Rocky coastline along Campo del Sur in Cadiz, Spain

Things to do in  Cádiz

Ready, set, flamenco

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.

Top 6 attractions in Cádiz

Genovés Park (Parque Genovés)

star-4.5159
Located in the northwestern corner of Cadiz, Genovés Park (Parque Genovés) is a lovely green oasis by the sea. Built in the 19th century, it's the largest park in the historic center, and boasts more than 100 species of plants, complex topiary, a man-made lake with a waterfall and grotto, commemorative statues, and an outdoor theater.More

El Pópulo

star-4.5296
El Pópulo is the oldest neighborhood in Cádiz—a walkable tangle of narrow lanes dating back to the 13th century. It’s home to major attractions such as Cádiz Cathedral (Catedral de Cádiz) and the Roman Theater (Teatro Romano) and serves as an appealing place to sip espresso or nibble seafood tapas at a café overlooking the waterfront.More

La Caleta Beach

star-4.5254
Given that Cadiz is almost entirely surrounded by water, the desire to hit the beach is bound to strike at some point. When it does, the go-to spot is La Caleta, the only proper beach in the Old Town. This sandy stretch lines the western side of the city, nestled inside a natural harbor once used by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans.More

Roman Theatre of Cádiz (Teatro Romano de Cádiz)

star-4.5144
Cádiz is ancient—settled by Phoenicians more than 3,000 years ago, it’s often called Europe’s oldest living city. The most spectacular evidence of its distant past is the waterfront Roman Theatre of Cádiz (Teatro Romano de Cádiz), which dates to 70 BC. Its semicircular seating accommodated some 10,000 spectators, and it’s among the earliest and best-preserved Roman theaters anywhere in Spain.More

La Viña

star-4.5129
Wrapping around Santa María Square, La Viña is a neighborhood of whitewashed homes and narrow lanes. Once a working-class bastion, the neighborhood now hosts a selection of tapas bars that are among the best in the city. The heart of the action is pretty Calle de la Palma, a cobblestone street lined with café tables, palm trees, and socializing crowds.More

Jerez de la Frontera

star-3.53
The Andalusian city of Jerez de la Frontera is a hotbed of southern Spanish culture. Internationally known for flamenco, horsemanship, and sherry, Jerez is not as popular or touristy as its better known neighbors, Seville and Cordoba, but the city is steeped in rich traditions and offers a variety of sights.More

Top activities in Cádiz

Andalusian Horses Dance Show

Andalusian Horses Dance Show

star-4.5
354
From
$29.52
Seville Private & Cutomizable Tour from Cadiz Port/Hotel Pick up
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
Cadiz Small Group Bike Tour

Cadiz Small Group Bike Tour

star-4.5
116
From
$39.10
Private 4-Hours Tour of Jerez de la Frontera from Cadiz
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
Private 8-Hour Tour to White Villages from Cadiz
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out
3-hour boat ride through the Bay of Cadiz

3-hour boat ride through the Bay of Cadiz

star-5
33
From
$282.36
per group
Cádiz 2:45h Bike Tour

Cádiz 2:45h Bike Tour

star-4.5
63
From
$38.01
Cadiz Shore Excursion: Seville Day Trip with Skip the Line Real Alcazar and Cathedral
Special Offer

All about Cádiz

When to visit

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.

Getting around

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.

Traveler tips

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
EN
c769ae23-6556-4173-8e6f-ec6a5a9aa544
geo_hub

People Also Ask

What should I not miss in Cádiz?

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.

...More
Is Cádiz worth going to?

Yes, 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.

...More
How do you spend a day in Cádiz?

Stick 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.

...More
Which is better: Cádiz or Seville?

The 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.

...More
How many days in Cádiz is enough?

One 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.

...More
Is Cádiz a walkable city?

Yes, 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
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top things to do in Cádiz?
Q:
What are the top activities in Cádiz?
Q:
What are the top things to do near Cádiz?
A:
Check out things to do near Cádiz: