Cadiz is the southernmost province in Spain. It boasts a wide variety of pristine virgin beaches, historic towns, and breathtaking landscapes. It’s a province that’s rich in natural resources and unique driving routes, so it’s ideal for anyone who loves to explore off the beaten path locations. There are more than enough road trip destinations in Cadiz to keep you busy as well. This includes the famous White Villages Route which will take you through numerous inland white villages in Cadiz.
The Province of Cadiz has a history dating back thousands of years to the time of the Phoenicians. Over the centuries, the province developed many key fishing ports thanks to developments by the Greeks and Romans. Today, Cadiz is a haven for beachgoers, windsurfers, and nature enthusiasts. It also draws in a large crowd for its cultural heritage and gastronomy.
Many people who visit Andalusia focus their travels solely on the provinces of Malaga, Granada, and Seville and neglect to explore everything that Cadiz has to offer. The best way to see the province is to rent a car and drive to all of the beautiful road trips destinations in Cadiz that interest you. You’ll no doubt find yourself wanting to return to see what else you can discover.
Renting a car in southern Spain
If you’re flying into Andalusia, chances are you’ll be using Malaga’s airport which is the largest in the region. There are a lot of car rental companies at Malaga airport so it can be overwhelming trying to find one that’s right for you. Helle Hollis is a fantastic option if you’re looking for high-quality customer service and newly released vehicles to rent.
They’re based just outside of the airport and offer a free shuttle service to and from their office. The check-in process is very well organized and in the summer months you can relax in the waiting room with a complimentary bottle of water while you wait for your turn. The good thing is that they’re open 24/7 which isn’t something a lot of car rental companies in Malaga offer.
For this trip we rented the Citroen Aircross which had just come into stock so it was in perfect condition. All of the rental vehicles at Helle Hollis include unlimited mileage and they have a full-to-full fuel tank policy. The Citroen Aircross is a medium size vehicle so I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re basing yourself out of a busy city. But it’s great for longer road trips and has a lot of space for additional luggage and passengers. You can find the full range of their available vehicles on their website.
Road trip destinations in Cadiz
Cadiz
The city of Cadiz is known for being the oldest inhabited city in western Europe, and it’s certainly worth adding to your list of road trip destinations in Cadiz. This ancient port city grew in prestige in the 16th century and again in the 18th century as a result of Spanish exploration and trade. Everywhere you turn you’ll find yourself face-to-face with history and there’s no other city like it in Spain. Some of the highlights of Cadiz that you won’t want to miss are El Malecon, Catedral de Cadiz, Torre Tavira, and Playa de la Caleta.
Setenil de las Bodegas
One of the most unique road trip destinations in Cadiz is Setenil de las Bodegas. It’s a popular tourist spot in the Sierra de Cadiz due to the unusual way that the houses have been either built into the rocks or set up around them. As you walk through the town you’ll find yourself passing under large rock formations, and you’ll see that some of the shops and houses have rock walls inside them as well. There aren’t too many tourist attractions in Setenil, so it’s easy to see in half a day.
Tarifa
Tarifa is known as the kite surfing capital of Europe due to the high winds that are almost constantly present. It’s also a popular coastal town for whale and dolphin watching. This is one of the best road trip destinations in Cadiz if you’re making your way from Malaga towards the city of Cadiz as it sits at the halfway point.
I would recommend taking a full day to explore Tarifa and its old town. There’s quite a bit to see and some fantastic bars and restaurants to try out. Before you leave Tarifa, don’t forget to stand in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea!
Vejer de la Frontera
My favourite inland white village in Cadiz is Vejer de la Frontera. This historic hillside village has a lot to offer visitors in terms of gastronomy and points of interest. It has a history dating back to the Roman period and during the Nasrid era the village formed part of the Christian border. Take some time to walk around the whitewashed streets of Vejer and admire not only the historic attractions but also the stunning countryside views.
If you’re feeling hungry you certainly won’t find yourself short of places to eat in Vejer. There are a lot of award-winning restaurants here, many of which are located in the main plaza or along Calle de la Corredera. One restaurant that I always return to is Califa Tapas.
Bolonia
If you’re looking for road trip destinations in Cadiz that involve beaches, Bolonia is a great place to start. This area is famous for its virgin beaches and its enormous sand dunes which have been declared a natural protected site. In the summer months the beaches are full with mostly locals or Spanish tourists, but by September the crowds start to disappear, even though the weather is still perfect.
While you’re visiting Bolonia, you need to stop by the Baelo Claudia Archaeological Site which dates back to the 2nd century AD. It sits right next to the beach and is one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain.
Jerez de la Frontera
Anyone who enjoys drinking Sherry will have heard of Jerez de la Frontera. This impressive historic city makes up one of the corners of the Sherry Triangle, along with Sanlucar de Barremeda and El Puerto de Santa Maria. Attractions such as Bodegas Tio Pepe, Catedral de Jerez, Alcazar de Jerez, and the Arabic Baths are just some of the many things to do in Jerez. The city is also known for being the birthplace of flamenco and for producing dancing horses from its equestrian school.
Sanlucar de Barrameda
One of the most overlooked road trip destinations in Cadiz is Sanlucar de Barremeda. Despite it forming part of the Sherry Triangle and having its own bodegas, many tourists have never heard of it before. This is what makes it a great hidden gem in Cadiz to add to your itinerary.
It may be a small city but it has a lot of history to explore. I would recommend visiting the Castillo de Santiago first followed by a stroll around the old town and a tour of Bodegas Barbadillo. Visiting Playa de Bajo de Guia is also a nice option around sunset, or you can spend time relaxing on the beach during the day if you prefer.
Conil de la Frontera
The Costa de la Luz is full of incredible beaches and scenic driving routes. One place that needs to be on your list of road trip destinations in Cadiz is Conil de la Frontera. This beautiful white coastal village is known for its picturesque old town, beautiful beaches, and its gastronomy which is heavily tied to its fishing industry.
As you make your way around the old town, don’t forget to take a look at Torre de Guzman, Plaza de España, and Mercado de Arte. If you enjoy churros you need to stop by the locally run Churrería La Chana too.
Arcos de la Frontera
There are a lot of white villages that you can add to your road trip destinations in Cadiz list. One of the most popular inland white villages in Cadiz is Arcos de la Frontera. The streets in Arcos are incredibly narrow, so it’s a good idea to park your vehicle at the bottom of the hill, before you reach the old town, to avoid getting stuck. This is another example of a white village that has a lot of history behind it due to its strategic location. Places like Mirador de Abades are a must-see in Arcos if you’re looking for good photo spots, especially in the spring or summertime.
Due to its location away from the coast, Arcos de la Frontera is extremely hot during the daytime. If you struggle with the heat, make sure you visit early in the morning or later in the evening because there aren’t a lot of shaded areas other than the narrow streets. Many attractions and restaurants are also closed midday due to the heat.
Los Caños de Meca
Los Caños de Meca and Cape Trafalgar are still considered to be a hidden gems among foreign tourists. The virgin beaches here are beautiful and incredibly well maintained. The area has a very laid back vibe with the various beach huts and local restaurants dotted around the perimeter of the beaches.
One of the highlights at Cape Trafalgar, other than the beaches, is Faro de Trafalgar. This lighthouse has a history dating back to 1860 and it’s still functioning today. Cape Trafalgar is also where the famous Battle of Trafalgar took place between the British and Franco-Spanish fleets. It’s one of the best road trip destinations in Cadiz and it’s also a nice place to stay for a few days.
Planning a road trip in southern Spain
If you’re like me and you enjoy travelling outside of the major tourist hubs, then planning a road trip around southern Spain is the perfect choice. Cadiz is an often overlooked province in Andalusia, or people only visit the city of Cadiz and skip other unique places. There are a lot of beautiful road trip destinations in Cadiz to choose from, which is what makes exploring it so exciting. You won’t be able to see everything in one trip though, but that’ll just give you an excuse to visit Cadiz again soon.
If you have any questions regarding what road trip destinations in Cadiz to add to your itinerary, where to rent a car in southern Spain, or where to stay in Cadiz, please feel free to reach out. You can also follow along with my travels on Instagram where I’m always sharing new tips about Spain and beyond.
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