El Puerto de Santa María Car Hire

Guide of El Puerto de Santa María

Geography

El Puerto de Santa Maria is located on the Bay of Cadiz, on the Atlantic Coast in Andalusia, southern Spain. The city boasts 22 kilometres of sparkling coastline (with eight beautiful beaches). It is conveniently situated between Rota, Sanlucar, Jerez and Purto Real.

Climate in El Puerto de Santa María

El Puerto de Santa Maria enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate, with warm and clear summers and mild winters. Summer kicks off in June and lasts through to September, with the hottest months of July and August reaching average high temperatures of 29°C.

The coldest time to visit El Puerto de Santa Maria is January, when temperatures average 11°C. November is the rainiest month in El Puerto de Santa Maria.

Culture

El Puerto de Santa Maria has an interesting history. It was first mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey. According to the legend, Menestheus escaped to the town after the Trojan War and established a city here. When the Moors captured Spain in the eighth century, they renamed it ‘Alcante’, which means Port of Salt. Alfonso X of Castile recaptured the city in 1260 and renamed it Santa Maria del Puerto, then received a special royal charter to use the title ‘El’ in the city name itself. Not even Madrid has earned this right.

Christopher Columbus set sail for his first expedition to the Americas from El Puerto de Santa Maria, and his world map was drawn up in 1500. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was a winter port of Royal galleys, which explains its spectacular architecture.

Things To Do in El Puerto de Santa María

Hit the beach

The city is renowned for its eight beautiful golden sandy beaches. La Puntilla and Valdelagrana are two of the most popular spots for swimming and sunbathing, though La Muralla is possibly the most beautiful.

Visit the Castillo de San Marcos

The Castillo San Marcos is one of El Puerto de Santa Maria’s most iconic sights. Built in the mid-13th century by Alfonso X on the foundations of a mosque, the castle has been exquisitely preserved. It’s privately owned, but visitors can book tours on specific days.

Taste the best sherry at a traditional bodega

There are a few bodegas dotted around the city, but Bodegas Osborne is the most famous. You’ll find its black-bull logo on bottles in most bars and restaurants across the region. Set up in 1772, today’s visitors can enjoy tastings and tours, accompanied by the bodega’s famous Cinco Jotas Jamon. Bodegas Gutierrez Colosia is another of the city’s oldest bodegas. Established in 1838, this family-run business offers tours with wine tasting, tapas and flamenco.

Explore the bullring

Even if you’re morally opposed to bullfighting, it’s well worth booking a tour of the city’s spectacular arena. Built in 1880 with space for 15,000 spectators, it’s one of the oldest bullrings in Spain. Fights take place between Spring and Autumn, though the space hosts concerts and other events throughout the year too.

Get back in touch with nature

The Parque Natural Bahia de Cadiz stretches across more than 100 square kilometres of sandy beaches, salt pans, freshwater lakes and marshes. It’s brimming with wildlife too, from seabirds to threatened fauna species.

Eating Out in El Puerto de Santa María

Andalusians take huge pride in their regional cuisine, which means it’s hard to eat badly in the city. Most of the best restaurants are concentrated around the old town and along the riverside, though don’t be afraid to veer off-course to explore what the sidestreets have to offer. The city stays away until the early hours of the morning and you’ll find plenty of bars offering night-time tipples too.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to excellent restaurants and cafes serving up freshly-caught seafood and local delicacies. But, for something extra special, try Aponiente. This three-Michelin star restaurant, run by Angel Leon, is housed in a 19th-century tide mill. Leon is renowned for his commitment to sustainability and innovative approach to recycling, foraging and salvaging. Or, for something a little more laid-back, try Restaurante Romerijo, a family-run restaurant that serves up some of the best-fried fish in town.

Transport

Airport

The closest airport to El Puerto de Santa Maria is Jerez Airport (XRY), which is located around 32 km from the city centre. The airport is served by several European airlines, including Condor, Ryanair, TUI and Eurowings, though flights are seasonal. Flights from several major Spanish cities operate throughout the year. It’s just a 20-minute drive or bus journey (MD 13014) from the airport to the city centre.

Alternatively, if you are travelling to the city out of season, you may find it easier to take a flight to Seville (SVQ), which is larger than Jerez Airport and operates international flights throughout the year. It takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive to the city or two hours on public transport.

Getting around El Puerto de Santa María

El Puerto de Santa Maria is a relatively compact city and most of its best sights can be reached on foot. You can easily stroll from one side to the other in under an hour. There is also a local bus service, operated by Puerto Bus, that connects major points of interest, through services run every 30-40 minutes.

However, if you’re looking to explore the region beyond its most famous towns and cities, we recommend hiring a car. Many of Andalusia’s more rural locations and small towns are not served by public transport and getting there without a car can be difficult.