Visit Vejer – An Old Spanish Town In The Heart of Andalucía

Las Brenas Natural Park

Andalucía is a region found in the very south of Spain. Vejer, in particular, is in between Tarifa (the most Southern part of Spain) and Cadiz. It’s not exactly by the sea, but if you look close enough towards the West, you will surely see it. This is the Atlantic Ocean. The surrounding area is known as the ‘Las Brenas’ Natural Park. 5000 acres, full of old pine wood forests and Barbate Rivers, this park is perfect for hiking, running and exploring. This park has some of the most spectacular cliff faces in Andalucía. You can hire a guide to take you around if you do not wish to explore it by yourself.

Discover history and local cultures as you walk around town

Vejer has some great historical sites to visit. You will notice the many walls in and around Vejer – these were originally used to protect the town from pirates and other invaders. Some have been demolished, however, the majority of them are still intact. Walk through the Arc de la Segur to reach the most monumental part of the town. This historic district (also known as the Ramparts) is where you will find the Arab Castle and other historical monuments.

Local bird watching is a very popular thing to do in Vejer. The coastal areas are particularly interesting as this is part of the bird’s main migration route to and from Africa. The best way to bird watch is with a tour guide, as they can give you all the information you need to know. In particular ‘Tarifa Birding tours’ is a great company that can pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the best bird watching destinations around Andalucía.

Spot the most beautiful fountain in Andalucia

Plaza de Espana is a very famous meeting place in Vejer. There is a beautiful ornate fountain, situated in the middle of the plaza that has been voted the most beautiful in all of Andalucía. Here you will find many bars, restaurants, shops and markets. For a good view of the Plaza, take a walk up to Casa de Mayorazgo, a private courtyard and climb the corner tower of the old walls. Not only capture the plaza, but also a beautiful view of Vejer.

Shopping in Vejer

The shopping in Vejer is fantastic. Many of the locals sell handmade goods such as leather bags, pottery and jewellery. Local shops are scattered throughout Vejer. A personal favourite, however, is Emanja, situated in the Plaza de Espana.

Dining out

There are many fantastic Spanish restaurants in Vejer that offer fantastic traditional food. In particular, I would highly recommend visiting Las Delicias. It is situated in the heart of the city, serves amazing food and is decorated beautifully. If you visit on a sunny day, try and find a seat outside, as you will be blown away by the beautiful view. This restaurant is famous for it’s amazing burgers due to the fresh ingredients and authentic taste. As well as restaurants, there are also many amazing wine and tapas bars. Tapas are small dishes of Spanish cuisine that are eaten with a matching glass of wine. I recommend visiting Vina y Mar, as they serve delicious Local wine and is the only Sherry bar in Vejer.

Tips on visiting Vejer

As Vejer is situated in the very South of Spain, it can become incredibly hot during the summer months. Temperatures can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius. June, July and August are the best months to visit, as this is when Vejer comes alive. There is great atmosphere and energy at this time year. Many shops and restaurants close over the winter months, as Vejer is a very seasonal place.

Not many people speak English here, as Southern Spain does not attract as many tourists as the North of Spain. I highly recommend learning some simple Spanish words to help you communicate with restaurant and shop staff. There are also some great language apps you can download to your smart phone that will help you communicate with the locals. These include Duolingo, Busuu and Google Translate. All apps are free and can be downloaded from the App store.

Getting around

As Vejer is a small town, it is easy to get around by foot. I highly suggest getting a free map from the information store (situated opposite the main bus station), as it is very easy to get lost. Buses run every half an hour to nearby cities, therefore, it is easy to take a day trip to the surrounding areas. I recommend visiting Conil, Los Canos de Meca and Barbate. The journey to these towns and cities will take about 20 – 30 minutes on the bus.