10 Unmissable Things to do in Vejer de la Frontera
Vejer de la Frontera is one of my favourite pueblos blancos (white-painted towns) in Cadiz. I fell in love with it the moment I discovered it on social media.
Despite being a small town on top of a hill, there are lovely things to do in Vejer de la Frontera.
The town is picturesque from every angle, so you’ll love taking photos of its narrow, hilly streets lined with plants, its tiled fountain, and its mountain views.
Don’t expect tons of attractions, as is the case with many traditional Andalusian towns and villages. It’s the type of destination where you should take it slowly.
I recommend visiting the town and then consider travelling down to El Palmar, the coastal area of Vejer.
In this guide, I’ve included everything you need to know before visiting Vejer, from the location and car park to the activities I did and recommend everyone do.
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Things to do in Vejer de la Frontera
1. Relax at Plaza de España
Plaza de España, also known as Plaza de los Pescaitos, is the meeting point for locals. It’s the liveliest place in Vejer. It’s surrounded by the town hall, bars, restaurants and cute independent shops.
This square is famous for its fountain, which is located in the middle. It’s probably one of the most photographed places in the town. The fountain is made of beautiful tiles, and besides having normal water features, it has frog statues that release water.
2. Visit Vejer Castle
One of the most emblematic sights of Vejer is its castle, which was recognised as a National Monument in 1931.
It was built between the 10th and 11th centuries during the kingdom of Abderraman I.
The highlight of this fortress is its main door, consisting of an arch. Once you walk through it, you have access to courtyards and don’t miss out on the gorgeous view through the battlements.
I would have loved to visit El Castillo de Vejer, but it wasn’t open when I went.
It’s only open on weekends right now. I went on a Monday, so I couldn’t enter the castle, but I saw the façade and its surroundings.
3. Explore the Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter has some of the prettiest streets and doorways. I advise spending some time wandering through the arches and alleyways and taking photos.
4. Take in the views from Mirador de la Cojibalda
No visit to Vejer is complete without visiting this viewpoint.
The town has a couple of viewpoints, but you definitely don’t want to miss out on this one.
It’s right at the beginning of the Jewish Quarter, and it has the emblematic statue of the Cojibalda.
I had to research what a Cojibalda was. The name referred to a woman from the whitewashed towns of Cadiz, characterised by wearing a black cloak that covered most of her body and face, so you could only see her right eye.
5. Eat at El Jardín del Califa
I tend to pick Spanish restaurants, but this time, I opted for El Jardín del Califa because it looked more unique than the others.
This Moroccan restaurant, which belongs to Hotel La Casa del Califa, has a stunning outdoor terrace and delicious food.
If you try to get to the restaurant from Plaza de España like my friend and I did, I must admit it isn’t very straightforward.
You definitely need to check the signs to get down to the restaurant because if you don’t, you might end up on their rooftop terrace, perfect for drinks, or one of the hotel corridors.
We visited it on a Monday, so it wasn’t very busy, which is always appreciated.
We ordered the Mezze platter, chicken couscous and Lebanese chicken with rice and vegetables.
My favourite dish was the Mezze platter, which is perfect for sharing! It includes babaganoush, hummus, falafels, feta cheese and three different types of salads.
But I liked the chicken couscous, and I tried my friend’s dish, which was delicious, too.
6. Windowshop
Something I loved about Vejer is the numerous independent shops I found. As you walk out of Plaza de España and head to the connected streets, you’ll find shops selling very artsy and unique items.
Ecléctica has lovely prints, pictures, tiles and decorations for your home. I could have spent some money in there. I also liked Neila Pascual.
If you love collecting magnets wherever you go, I actually purchased two for my family from an artist who sells wooden painted magnets in Torre del Mayorazgo.
7. Check out Casa del Mayorazgo
Casa del Mayorazgo is the house of the entailed estate. This ancestral home has an early 18th-century façade.
As you enter this house, you’ll see a beautiful Andalusian courtyard (patio). If you’ve never heard of it, we have competitions in which neighbours compete to have the most beautifully decorated patios in the town.
In the case of this house, there are some awards that you can see on small plaques.
Walk straight to access another beautiful patio with the castle walls’ remains.
The entry is free, but there is a small donation box if you wish to make one.
8. See Iglesia de la Merced
Located a short walk from Plaza de España, Iglesia de la Merced is an old convent that originated in the 17th century. It was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1773 and left neglected. However, it was restored in 1990.
The facade is white with yellow touches around the edges and has an engraved cobijada.
I didn’t visit the church during my visit as it was closed, but you might want to check out what it looks like on the inside.
9. Go on the Vejer Windmills Route
Since I stopped by Vejer for half a day before continuing my road trip around Cadiz, I didn’t have time to hike.
However, if you plan to spend more time than I did, you might want to check it out.
But first, you’ll probably be asking yourself, “What’s the connection between Vejer and the windmills?” Well, it’s linked to gastronomy.
The main function of these mills was to grind wheat to produce flour. Later on, they became emblematic buildings that represent the local culture.
Going back to the hiking route, it’s only 6 kilometres and fairly easy to do. It starts in Parque Hazas de Suerte, and you’ll see over five different mills.
10. Stop by El Palmar de Vejer
Regardless of the season, head down to El Palmar de Vejer. It’s only 10 minutes from the town, and you’ll be amazed by the beaches.
As much as I love the Costa del Sol, where I am from, I must admit that most beaches in Cadiz are way better! Expect golden sand beaches with gorgeous green vegetation.
Soak up the sun, go for a walk, surf or enjoy a refreshing drink with a view.
I went last November, and it was very warm, but not warm enough to swim in the sea (at least to me!) However, I really enjoyed a strawberry and banana smoothie at SEHO, a lovely beach café with direct sea views, which sadly closed this year.
Where to stay in Vejer de la Frontera
I only visited Vejer for the day, so I didn’t stay in any hotel. However, these are accommodations that I’ve been recommended for next time, and I think I’d love them.
- Hotel La Casa del Califa. The rooms look beautiful and cosy, and the hotel is right in the town centre. I ate at their restaurant, as I mentioned above. Check out availability and rates here.
- Hotel Boutique V. This small boutique hotel looks lovely. It has 12 rooms with all the amenities you might need. Check out availability and rates here.
- Kampaoh El Palmar. If you prefer to stay near the beach, this glamping is great. Some of my family members have stayed there and enjoyed their stay. Check out availability and rates here.
Where to park in Vejer de la Frontera
When my friend and I were researching car parks in Vejer, I was surprised to find that there were quite a few parking lots in the town, and most of them were free.
That’s right, you don’t need to worry about paying to park your car, which is always nice.
We came from San Roque, another small town in Cadiz, and parked in the first parking space we came across. You can find the exact car park here.
Another free and popular place to park your car is Parking Vejer.
The best time to visit Vejer de la Frontera
The best times to visit Vejer de la Frontera are spring and autumn. I especially love spring because you’ll see flowers blossom, such as bougainvillaea. However, autumn is also good because it’s quiet and the weather is mild.
If possible, skip weekends as this town and other surrounding towns get busier.
The only time I wouldn’t advise visiting Vejer de la Frontera is summer. Wondering why? The high temperatures. You can expect between 28 and 31 degrees Celsius (82.4 – 87.8°F) in summer.
This weather definitely makes walking up and down hills more challenging. If you can only visit it in summer, go early in the morning and head to El Palmar as the temperature increases.
Conclusion on the best things to do in Vejer de la Frontera
Is Vejer de la Frontera worth visiting?
My answer is yes, it is. It’s a very photogenic location and a perfect stop on a road trip around the Costa de la Luz.
In addition to this, it’s near the beach and other small white-painted towns that are worth seeing.
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Enjoy your trip to Vejer!
Cristina
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This was such a lovely post to read! It brought back so many wonderful memories from my visit to Vejer a few years ago. I can still picture relaxing in the beautiful Plaza de España, and I completely agree that having a meal at El Jardín del Califa is an unforgettable experience. Thanks for the wonderful trip down memory lane!