Vejer, you are beautiful to rage.
There is in every town a soul that does not come off even for many centuries, conquests and fashions that pass. ** Vejer de la Frontera has that Andalusian touch that is only perceived by those who have experienced it firsthand**, they are those roots that pass from grandmothers to grandchildren and, that right now, we will also share with you.
Sit on a bench, whatever you find in Vejer will be nice, because here even the cobblestones ask for photos. Behold the laid back oldie life , as the soul of the town are its neighbors, those who stop to comment on the day in the alleys, carrying the shopping cart up and down, in the barbershops and in the squares.
get up early, walk through the silent Vejer which is only disturbed by a few birds, and observe how the women are already polishing their portals and windows, how they water their patios in the cool of the morning... Vejer will always be shiny for you Even though I don't know you at all.
Arches in Vejer, pure magic.
Lose yourself in its streets to see how they paint over and over again their whitewashed walls Y gossip those patios peeking through the colored wooden gates. You will not have seen more beautiful doors and more elegant patios!
Have so much art that their plants grow and sprout happy and alive in their clay pots . You can contemplate them in spring with the route of the patios; certainly a good time to meet Vejer.
Vejer in its streets.
THE HISTORICAL VEJER
start the day in Arch of the Nuns Alley contemplating through the arch those magnificent views of the new Vejer , because this one you are stepping on now is the oldest. Its first traces of life were recorded in the 7th century BC.
This alley is next to the Convent of the Conceptionist Nuns, which was founded in 1552 and is still active today. Now houses the Municipal Museum of Customs and Traditions of Vejer .
pass under the Closed Door Arch and follow the street of the Jewish quarter , you will see the walls that surrounded the Vejer Castle. Our visit begins here: in the La Cobijada Viewpoint.
The best view of Vejer introduces us to their shelters , a monument that you will find throughout the town and that honors the figure of the old women , who covered their faces and bodies with a black shawl.
Although they have Castilian origin, They are also associated with Islamic culture. In fact, this clothing was prohibited in some periods of history, and definitely in 1936, because due to the characteristics of the suit it could mask crimes. Currently in the festivities, Held from August 10 to 24, it has recovered and it is the young vejeriegas who wear it on the streets.
This summer you will find four shelters in various locations in the town reinterpreted by different artists.
Vejeriega shelter.
Vejer de la Frontera It is located to the south west of Cádiz and borders the Atlantic, Conil, Chiclana, Medina Sidonia, Barbate and Tarifa . With a varied orography, especially in the historic center that occupies the castle at 190 meters high, and a set of labyrinthine streets that go up and down slopes.
Its weather, less hot than in the surroundings, and a chic atmosphere make of Vejer a coveted and popular place , mostly in summer.
So that we are going to deceive ourselves, it has too many charms not to succumb to them.
Plaza of Spain, Vejer.
We continue on our way through the walled city of Vejer, we went up to his castle on a romantic walk , which with sun or without it, is equally delicious. The old town of Vejer he defended his town with a walled enclosure and four gates: Arco de la Segur, Arco de Sancho IV, Arco de la Villa and Arco de Puerta Cerrada. In addition to two towers, the Mayorazgo Tower and the Slide Tower.
The castle, which you will find in the highest part, dates from the 10th and 11th centuries, and was built on another castle from the Arab era that the city lived through. Inside you can see how Vejer it is twinned, for historical and cultural reasons, with the blue town of Chef-Chauen.
It is lunch time. We warn you that in the most beautiful town in Cadiz they take it very seriously. We went down from the castle to Spain Square and welcomes us too Fish Square with its lively fountain full of Sevillian tiles.
We had lunch in this same square where the Town Hall, La Casa del Vino and the Jardín del Califa are located, one of the best restaurants in Vejer.
If there is something we like about Cádiz, it is his generosity on the plate and in the quantities , for a small budget you have a good feast, in this case it consists of fresh orange juice, two Freshly baked muffin toast with natural tomato and olive oil from Jaén . The place: Trafalgar Tapas.
You can also do it in any of their mythical patisseries , where they will sell you a good crumb bread or the vejeriegas cakes , as in the Galván Bakery .
The Palmar.
VEJER HAS A BEACH!
You can help digestion in different ways, one of them is by splashing in the sea of vejer . What Vejer has a beach? Yes gentlemen, and very big. El Palmar is the 7km coastal strip which belongs to the municipality of Frontier Vejer, that you will find 9km from the historic center, between Conil de la Frontera and Zahora.
a coast of infinite beaches with a wild sea , especially when it blows lift, which makes him a surfers paradise of all the world. If you like the sea, you will like El Palmar.
Follow the indications and you will reach the main road that concentrates all the beach bars on one side and, on the other, its beaches. If you get to the far north you will find Torrenueva , a watchtower from the XVII-XVIII centuries next to which is The Tower Restaurant & Lounge , one of the best sites for eat tuna, see the sunset, listen to live music and drink mojitos.
Vejer day is lived in El Palmar.
Do you travel with your dog? So you should know that in some areas of Palmar they are tolerated, but before arriving, take a map or ask, because if you make a mistake you can be fined.
In Palmar you will find southern schools like Homies Surf School, yoga classes like Aframe Surf Yoga, as well as original beach bars to have a smoothie or something to eat at any time of the day like Tunatun.
If you want tapas, the Cervecería is one of the most popular places , but if you prefer tuna you should go to the Alférez Restaurant . At night Palmar is transformed and filled with young people wanting to have a good time, that's why in most chiringuitos there are live flamenco performances.
This is the C-Á-D-I-Z that we like the most!
Vejer mills.
THE WIND MILLS
after trying the sea of vejer We continue the route through this **magical white town of Cádiz**, which hooks us more and more every time. We haven't left and we are already thinking about coming back, or since we are, "we stayed to live here".
Before we get into the maelstrom of Vejer at night and its particular parking chaos (Vejer, we love you very much), we make a mandatory stop at its windmills , because together with the shelters they form part of the vejeriego symbology.
In the XIX century, the flour mills they were made of water but they were in the rural neighborhood of Santa Lucía, when trying to build them near the urban center they could not withstand the force of the east wind, so they were built carthaginian mills, more robust and Manchego style.
Today you can see four of them in the neighborhood of San Miguel.
Local crafts are another of its great secrets.
THE NIGHT OF VEJER DECEIVES
**Summer nights in Vejer are cool, they taste like a terrace, retinto, beer, a crowd and flamenco **, because it is easy to find a makeshift stage in the street, between dances and songs of the neighbors. Yes, vejer at night it becomes scandalous (we give thanks) and boisterous.
If you want to check it out, go any weekend night to ** the Cervecería on calle de los Remedios, number 3**. Cádiz is also rowdy on Calle de Marqués de Tamarón, in La Bodeguita and La Bien Pagá. Set your clock back because they wake up when you're almost eating, they "late" endlessly and spend the night treacherously.
Do you have an appetite? The Corredera street has a row of terraces and restaurants with views of the Sierra de Cádiz that any leading city in the world would like most.
That is a good place to have dinner and a snack, although let me tell you that it is better to wander around to find some secrets like La Oficina , near Paseo de las Cobijadas street, a restaurant-bar with art exhibitions ideal for trying signature tapas and good wine. The croquettes and the octopus are wonderful.
If you want views you can have dinner at La Judería Restaurant, or go to the bustling San Francisco street to see the San Francisco Food Market , where you can taste the best of the Cadiz gastronomy.
Just opposite you will find the Mesón Pepe Julián, one of the best for tapas at a good price, sit at the bar and ask for the tapas of the day . Plus? T he Cloister is a peculiar place to dine away from all the hustle and bustle and in a typical Andalusian patio with well included. For vegetarians we recommend La Piccolina Restaurante.
Top off the night with an ice cream at La Toscana or at La Helanna.
On Trafalgar Street you will find the Juani Marchán Basketry.
Are there any secrets of Vejer? Yes, many, but we reserve some for you to discover on your next visit. Well, we advance you last...because we can't resist.
Vejer continues to brag, in case he hadn't already had enough with his patios and houses worthy of a painting, adds his local crafts that you find it distributed in small and cozy shops. Artisan workshops that sew wicker baskets, ceramic pots, wood carvings, jewelry or pretty dresses.
If you want to see something authentic, go to Trafalgar Street where the Basketry by Juani Marchán , or also in Juan Bueno street with different author shops with a lot of charm.
Follow the sound of clapping, bustle and chords, every corner can be a magical place where you can contemplate the life of Vejer, that under the light of the clean and starry sky of Cádiz, will heal your soul.
WHERE TO SLEEP
-Chic Sleep in Vejer. They have three different rural houses located in the historic center of the town and decorated with great charm.
- Old age. It is another rural house located in one of the quietest alleys in the center of Vejer. It is equipped with a kitchen and four bedrooms, as well as an interior patio and a roof terrace with views.
- Hotel V Vejer. It is a boutique hotel built on a 17th century building on the highest point of the town.
- The House of the Caliph. It is located in the center of the town of Vejer and belongs to the same group as Restaurante El Califa. These are spacious houses with a roof terrace with views of the town and decorated in Andalusian style.
See you soon Older!