Mountain, plain, and litoral meet in this beautiful region of the province of Cadiz. Unspoiled beaches, practically intact rural areas, and extensive natural protected areas will captivate you. If to all this we add an inestimable cultural heritage, a great tradition in its festivities and the warmth of its weather and its people, we get a must-see destination. Nine out of ten doctors recommend visiting La Janda.
Alcalá de los Gazules, Barbate, Benalup-Casas Viejas, Conil de la Frontera, Medina Sidonia, Paterna de Rivera, San José del Valle, and Vejer de la Frontera are the municipalities that are part of the La Janda region.
Shall we start planning the getaway?
Amazing beaches
With 39 km of beaches distributed between Barbate, Vejer de la Frontera and Conil de la Frontera, La Janda region is where you should be if you are looking for almost unspoiled beaches. Beaches and coves with white sand and transparent waters like the one in El Palmar, the Carmen beach, the Zahara de los Atunes, Atlanterra, or the Castilnovo beach. The peace and nature of its dunes, cliffs, freshwater springs, and pine forests will lead you to the climax of happiness.
Impressive cultural and natural heritage
The natural wealth of its parks and fauna have attracted civilizations since ancient times. There is evidence that already from the Middle Palaeolithic the natural resources of La Janda were exploited for the survival of these civilizations. Since then, hundreds of people and cultures have passed through this region. The people who left a stronger mark here were the Castilians and the Arabs. They left behind them castles, lighthouses, beacon towers, farms, mills, and other historical buildings. Some examples are Cerro del Castillo from Medina Sidonia, Tower of Guzmán in Conil de la Frontera, the ruins of Ermita de San Ambrosio in Barbate, or the mills from Vejer de la Frontera. You also cannot miss the Old Town of all these municipalities, being Vejer de la Frontera especially beautiful. But also for its impressive natural heritage! The Natural Parks of La Breña and Marismas de Barbate in Vejer de la Frontera y Barbate; and the Los Alcornocales Natural Park in Alcalá de los Gazules, Medina Sidonia, Benalup-Casas Viejas, and San José del Valle. Two parks very different from each other, but both with an invaluable landscape and environment. They harbour lots of plant and animal species. In La Breña the landscape is determined by its cliffs and pine trees, while in Los Alcornocales the deep forests of cork oats, laurisilva, oaks, or gall oaks prevail.
And do not forget the Route of the Bull
A large part of the Route of the Bull takes place through the La Janda region. The route takes this name because of the large number of meadows and wild livestock farms that exist through the municipalities that comprise it. In them, bullfighting bulls, retinto cattle, and horses graze in freedom. It is quite a spectacle for lovers of nature and the bovine and equine breeds. You can follow this route through municipalities such as Benalup-Casas Viejas, Medina Sidonia, Alcalá de los Gazules, and Vejer de la Frontera. You will enjoy these animals in their natural habitat.
You can sleep with views to wherever you want.
One of the miracles of La Janda region is its variety of landscapes. This translates into a wide range of possibilities when searching for accommodation. You will be able to choose between hotels, hostels, youth hostels, apartments, and campsites with views of the sea, the mountains, the countryside, or the centre of the municipalities. With such a wide variety of locations and prices, your only problem will be deciding on a single place for your holiday.
You can get to know the region in a different way
Practise kitesurf, surf in El Palmar or Conil, diving or any other water sport on the coast. Fly over the fields and forests doing paragliding. Get to know the natural parks by doing hiking trails, 4×4, multi-adventure activities, canyoning, Karting, or environmental activities. Visit the livestock and agriculture areas of La Janda. These and many more activities are waiting for you. Visit La Janda in the most fun and interesting way.
The best of eating in La Janda
Food lovers should book in advance. The gastronomic possibilities are immense thanks to the territories of La Janda that take up the coast, mountains, and plains. Visiting La Janda means enjoying the best fresh fish in Vejer, Conil, and Barbate (and you cannot leave from here without trying the tuna). Taste the best hunt meats and stews (such as deer meat in sauce, collard greens, or meat stews) in Alcalá de los Gazules, Benalup, San José del Valle or the pastry shop of Medina Sidonia, famous throughout Andalusia for its alfajores and amarguillos almond biscuits.
Be sure to try vegetables such as asparagus and tagarninas or products such as blood sausage, pork cold meat, pork loin in butter, honey, or goat cheese. Coming to La Janda is walking a route through the purest culinary tradition of our land that you can enjoy in bars, restaurants, taverns and beach bars.
Happiness sometimes can be a place. Come to La Janda and find out by yourself.