the festival editEUROPE · 2027 / 2028
All escapes
Feria del Caballo, Jerez

Spain · THE COMPLETE SHORT-STAY GUIDE

Jerez de la Frontera

Horses, sherry and an open-hearted fair

Feria del Caballo, Jerez
Festival photograph from a past editionPhoto: El Pantera

THE REASON TO GO

Feria del Caballo

Give Jerez four nights for the fair’s daytime horses and illuminated evenings, with a bodega visit and the equestrian school in between. A central hotel keeps the city close; a resort stay needs planned transfers.

WHEN TO PLAN YOUR TRIP · 202724–28 April · 4 nights; official fair 24 April–1 MayEditorial itinerary · confirm the festival timetable before booking
Best base

Historic centre

The main moment

Daytime horses, evening casetas

Make room for

Cádiz with an extra night

THE MAIN OCCASION

The festival, in pictures

Scenes from past editions: the scale, colour and atmosphere that make the journey worthwhile.

Horse riders at Jerez’s Feria del Caballo in 2025.Photo: El Pantera

Feria del Caballo, Jerez

Feria del Caballo, Jerez

Horse riders at Jerez’s Feria del Caballo in 2025.

Horse-drawn carriages beneath the lighting structures at Jerez’s Feria del Caballo in 2025.Photo: El Pantera

Entering the Horse Fair

Entering the Horse Fair

Horse-drawn carriages beneath the lighting structures at Jerez’s Feria del Caballo in 2025.

The tree-lined fairground at Jerez’s Feria del Caballo in 2025.Photo: El Pantera

An afternoon among the casetas

An afternoon among the casetas

The tree-lined fairground at Jerez’s Feria del Caballo in 2025.

THE STORY BEHIND THE SPECTACLE

How it began

Medieval livestock-market roots

Jerez’s fair grew out of medieval livestock trading; Spain’s national tourism authority traces those roots to 1284. Animals, deals and social gatherings were closely linked, and over time the commercial meeting became a broader civic celebration. The horse remained central, reflecting the equestrian traditions of Jerez and the surrounding countryside rather than appearing simply as festival decoration.

The modern Feria del Caballo brings those traditions together in González Hontoria park. Horses and carriages animate the daytime avenues, while casetas, sherry and flamenco give the evening its social rhythm. Visitors can experience more of the fair by returning at different times instead of treating it as one parade. The event’s identity comes from that combination of skilled horsemanship, local wine culture and people gathering to celebrate their city.

OUTSIDE THE MAIN EVENT

Make time for these

A dressage competition at Jerez’s Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.Photo: El Pantera

Royal Andalusian School

Royal Andalusian School

A dressage competition at Jerez’s Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.

01

Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

Book an available performance of How the Andalusian Horses Dance; show days vary.

Plan the visit
02

Tío Pepe bodega

Reserve a guided winery visit to understand sherry before tasting it at the fair.

Plan the visit
03

Alcázar de Jerez

Explore the fortified palace complex during a quiet morning in the historic centre.

Plan the visit

A LITTLE STRUCTURE. PLENTY OF ROOM TO WANDER.

Your short-stay plan

Arrange the festival day around the confirmed programme, then shift the surrounding days to suit your arrival.

01

Saturday arrival and opening lights

Explore the historic centre, then head to González Hontoria park. In 2027 the official opening is listed for the evening of 24 April; confirm the final schedule.

02

Sunday horses at the fair

Give the daytime horse and carriage activity your full attention. Try an accessible caseta and return later for the illuminated avenues.

03

Sherry in its home city

Take a booked bodega tour in the morning. Rest, then choose another fair session for flamenco, food and local atmosphere.

04

Equestrian art and the Alcázar

Book an available school performance or visit; show dates vary. Use a separate slot for the Alcázar, then spend a last evening at the fair.

05

Departure, or Cádiz

Leave after breakfast. Add a night for a Cádiz day trip rather than fitting the coast between fair visits.

JUST BEYOND THE FESTIVAL

Worth the detour

Choose one outing for a short stay. Add another night if you want to explore further at an easy pace.

A BASE FOR EVERY KIND OF TRIP

A good hotel changes the trip.

Choose a hotel base to suit your budget and festival plans. Ratings are shown by category, with any seasonal openings and journeys from nearby towns explained below. Availability and rates for your dates have not been checked.

5-star hotels

The interior of Jerez’s Casa Palacio María Luisa, photographed with Christmas decorations.Photo: El Pantera

Casa Palacio María Luisa

Casa Palacio María Luisa

The interior of Jerez’s Casa Palacio María Luisa, photographed with Christmas decorations.

01★★★★★

Historic centre

Casa Palacio María Luisa

Restored palace boutique


Why we would choose it

An atmospheric city base for tapas, bodegas and exploring Jerez between fair visits.

Before you book

The fairground is a separate walk or taxi ride; check festival access arrangements.

View hotel & check availability
The golf course and grounds at Montecastillo outside Jerez.Photo: El Pantera

Montecastillo Golf Resort

Montecastillo Golf Resort

The golf course and grounds at Montecastillo outside Jerez.

02★★★★★

Outside Jerez, beside the circuit

Barceló Montecastillo Golf

Golf and spa resort


Why we would choose it

A spacious countryside retreat if pools, golf and downtime matter as much as the fair.

Before you book

This is outside town: budget for booked taxis or a car and arrange late returns in advance.

View hotel & check availability

4-star hotels

01★★★★

Avenida Álvaro Domecq

Hipotels Sherry Park

Garden hotel with pool


Why we would choose it

A useful city base for the equestrian school and González Hontoria fair sessions.

Before you book

Check the walk to your preferred fair entrance and late-night street access.

View hotel & check availabilityStar-rating source
02★★★★

Historic centre / Plaza de las Angustias

Itaca Jerez by Soho Boutique

Converted nineteenth-century convent


Why we would choose it

Central location makes bodegas, tapas and sightseeing easy between fair sessions.

Before you book

The fairground is separate from the old town; plan taxis or a longer walk for evening visits.

View hotel & check availabilityStar-rating source

3-star hotels

01★★★

Calle Bodegas / historic centre

Hotel Doña Blanca

Family-run city hotel


Why we would choose it

A central base beside the market for tapas, bodegas and daytime exploring.

Before you book

Pedestrian streets affect vehicle access; the fair still needs a separate journey.

View hotel & check availabilityStar-rating source
02★★★

Calle Corredera / historic centre

Hotel Boutique Palacio Corredera

Art-filled palace boutique


Why we would choose it

A small central choice for an atmospheric stay between horses, sherry and fair evenings.

Before you book

Arrange the journey to González Hontoria and the late return before committing.

View hotel & check availabilityStar-rating source

THE PRACTICAL BIT

Getting there

Airport Jerez (XRY)

On arrival Choose a taxi or check the airport rail and bus timetable before relying on a public-transport connection.

Getting around Walk the historic centre; arrange late fairground returns. Montecastillo needs separate transfers, and Cádiz is a useful rail outing.

Check services for your travel dates.
Research checked 7 October 2026 · schedules and facilities may change.Photo credits