Furious Europeans target tour buses, attractions with water guns in anti-tourism protests
If you are jetting off for a European summer, there is one date to beware of: June 15.
Locals in tourist hotspots who feel foreigners are turning their cities into playgrounds while they are left behind with a housing crisis, rising rents and environmental impacts are planning to disrupt airports, tour buses and popular attractions with placards and water pistols to get their point across.
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Following a meeting in Barcelona in April, a coalition of activists — the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification – revealed they were planning a day of protests on June 15.
'The goal is not to attack individuals but to draw attention to the social and environmental toll tourism is taking on our cities,' one unnamed organizer from Lisbon told EU Today. 'We are being squeezed out of our homes, our public spaces, and our daily lives.'
'It's not about hating tourists – it's about saving our communities,' said another activist.
3 A tourist watches protesters during a demonstration calling for a change in the tourism model in the Canary Islands, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, May 18, 2025.
REUTERS
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The Spanish island of Majorca is expecting its biggest day of anti-tourist demonstrations yet, with 60 groups wanting to bring the streets to a standstill with the slogan, 'For the right to a decent life; Stop touristification'.
It is certainly not the first time we have seen these kinds of protests.
One of the latest incidents to grab global headlines was in Barcelona in April when protesters congregated outside the city's Sagrada Familia Basilica wielding water pistols and shouting 'tourists go home' as a bus packed with visitors made its way through the streets.
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Brett Mitchell, the Australian managing director of Melbourne-born global company Intrepid Travel, said he understood the frustrations of people living in these tourist hotspots and getting the balance right was a real issue that needed to be dealt with.
He said it was on everyone, including government, tour operators, cruise lines and airlines, to get around the table and work on solutions for responsible destination management.
'The reality is tourism is not going to slow down, it's a mega trend and it's only going to become bigger and bigger, and if the issue is not addressed it's going to get worse and worse every year,' Mitchell said.
While tourism is vital to the local economies of these destinations — and more generally, in bringing the world together — Mitchell said at peak times locals were being 'pushed out' or having their 'whole lifestyle completely turned on its head'.
Advertisement
3 Acitivists against tourism stop a tourist bus in front of La Sagrada Familia Basilica, to protest against overtourism in the city, in Barcelona, Spain, April 27, 2025.
REUTERS
'As a traveler, I think there's a lot of things we can do,' he said.
'Traveling in smaller groups; we always believe there's always a much better experience for locals and also you as a traveller.
'Look at the off seasons or shoulder seasons; it's another really good way to try and avoid crowds.
'Getting off the beaten track; yes go and see these amazing iconic tourist spots but get there early and then move on and go and see other alternative areas and destinations.
'And then we really believe in trying to spend locally, so really try and do your research and make sure the money on the ground when you're spending it in these countries is going to locally owned businesses and supply chains.'
Sarah Orr, from travel insurance comparison site Compare the Market, described the day of protests as 'terrible timing for the tens of thousands of Aussies' who head to Europe this time of year.
Advertisement
She said some comprehensive travel insurance policies cover expenses for additional accommodation and travel expenses as a result of riots, strikes and civil commotion.
'However, most policies will not cover you for cancellation fees and lost deposits, if the unrest escalates, continues for some time and/or the commencement of the unrest predates the purchase of your insurance,' she warned.
'While these protests are unlikely to cause major disruptions, it's a good idea to read up on when and where they are happening, so you can plan your itinerary accordingly and avoid them if possible.
'The protests will target tourist hotspots, major landmarks and high foot traffic areas. It may be a great opportunity to visit some less 'touristy' parts of the city, to take in the culture conscientiously.'
Advertisement
3 A man displays a sign during a demonstration calling for a change in the tourism model in the Canary Islands, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, May 18, 2025.
REUTERS
Popular destinations across the world have been desperately trying to find new ways to cope with a massive boom in tourism post-Covid and avoid the trend dubbed 'overtourism'.
New taxes and fees have been introduced, caps have been put on visitor numbers, and new hotels and short-term rentals have been banned.
Japan has urged Australians to explore the country beyond the typical tourist hotspots as visitor numbers reach record highs. About 920,000 Australians visited Japan in 2024, setting a new record. This year we're expected to break the one million mark for the first time.
Advertisement
And Japan's advice echoed that of Indonesia in 2023, which pleaded with Aussies to explore more of the country beyond Bali.
Foreigner crackdowns across the globe
Countries across the world are continuing to crack down on foreigners.
Advertisement
Donald Trump's 'enhanced vetting' for arrivals at US airports appears to be getting the most attention, but there is plenty more happening elsewhere.
Italy has changed its citizenship laws, making it significantly harder for Australians (and other foreigners) to get a passport by descent. You can no longer get citizenship if your great-grandparents were born there, it has to be a parent or grandparent.
Venice is doubling its entry free for day-trippers this season and expanding the days it applies to. The fee, first introduced a year ago, was 5 euros ($9) and is now 10 euros ($18) for any visitors who don't book more than four days in advance.
Spain has ended its 'golden visa' that allowed non-EU citizens to get residency by buying property worth more than 500,000 euros, which closes off a pathway to Spanish citizenship.
Meanwhile, the city of Malaga has prohibited new holiday rental properties in 43 neighbourhoods for three years and a court has backed Barcelona's ban on short-term holiday rentals from 2028.
The UK began requiring Australians, and a bunch of other countries who were previously exempt, to complete an application and pay a fee to enter. The EU will do the same but has delayed implementing the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for 30 European countries multiple times, with the latest timeline indicating late 2026.
Scotland's capital Edinburgh has revealed next year it will join a number of cities now charging a tourist tax on overnight accommodation. A 5 percent charge will be added.
In Japan, the latest plan for hotspot Kyoto is to raise the historical city's accommodation tax tenfold — from 200-1000 yen ($2 to $11) per night, depending on the price of the lodging, to between 2000 and 10,000 yen ($22 to $115) per night.
Meanwhile, the mandatory fee for hiking Mount Fuji has doubled to 4000 yen ($46) per person for the peak season this year. A fee and requirement to book a limited spot was first introduced last year.
Nepal has also hiked the permit fee to summit Mount Everest during peak season by 36 percent. It will now cost $$25,150, up from $18,450.
Last year, notable changes in holiday hotspots included Bali introducing a $15 fee to enter the wildly popular Indonesian island, Greece introducing a cap on visitor numbers to the famed Acropolis in Athens, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands banning new hotels from being built.
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New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Furious Europeans target tour buses, attractions with water guns in anti-tourism protests
If you are jetting off for a European summer, there is one date to beware of: June 15. Locals in tourist hotspots who feel foreigners are turning their cities into playgrounds while they are left behind with a housing crisis, rising rents and environmental impacts are planning to disrupt airports, tour buses and popular attractions with placards and water pistols to get their point across. Advertisement Following a meeting in Barcelona in April, a coalition of activists — the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification – revealed they were planning a day of protests on June 15. 'The goal is not to attack individuals but to draw attention to the social and environmental toll tourism is taking on our cities,' one unnamed organizer from Lisbon told EU Today. 'We are being squeezed out of our homes, our public spaces, and our daily lives.' 'It's not about hating tourists – it's about saving our communities,' said another activist. 3 A tourist watches protesters during a demonstration calling for a change in the tourism model in the Canary Islands, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, May 18, 2025. REUTERS Advertisement The Spanish island of Majorca is expecting its biggest day of anti-tourist demonstrations yet, with 60 groups wanting to bring the streets to a standstill with the slogan, 'For the right to a decent life; Stop touristification'. It is certainly not the first time we have seen these kinds of protests. One of the latest incidents to grab global headlines was in Barcelona in April when protesters congregated outside the city's Sagrada Familia Basilica wielding water pistols and shouting 'tourists go home' as a bus packed with visitors made its way through the streets. Advertisement Brett Mitchell, the Australian managing director of Melbourne-born global company Intrepid Travel, said he understood the frustrations of people living in these tourist hotspots and getting the balance right was a real issue that needed to be dealt with. He said it was on everyone, including government, tour operators, cruise lines and airlines, to get around the table and work on solutions for responsible destination management. 'The reality is tourism is not going to slow down, it's a mega trend and it's only going to become bigger and bigger, and if the issue is not addressed it's going to get worse and worse every year,' Mitchell said. While tourism is vital to the local economies of these destinations — and more generally, in bringing the world together — Mitchell said at peak times locals were being 'pushed out' or having their 'whole lifestyle completely turned on its head'. Advertisement 3 Acitivists against tourism stop a tourist bus in front of La Sagrada Familia Basilica, to protest against overtourism in the city, in Barcelona, Spain, April 27, 2025. REUTERS 'As a traveler, I think there's a lot of things we can do,' he said. 'Traveling in smaller groups; we always believe there's always a much better experience for locals and also you as a traveller. 'Look at the off seasons or shoulder seasons; it's another really good way to try and avoid crowds. 'Getting off the beaten track; yes go and see these amazing iconic tourist spots but get there early and then move on and go and see other alternative areas and destinations. 'And then we really believe in trying to spend locally, so really try and do your research and make sure the money on the ground when you're spending it in these countries is going to locally owned businesses and supply chains.' Sarah Orr, from travel insurance comparison site Compare the Market, described the day of protests as 'terrible timing for the tens of thousands of Aussies' who head to Europe this time of year. Advertisement She said some comprehensive travel insurance policies cover expenses for additional accommodation and travel expenses as a result of riots, strikes and civil commotion. 'However, most policies will not cover you for cancellation fees and lost deposits, if the unrest escalates, continues for some time and/or the commencement of the unrest predates the purchase of your insurance,' she warned. 'While these protests are unlikely to cause major disruptions, it's a good idea to read up on when and where they are happening, so you can plan your itinerary accordingly and avoid them if possible. 'The protests will target tourist hotspots, major landmarks and high foot traffic areas. It may be a great opportunity to visit some less 'touristy' parts of the city, to take in the culture conscientiously.' Advertisement 3 A man displays a sign during a demonstration calling for a change in the tourism model in the Canary Islands, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, May 18, 2025. REUTERS Popular destinations across the world have been desperately trying to find new ways to cope with a massive boom in tourism post-Covid and avoid the trend dubbed 'overtourism'. New taxes and fees have been introduced, caps have been put on visitor numbers, and new hotels and short-term rentals have been banned. Japan has urged Australians to explore the country beyond the typical tourist hotspots as visitor numbers reach record highs. About 920,000 Australians visited Japan in 2024, setting a new record. This year we're expected to break the one million mark for the first time. Advertisement And Japan's advice echoed that of Indonesia in 2023, which pleaded with Aussies to explore more of the country beyond Bali. Foreigner crackdowns across the globe Countries across the world are continuing to crack down on foreigners. Advertisement Donald Trump's 'enhanced vetting' for arrivals at US airports appears to be getting the most attention, but there is plenty more happening elsewhere. Italy has changed its citizenship laws, making it significantly harder for Australians (and other foreigners) to get a passport by descent. You can no longer get citizenship if your great-grandparents were born there, it has to be a parent or grandparent. Venice is doubling its entry free for day-trippers this season and expanding the days it applies to. The fee, first introduced a year ago, was 5 euros ($9) and is now 10 euros ($18) for any visitors who don't book more than four days in advance. Spain has ended its 'golden visa' that allowed non-EU citizens to get residency by buying property worth more than 500,000 euros, which closes off a pathway to Spanish citizenship. Meanwhile, the city of Malaga has prohibited new holiday rental properties in 43 neighbourhoods for three years and a court has backed Barcelona's ban on short-term holiday rentals from 2028. The UK began requiring Australians, and a bunch of other countries who were previously exempt, to complete an application and pay a fee to enter. The EU will do the same but has delayed implementing the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system for 30 European countries multiple times, with the latest timeline indicating late 2026. Scotland's capital Edinburgh has revealed next year it will join a number of cities now charging a tourist tax on overnight accommodation. A 5 percent charge will be added. In Japan, the latest plan for hotspot Kyoto is to raise the historical city's accommodation tax tenfold — from 200-1000 yen ($2 to $11) per night, depending on the price of the lodging, to between 2000 and 10,000 yen ($22 to $115) per night. Meanwhile, the mandatory fee for hiking Mount Fuji has doubled to 4000 yen ($46) per person for the peak season this year. A fee and requirement to book a limited spot was first introduced last year. Nepal has also hiked the permit fee to summit Mount Everest during peak season by 36 percent. It will now cost $$25,150, up from $18,450. Last year, notable changes in holiday hotspots included Bali introducing a $15 fee to enter the wildly popular Indonesian island, Greece introducing a cap on visitor numbers to the famed Acropolis in Athens, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands banning new hotels from being built.
National Geographic
6 hours ago
- National Geographic
How to experience 6 of Europe's most musical cities
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). While many cities can lay claim to being hubs of musical creativity, only a few become truly synonymous with a certain sound. After all, Vienna will always waltz to the tune of Strauss and few can imagine Seville without the passion of flamenco. In some cases, a city is its music. And, like that of a gifted composer, the European repertoire is vast. Whether for pop or classical, folk or techno, travellers will find no shortage of cities to immerse themselves in Europe's great soundtrack. There are hands-on workshops, interactive museums that chart the story of a genre, and nightly shows at age-old venues — perhaps the closest thing to seeing a city's soul. Whatever your taste, here are six of the best in which to plan a tuneful escape of your own. The Museo del Baile Flamenco houses costumes, art and interactive exhibits, which chart the history of the genre, with shows in the courtyard or cellar events space. Photograph by Getty Images, Miguel Sotomayor 1. Flamenco in Seville Seville's heart beats with flamenco. The stirring trinity of song, dance and music has its roots in the city's Gitano communities and has become an emblem of both Seville and Spain; such is its cultural value that it was added to the UNESCO Intangible World Cultural Heritage list in 2010. Tablaos are the place to experience the dance. Packed each night of the week, these venues can range from the casual La Carbonería, where locals come for tapas and a show, to more venerable institutions such as Peña Flamenca Torres Macarena, a stage and cultural hub for new and established performers, or El Arenal, where punters can enjoy a full-course dinner with a show. But the street is perhaps the most authentic stage of all. An outdoor performance might stir into life on the grand Plaza de España; on a tree-shaded patio in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, or in Triana, the buzzy, working class district said to be the birthplace of flamenco. The area is home to the Teatro Flamenco, a bijou theatre that holds nightly performances, as well as the workshop of teacher and guide Eva Izquierdo, who runs hour-long flamenco classes for budding bailadores (dancers). For an edifying experience, the Museo del Baile Flamenco houses costumes, art and interactive exhibits, which chart the history of the genre, with shows in the courtyard or cellar events space. Date for the diary: The annual Feria de Sevilla is a lavish celebration of Andalucian culture with parades, traditional dress, sherry and plenty of flamenco. 20-26 April 2026. Listen to: A Tu Vera by Lola Flores. More than just watering holes, Galway's atmospheric pubs have a proud tradition of hosting and championing Irish folk (or Irish trad) musicians. The Crane Bar heads up any list of must-visit venues, with both floors of this lively Victorian haunt host packed-out sessions each night of the week. Photograph by Getty Images, Thomas Winz 2. Irish folk in Galway The rousing sound of a fiddle is never far away on Ireland's west coast. Huddled against the Atlantic, Galway is a bastion of traditional culture, where poets, artists and musicians have long found a place to hone their craft in the city's bustling bars and salty-aired granite streets. More than just watering holes, Galway's atmospheric pubs have a proud tradition of hosting and championing Irish folk (or Irish trad) musicians. The Crane Bar heads up any list of must-visit venues: both floors of this lively Victorian haunt host packed-out sessions each night of the week, while Monroe's Tavern focuses on Irish-language music, and often throws dancing and poetry nights, too. With its charming web of streets festooned with flags and hanging baskets, the Latin Quarter is not to be missed. It's the beating heart of the folk music scene: buskers can be heard on street corners, covering classic ballads or trying out their own original tunes, while the pubs here make a fine place to while away an evening with a whiskey or two. Tigh Neachtain has been trading since 1894 and has platformed several well-known Irish folk artists, including acclaimed accordionist Sharon Shannon. Over at the charming Tig Choili, twice-daily live music sessions come courtesy of local and visiting musicians alike. Date for the diary: Now in its fourth year, the Galway Folk Festival promises a spirited programme of live music sessions across the city. 4-8 June. Listen to: My Irish Molly O by De Danann. Stockholm has been a powerhouse of European pop and now, fans can dig into the city's hit-making heritage at the Swedish Museum of Performing Arts, which explores the history and future of music, theatre and dance. Photograph by Getty Images, Kavalenkava Volha 3. Pop in Stockholm Ace of Base, Roxette, The Cardigans, Robyn and, of course, ABBA… Sweden's musical exports reads like a festival headline bill. For decades, Stockholm has been a powerhouse of European pop and now, fans can dig into the city's hit-making heritage at the Swedish Museum of Performing Arts, which explores the history and future of music, theatre and dance. The Avicii Experience tells the story of the late, chart-topping DJ with a collection of unreleased music and virtual-reality karaoke, while the club Trädgården sees revellers dance beneath Skanstullsbron bridge. And, in the city that gave the world Spotify, vinyl still has its place; Bengans, Snickars and Mickes record stores are a music-lover's dream, while Pet Sounds sells used records beside a cocktail bar. But no trip to the city would be complete without a whirl around ABBA The Museum, where the career of Sweden's most successful act is celebrated through interactive exhibits and memorabilia. Date for the diary: Drömmen Festival will bring together pop legends from Sweden and around the world, including Ronan Keating, Gipsy Kings and Shirley Clamp. 7 June. Listen to: It Must Have Been Love by Roxette. 4. Classical in Vienna Just like the Danube, music flows through the heart of the Austrian capital. Some of history's greatest virtuosos — from Mozart to Haydn, Beethoven to Strauss — lived and worked in Vienna, leaving a musical legacy that's as rich as a Habsburg palace. When it comes to live music, the Vienna State Opera shines as one of the world's most opulent music venues, while the Golden Hall at the Musikverein is home to the Vienna Mozart Orchestra. Mozart's legacy lives on in performances at the Orangery at Schönbrunn Palace, the space where he premiered The Impresario in 1786. The House of Strauss, meanwhile, is the world's only remaining concert hall where all four Strausses performed. Not everything takes place in palatial surrounds though. Intimate piano recitals are held at the Mozarthaus, where the composer lived, while the Annakirche is a baroque jewel of a church that hosts affordable concerts. Date for the diary: 2025 is the bicentenary of Johann Strauss's birth. A special concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, Vienna Symphony Orchestra and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter will mark the big day on 25 October. Listen to: The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss II. The French capital is peppered with old-school jazz clubs, and few are as hallowed as Le Caveau de la Huchette, on the Left Bank. Photograph by Getty Images, Shironosov 5. Jazz in Paris When American troops were stationed in Paris during the First World War, they brought with them the improvised rhythms of jazz. In the years that followed, this sound took Paris's music halls by storm and has become entwined with the city's soundscape. The French capital is peppered with old-school jazz clubs, and few are as hallowed as Le Caveau de la Huchette, on the Left Bank. The building dates to the 16th century and has staged countless stars of swing in its time, including Sidney Bechet and Lionel Hampton. On the Right Bank, life on the Rue des Lombards saunters to the sound of jazz, for it's home to three of the city's finest bars: crowds squeeze into the Duc des Lombards, Sunset/Sunside and Le Basier Salé for late-night jam sessions. But, if one figure epitomises the French jazz era, it's Josephine Baker who turned heads in 1926 when she performed at the Folies Bergère wearing a banana skirt. The legendary music hall remains an art deco icon of Paris's musical heritage. Date for the dairy: Jazz festivals include Jazz à La Villette, held in the Parc de la Villette. August/September 2025, dates TBC. Listen to: Black Trombone by Serge Gainsbourg. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the underground electronic music scene offered West and East Berliners a way to come together. Photograph by Getty Images, Mahiruysal 6. Electronic in Berlin If German reunification had a sound, it would be one of wavy synths and drum machines. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the underground electronic music scene offered West and East Berliners a way to come together. Since then, the city has become the pounding heart of European electronica. Venues have popped up in disused landmarks across the city, harking to the 1990s when students began squatting in abandoned buildings. A fine example is Tresor, which began in the cellar of a former department store in 1991. Now housed in a decommissioned power plant, its killer sound system draws fans from across the world. Kater Blau — a former soap factory — is a popular, open-air summer spot beside the River Spree, while ://about blank takes a political approach to techno, offering 'hedonistic, insurrectionalist dialectic'. Top of any list, however, is Berghain, the cathedral-like club where (almost) anything goes. Top-quality sound and performances aside, the mysterious entry policy is all part of the appeal and has revellers queuing for hours. Date for the diary: Rave the Planet Parade mixes rave culture with political demonstration. 12 July. Listen to: Autobahn by Kraftwerk. Published in the European Cities Collection 2025 by National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
National Geographic
10 hours ago
- National Geographic
Where to drink in Jerez, the birthplace of Spanish sherry
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). A pretty place with a jumble of Moorish-style courtyards, gothic churches and grand baroque buildings, the small Andalucian city of Jerez is largely untouched by gentrification and tourism — despite being only an hour from Seville. Yet it has a long-held reputation as the country's sherry capital: 'jerez' means 'sherry' in Spanish and the fortified wine has been made here for over 3,000 years. Once considered old fashioned, sherry has stepped back into the spotlight in recent years, popping up in cocktails and spritzes in bars globally, and Jerez is the ideal place to rediscover it. Locals work hard to preserve their traditions — and have a good time, too — whether it's at flamenco clubs, horse shows or lively sherry bars called tabancos. And with new direct flights from the UK launching this summer, the city is more accessible than ever. Tabanco & tapas tour Start your sherry education with Jerez native Aurora Muñoz, who runs Soleras y Criaderas. Her evening tours take travellers through the winding streets of the historic centre, stopping in different tabancos. As guests sample sherry and tapas, Aurora tells the story of the fortified wine, including how its production boomed in the 16th century after Sir Francis Drake stole 3,000 casks from neighbouring Cadiz and took them to England. The history of the tabancos themselves — originally drinking spots reserved for workers in the sherry-producing bodegas — is also explored. Alongside traditional bars, Aurora stops at places putting a modern spin on the sherry drinking experience, such as bottle-shop-meets-deli Mantequeria El Espartero. Las Banderillas All ages gather at this traditional tabanco, where the walls are covered in bullfighting paraphernalia. Grandparents perch on high stools waiting for plates of Iberico ham to be passed back to them, toddlers are put on the bar and young couples grab glasses of fino — the driest sherry — to swig standing in the street. While normally tabancos serve simple cold snacks alongside the sherry, people come here for the full kitchen and excellent tapas — don't miss the grilled octopus with garlicky potatoes. C. Caballeros, 12, 11403 Jerez de la Frontera Tabanco El Pasaje At Jerez's oldest tabanco — 100 this year — the sherry comes with a side of the city's other most famous export, flamenco. Three times a day (around 2pm, 7.30pm and 9.30pm), a silence falls upon this normally riotous bar, one soon filled with the distinct sounds of this Andalucian art form — strumming guitars, energetic stomping and emotive singing. Book one of the limited tables for a front-row seat or join the standing crowd at the back — there's a well-positioned mirror to enable those with an obstructed view to see. Restaurante Pedro Nolasco Best known for its famous Tio Pepe fino, the González Byass winery complex also houses this standout restaurant. Accessed via a private cobbled street enclosed by a canopy of vines, this minimalist ground-floor spot sits in an old wine cellar that opens up to a bright courtyard overlooking Jerez cathedral. Start with a refreshing fino spritz, made with dry sherry, sparkling water and elderflower. The dishes that follow are sherry-themed, such as sea bass with sherry vinegar, and melon infused with Tio Pepe, lime and honey. Bodegas Tradición This small-scale independent sherry producer offers informative tours with a tasting. After seeing the sherry-making process and cellars up close, the bodega's guide pulls up chairs in front of the barrels and serves up six key sherries. Taste from the driest (fino) to the sweetest (Pedro Ximénez), accompanied by an explanation of the processes that transform white grapes into these distinct flavours. The visit concludes with a tour of the owner's private art collection, which includes works by Goya, Velázquez and El Greco. Jerez's little airport is six miles north east of the city. New direct flights are available from May to October with Jet2 from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford and Manchester. Seville is also just an hour from Jerez by train and has year-round flight options from across the UK. Rooms at the world's first 'sherry hotel', Hotel Bodega Tio Pepe, start at €195 (£165) per night, B&B. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
