Dress Sense and other Vejer de la Frontera, Spain Things to Do Tips

Up until about 10 or 15 years ago the woman of the village dressed in black robes, such as that of the statue in the photo. As you can see the attire is very Arabic in design which is indeed where this influence came from as Vejer and Andalucia was controlled for a long time by the Moors.

Now you can only really see this statue erected at the lookout to show people what the women here dressed like and to recognise their past. Just opposite the statue there is a plaque explaining a little more about this topic.

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Really the main attraction of Vejer is to simply wander around it's cobbled streets and marvel at the rows of white houses. You will be struck by the quietness of this part of town.

In summer it can get very hot and as it is very hilly make sure you wear suitable shoes and of course you Camera!!!!

It really is a place to relax in, think and get away from the world and forget your troubles. I came here for a few days alone once and found it a great place to really unwind. I never felt threatened being a lone female even wondering around at night or going for a drink in a bar. No one hassled me and everyone was very friendly and welcoming.

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In many of the towns and villages in Spain you will find an old Jewish Quarter. This is the area of the town where many Jewish people lived until they were driven out of Spain by the Spanish Inquisition. It dates back to the 13th-15th Century.

In the photo you can see a photo of the start of La Juderia (Jewish Quarter) in Vejer. These days apart from the star of David in the cobbles and the signs telling you where you are there is no other evidence that the Jews resided here. Namely due to the fact there are no Jews left here. Even the Restaurant, which is just at the end of the alley in the photo, just sells Spanish food despite it's name (Meson de la Juderia) so don't go in their expecting Jewish culinary delights.

The view in the photo is perhaps the most famous of Vejer.

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You can also go along to visit these wonderful old windmills which date back to the beginning of the XIX century.

It was the duke of Medina Sidona that built the first two windmills known in the area as Buenavista to mill wheat. Before that there were only water mills.

The windmills are a little out of the way, but easily walkable from the centre of the village. Follow the road signs of ask friendly local to direct you.

There is no museum or anything here but I think they are really worse admiring and you get to see great views from the part of the hill they are on.

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Directions: Barriada de San Miguel

El Divino Savlador got it's name from when the Christian's reconquered Vejer on the 6th August, it is now a catholic parish church, but it hasn't always been that way.

In the past it has been a Muslim Mosque and a Jewish Synagogue too. you can still see the influences in it's design such as the minaret and a peeling away design of a star of David.

It has two very distinct sides to the church displayed in the two photos attached. They really seem to be two separate entities built at different times. The fist part is Gothic built in the XVI century, the second is the remains of the old mudejar church that never got to be replaced or modernised.

Both have three juxtaposed naves and inside you can see a collection of 17th Century paintings.

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Address: Plaza Padre Angel, 1

Featured in the photo is Plaza España with this lovely fountain. look closely and you will see little frogs spouting out water.

This is a real focal point of Vejer and in the summer you will see the locals congregate here in the evening. socialising with their neighbours.

You can also find some nice cafes and restaurants as well as an Arabic tea room which is accessed through the hotel situated in the plaza.

Also called Plaza Pescaitos (little fishies square!).

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This is the look out point from the heart of the village. It can be found by the statue of the lady dressed in black. You are looking down into the 'newer' part of the village. Down there you can find an internet cafe and a second hand English book store.

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Address: calle Trafalgar

Another interesting thing you can do while you are here is take a look at the many indoor patios typical of Andalucia.

People normally decorate them with flowers and flower pots. This photo was taken in February when unfortunately the flowers haven't started to bloom yet.

Be careful as they are private property although most people don't mind you taking a look. Just be respectful and keep your voices down, especially in the afternoon which is siesta time.

In the photo you can see the patio of Casa del Mayorazgo which is a Baroque house dating back to the XVIII century.

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El Palmar is just 12 km away from Vejer, doing down the hillside and along to the coast. Which means if you come to Vejer you can enjoy a mountain holiday and a beach holiday all rolled into one. Perfect for those hot summer afternoons.

The other great thing is about the El Palmar beach is that it is largely unspoilt. It is a long sandy beach as you can see in the photo, backed by trees and a few bars and a hotel and that's about it! no blocks of flats or anything like that.

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If you want a little extra something to do while you are here then come in...

FEBRUARY: To sample the delights of Carnival.

MARCH/APRIL: to see Holy Week (Semana Santa or Easter). Where there are parades of people wearing pointy hats and carrying large virgins!!!

APRIL: El Toro Embolao where they let a bull free on the streets and think it is fun to try and out run it from la Plazuela to the Avda. San Miguel.

MAY 7th: Every year on this date the people of Vejer go to the Santuario de Ntra.Señora de la Oliva to celebrate a religious holiday that usually ends up with people drunk and dancing.

AUGUST 10th: The Patron Saint day of Vejer where you can see celebrations and parades in the streets.

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