El Puerto de Santa María, Port city in Cádiz Province, Spain
Description
El Puerto de Santa María is a coastal municipality in Cádiz Province that spreads along the bay where the Guadalete River flows into the Atlantic. Golden sand beaches alternate with pine groves along the shore, while the town center features narrow lanes and open squares.
History
In the 13th century, King Alfonso X of Castile retook the settlement from the Moors and renamed it from Alcanatif to Santa María del Puerto. From then on, the port grew into a key stop for Atlantic trade and exchanges with the New World colonies.
Culture
The fortress built on earlier mosque foundations shows through its walls and arches how Moorish and Gothic building styles came together. Walking through the rooms, visitors can trace the different periods in the stonework and layout choices.
Practical
The catamaran connects the town with Cádiz several times a day, shortening the trip across the bay considerably. From the landing pier, you can reach the center on foot in a few minutes, while the beaches to the west are a bit farther out.
Did you know?
In several bodegas, sherry still matures using traditional methods in oak barrels, some of which have stood in the same cellars for generations. A few of these wine cellars open their doors to visitors who can follow the fermentation process and the slow aging of the wine.
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Cádiz Cathedral
9.5 km
Teatro Falla
9.5 km
Bodegas Domecq
12.3 km
Playa de la Caleta
9.9 km
Jerez de la Frontera Cathedral
12.5 km
Alcázar de Jerez de la Frontera
12.4 km
Torre Tavira
9.4 km
Castle of San Sebastián
10.7 km
Castillo de Santa Catalina
9.9 km
Bodegas Fundador
12.3 km
Playa de Valdegrana
3.1 km
Iglesia Mayor Prioral
849 m
El Vaporcito de El Puerto
1.4 km
Oratorio de San Felipe Neri
9.4 km
Museum of Cádiz
9 km
Iglesia de Santa Cruz
9.5 km
Parque Genovés
9.4 km
Oratorio de la Santa Cueva
9.1 km
Balneario de Nuestra Señora de la Palma y del Real
9.9 km
Castillo de San Marcos
1.2 km
Iglesia-convento de la Merced
12.5 km
Zoobotánico Jerez
12.7 km
Aqualand Bahía de Cádiz
5 km
Museo de las Cortes de Cádiz
9.4 km
Cadiz Museum
9 km
Muralla de Jerez de la Frontera
13 km
Casa del Almirante
9.4 km
Plaza de Mina
9 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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