Perched above the River Barbate, Vejer de la Frontera is a picturesque Andalusian hilltop town overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar. It is renowned for its Moorish architecture dating from the pre-13th century (when it was captured by Saint Ferdinand of Castile) and famously hosts an annual running of the bulls.
Things to do in Vejer de la Frontera
Spend a day getting lost in Vejer de la Frontera’s narrow streets, which are lined with whitewashed houses displaying colourful flowers. Step beneath the Puerta de Sancho IV and visit the atmospheric Plaza de España where bullfights were held in centuries gone by. Don’t miss a visit to the 16th-century Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Concepcion, which houses a museum about life in the town.
Watching over Vejer de la Frontera is a monumental castle that was built between the 10th and 11th centuries under the reign of Abd ar-Rahman I. It features three rectangular towers and high defensive walls that offer magnificent views across the town. Inside the castle is a plaque commemorating the twinning of Vejer de la Frontera with the “Blue Pearl” of Chefchaouen in Morocco.
On the southern edge of Vejer de la Frontera lie the Molinos de Viento, a series of windmills that were constructed by Pedro Fernández. In total, seven of these wheat-grinding mills have been preserved, with the oldest dating back to the 18th century. The Mill of San Jose has been beautifully restored and is open to visitors, with traditional wheat harvesting and grinding tools on display.
Getting around Vejer de la Frontera
Vejer de la Frontera is around 40 minutes’ drive from Cadiz and one hour from Jerez Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Buses connect to Vejer de la Frontera while the town is ideally explored on foot.