Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

Bar El Poniente, on the ridge above Vejer, has sweeping views down the coast to El Palmar and Conil. The ramparts of Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno in Tarifa have fine views across the Straits to north Africa.

Arts and culture

NMAC is an excellent contemporary sculpture park near Vejer, featuring works by international artists (www.fundacionnmac.com).

Something for nothing

The white-sand beach at Atlanterra is the perfect place for a picnic. Even at the height of summer it’s rarely crowded and, because it’s relatively sheltered you won’t get sand in your cucumber sandwiches. Ask at the hotel for directions.

Shopping

In Tarifa, shop for Moroccan leather goods at the Bazar Hispano Arabe on Avenida de Andalucía. You can buy extremely tasty sherry from bodegas in Jerez; try Pedro Domecq (www.alvarodomecq.com) or González Byass (www.gonzalezbyass.com). Don't forget to take home some sherry vinegar as a variant on balsamic.

Daytripper

Jerez de la Frontera is famous for its dancing horses, flamenco and sherry. Follow the Thursday show at the Royal Riding School (www.realescuela.org) with a visit to one of the sherry bodegas to sample treacly oloroso and nutty amontillado.

Best beach

The beautiful sandy coves at Los Caños de Meca, southwest of Vejer, were once a hippie hang-out and maintain a laidback air. Nearby El Palmar is one of the best surfing beaches around. For adrenalin sports, head for El Porro beach, northwest of Tarifa.

Activities

The coast has superb conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. You can ride through the surf on deserted beaches; ask your hotel for information on local stables. The Straits of Gibraltar are excellent for dolphin-spotting and whale-watching; FIRMM on Calle Pedro Cortés in Tarifa runs excursions (www.firmm.org). Light aircraft offer scenic flights along the coast, and daytrips to Morocco from Jerez (www.fly-in-spain.com).