Things to see in Medina Sidonia: a Roman road, a castle and whitewashed houses

First and foremost, if you have no idea about what things to see in Medina Sidonia, you should know that the approach to the town is particularly impressive. Even from a distance, you’ll be struck by the intense whiteness of its houses perched on a promontory in the middle of Cádiz’s plains. And, while you’re strolling through its large historic quarter, you’ll notice the care and attention that both locals and authorities show towards their heritage. For this reason, the most important thing to see in Medina Sidonia before anything else is its intricate network of streets.

Afterwards, you can explore its rich—and not always trouble-free—history, the main reason why the physical make-up of Medina Sidonia is as varied as it is attractive. From prehistoric peoples to the Tartessians, Romans, Visigoths, Muslims and Christians: all of these groups have been present in the town. And all of them left their mark in the form of incredibly varied constructions: from Berrueco caves and the Sierra de la Momia, to the palaces and Baroque houses on Calle Varos and Calle Padre Félix. Without forgetting, of course, the medieval castle from whose ruins you can enjoy stunning views spanning everything from the Bay of Cádiz to the Sierra de Grazalema.

Medina Sidonia and its rich heritage: tourist attractions

There are so many wonderful things to see in Medina Sidonia that a day-trip might not be enough to really get the most out of it. Among its main attractions are the following:

• The Roman road (Calle Sacramento): This small but perfectly-preserved stretch of road gives you an idea of how the city streets were in Roman times. This road was part of the cardo maximus, the main north-south street of Roman cities.
• Museum of Roman Archaeology: The various rooms of this museum display some of the main historic treasures discovered in the town as well as in the surrounding area. In the basement you’ll find a Roman archaeological site and the Islamic kilns.
• Town Hall: This beautiful Plateresque-style (a richly ornamental Spanish style evoking silverware – plata) building looms over Plaza de España. Incidentally, the square itself with its countless bars and terraces, is one of the main meeting places for Asidonenses (how local people are referred to).
• Santa María la Coronada Church: In a Gothic-Renaissance style, this church was built in the sixteenth century. Among all its artistic gems, the Plateresque altarpiece of the high altar and the eighteenth-century Rococo altar are particular highlights.
• Arches and fortified walls: Without a doubt, these are among the most important historic constructions to be seen in Medina Sidonia; above all, the enormous Belén and La Pastora
• Plaza de Abastos: Built in 1871 in a neo-Mudéjar style, it resembles many of the central squares in Castilian and Andalusian towns. What really catches your eye, however, is the colonnade framing the square.

Medina Sidonia Castle

The most breathtaking monument in Medina Sidonia is the archaeological complex on the castle’s hill, where you can discover the fortress built during medieval times (in the mid-fifteenth century), which is the best vantage point for views of the town and the surrounding area.

Archaeological findings show that the site dates back to the Bronze Age, and, naturally, that all the peoples and civilisations who were present in the town were well-aware of its merits as a magnificent hill in the middle of Cádiz’s plains, which makes an ideal lookout.

The main things to see at Medina Sidonia Castle include:

• Roman Military Fort: A large part of the external walls, which in some sections reach a height of two metres, are still standing. In the western section you can see six small, fortified towers. The moat in the northern part of the site is also thought to have been built in the same period.
• Moorish Alcázar: This was built by the Almoravids in the eleventh century, and these days all that can be seen is part of the tapial (rammed earth foundations) of the castle and some sections of the external wall.
• Medieval Castle: Dating from the mid-fifteenth century, it was built on the tapial of the Muslim fortress. The person responsible for its construction was the first duke of Medina Sidonia, Juan Alonso Pérez de Guzmán.

Other things to see in Medina Sidonia

There are plenty more things to see in Medina Sidonia, a town with countless streets, palaces and churches of interest. Some of the highlights include:

• Calle Varos and Calle Padre Félix: The houses on these streets are the town’s most representative with white façades, large balconies and wrought-iron window grills at street-level. Many of the homes date from the eighteenth century.
• Aromas de Medina: Medina’s most characteristic delicacies are its alfajores (a type of biscuit usually made with almonds, walnuts and honey), which are traditionally eaten at Christmas but are available to buy in the town all year round. At this factory they don’t just sell them, they also provide an entertaining explanation about how they’re made.
• Confitería Sobrina de las Trejas: Medina Sidonia isn’t just about alfajores, it also boasts other sweet treats eaten at Christmas and other times of the year. This patisserie, however, located right on Plaza de España, is the place to try them as well as buy some to take home.
• Convento de Las Descalzas: The most impressive feature of this seventeenth-century building is the dome of the church and the eighteenth-century frescoes representing the Coronation of Our Lady.

Restaurants where to eat well in Medina Sidonia

These restaurants are the pick of the bunch for eating out in Medina Sidonia, with menus that come highly recommended:

• Venta La Duquesa (Carretera Medina-Vejer road, km 7.7): Not only is this the largest restaurant in the town, it is one of the most popular in the whole province of Cádiz. Its secret? An emphasis on quality produce, prepared and presented in the best possible way.
• El Castillo (Ducado de Medina Sidonia, 3): Situated within the eponymous hotel, here meat takes centre stage, cooked on the grill as well as stewed in some of Cádiz’s most popular dishes.
• La Vista de Medina (Plaza Iglesia Mayor, 2): The food here is most definitely worth the visit. However, even outside of meal times, we recommend heading up to the terrace to see some of the best panoramic views Medina Sidonia has to offer.