Top Cádiz activities
Explore by category
Top Cádiz landmarks
Top Cádiz landmarks
Top Cádiz landmark tickets
Beyond Cádiz
Tours in nearby places
Explore Andalucia tours
Tours in similar places
Cádiz trip ideas
A jumble of whitewashed buildings tumbles seaward in Cádiz, an ancient port city where historic landmarks neighbor seafood cafés and holiday homes. Top things to do include exploring the historic neighborhoods of El Pópulo and La Viña, while sunset draws strolling crowds to Caleta Beach. At night, the fiery rhythms of flamenco still enliven the Old Town—Cádiz is one point in the “golden triangle of flamenco” where the music and dance originated.
Warm weather from June through September fills Caleta Beach, Cortadura Beach, and Santa Maria del Mar Beach with crowds seeking calm water and sunny days. Fall ushers in bigger waves—and the surfers who chase them—for a season that lasts all the way until spring in March. During February’s Carnival of Cádiz carnival, music rings through every street in an 11-day party that draws revelers from around the world.
Old town Cádiz is best explored on foot: Limited parking, congestion, and narrow streets make driving a hassle. To cover more ground in the mostly flat town, consider renting a bicycle or joining a guided bike tour. Hop-on hop-off bus tours are another excellent option, as the sightseeing buses generally cover key landmarks more efficiently than the network of city buses.
Elegant restaurants abound in Cádiz, but you’ll find the freshest seafood of all at the Central Market (Mercado Central de Abastos). The open-air market was built in 1838 and has more than 150 stalls selling everything from grilled octopus to fino sherry and crisp-fried fish. It’s good for a hearty snack or even a meal—and on weekend evenings the market bustles until well past midnight. (Hint: This is also a great place to find a restroom.)
Attractions 6 | Tours 147 | Reviews 1,215 |
Don’t miss the sunset on the Cádiz waterfront. At dusk, the town’s La Caleta Beach draws locals and visitors as evening light gilds its sandy shoreline. It gets better: A pair of historic fortresses, called Castillo de Santa Catalina and Castillo de San Sebastián, bookend Caleta Beach and look fabulous in photos.
...MoreYes, Cádiz is worth going to. The ancient port packs history, beaches, and fun cafés into a walkable Old Town, and remains much less crowded than other Andalucia beach towns. Its major landmarks range from the Roman Theatre of Cádiz (Teatro Romano de Cádiz) to the soaring Cádiz Cathedral.
...MoreStick to exploring the compact old town, where you’ll find La Caleta Beach, the El Pópulo neighborhood, Cádiz Cathedral, and a pair of seaside castles. For lunch, pick a seaside cafe or head to the historic Central Market (Mercado Central de Abastos), where you can graze at more than 150 stalls.
...MoreThe two Andalucia destinations are very different. Smaller, seaside Cádiz is all about strolling neighborhoods, exploring ancient history, and catching sunset each day at La Caleta Beach—it’s a laid-back place. Seville is Andalucia’s buzzing cultural hub, an inland city with flamenco shows, high-end cuisine, and energetic nightlife that goes past sunrise.
...MoreOne day is enough for Cádiz essentials, as many top sites—such as La Caleta Beach, the Cádiz Cathedral, and the Roman Theatre of Cádiz (Teatro Romano de Cádiz)—are in its compact Old Town. For more beach time, tapas, and seaside strolling, though, budget at least two or three days.
...MoreYes, Cádiz is great for walking. In fact, it’s best explored on foot, as atmospheric neighborhoods such as El Pópulo and La Viña have winding, narrow streets with limited parking. To cover a bit more ground, consider booking a hop-on, hop-off bus that whisks you to Cádiz’s best beaches and landmarks.
...More