Cádiz is a small charming city, located in southern Spain, and surrounded almost completely by the Atlantic Ocean. I lived in Cádiz for five months while doing my exchange in university. So, believe me when I tell you that it is simply an amazing place to be, whether it is for a weekend or half a year. Its warm climate, in combination with the long sandy beaches, makes it an ideal holiday destination. However, it is still a bit of a hidden gem, making the city less crowded and touristy compared to other Spanish cities. Therefore you might want to brush up your Spanish skills a little bit before coming. Or at least be prepared to use google translate, because not everybody here speaks English.
But also culturally, Cádiz has a lot to offer. It belongs to the oldest cities in Western Europe, and was founded by Phoenician merchants as a military base and transshipment point. During its history, Cádiz was under Roman, Arab and Byzant rule, functioning as an important port for trade and expedition. Nowadays, you can still see remnants of Cádiz’ rich history, and the influences of the different cultures on the city.
But Cádiz also has a lot of fun free time activities, great food, and amazing sunset spots to offer. So, without further ado, let me introduce to you my favorite things to do in Cádiz.
The 17 Best Things to do in Cádiz
1. Relax at the Beach
And of course the first spot is reserved for the beach. What did you expect when we are talking about a peninsula in southern Spain? If you are staying in the city center, then La Caleta beach will become your favorite spot to be. It is the city beach of Cádiz and basically a five-minute walk from the center. I was living very close to La Caleta, so needless to say that I was there pretty much all the time. That being said, the beach is not the biggest one, and the sea there is pretty calm. If you prefer long, wide beaches and waves, then you will probably prefer Playa Santa Maria or Playa Victoria. These are located a bit outside of the old town, in the new part of Cádiz. Walking there takes around 30 – 45 minutes, but you can also take the bus.
2. Try the Food at the Mercado Central
The Mercado Central is the perfect place for hanging out and indulging in great food and drinks (except in the afternoon, during siesta, when it is closed). It is an open-air market hall, with different food stalls. You can get everything here from fruit, to fish, to cake, to tapas. They also have some of the best olives I ever tried at “Mathias”, and the best cake in Cádiz at “Notto Pastelería”. In the evening, you can get different drinks here. Try the beer or the sherry wine, a sweet local wine from Jerez de la Frontera.
3. Visit the Cathedral
One of Cádiz’ most important sights is the cathedral of Cádiz, Santa Cruz sobre el Mar. The cathedral was built in the 18th century, by different architects, which has led to an interesting mix of different styles like baroque and neoclassic. The white façade of the cathedral turns a soft rosé during the evening hours, making a great motif for many postcards of Cádiz. You can visit the cathedral for 7€, people over 65 years pay 6€, and students 5€. On that occasion you should definitely also climb the Poniente, the west tower of the cathedral. From there you have an amazing view over the city and over the ocean.
4. Climb Torre Tavira
Another of Cádiz’ tourist attractions where you can have an amazing view from, is the Torre Tavira. The Torre Tavira is the highest point of the old town of Cádiz. This made it the official watchtower of the city in the 18th century. When climbing up the stairs, you can read a lot about the history of the tower and the city. Additionally, the Torre Tavira has its very own camera obscura, the first one of Spain. Through the camera, you can see the city of Cádiz projected onto a table in moving images and real time. Tickets cost 8€, for students and people over 65 it’s 6€.
5. Take a Walk at Cortadura Beach
Cortadura Beach is the beach of Cádiz which is the furthest away from the old town, as it connects the peninsula with the main land. It is a beautiful, long beach, with dunes and fine sand. If you have a bit more time in Cádiz, you should take out one afternoon, and take a walk at cortadura beach.
For this, you can simply take bus number 7 from the city center and get out at the last stop. Then you can walk along Cortadura Beach in the direction of the mainland. Feeling the sand under your feet and looking at the sparkling blue sea is truly an amazing feeling. The beach ends with a fence, which means you will have to turn around when you see it and walk back. Be aware that the whole walk takes a few hours. So make sure you don’t start later than at 3pm so that you don’t get surprised by the dark.
6. Visit Castillo de San Sebastian
During the time I was living in Cádiz, the Castillo de San Sebastian was unfortunately closed due to renovations. So, I have personally only seen the castle from the outside. But it is also very much supposed to be worth the visit, once it opens again. The Castillo de San Sebastian is located in the bay of Caleta and is surrounded by the sea. It is only connected to the city through a long promenade, which is also worth walking on if you don’t want to visit the castle. Especially during sunset, you will have a spectacular view from the promenade.
From the Castillo de San Sebastian, you also have a fantastic view of the sea and of the city. The inside of the castle serves as an exhibition space, while the outside area regularly hosts concerts. The Castillo de San Sebastian is also a must for James Bond fans, as it can be seen in the movie “Die another Day”.
7. Walk around Castillo de San Sebastian when the Tide is Low
If you are up for a little bit of adventure, you can also walk around the Castillo de San Sebastian when the tide is low. Be aware that you will mostly have to climb over wet stones though. So only do it if you have enough stamina, and preferably not alone. Oh and of course watch the tide!
8. Stroll through the Streets of Cádiz’ Old Town
One of my favorite things to do in Cádiz, is wander through the streets of the old town without a destination. The narrow, cobbled streets and the old, white buildings have a charme of themselves. By walking without a destination, you can really focus on observing your surroundings. This way you can take everything in, without being distracted by google maps. And you will discover corners of the city that you usually wouldn’t have discovered. And the best thing is that, (almost) no matter where you go, you will always end up by the ocean. So you can’t really get lost!
9. Visit the Roman Theater
Also on the list of things to see in Cádiz is the roman theater. The roman theater of Cádiz was built in the 1st century BC, and is the second oldest theater of the entire Roman Empire. You can still visit the theater today, and it is free of charge. You can also take a look at the information center to learn more about the theater. The entrance is located in Calle Mesón 11-13.
10. Go Surfing at Santa Maria Beach
Cádiz is an ideal place for going surfing, and that all year long! Playa Santa Maria is an ideal beach for surfing. But if you prefer your alone time while surfing, you can also go to Playa Cortadura. You can either take your own board, or rent one. If you are a newbie, then Cádiz also has many excellent surf schools where you can learn the basics. Revolcom is a good one, for example.
11. Go Salsa and Bachata Dancing
What would Spain be without some dancing? So don’t miss your chance and soak in the bubbling atmosphere and dance all night to salsa and bachata rhythms! Various times per week there are “socials” at El Pelícano Músicafé where you can dance salsa and bachata in a relaxed atmosphere for only 3€ entry. It is beneficial to already know some basic salsa or bachata moves though. Alternatively you can also try to find someone there who can teach you.
12. Visit the Sunday Market
On Sunday mornings, there is a flea market taking place around the Mercado Central. You can find anything here, from books to clothes to antiquities, all for a cheap price. Good news is that right next to the market you can also get the best churros in town at Churrería La Guapa.
13. Visit Parque Genovés
Parque Genovés is the botanical garden of Cádiz. It is home to 100 different tree species, colorful flowerbeds, and many different kinds of birds. You can also climb a sort of small cliff from where you have a beautiful view over the ocean, and from where there are artificial waterfalls splashing into a pond. There are also playgrounds for kids in the park. And during summer, there are concerts and theater plays taking place on an open-air-theater.
14. Watch a Theater Show at Teatro Falla
Talking about theater plays, the Teatro Falla is the theater of Cádiz, and is one of the most popular sights of the city. Especially architecture fans love the theater. But even if you don’t know much about architecture, you will understand why, when you see it. It is one of the first buildings in modern Spain which made use of oriental elements. But the theater program of the Teatro Falla is also very versatile. You can visit concerts, dance performances, theater plays, etc. A lot of international artists are also regularly performing in the theater. So no matter what you are looking for, you will definitely find something that interests you.
15. Watch a Flamenco Show
Another cultural activity in Cádiz that you can’t miss is watching a flamenco show. Flamenco is a song, music and dance style, that is strongly influenced by the Gitanos. In 2010, the UNESCO declared it one of the Masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage. The flamenco culture originated in Andalusia in Spain. So, while being in Andalusia, you definitely have to treat yourself to a flamenco show. There are various flamenco theaters in Cádiz, like the Tablao Flamenco La Cava, Tablao Flamenco Cueva del Pájaro Azul, and Peña Flamenca la Perla de Cádiz.
16. Eat tapas
Definitely one of my favorite things to do in Spain! I especially love the Patatas Bravas or the Spanish olives. Seriously, what do they do with their olives that they taste this amazing? But of course, there are lots of other tapas to choose from as well. No matter if you prefer seafood, meat or vegetables, you will definitely find what you are looking for. Cádiz has many great tapas restaurants to offer, like La Taperia de Columela, Taberna Casa Manteca, or Bar Tabernita.
For more tips on where to eat in Cádiz, check out my guide to the best food places in Cádiz.
17. Watch the Sunset by the Sea
Watching a sunset by the sea is honestly one of my favorite things to do in Cádiz. I watched almost every sunset sitting in the sand of La Caleta and looking at the ocean. You can of course also watch the sunset on one of the other beaches in Cádiz, like Santa Maria or Playa Victoria. There is something so special about the sky turning orange and pink and reflecting itself in the dark water of the sea. For the real Spanish vibe, get yourself a “Tinto de Verano” (something like the Spanish national drink) at one of the beach bars.
Note on Carnival in Cádiz
The Cádiz carnival is the biggest carnival on mainland Spain. It typically lasts for 10 days and takes place in February. There are processions, concerts, comedians, children’s shows, and fireworks, as well as lots of people in costumes singing, dancing and drinking in the streets. So, according to your preferences, this is something which you should either specifically come to Cádiz for, or something which you should avoid, if you prefer it calm.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a holiday destination that combines sun and beach with culture and history, then Cádiz is definitely the place for you. Cádiz holds a place in my heart for having been my home for five months, but also for being such a cute and beautiful city with so much cool stuff to do. So, no matter how long you are planning to stay, you will definitely have a good time. Enjoy your traveling!