HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION
During the 19th century, Sanlúcar became one of Spain’s most important holiday destinations thanks to its strategic location at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River and its beaches with iodine-rich waters.
The Dukes of Montpensier boosted the city’s tourist image after establishing their summer residence there, attracting a large part of the Andalusian bourgeoisie, who also built beautiful promenades and summer villas that still grace the city today.
ROUTE
A. Start of the route at Plaza de Los Cisnes.
Plaza de los Cisnes
On one side of the square, we see the main façade of the former Hotel Los Cisnes, and in its surroundings are early 20th-century summer villas in a traditional style.
The plaza opens onto Banda Playa Street, so named because for centuries it formed the seashore before the river changed its course to its current location.
Duquesa Isabel Avenue
This is the main and oldest thoroughfare between the city center and the beach. Along the promenade are the former pavilions of the Raffle and the Mercantile Circle, which now house the Municipal Tourist Office.
Avenida de Bajo de Guía
This avenue formed the first line of the beach at the end of the 19th century, and summer families built these unique summer homes in historicist and regionalist styles.
B. Former summer villa of the Marquises of Villamarta
The design of this summer residence was commissioned to the architect Aníbal González. It currently houses the “María Luisa Terry” school.
C. “Ice Factory” Visitor Center
The Doñana Visitor Center is located in the old Ice Factory building, which was used to preserve fish sold in Bajo de Guía before fishing activity moved to the port of Bonanza in the 1960s.
The Visitor Center provides information about Doñana National Park.
Bajo de Guía, s/n Tel.: +34 956 38 65 77
D. Bajo de Guía Promenade
This is a typical fishing village and a top-notch gastronomic center where you can sample traditional Sanlúcar cuisine.
End of the tour.
VISITING HOURS ____________________________________________
Check opening hours at:
Municipal Tourist Office. Tel.: 956366110
www.sanlucardebarrameda.es
FEATURES ______________________________________________
Accessibility: High
Duration: Approximately one hour
Difficulty: Low