The Sierra de Cadiz region is a place of unique beauty, synonymous with the white villages route. With its lovely landscapes, monuments that take you back to the Arab times and exquisite gastronomy, it is not easy to decide where to begin the route. At TUDESTINO we want to tell you about our top 5 must-see places.
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- Arcos de la Frontera
- Grazalema
- Zahara de la Sierra
- Setenil de las Bodegas
- Olvera
The most beautiful white vilages of Cadiz
Our journey begins in Arcos de la Frontera, a white village located to the North-East of Cadiz. Many cultures have left their mark in Arcos, but none of them as much as the Muslims, because los Arcos de la Frontera was once an independent kingdom of Al-Andalus. A village of winding streets and with a historic center declared Historic Patrimony, Arcos has many impressive monuments. But nothing is as powerful as the views from this village sitting on a high crag, above a meander of the Guadalete River. If you visit Arcos de la Frontera during the days before Christmas, don’t miss the famous Buñuelada and try the amazing traditional sweets.
Arm yourself with an umbrella and continue the route in direction of Grazalema, a white village par excellence, located in the highest point of the Sierra de Grazalema. Here, you will find a rich Arab patrimony, but also the first National Park of Andalusia and the estuary of the lovely Guadalete River. Grazalema is a place full of incredible nature. Besides, the local products, both gastronomical and the wool produced in the village, are made in a traditional manner and of high quality.
Zahara de la Sierra is another must-visit white village of the Sierra de Cadiz. This village is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Spain. Built on one of the slopes of Sierra del Jaral, in the middle of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park , it is a place that respects the nature and coexists with it. Zahara has an artificial beach, an ideal place to refresh after walking its beautiful and peaceful streets.
If you have seen any travel show on the South of Spain, you are already familiar with the iconic image of Setenil de las Bodegas and its Street Cuevas del Sol. But you have to see this village in person to believe it. The white village was built under the ledge of a rock. Besides taking an original walk on its streets lined with houses that are carved in rock, Setenil de las Bodegas simply invites its visitors to have some tapas in one of its many bars and restaurants.
No route of the white villages in the Sierra de Cadiz is complete without a visit to Olvera. The name of this lovely village comes from its rich tradition of cultivation of olives and production of olive oil. With its most significant monuments standing high above the village centre, the image of Olvera on the horizon will conquer you from far away.
After enjoying the Andalusian traditions through this little route of the white villages of la Sierra de Cadiz, there is nothing better than continuing on to discover the rest of the destinations in the province of Cadiz. We are waiting for you!