Jerez is having a moment
Named Spain’s Gastronomy Capital for 2026, this elegant Andalusian city is finally receiving the attention it deserves. For centuries, people have travelled here for Sherry, flamenco, horses and exceptional food. Now the rest of the world is beginning to catch on.
I’ve been bringing visitors to Jerez for years and it remains one of my favourite cities in Spain. It’s authentic, welcoming and endlessly fascinating. Better still, many of its greatest pleasures are hidden in plain sight.
If you’re looking for things to do in Jerez in 2026, these are the experiences I wouldn’t miss.
1. Drink Sherry Where It Was Born
There is nowhere else on earth quite like Jerez.
Sherry isn’t simply a drink here; it’s part of everyday life. Whether you’re sipping a crisp Fino, a complex Amontillado or an ancient Palo Cortado, you’ll be tasting wines that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world.
One of the highlights of my Jerez tour is introducing guests to the people behind these wines and helping them understand why Sherry is one of the world’s most misunderstood treasures.
2. Spend an Evening in the Tabancos
Forget trendy wine bars.
The soul of Jerez lives in its tabancos. These traditional taverns serve Sherry directly from the barrel, often accompanied by impromptu flamenco, lively local conversation and great local tapas.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with them.
3. Visit the New Sherry Gallery
If you’ve ever wondered how Sherry is made, start here.
The Sherry Gallery offers a modern and engaging interactive introduction to the vineyards, grapes, ageing process and traditions that make the wines of Jerez unique.
Established by a local philanthropist and businessman as a way to give back to his city, it is the perfect foundation for visiting the region’s historic bodegas.
4. Visit a Historic Bodega
Jerez is home to some of Spain’s most beautiful wine cellars, known locally as bodegas. The scale is astonishing. Towering cathedral-like buildings, centuries of history and rows upon rows of ageing Sherry casks create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the wine world.
In 2020, Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe opened within the González Byass bodega complex, becoming the world’s first Sherry hotel. It is where I always stay with my groups and, quite simply, there is nowhere else like it.
On my November tour, we go behind the scenes to meet some of the people shaping the future of Sherry while preserving the traditions that have made these wines famous around the world.
5. Watch the Dancing Horses
The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is world-famous for good reason.
Even visitors who have little interest in horses are captivated by the elegance, precision and beauty of the performances.
Jerez would not be Jerez without its horses.
6. Eat at some of Spain’s Most Exciting Restaurants
Many visitors are surprised by just how good the food is.
From Michelin-starred restaurants such as LÚ Cocina y Alma and Mantúa to the tiny, vibrant Áje, Jerez is bursting with culinary talent
Áje in particular says a lot. It’s tiny, creative and full of personality. Chef Javier Vadillo returned to Jerez after years working in the Basque Country and has created a menu rooted in Andalucía but influenced by contemporary techniques, pickling, fermentation and meticulous attention to detail. All this along with a fabulous list of local wines & Sherry. I love it.
7. Visit a winery in the Albariza Vineyards
If you only visit the bodegas in the city, you’re seeing only half the story. To understand the future of Jerez wine, you need to stand amongst the albariza vineyards themselves.
Some of the most beautiful scenery in Andalucía lies just outside Jerez. Rolling white hills of albariza soil stretch towards the horizon, creating a landscape unlike any other in Spain.
For centuries, the world came to Jerez for Sherry. Today, one of the most exciting developments in the region is the emergence of a new generation of still wines and the proposed Vinos de Albariza denomination.
These wines place the spotlight firmly on the famous chalky soils, historic pagos and the Palomino grape. They represent both a return to the region’s winemaking roots and an exciting vision of its future.
A visit to a family winery amongst these vineyards offers a very different perspective from the grand city bodegas. Here, the focus is on the land itself and how albariza shapes the character of the wine.
The movement has attracted international attention. Peter Sisseck, creator of the legendary Pingus, is making wines in the region, while Charles Rolls has invested in vineyards here and produces the impressive Sotovelo wines. Their involvement is further evidence that the vineyards of Jerez are now being recognised as one of Spain’s most exciting wine regions.
8. Experience Authentic Flamenco
Flamenco isn’t a performance invented for tourists.
In Jerez it remains part of the city’s cultural DNA.
Whether in a theatre, a neighbourhood peña or a packed tabanco, you’ll experience flamenco in one of its most authentic homes. For me, an evening at Tabanco El Pasaje is one of the quintessential Jerez experiences.
9. Discover Why Jerez Became Spain’s Gastronomy Capital
The title isn’t just about restaurants.
It celebrates local produce, wine, tradition and a food culture that remains deeply connected to the land and sea around it. A stroll through the central market of Jerez is a must. Throughout 2026, special events and celebrations are shining a spotlight on everything that makes Jerez unique. If you’re visiting in early November, you’ll also be able to experience International Sherry Week 2026, when Sherry lovers from around the world descend on Jerez to celebrate its most famous export.
10. Let Someone Else Open the Doors
Could you visit Jerez independently?
Absolutely.
But some of the most memorable experiences happen because you know the right people.
After more than 20 years living in Andalucía and working in food and wine tourism, I’ve built friendships with winemakers, chefs, guides and producers who generously share their world with my guests.
That’s why I created my small-group Jerez Culinary Capital Tour.
After all, there has never been a better year to discover Jerez.
From 2–6 November 2026, I’ll be hosting a four-night luxury food and wine experience in Jerez, staying at the fabulous Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe.
We’ll explore historic bodegas, enjoy exceptional food, discover the city’s flamenco traditions, visit the new Sherry Gallery, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants and spend time with some of the people who make Jerez such a special place. The tour was recently featured by The Telegraph as one of the Top 25 Holidays in Spain for 2026
If you’ve ever wanted to understand Sherry, experience authentic Andalucía and travel with a small group of like-minded food and wine lovers, I’d love you to join me.
