“Have car, will roam” – this was our unspoken thought when we set off from the base of our trip of southern Spain, the little mountain town of El Bosque, for the ancient city of Cádiz on the south-western tip of Spain. The drive took us just an hour. It would take 1.5 to 2 hours from Ronda or Seville. You can get to Cádiz by train as well, either from Madrid (4 hours) or Seville (2 hours).
Cádiz goes back all of three thousand years, until the time of the Phoenicians who founded the city in 1,100 B.C., though legend says that the city was founded by none other than Hercules himself. Cádiz has a magnificent natural harbour which is today a hub for cruise ships. It is a popular beach town as well.
Like many old cities the streets of Cádiz are narrow and ‘one-way’ in most areas. So we decided to park our car at the northern end near the Park Genoves and walked around to explore the city’s highlights.
BEST HIGHLIGHTS IN CADIZ
Cádiz Cathedral (Catedral de Santa Cruz)
The highlight of Cádiz is the Cathedral. Its beautiful architecture comprises both baroque and neoclassic style and its golden dome adds majesty to its imposing presence. Admiring it from the outside is probably better than roaming around the interior, though a climb to the clock tower may be worthwhile for getting a panoramic view of the city.
The cathedral museum is a great place to view its exhibitions of the city of Cadiz and the religious paintings and sculptures.
Tavira Tower (Torre Tavira)
Another great option to enjoy a scenic view of Cádiz is from the highest point in old town Cádiz – Torre Tavira. This well-preserved tower was used by local merchants to watch the approach of ships. We explored a couple of exhibition halls and found the Camera Obscura exhibit which gave us a city tour in a unique way. Real time images projected from the tower top gave a 360 degree of Cádiz, and a 15 minute ‘guided tour’ took us around Cádiz.
Castle of San Sebastián (Castillo de San Sebastián)
A visit to an old Spanish town is never complete without taking in a castle, and the Castillo de San Sebastian is definitely worth a visit.
This fortress is at the end of La Caleta beach on an islet separated from the mainland by a long walking path. It is one of the oldest castles in Western Europe. It shares the islet with a chapel, an ancient lighthouse and watchtower and the Marine Research laboratory.
Apart from the castle itself, the walk to it along the breakwater, where the crashing waves broke into amazing colors, was an attraction too. This was also a place to get good photographs of the harbour with the Cathedral and other buildings facing the sea.
Park Genovés (Parque Genovés )
Our long walk along the breakwater, the home of sea-gulls, finally led us back to Park Genoves, a lovely park with fountains, caves, a lake and waterfalls. Its botanical gardens nurture many species of trees and shrubs, and there are birds and a small aquarium too.
One of the highlights of the park is La Gruta, a lake with a waterfall where several species of birds co-exist – a great place for family. Along the way you will find interactive exhibits to keep the kids engaged.
Cádiz has some good beaches too, but a day trip may not be enough to enjoy them.
Well, if you walk such a lot you gotta eat too! The maze of narrow streets in the old city are full of traditional Spanish restaurants, many of them with street seating – the best way to enjoy eating in Cádiz.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Being a port city, Cádiz has excellent seafood, of which blue tuna and oysters are specialities. We opted for a good Salmon tartar with avocado (not so much Spanish) and some standard tapas with a glass of the Jerez Blue Sherry wine. The local favourites – Salmorejo (gazpacho’s thicker, creamier cousin), Dorada (Mediterranean fish) and Tortillitas de camarones (crispy shrimp pancakes) – are on the menu, of course. Cádiz is also known for traditional little cookies, and there are bakeries all over the city – almond cookies, jelly filled pastries and more.
Tip: If you are in a mood to take a short break on your drive back, Jerez is an interesting town, 30 minutes drive from Cádiz, where you will find the famous horse riding schools and the Blue Sherry wine.
Cádiz has so many attractions – history and architecture, beaches and city tours, food and wine – it is impossible to enjoy all of it in just a day. But if you can’t have it all, at least have a great day trip from anywhere in Southern Spain!
Cadiz was such a surprise, I loved it! Thanks for sharing, I love your photos!
We didn’t visit this coastline during our Spain trip, and it looks like we missed out. I love the look of this port town, and you had me at crispy shrimp pancakes…. It’d be good to do a coastal tour and drive along that entire stretch of coastline. Probably starting at Malaga .. and working our way up.
I haven’t really explored much of Spain. It looks like I am missing out though. Cadiz is beautiful and the kind of town that I love spend time in. I am going to have to have a second look at Spain when we can travel again.
I spent a 2-week road trip once exploring Andalucia, starting in Seville & finishing in Malaga. I remember only spending a few hours in Cadiz at the start of our journey (mainly along the coast). I don’t think I’d done much research as I certainly didn’t see any of these beautiful places you have introduced me to. I clearly need to go back…with my eyes open next time!
We are dreaming of returning to Spain when we can travel again. When I looked at what was left, we noted that Cadiz was a spot we had missed. So fun to find this post today. The architecture and history are always a big draw for us. But we would want to stay for a few days and enjoy the beaches and seafood for sure. One day …. Linda
Wow I always forget how much there is to see and do in Spain. La grits would be on my bucket list.
This brings back great memories. Years ago, we spent two summers in Conil de la Frontera and despite the Spanish killer heat, we took day trips i.a to Cadiz. We enjoyed it so much. I remember a great museum with paintings by Zurbaran – and crispy fried fish. Also, the narrow alleys were so picturesque. Unfortunately, we never made it to the beach – we had Conil for that, after all. But yes, Cadiz is a great place.
Wow, the Cadiz Cathedral is stunning. I haven’t yet made it to Spain but I would love the opportunity to explore around on my own time. I’m sure a car is the way to go!
Wow Cádiz is such a beautiful town. I have never been to Spain and I would love to go there some day. And I had never heard of Cádiz before but now I will add it to my list of places to visit when I am in Spain. The cathedral looks amazing and so beautiful.
I did a three week road trip in Spain a couple years ago and would love to return. Cádiz is one of the cities I really wanted to visit but ran out of time. I would love to walk the breakwater to the the Castillo de San Sebastian and that view from Torre Tavira is postcard perfect! Great tip to stop in Jerez and visit the horse riding school.
We took a road trip through Spain a few years ago, but didn’t make it that much south. Cádiz looks very beautiful indeed and I would have liked to visit it. I’m glad to hear it can be explored in a day as we are planning to return to Spain next year.
I would say Cadiz indeed a good day trip destination with the architectures and the park found in town. Seems like climbing the Tovira Tower is a must as you can see the whole town from above. The trees at the park look interesting and I just like seeing those waterfalls.
I loved Spain and it is one of my favorite travel destination. But missed Cadiz due to lack of time. I loved the architecture here and the view from Tavira tower is really stunning. I would love to check castles of San Sebastian as they look very unique
Wow! I did not realize there are a lot of things to see in Cadiz. The Castle of San Sebastian looks really nice plus we love to try their local favorites. We hope to visit this charming city in the future.
We loved being in Spain although it was a short trip to Madrid & Barcelona. How I wish to go back to Spain as we loved our time there. Cadiz looks such an attractive city too. The Cathedrals ans Castles apart, I would love to spend a lot of time walking around Park Genoves.
I would love to visit Cadiz one day! Actually more of Andalucia as I’ve only been to Sevilla once >< Thank you for sharing everything!
Cádiz is one of my favourite cities in southern Spain. There are so many gorgeous buildings and parks to explore, and the beaches next to the castle aren’t bad either!
Wow this city looks beautiful. I love castles, so the San Sebastian would be a must see. And those gardens with the landscape, manicured shrubs and waterfall looks incredible!
Lovely post. I am from Seville but I have been in the UK for 10 years now. You brought meback so many good memories. Thabnk you.
Wow, love your photos! Cadiz looks amazing and I’d definitely check it out when planning our next trip to Spain!
Love your photos. We haven’t made it to the South of Spain yet, but Cadiz looks like it should be on our itinerary. Plenty to do in a day in Cadiz.
Cadiz looks like so much fun!
I need to go back to Cadiz! I went to Cadiz when I was 16 years old, and I loved it. I want to check some of the places, you have mentioned, I did not see during my trip.
I have never heard of this town! It looks like such a beautiful seaside town. Someday, I would love to drive through Spain and visit all of these beautiful places.
I went to Cadiz last in the 70s (of the last century 😁) ….it looks like I definitely have to go back.