Alcázar de Jerez de la Frontera, Spain

I independently & honestly review all of my travel recommendations. If you click on links I provide, I may receive compensation

The Moors ruled Andalusia and other parts of Spain for several centuries. Today, these areas are famous for their unique Moorish architecture and other influences.

The major cities of Andalusia are home to castles and palaces known as alcázars. While the alcázars in Sevilla, Málaga, and Córdoba might be better known along with the famed La Alhambra in Granada, the Alcázar de Jerez de la Frontera is not to be missed if you’re visiting the city. It’s a great addition to your itinerary and one of my favorite things to do in Jerez (in addition to sherry tastings, of course).

One way to get a nice introduction to Jerez is to take a tour. Check out these excellent tour options & book now!

Visiting Alcázar de Jerez de la Frontera

Entry to Alcázar de Jerez de la Frontera is just 5 Euros (as of April 2025). There is free entry for the last hour of operation on Monday afternoons. This might be fine for some people, but I spent way more than an hour there.

The Alcázar is also part of some Jerez de la Frontera tours. Book city tour options with the Alcázar here.

Alcázar de Jerez de la Frontera Highlights

The Alcázar de Jerez de la Frontera was first built as a fortress in the 11th and 12th centuries. It’s a prominent example of Almohad architecture.

Control of the Alcázar changed over the centuries, with new additions being constructed. In recent decades, it has been restored to its former glory, undoing the damage caused by past bad decisions.

Entrance

The first rooms past the ticket counter at the Alcázar include an introductory video that tells the history of the site. A map helps you orient yourself around the property.

There is also an audioguide available for free, which can be accessed on your phone here. It is available in Spanish, English, French, and German. Bring headphones so you can listen as you explore the grounds of the Alcázar.

After watching the video, I then headed outside to the Patio de Armas, where artists were working on drawings and paintings. This space was once used as a military training ground.

Mezquita

One of the most impressive areas of the Alcázar de Jerez is the Mezquita (Mosque), which I entered through its giant metal doors.

This intimate section of the Alcázar served as a prayer room and also had a few residential rooms.

I’ve visited similar buildings in the alcázars in Sevilla and Málaga. Although the one in Jerez is much smaller, it’s no less beautiful.

Passing further back into the area, there are rooms with historic olive mills. They reminded me of the olive mill I visited in Naxos, Greece.

It’s interesting how this technology was used in this same way by different cultures for thousands of years.

Palace Gardens

After seeing the various rooms of the Mezquita section, I headed back out into the spacious palace gardens that fill much of the courtyard space of the Alcázar.

These beautifully restored gardens are filled with a variety of plants and flowers.

The water features also add to the tranquil atmosphere. Take some time to sit and enjoy them if you have time.

Puerta del Campo

The well-fortified Puerta Del Campo originally opened out to the countryside of Jerez.

As a result, it had to be strong. The design includes a triple-bend structure to make entry difficult, as well as a hole through which boiling oil could be poured onto enemies.

Baths

Another prominent area of the Alcázar de Jerez includes the baths (hammam).

Built during the Almohad period, this is one of the best preserved sections of the monument.

It includes cold, warm, and hot chambers.

Do you have upcoming travel that you need to book? Use my travel resources page to make your bookings! There's no cost to you, and you'll be supporting my site. Thanks!

Archaeological Zone

The archaeological zone of the Jerez Alcázar was only recently excavated. It contains architectural remnants from centuries of habitation, including the original 10th-century Caliphate period, the 12th-century Almohad period, and later the 14th and 15th-century Christian periods.

Sections include a well, an aqueduct, a kiln, and more.

This area of the Alcázar is more easily seen from above. I climbed the stairs up to the walls and tower to enjoy city views as well as views of the whole palace grounds.

Royal Pavilion

The Royal Pavilion is the sole residential building remaining from the Almohad fortress.

This pavilion was used as a residence and relaxation area.

It looks out over the pool and orchard.

There were a couple of peacocks roaming this area of the gardens, trying to avoid the idiot kids whose bad parents were letting them chase the poor birds around.

Torre Octagonal

I headed to the top of the Torre Octagonals for the best views.

From here, I could see the sherry bodegas, much of the city of Jerez, and of course, all of the Alcázar de Jerez de la Frontera.

Access was pretty easy, about two floors up a stone staircase. You can then walk further along the outer wall.

From these walls, I could also see jacaranda trees just outside the property.

Cistern

The final part of the older sections of the Alcázar de Jerez is the cistern, which stored water.

It’s likely the water was brought from Albarizones spring via aqueduct.

After seeing the cistern, I walked around the huge courtyard of the palace a bit more, taking in the views of the other tower (the keep) from Patio de San Fernando. The tower wasn’t open to the public.

Villavicencio Palace

At the center of the Alcázar de Jerez de la Frontera is Villavicencio Palace.

This palace was built in the 18th century, so it has a more modern feel that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the place. Still, it serves as a bit of a hodgepodge museum with a few galleries that are worth checking out.

On the third floor, there’s a camera obscura, along with an exhibition of camera obscuras. Unfortunately, the camera itself was closed when I visited.

Another exhibition is of a 19th-century pharmacy.

A model of the city in the 12th century depicts what Jerez looked like then, along with the Alcázar.

One lightly visited room details the restoration history of the Alcázar de Jerez de la Frontera.

While the transition of the palace grounds between various powers over the centuries led to understandable new influences and buildings, something quite ridiculous happened in the 1920s and 1930s.

Some morons had the idea to build a tourist hotel in the center of the property where the Islamic-style gardens are today. Not only did this undoubtedly damage much of the Alcázar’s historic remnants and archaeological ruins, but the hotel never actually opened.

In 1981, the hotel building was removed, and the gardens were restored. Subsequent renovations have finished revitalizing the whole Alcázar to more closely resemble what it did centuries ago.

The work has left the city with an impressive historic site that’s one of my favorite things to do in Jerez.

Here are some great Jerez tours.