sherry Triangle–palomino, Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel– the “new” winemakers are focused on single vineyard wines and instead of fortified sherry-style wines they are making dry, unfortified white wines. Many of the small growers are in or around Sanlúcar, keeping the wine culture strong and providing fertile ground for young innovators to create new projects.

CÁDIZ

The city of Cádiz lies on the end of an island extending into the Atlantic Bay of Cádiz, leaving the beautiful historic center with water on three sides. Here you will find colonial-style buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, many built after the city was damaged by the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 and during its days as the center of trade with the overseas Spanish Empire. The small beach of La Caleta in the city center has stood in for Havana in films. Despite its historic architecture, Cádiz is a dense, living city with lively bars and restaurants extending through its old quarter and down along its long, sandy beaches. It’s the perfect place to get away from the heat of summer and the cold of winter, a world of its own that looks out onto the Atlantic rather than towards Madrid.

The towns of San Fernando, Puerto Real, El Puerto de Santa María, and Rota line the Bay of Cádiz, each with its own seaside character. Heading south towards Gibraltar lies the Costa de la Luz, with spectacular unmarred beaches and some of the sunniest weather in Spain. Excellent fresh-caught fish and shellfish are abundant, as well as the atún de almadraba from Barbate. Slightly inland you will find the pueblos blancos, with Vejer de la Frontera the first shining example. Towering over the surrounding countryside in pure white, Vejer feels like a step back in time. The narrow streets have many secrets to discover.

CUISINE IN CÁDIZ

Cádiz may be said to be pristine, and nowhere is this more apparent than the cuisine, the bars, and the restaurants of the province. Restaurants, bars, markets and specialty shops offer a dizzying array of local, seasonal products, along with extensive advice about the arcane aspects of preparing dishes such as cazón en adobo, atún encebollado, or the plato estrella, berza gaditana. 

Ultramarinos and food stores that double as bars offer local charcuterie and cheese, ranging from exquisite mojama (dried bluefin tuna) to Payoyo cheese from the Cádiz mountains and chicharrones especiales (cured pork belly), accompanied by sherry, local still wines, or the ever-present cañas of ice-cold Cruzcampo beer. 

The tapas bars and unassuming restaurants are as varied as they are numerous: freidurias that sell pescadito frito (fried fish) in paper cones; fisherman’s bars serving whatever they received that morning from the day’s catch; roadside ventas offering country menus featuring Retinto beef, snails and wild boar; institutions with classic photos on the walls, uniformed waiters, and classics on the menu; restaurants with paper tablecloths clothes-pinned to metal tables that serve better seafood than can be found in whole cities; innovative spots where young chefs or wise veterans transcend the traditions to breathe new life into the splendid ingredients; three Michelin star Aponiente Restaurant’s chef Ángel León redefining the entire meaning of seafood without losing sight of the terroir. Even just scratching the surface, Cádiz is a must-taste for anyone who loves good eating. 

Sevilla, Aracena, Sanlúcar de Barrameda & Cádiz

Sevilla & Cádiz: Pure Andalusia Tour

DAY 1

THE CHARM OF SEVILLA

Arrive in Sevilla and start your Andalusian exploration with a guided tour of Sevilla’s Cathedral and a stroll through the Santa Cruz district. Dinner at Señor Cangrejo will give you a taste of creative Sevilla cuisine.

• Arrive in Sevilla

• Private transfer from the Sevilla airport to your hotel

• Sevilla Cathedral & walking tour

• Dinner at Señor Cangrejo

• Overnight Sevilla

Sevilla Cathedral & Walking Tour

Head into the heart of Sevilla’s old town to visit one of the most spectacular cathedrals in Spain. Sevilla’s towering Gothic temple was built and decorated with the wealth of the Spanish kings, a testament to victory over the Moorish occupation packed with American gold. The bell-tower, La Giralda, is a converted minaret that rises high above the old town’s streets.

You’ll also have a walking tour of the oldest parts of Seville. The Santa Cruz district, an Andalusian maze of streets and hidden plazas, dates back to medieval times and offers a real feeling of what Andalusia was like in Moorish times. The old Jewish quarter’s alleys show the rich history of the city before its grand expansions as the gateway to the Spanish empire.

Dinner at Señor Cangrejo

One of Sevilla’s most exciting new restaurants, Señor Cangrejo brings together tapas bar vibes and fine dining excellence. Sommelier-chef couple Fátima Villanueva and Jesús León Delgado run this small space, with a bar, a few tables and a kitchen that’s visible to diners. On the menu, highly creative tapas that speak to the team’s experience in Spain’s best restaurants. The bites bring out the essence of Andalusian cuisine with personal flair. Follow these up with daily specials of fish, seafood and meat, much of it expertly cooked on the grill. The liquid options at Señor Cangrejo are extensive, with the wine list especially focused on small Spanish producers and many options available by the glass. Señor Cangrejo offers a new vision of fine Andalusian cuisine in a comfortable, fun space.

DAY 2

OLIVE OIL, FLAMENCO & SEAFOOD

Spend the morning just outside Sevilla visiting an artisan olive oil mill. See how the oil is made and taste extra virgin olive oils. Back in Sevilla, your guide will take you for lunch at authentic hidden tapas bars. In the evening, see a performance of passionate flamenco music and dance before dinner at La Barra de Cañabota, the seafood tapas restaurant belonging to one of the city’s Michelin star restaurants.

• Olive oil producer visit & tasting near Sevilla

• Tapas lunch with your guide in Sevilla

• Sevilla flamenco show

• Dinner at La Barra de Cañabota

• Overnight Sevilla

Olive Oil Producer Visit & Tasting near Sevilla

Head just outside the city of Sevilla to visit a boutique olive oil producer. The countryside of Andalusia is one of Spain’s most important sources of high-quality olive oil. This artisan olive mill is located in historic hacienda surrounded by the Arbequina olive trees that yield the fruit for oil production. Here you’ll be able to learn about the olive oil production process in an idyllic environment before tasting some of the estate’s award-winning olive oils.

Sevilla Tapas Lunch with your Guide

Our friend, an expert on Sevilla and its cuisine, will take you into Sevilla’s hidden corners to taste some of the city’s best tapas dishes. The tapas bars of the old town serve Andalusia’s finest products, from jamón ibérico and aged goat cheese to studied versions of local classics like pringá sandwiches and seafood from the southern coast. Wash it down with local wine, sherry or ice-cold Cruzcampo, the hometown beer of the region.

Sevilla Flamenco Show

Step inside a traditional tablao flamenco for a performance of Andalusia’s most important traditional music, flamenco. Originating with the gitanos (gypsies) of southern Spain, flamenco is passionate and intense, singers and dancers being moved by the spirit of the music known as duende. Sevilla is one of Spain’s most important centers of flamenco, playing host to local performers raised in the city’s soulful districts and attracting talents from around Andalusia.

Dinner at La Barra de Cañabota

La Barra de Cañabota is the informal tapas restaurant of Cañabota, Sevilla’s Michelin star seafood restaurant. Here you can enjoy creative takes on Seville tapas alongside some of the best fish and seafood in the city. The chefs from Cañabota drive to the markets of the nearby coast every day to select the best pieces. You’ll find a rotating selection of dishes, from clams and shrimp to whole grilled fish. To accompany your meal, there’s an extensive list of wines from Andalusia and other parts of Spain. The cuisine here begs for sparkling, white wines and of course fine Sherry.

DAY 3

ARACENA & JAMÓN IBÉRICO

Head into the hills of the Sierra de Aracena to discover the world of the Iberian pig. Start with a tour of a jamón Ibérico producer, where you’ll learn how Spain’s legendary ham and other cured meats are produced. No visit would be complete without a tasting of the exceptional hand-cut products. Then it’s time for lunch at a local restaurant, where fresh and cured Iberian pork dominates the menu.

• Private transfer to the Sierra de Aracena

• Jamón Ibérico Producer Visit & Ham Tasting

• Lunch in the Sierra de Aracena

• Return to Sevilla

• Overnight Sevilla

Jamón Ibérico Producer Visit & Ham Tasting

In the rolling hills of Mediterranean forest of the Sierra de Aracena, the finest Iberian ham in Spain is produced. The climate and the acorns of the local Holm Oak trees make this the perfect place to raise the black Iberian pig, a breed prized for its ability to make exquisite hams. The pigs range free, eating herbs and grasses and freshly fallen acorns that induce marbling of fat into their flesh (something unique to Iberian pigs). The pork legs are covered in salt and hung to cure in special warehouses that dot the roads of the Aracena area. After a curing time that can last years for the finest hams, you have what is rightly considered one of the world’s great delicacies, packed with flavor and run through with characteristic fat turned healthy by acorns and aging.

You’ll have the chance to visit an artisan ham producer, where you’ll be able to see the environment where the pigs roam, learn about the production process and most importantly taste top-tier ham with an expert ham cutter. Hand-cut slices from different parts of the ham have different flavors and textures, which you’ll see first-hand. Of course, you’ll also be able to try the other world-class charcuterie that comes from the Iberian pig, like salchichón (Spanish salami), chorizo and the little-known but sumptuous morcón and lomo ibérico (Iberian cured loin).

Lunch in the Sierra de Aracena

After sampling the mouth-watering ham at the farm, continue on to one of the best restaurants in this mountainous area. Here you’ll be able to try the local cuisine, one which truly highlights what “eating local” should be. In the Aracena area, locals have long appreciated not just cured ham or sausages but the fresh meat of the Iberian pig. This delicacy, until recently impossible to find outside certain corners of Spain, bears almost no resemblance to conventional pork. It’s flavorful and rich, and in Aracena you’ll find delicious cuts of all kinds grilled to perfection. Throw in the other bounty of the mountains, like local cheese, mushrooms, produce and even fine seafood from the nearby Huelva coast, and you have a meal to remember.

DAY 4

SHERRY WINE IN SANLÚCAR

Leave Sevilla behind for the wild coast of Cádiz. Explore coastal sherry town Sanlúcar with two winery visits before a blowout seafood lunch at Casa Bigote, specialists in cooking local langostinos. Then head to your boutique hotel in historic Cádiz’s old town. Stroll through atmospheric streets to dinner at Almanaque, top updated tapas restaurant.

• Private transfer from Sevilla to Sanlúcar de Barrameda

• Barbadillo winery visit

• Bodegas Alonso winery visit

• Lunch at Casa Bigote

• Transfer to Cádiz

• Dinner at Almanaque Casa de Comidas

• Overnight Cádiz

Barbadillo Winery Visit

Barbadillo winery in Sanlúcar’s historic Barrio Alto is one of the great historic sherry houses. Not only do they make a range of classic manzanillas and other sherries, but they are the instigators of the new sherry movement. Thanks to their talented enologist Montse Molina and their consulting “rebel” winemaker Armando Guerra, they have released a number of ground breaking wines to shake up sherry and the white wines from Cádiz made from the same grape as sherry. From white wines aged in sherry casks to vintage manzanillas and bottlings of rare old sherries, Barbadillo is a sherry titan. You will taste through their white wines and their light manzanillas.

Bodegas Alonso Winery Visit

When a sherry winery is sold or goes out of business, the barrels full of old wine that make up the solera system don’t go away. They pass to the new owner and reappear, sometimes under a new name. Local wine experts have an encyclopedic memory for the genealogy of sherries, but in the case of Bodegas Alonso the history is simple. Pedro Romero was the king of sherry in Sanlúcar, with an empire including old soleras of the finest sherries and beautiful winery buildings to house them in. When Romero’s empire collapsed, two winemaking brothers bought the rarest old wines from Romero’s estate and the wine cellars in the center of Sanlúcar and created Bodegas Alonso. The bottlings from these centenarian soleras form the core of Bodegas Alonso’s world-class sherries, joined by manzanilla and other younger wines made from their own vineyards. Very old wines and exceptional younger wines make Alonso the stars of sherry in Sanlúcar today.

Lunch at Casa Bigote

The star product of Sanlúcar’s cuisine has to be the local langostino, and Casa Bigote is the place to eat it. This beachfront institution, comprising an outdoor terrace, a popular bar, and several dining rooms, prepares the langostinos caught in the brackish water visible from the restaurant impeccably, offering them cooked quickly in boiling water or grilled. No trip to Casa Bigote is complete without a plate of langostinos, perhaps accompanied by the gamba blanca shrimp from nearby Huelva, and a glass of cold manzanilla sherry, but that’s not all that you can eat here. The menu features the best products from the area, from bluefin tuna to clams to squid to local fish whose names exist only in Sanlúcar. Despite being a classic Sanlúcar spot, many of the preparations on the menu are innovative, combining interesting flavors together while maintaining an obsession with fresh, quality product. The best match for the menu is Sanlúcar manzanilla, whether filled from one of the barrels inside Casa Bigote or from a special bottle. After your meal, you can take in the Bajo de Guía waterfront, whether from your chair or while strolling down it and reflecting on a meal at one of Andalusia’s great temples to seafood.

Dinner at Almanaque Casa de Comidas

Opened by two Cádiz natives who worked together at two Michelin star Ricard Camarena restaurant in Valencia, Almanaque Casa de Comidas is dedicated to rediscovering the recipes and ingredients of Cadiz home cooking and bringing them to life with impeccable preparations. The small, cozy space in the heart of Cádiz’s old town features tables and an outside terrace. Sit down and you’ll be greeted by expert staff who will recommend plates from a menu of tapas and shared plates that changes daily. Expect plates based on seasonal vegetables, fish, and meat that allow the incredibly fresh products to shine. You’ll usually find an excellent rice dish on the menu, a specialty picked up in Valencia that’s always a good choice. The wine list features selections from small producers in the region and other parts of Spain that pair great with the dishes, many of them available by the wine glass. Almanaque has only been open for a few years, but it’s already making a case for itself as the most exciting restaurant in Cádiz.

DAY 5

CÁDIZ: THE ANCIENT ATLANTIC CITY

Explore the old town of Cádiz. Start with a walking tour and a visit to the central market. Stop in at old-school wine tavern La Manzanilla to taste unfiltered Manzanilla wine before lunch at creative tapas restaurant La Candela. Finish your stay with dinner at a Cádiz seafood institution: El Faro. In the authentic La Viña district, El Faro’s excellent local catch, talented chef and great wine list have made it legendary.

• Cádiz walking tour & market visit

• Taste manzanilla wine at Taberna La Manzanilla

• Lunch at La Candela

• Dinner at El Faro de Cádiz

• Overnight Cádiz

Cádiz Walking Tour & Market Visit

Join a local expert guide for a tour of Cádiz’s old town. Learn about the unique history of the city and see some of the most important monuments and spots. Then, you’ll head to the city’s central market, where stalls selling produce, meat and local fish and seafood coexist with a galaxy of specialized tapas bars.

Taste Manzanilla at Taberna La Manzanilla

Taberna La Manzanilla was founded in the 1930s as the Cádiz outpost of a Manzanilla bodega from Sanlúcar de Barrameda. At first glance, it’s hard to identify any changes since then. Ancient sherry bottles and promotional items cover the walls and fill glass cases, accompanied by well-aged bullfighting posters. The main attraction, however, is the pile of barrels behind the bar. Today La Manzanilla serves exclusively sherry aged in their own barrels, which have never been emptied since the founding of the taberna. Each glass is served with exactly two stuffed olives, and the bill is tracked in chalk on the dark wooden bar. Traditionally these sherry wine bars have also sold wine straight from the barrel in bottles to go, and La Manzanilla keeps this tradition alive, with prices listed by the liter. A perfect place to enjoy a manzanilla, amontillado, or even oloroso before eating at one of the fantastic restaurant nearby.

Lunch at La Candela

Housed in a small space just off Cadiz’s lush Plaza Candelaria, La Candela is discreet enough that you could walk right past it. If you step inside, however, you’ll find a revelation. This tapas bar serves creative market cuisine at the bar and a few tables decorated with Andalusian tiles. The fish of the day or the roast octopus are good choices, but you’ll find yourself  wanting to try all of the creations on offer.

Dinner at El Faro de Cádiz

Located in the heart of Cádiz’s La Viña district, El Faro is the definition of an institution. Since opening in 1964 it has served carefully prepared gaditano cuisine with impeccable classic service. The tapas bar is always full and features a two-sided standing-only bar that was recently redone without losing its character. The bar serves classics such as tortillitas de camarones and pescadito frito alongside creative and updated tapas based on local seafood. Next door is the white tablecloth restaurant, which shares the kitchen but offers an extended menu without the tapas, perfect for long lunches or dinners.

DAY 6

DEPARTURE

• Private transfer to the Jerez or Sevilla airport for departure

Cádiz - 2 nights

Casa Cánovas -  A historic palatial house in the heart of Cadiz’s old town has been converted into a beautiful boutique hotel. The design and materials of the building merge seamlessly with the elegant redesign. The public spaces and rooms are enchanting and comfortable. Don’t miss the Italian restaurant and tapas bar on the ground floor, perfect for a drink or a dinner in after a day of touring. The passionate and creative Italian chef prepares a menu that will surprise and delight.

INCLUDED

• 5 nights hotel, double occupancy

• breakfast daily in the hotels

• expert private guides

• private premium tours and tastings at wineries

• private driver-guide for wine tour days

• 3 lunches with wine (Days 2, 3 and 4)

• restaurant reservations and recommendations

• full trip planning

• in-country trip assistance and on-the-ground support

• Epicurean Ways expertise

NOT INCLUDED

• flights to/from Spain and flights within Spain

• tips to guides and drivers (optional but appreciated)

• travel insurance (recommended) Note that TravelSafe travel insurance can be arranged through Epicurean Ways

• extra charges in hotels (minibar, room service, etc)

A note on winery visits, restaurant selections and hotels

All tours, experiences and hotels are subject to availability and will be confirmed upon booking the trip.

You will be accompanied by a driver-guide during your wine touring. Your visits and tastings will be private and with the winemaker, a family member or an expert who knows the winery and the wines well. We work with the wineries to make sure that you taste the best and most representative wines during each visit. It is sometimes possible to arrange extended tastings that include old vintages or rare wines. We have an extensive group of wineries whose owners we know and with whom we work regularly, so we can guarantee high-level visits even if a winery has to be substituted. If you have an interest in visiting a particular producer please let us know.

We include restaurant concierge service as part of your trip. Note that our restaurant suggestions are just that–suggestions. Places we love, places to go back to time after time. We recommend these places after years of experience eating in Spain and Portugal together with frequent research and input from our local partners. We aspire to guide your choices with information on the styles of cuisine and restaurants; the choice on where to eat is yours based on your preferences and desires. Note that the cost of the lunches/dinners is not included unless specified under the included items. Normally your included meals are with a guide while touring or tapas tours or wine-tasting meals.

We have included hotel options ranging from 5-star luxury properties to small boutique hotels. Let us know your preferences and we will tailor the hotel choices for you.

TRIP PRICES

Note that we can customize this trip for you. Add days in your arrival or departure city or in other locations or make changes to the experiences, winery visits, restaurants, or hotels included in the trip. Whatever it is, we’re here to work with you. Once you’re happy with the trip plan and have some idea of your dates we will calculate and send you the price.