Two days to fill out a winding itinerary of Andalucia led us to Sanlúcar de Barrameda – serendipity is the loveliest of things.
We arrived in Sanlúcar by bus from our previous stop of Sevilla on the Damas line (which was booked via Omio for €10 each). The bus trip takes close to 2 hours as it stops in the suburbs of Sevilla and in several towns along the way.
Sanlúcar had not been on the radar until we were well in the planning our trip. We then came across a series of articles (especially one in The Guardian from April 2022) touting the charms of a laid-back seaside town, that was still relatively unknown despite a growing reputation for gastronomy and a long, illustrious history in the production of sherry, especially manzanilla. And that was it, we booked a hotel and paid little attention to this side trip until we got to Sanlúcar and fell in love.
Located on the sandy estuary of the Guadalquivir, across the river from the Doñana National Park, Sanlúcar feels like a traditional Spanish hilltop town picked up and planted by the sea. It combines a lovely esplanade, beautiful beach, beachside bars and restaurants with a traditional town square, alleys to explore, street markets, and shopping.
We spent just two nights in Sanlúcar on this trip, but we loved it so much that we have already booked a trip to be back for three weeks next year!
Sanlúcar de Barrameda was stop five on our Andalucian road trip. Check out the trips reports of our previous stops of Malaga, Granada, Ubeda, and Seville elsewhere on this forum or by clicking on my profile name.
In the sections below, I have only listed places that I have personally visited.
STAYING (prices are from February 2024)
Hotel Barrameda (C. Ancha, 10)
Hidden behind an unassuming entryway, Hotel Barrameda is a nice, modern, and comfortable place to stay. It may lack some local character, but it’s just off Plaza de Cabildo and there are views across the square from some of the rooms.
A decent enough breakfast was included.
We found the staff to be super friendly and helpful.
We paid €75 per night including taxes.
Highly recommended.
EATING (prices are from February 2024)
Casa Bambino (Pl. del Cabildo, 14)
I just can’t convey how much I have come to appreciate an old school tapas bar. They have been the staple of Spanish culture for centuries and the tradition of serving small plates of food with a drink has been passed down through generations. Tapas bars are also important social hubs, and the sense of community is often palpable. I will say, however, that some of the more traditional ones are still very male dominated.
As I have said before, a busy tapas bar can be a bit intimidating to walk into when you first arrive in Spain. Take a big breath, walk in, make your way to the bar, order a drink, and enjoy a unique and beautiful institution.
Casa Bambino on the Plaza del Cabildo has a large outdoor patio; however, we chose to get a table indoors not just to escape the February evening chill, but mainly to enjoy the rustic charm, and vintage décor. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming.
We ordered some manzanilla and white wine to drink and a selection of tapas including soup, meatballs, pork in a rich beer sauce, and some spicy pork skewers. On average, expect to pay €3.00 per drink and between €3.00 and €4.00 per tapas.
Highly recommended.