On the banks of the Guadalete River and bathed by the light of the Atlantic, El Puerto de Santa María is much more than just the neighbour of Cádiz. It is a city with its own personality, known as "The City of a Hundred Palaces", birthplace of Rafael Alberti, land of centuries-old wineries and a first-class gastronomic destination.
If you are looking for a place where history, good food and beaches go hand in hand, El Puerto de Santa María awaits you. And with THE SUN PLACES, we want you to enjoy it by staying in the best location. We'll tell you everything you need to know.
📜 What is the history of El Puerto de Santa Maria?
Legend has it that El Puerto de Santa María was founded by Menestheus, a king of Athens who took part in the Trojan War. After the conflict, exiled and sailing aimlessly, he arrived at the mouth of the Criso River (today the Guadalete) and, marvelling at the landscape, founded the "Port of Menestheus" around 1183 BC.
Beyond the legend, the first archaeological remains date back to the Lower Palaeolithic, with the "El Aculadero" site, and the first known urban settlement is located in the 9th century BC in the Phoenician enclave of Doña Blanca Castle, which may have been the first Gadir.
The current location of the city dates back to 19 BC, during the full Roman imperial era, when the Balbo family built a canal to relocate the mouth of the Guadalete, creating Portus Gaditanus, an important customs post for Rome in Hispania through which the Via Augusta ran.
In 711, the Muslims conquered it after the Battle of Guadalete, calling it Al-Qanátir ("The Bridges"). With the Reconquista by Alfonso X the Wise in 1260, it was renamed Santa María del Puerto.
Between 1483 and 1486, Christopher Columbus was a guest of the lords of the city and received their help to undertake the voyage that would lead to the discovery of America. Here the Nao Santa María was fitted out, owned by the navigator Juan de la Cosa, a cartographer who was Columbus's pilot and author of the first world map that included the American continent.
Its status as a key port in trade with the Americas shaped it as a residence for wealthy "Cargadores a Indias" (Shippers to the Indies), who built numerous manor houses, endowing the city with its current appearance and the nickname "City of a Hundred Palaces".
In the 20th century, El Puerto de Santa María is universally known as the birthplace of Rafael Alberti, one of the most important figures of the Generation of '27.
🌉 Which river flows through El Puerto de Santa Maria?
The Guadalete River, with its 157-kilometre course, flows into the sea at El Puerto de Santa María, bathing the city and creating a unique landscape of marshes and salt flats. In Roman times, its mouth was modified so that it would flow towards Portus Gaditanus, and today it is a delightful riverside walk.
Until the mid-20th century it was navigable for small boats as far as Jerez, and today its mouth is home to the city's marina and fishing port. Strolling along Avenida Bajamar or crossing the "Pepe el del Vapor" Footbridge over the river are essential activities to enjoy the views.
🏛️ What to visit in El Puerto de Santa María?
El Puerto de Santa María holds an impressive monumental legacy:
- San Marcos Castle: A 13th-century fortress-church, built by Alfonso X the Wise on the remains of an old mosque. Owned by Caballero Wineries, it is the most emblematic monument.
- Araníbar Palace: A 17th-century manor house, headquarters of the Tourism Department and the Interpretation Centre "El Puerto de los Cargadores a Indias".
- Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Miracles: Patron saint of the city, in Gothic style.
- Rafael Alberti Foundation: Located in the poet's childhood home, it houses part of his literary and pictorial work.
- Victoria Monastery: In Gothic style, one of the most important religious buildings.
- Centuries-old wineries: Such as Osborne Wineries (with its Toro Gallery, a unique cultural space), Caballero or Gutiérrez-Colosía, where the world-famous wines of the D.O. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry mature.
- Bullring: One of the oldest in Spain.
- Doña Blanca archaeological site: Remains of a Phoenician settlement from the 9th to 3rd centuries BC.
- If you wish to continue exploring the charms of the region, we recommend visiting Sanlúcar de Barrameda, a town in Cádiz province full of history and flavour. There you can enjoy its renowned wineries, where the authentic manzanilla is aged, tour its restaurants with views over the Guadalquivir and relax on its iconic beaches, such as Bajo de Guía or La Calzada, and eat its prized langoustines at Restaurante Bigotes.
🍴 The best restaurants and bars in El Puerto de Santa Maria?
El Puerto de Santa María is the town in the province of Cádiz with the most Michelin stars, four in total. Its gastronomy is one of its main attractions:
Haute cuisine:
- Aponiente (3 Michelin stars): Ángel León's restaurant, the "Chef of the Sea", a unique and unforgettable experience.
Essential classics:
- Bar Gonzalo: A true classic for tapas.
- Casa Paco Ceballos: Another reference name.
- Meollo bar restaurant: Highly recommended.
Tapas areas:
- Ribera del Marisco: The gastronomic epicentre, with numerous bars and restaurants specialising in fresh fish and seafood.
- Plaza de España and surroundings: With traditional bars like Ancalagüela, offering tapas and wines with a spectacular viewpoint.
- Calle Abastos: Where the legendary Bar Vicente - Los Pepes is located, famous for its aesthetic and its walls covered in reproductions of 20th-century commercial posters.
Charming shops:
- Ultramarinos La Diana and Ultramarinos La Giralda: Authentic gems of 19th-century commercial architecture, perfect for buying preserves, wines and local products.
🏖️ What are the Beaches and Nature like in El Puerto de Santa Maria?
El Puerto de Santa María has more than 16 kilometres of fine, golden sand beaches:
- Valdelagrana Beach: Long and accessible, with a promenade and all services.
- Levante Beach: More isolated, within the Los Toruños Natural Park, in excellent environmental condition.
- La Puntilla Beach: Next to the river mouth, with its famous promotional bench for selfies.
- Fuentebravía and Santa Catalina Beaches: Quieter and residential.
- Bay of Cádiz Natural Park and Los Toruños Complex: Protected spaces ideal for hiking and birdwatching.
📍 Where to stay in El Puerto de Santa Maria?
El Puerto de Santa María offers a wide variety of accommodation, from charming hotels to holiday apartments. But to experience the city as it deserves, nothing beats accommodation with the THE SUN PLACES quality seal, with Luxury Apartments in Cádiz or Luxury Apartments in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Our apartments stand out for:
- ✅ Prime locations
- ✅ Careful design and every comfort
- ✅ The perfect rest after a day of sightseeing and tapas
👉 Book your accommodation with THE SUN PLACES and discover why El Puerto de Santa María charms everyone who visits it.