Sanlúcar de Barrameda lies where the Guadalquivir River meets the Atlantic Ocean. At TOMA & COE, we don’t just pass through Sanlúcar, we drink it in, preferably with a chilled glass of manzanilla and a dish of prawns from the morning’s catch.
Once the launchpad for explorers and the landing point for returning galleons, Sanlúcar was one of Spain’s great Atlantic ports during the Age of Discovery. In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan set sail from here on the first circumnavigation of the globe. Three years later, Juan Sebastián Elcano returned alone with one battered ship and a world of stories.
The town’s strategic position made it a crucial outpost of the Spanish Empire, but also a place of convergence of cultures, flavours, and fortunes. You can still feel that richness in the air today, whether wandering the 15th-century Barrio Alto or looking across the wetlands of Doñana National Park, a protected biosphere once used by Spanish kings as royal hunting grounds.
Fiestas and Traditions
Sanlúcar is a town that knows how to celebrate from the flamenco-filled Feria de la Manzanilla in May to the unique horse races on the beach in August.
The Carreras de Caballos, dating back to 1845, are particularly unforgettable. For two weeks in summer, the tides and the moon determine the race schedule, as elegant thoroughbreds gallop across the golden sands at sunset. Locals and visitors line the shoreline with sherry in hand, cheering with equal parts passion and poetry.
TOMA & COE guests often tell us these are the moments they remember most, those spontaneous, joy-filled glimpses into everyday Andalusian life lived at full volume.
A gastronomic haven
Few places in Spain combine land and sea on a plate quite like Sanlúcar. Its location at the river mouth means the seafood here is nothing short of legendary. The langostinos de Sanlúcar, large local prawns, are sweet, firm, and often served simply grilled with rock salt and lemon. Pair them with a glass of manzanilla, the town’s famed fino-style sherry, and you have a culinary experience that borders on spiritual.
For those wanting to delve deeper into the region’s wine culture, we offer curated visits to local bodegas – some still family-run after centuries – where you can learn about the ageing process in cathedral-like soleras and enjoy private tastings with expert guides.
Read more: Sherry Triangle Tour
Our gastronomic tours of Sanlúcar also take you beyond the plate. Think market visits with local chefs, private seafood tastings and dinners at sunset on the shore.
Savour Sanlúcar slowly
At TOMA & COE, we believe in immersive, slow travel that opens up the soul of a place. Sanlúcar is not a stopover; it’s a story in its own right, and one we love to share.
Whether it’s a bespoke day trip as part of your broader Andalusian itinerary, or a full gastronomic journey through the Cádiz province, or as part of our Sherry Triangle tour, we make sure your experience is authentic, intimate, and unforgettable.
Come with us to Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Feel the salt on your skin, the history under your feet, and the rhythm of Andalusia in every bite, sip, and smile.
Interested in adding Sanlúcar to your private tour of southern Spain?
Contact us to start planning your journey.
