Andalucia Impressions: Where to stay: Cadiz, Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María or Sanlúcar de Barrameda?

If you haven't got a car, definitely Cadiz. Cadiz itself is very pleasant because there are nice beaches, a promenade all round the historical centre, things to see, interesting shops and an enormous choice of places to eat. You can go to El Puerto with the catamaran and Jerez with the Cercanías train and you would have plenty to do on foot or using public transport for a pleasant week or ten days and the beach handy too. If instead you have a car, parking is extremely expensive.

If you have got a car El Puerto can be a better option. Out of season there's loads of parking near the station, along the river and towards the beach. Official car parks for safe parking inside cost an affordable 4 euros per 24 hours. El Puerto itself is a bit scruffy in places but also much much less touristy. It's also a good place to base yourself if you're interested in the Sherry triangle because there are lots of Bodegas in El Puerto itself and Jerez is just 10 minutes by Cercanías train and Sanlúcar de Barrameda an easy 30 minute drive. By car you can easily reach some beautiful beaches such as those of Rota or La Barrosa. To go to Cadiz by catamaran from El Puerto is much nicer than the opposite! Bear in mind that wherever you stay in El Puerto you can't be handy for the beach, the station and the centre because there are three kilometres between the beach and the station. The Valdelagrana seaside part is right out of the town.

Jerez is a larger city with interesting things to see and Bodegas but not as nice as Cadiz.

Sanlúcar is very nice, cleaner and tidier than El Puerto, but it would mean a lot of driving to base yourself there and visit the other places.

Comments and other opinions are welcome.