A SHORT GUIDE TO VEJER DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN
Vejer de la Frontera was one of those places I had been wanting to visit for years and years but for some reason (despite several trips to Andalusia) it kept getting pushed to the bottom of the list. This month I was finally able to squeeze in a solo road trip to Cádiz and I made sure Vejer was a non-negotiable stop on my 48 hour itinerary. You’ll be pleased to know Vejer did not disappoint and I have since been coming up with a whole number of reasons why I should be returning to this magical town sooner rather than later. If you have holiday or travel plans in Cádiz, Seville or Malaga I absolutely recommend (at least) a day trip to Vejer de la Frontera. Here is a complete guide for a short trip to one of the prettiest towns in Spain.
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WHERE IS VEJER DE LA FRONTERA?
Located in the Province of Cádiz, south west Andalusia just 10km inland from the Costa de la Luz.
HOW TO GET TO VEJER DE LA FRONTERA?
Vejer is a beautiful 50 minute drive from Cádiz, 1.5 hours from Gibraltar and approximately 2 hours from both Malaga and Seville airports. The hilltop town can also be reached by bus from Cádiz city which runs 5-7 times a day and takes approximately 1.5 hours
WHERE TO STAY IN VEJER DE LA FRONTERA?
As I visited Vejer as part of a road trip I stayed an hour away in Puerto de Santa Maria but there a lots of options in the town itself. I spotted some cute and quirky apartments alongside some great guest houses and boutique hotels at BookingCom. There are plenty of different options in Vejer de la Frontera but to get the most out of staying look for accommodation close to the central square.
Booking.com
BEST EXPERIENCES IN VEJER DE LA FRONTERA
HANG OUT AT PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
Expect a busy yet delightful vibe at this small, beautiful square. Despite the many tourists snapping away there are still pockets of local life to be seen amongst the crowds – you only have to look for it. It is true what the guidebooks say it really is one of the most wonderful plazas in Spain.
TOP TIP : The Spanish are not known for being early birds. Arrive here first thing and you’ll enjoy the picturesque scene in peace and quiet.
WEAVE IN + OUT OF THE CITY WALLS
Vejer is one of the funnest towns to walk around (as long as you don’t mind getting lost!). The old city walls blend into the surroundings so unless you are paying close attention is is impossible to tell if you are actually in or out. A series of arches and alleyways will lead you through impossibly white streets with unique views at every turn. Give yourself plenty of time to explore.
FIND YOUR OWN UNIQUE VIEW
There are some seriously impressive views in Vejer and believe me that white town backdrop never gets old. Whilst your exploring look out for secret terraces and tiny streets and you might just find the perfect picture!
SHOP FOR MOROCCAN WARES
With its close proximity to Morocco there is an obvious African influence across much of this region of Spain. Amongst the usual ramble of tourist souvenir shops Vejer has some spectacular hidden gems to be found including clothing, jewellery and homewares you’ll definitely want a bigger suitcase for.
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK IN VEJER DE LA FRONTERA
I was pleasantly surprised at how wide a range of bars and restaurants there is in Vejer and the fact there is so many cool spots around every corner is the main reason I want to return and spend a few days. You can expect a mix of cute coffee shops with decent coffee, upmarket tapas restaurants, Moroccan cuisine and most importantly, an impressive number of local-experience bars. There is nothing I love more when traveling than stumbling upon a little bar or cafe filled with locals. It is usually in these spots you will get the most authentic experience of a place and Vejer has lots of these to discover.
TRAFALGAR TAPAS
What better way to enjoy the Plaza de España vibe than people watching with a tapa and an ice cold beer. Trafalgar has a prominent spot right on the square and has plenty of shady tables to enjoy a light lunch from. I choose the Pimientos asados con ventresca (Roasted peppers with red tuna belly) and Hummus de calabaza (Pumpkin hummus) and both were delicious, washed down with a Cruzcampo of course.
LA PICCOLINA
Just before you reach Plaza de España is the lovely La Piccolina with a sprinkling of outdoor seating and super friendly staff. As I arrived in the morning this was my first stop in Vejer and an alfresco coffee and granola was the perfect start to my day. La Piccolina is also open from 10am-4pm and again for dinner/drinks at 8pm.
EL CLAUSTRO
I accidentally stumbled across El Claustro as I was leaving town and I am so glad I did. The spacious garden restaurant is decorated in the perfect fusion of Andalusian and Moroccan and has the best views over Vejer from the chilled out terrace. I only stopped in for a coffee but I would 100% go back for food.
BAR MORILLO
A typical Spanish bar despite being located in a popular tourist area. With wooden stools on both sides of the road all you need to do is decide on whether you want to sip your beverage in the sun or the shade. Pop you head inside and you’ll find locals enjoying a football game on tv or chatting over a beer in a dark but atmospheric den.
Money in Portugal
The majority of places accept card but some smaller places only accept cash or non-foreign cards. Always carry some cash with you. ATM’s are easy to find all over the town. Unless you already have a Euro currency bank account I highly recommend getting a Wise Card. This will allow you to hold and exchange multiple currencies at the best possible rate. There is no charge for withdrawing or using your card to pay. I’ve been living in Portugal since 2016 and I use Wise as my primary bank card here despite also having a Portuguese bank account.
Top tip: Avoid Multi Currency machines such as ‘Euronet’ (usually set up outside souvenir shops etc) as they charge you 3 or 4 euro to withdraw. Look for ‘Multibanco’ machines to withdraw money.
NOW . . . . GO GET LOST!
You know us by now. We love finding these places and writing guides for you to enjoy but don’t forget to venture off on your own too. There are literally dozens of streets to get lost in and a maze of sights and sounds to discover. Let us know what you find!
Have you visited Andalusia before? What were your highlights?
All photos taken by Candice Tomkins and are subject to copyright. Please e-mail us at hello@soi55lifestyle.com if you would like to use any of the images in this guide.
Booking.com
