Things to do and see in Cadiz Spain

With its white sandy beaches and picturesque villages, it’s no wonder that Cadiz is one of the most popular and highly regarded tourist destinations to see in Spain. Situated on the Costa de la Luz, the sunny coastline of southwest Spain, Cadiz has an endless coastline, and is definitely a true centre of Andalusian culture and history. Cadiz is an ideal destination for travellers who love history, but also for those who are looking for sea and nature. Without a doubt, it is an authentic visual and sensory spectacle, which will surely captivate you.

Things to do in Cadiz, Spain

San Sebastian Castle

The Castle of San Sebastian is a fortress at the end of La Caleta beach. It is said that on this islet there was a classical temple dedicated to the ancient Greek titan Kronos. It is worth noting that the castle is currently closed, but for those who like a scenic walk along the seafront the castle has stunning views that are well worth a visit.

St Catherine’s Castle

One of the most characteristic images of the city is the Castle of Santa Catalina. It is a fortification located on the beach of La Caleta that juts out into the sea thanks to breakwaters. It was built at the end of the 16th century following the plans of the engineer Cristóbal de Rojas. Also, it has a star-shaped plan of Italian influence and served as a military prison. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1985, this fortress has now been converted into a large cultural space, where concerts and summer activities are also held in the castle’s parade ground. Undoubtedly, this is one of the essential places to see in Cadiz.

La Viña neighbourhood

This is an almost obligatory stop that is not only to be admired but also to be explored. It is an old fishermen’s quarter, with a structure of narrow, cobbled streets. It is the true heart of the capital of Cadiz, and a neighbourhood full of bars, people and atmosphere, the pure essence of Cadiz. The best thing to do is to lose yourself in the narrow streets and walk aimlessly until you end up finding charming corners such as Calle Virgen de la Palma, flanked by tall palm trees and crowned by the beautiful church of Nuestra Señora de la Palma.

Central Food Market

Here you will find lively stalls selling fruit and vegetables, fish, seafood, meat and sweets, this market is the joy of Cadiz. This market is pure energy, tradition and culture. In addition, you will be able to try typical dishes of Cadiz cuisine and of very good quality.

Plaza de las Flores, one of the best spots in Cadiz, Spain

This is an essential place to see in the city of Cadiz, and it is also one of the most charming corners of the city. It is striking for its colourful flower stalls, and invites you to stroll around in peace and quiet. It is one of the most beautiful postcards of Cadiz because of the combination of flowers and the monument to Columela. Built in homage to one of the most illustrious figures in the history of Cadiz, ucius Iunius Moderatus, this monument occupies the central area of the square. It’s all light and colour, but the atmosphere in this square is always amazing.

Falla Theatre

The Gran Teatro Fallo, built in Neo-Mudejar style, is located in the Plaza Fragela in the city of Cadiz. The theatre has frequent productions, and if you buy tickets to see a play, don’t get too distracted looking at the actual decoration or the ceiling which has been painstakingly painted. In February the theatre hosts exhibitions and artistic competitions as part of the Cádiz Carnival.

Cathedral of Santa Cruz de Cadiz, Spain

The cathedral dominates the historic centre of Cádiz, and can be seen almost everywhere in the city. It was nicknamed “The Cathedral of the Americas” because its construction was financed by trade between Spain and the Americas. This baroque cathedral is a must-see spot for any of your visits to Cádiz. It is also a perfect place to have a drink on a terrace with an unbeatable view.

Sancti Petri Castle in Cadiz, Spain

This castle is another fortress with historical links to an important classical temple. According to legend, Hercules, the founder of Cadiz, was buried in the temple where the castle stands today. They offer guided tours of the island as well as nautical experiences such as canoeing.

Seafront promenade

This is one of the main attractions to see in Cadiz, Spain. The promenade, for many, bears a great resemblance to the Malecón in Havana. It is a pleasant promenade full of seagulls which, with the image of the cathedral in the background, makes a beautiful postcard of the city. Walking along this place and watching the sunset from there is one of the things you have to do in Cadiz.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to do in and around Cadiz, Spain?

The Port of Santa Maria

The port of Santa María is another of Cadiz’s treasures, and it is 20 kilometres away from the capital. It has more than 600 palace houses inside which are preserved traditional Cadiz courtyards, full of flowerpots and flowers. It is a real jewel of heritage, and also a place that stands out for its 16 kilometres of fine sandy beaches.

Chipiona

This municipality boasts beaches, as well as a charming bay. But, above all, it stands out because it is home to the tallest lighthouse in Spain and the third tallest in Europe. This lighthouse is 69 metres high and strategically located, making it a spectacular and privileged viewpoint. It is also known for other points of interest such as the Virgen de Regla Sanctuary and Chipiona Castle.

Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Undoubtedly one of the essential places to see in Cadiz, Spain. Both for its monumental beauty, which is more than evident, and for being one of the gateways to the Doñana National Park. Boats leave from here every day to visit some of the places of interest in this impressive protected area.

Vejer de la Frontera

Andalusia is known for its charming whitewashed villages, and Vejer de la Frontera is the exact representation of this image. About 50km from the city of Cadiz, this village has become a major tourist attraction. Situated above the banks of the Barbate River, it is an ideal place to spend the day.

Beaches of Barbate

Barbate is a town with 25 kilometres of coastline, divided between 8 main beaches. These stretch from Zahora to Zahara de los Atunes. One of the most famous beaches and a must see in Barbate is Playa de los Caños de Meca.

The beach of Caños de Meca is divided into three parts: on the one hand the Playa de Trafalgar to refer to the cape part, on the other hand the Playa de Mari Sucia to refer to the beach of the urban area and the Cala de las Cortinas to refer to the area that is closer to the cliffs.

Zahara de los Atunes

Zahara de los Atunes is a charming coastal town with a great historical legacy. There are documents that prove that it dates back to 1400, but the area was already important in Roman times. Furthermore, this town stands out for its gastronomy, and as its name indicates, specifically for its tuna. Tuna is the town’s main livelihood, and the almadraba fishing system is what has made it popular. Its beauty, light and gastronomy are its main attractions, but its geographical position means that you can enjoy a spectacular landscape, with views of its plains and its magnificent beaches.

Zahara de los Atunes Beach

It is easy to understand why this beach is an essential place to visit in Cadiz. The vast expanse of white sand and calm turquoise waters make Zahara de los Atunes considered the Caribbean of Europe. All along the beach there are beach bars to take refuge from the midday heat and all the necessary services for a public beach (showers, toilets, sun lounger hire, first aid shop). There is ample parking, and for adrenaline lovers there are many water sports on offer.

Cabo de Plata, Bunker Beach

Along the coast, there is an abandoned military bunker from the 1940’s. Along the coast you can find other shelters, all part of the same network, which were built to defend the coast from possible attacks during the Civil War. This area of the beach is worth a visit if you are a history buff, but it is important to note that there are no toilets and the path is a little more dangerous than other parts of the coastline.

Dune Playa Bolonia

They say it is the most impressive beach in Cádiz and I dare say it is one of the most beautiful in Spain. More than 3 kilometres of fine golden sand bathed by a surprisingly crystalline ocean. But the most emblematic image of this beach is that of its impressive dune. Climbing to the top of this mountain of sand and enjoying the views rewards every last drop of sweat.

Located in the Parque Natural del Estrecho, this 30-metre dune is the jewel in the crown of a large network of dunes along the coast. It is home to several exotic and unique plants that have been able to flourish thanks to the lack of urbanisation in the area. If you want to experience one of the most unspoilt areas of Spain, the dunes provide sun, peace and tranquillity – perfect for a bit of disconnect!

Find out what more beaches you can visit in Cadiz in our post: The 6 Best Beaches of Costa de la Luz

What to do in 3 days in Cadiz, Spain?

With three days in Cadiz you will be able to appreciate all the most important points of interest, and discover the natural treasures that the coast has to offer. You will visit the most interesting places hidden in this city, and you will be able to reserve some points to get to know it better, when you come back to visit it again. Take a look at this three-day itinerary and choose what you are interested in for your trip.

Day 1: San Sebastian Castle, Santa Catalina Castle, La Caleta Beach, Seafront Promenade, Barrio de la Viña, and Central Market.

Second day: Cathedral of Santa Cruz de Cadiz, Falla Theatre, Sancti Petri Castle, Plaza de las Flores and Puerto de Santa María.

Third day: Vejer de la Frontera, Zahara de los Atunes, and Bunker Beach to watch the sunset.

What to do in 4 days in Cadiz, Spain?

In four days in the marvellous Cadiz you will be able to enjoy all its attractions to the maximum and keep the authentic essence of the place. Here is a 4-day itinerary option for you to get ideas for your trip.

First day: San Sebastian Castle, Santa Catalina Castle, La Caleta Beach, Promenade, Barrio de la Viña, Central Market.

Second day: Cathedral of Santa Cruz de Cadiz, Falla Theatre, Sancti Petri Castle, Plaza de las Flores and Puerto de Santa María.

Third day: Sanlucar de Barrameda.

Fourth day: Vejer de la Frontera, Zahara de los Atunes, and Bunker Beach to watch the sunset.

Itinerary in Costa de la Luz by @hello_nidia

How to organise my itinerary of what to do in Cadiz, Spain?

If you have doubts about how to get organised before leaving home, and you are not sure how to plan your travel itinerary, read our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter. You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the options that the Passporter App suggests. You will find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on what to see and what to do in Cadiz, Spain.

Thanks to the app you can sort your selection in order of preference and organise it by days, quickly and easily creating the ideal trip to Cadiz for you. If you don’t have the Passporter App yet, download it!

If you want to see even more special places in Cadiz, @hello_nidia has created a two-day itinerary with all her favourite spots that you can find in the app now.

Also, you can find all kinds of inspiration and information for your trip to Andalusia by checking out the Instagram @viveandalucia.

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