EL PUERTO DE SANTA MARIA

A 10-minute drive around the bay or a short ferry ride from Cadiz is the small and instantly appealing town of El Puerto de Santa Maria. Again, this is a town which is very popular with Spanish holidaymakers (and wealthy Spanish home-owners) but which is only starting to gain recognition from foreign buyers.

As one point in the ‘sherry triangle’, along with Jerez and Sanlúcar, El Puerto is known as the city of 1,000 sherry palaces – many of which are now being restored to their former glory. It’s a town famous for its fried fish and a favourite stop-off point for Spanish fish fans driving along the coast.

The streets consist of a grid system of straight, narrow streets lined with attractive low-rise buildings which invariably lead to a pretty square, a picturesque church or the old castle walls.

Prices in El Puerto de Santa Maria are relatively high for the region, as it’s a popular place for wealthy Jerez families to own a second home – even though their first home is only 15 minutes’ drive away! There is little for sale in the old town, but villas in quiet residential areas on the outskirts cost upwards of 300,000 euros. There are new developments emerging near the waterfront with apartments starting at 135,000 euros and another 3km from the golf course with townhouses from 200,000 euros.

If you are planning a trip then you will need to look for a Hotel in El Puerto Santamaria