If ancient port cities aren’t your thing, they should be. Cadiz is surrounded by the sea on three sides and is breathtaking to walk around. It ranks highly among the best places to visit in southern Spain. With its gorgeous coastline and white stone buildings shining brightly in the Spanish sunshine, you won’t find yourself short on things to do in Cadiz.
Cadiz comes second only to Rio in terms of carnivals and I hear it’s pretty spectacular to see in person. It’s also rich in history and is considered by many to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in western Europe. If you’re looking to catch a birds eye view of the city, climb up the Torre Tavira and check out the city’s camera obscura for a unique perspective. There are plenty of things to do in Cadiz, even if you’re only spending one day here. So, if you’re planning a trip to Spain, and perhaps the south western coast, here are 10 of the best things to do in Cadiz
10 things to do in Cadiz
1. Visit Plaza de San Juan de Dios
There are lots of plazas in Cadiz but Plaza de San Juan de Dios is one of the most popular. It’s played a key role in the city since the 16th century, acting as the administrative and commercial centre, and is also one of the oldest plazas in the city. It’s only a short distance from Cadiz’s train station so it will be one of the first attractions in Cadiz that you’ll come across if you’re visiting the city by train.
2. Admire Cadiz Cathedral
Cadiz Cathedral was built in the 18th century, and although it doesn’t date back to the medieval period, it’s still an impressive building and adds to the charm of the city. You can get some great views of Cadiz from the Torre de Poniente which is a very popular tourist attraction, but you will need to pay a small entry fee to access it.
3. Sample some tapas
Out of all of the things to do in Cadiz, eating may be one of the top activities. Cadiz is predominantly known for its fresh seafood but visitors will find a lot of other restaurants in Cadiz to choose from as well. If you’re on a tight budget I would recommend finding a few tapas restaurants in Cadiz to dine at or going on a Cadiz tapas tour with a local guide.
4. Stroll along the waterfront
Cadiz is surrounded on three sides by the water so a walk along the seafront is a must. You can walk around the whole perimeter of Cadiz in about 45 minutes, and it’s a beautiful walk too that includes 2 castles along the way. If you’ve been to Cuba you may also notice that this area is very similar to Havana. And of course, this is one of the best free things to do in Cadiz so why wouldn’t you add this to your itinerary?
5. Castillo de San Sebastian
Castillo de San Sebastian is a pretty unique place to visit in southern Spain because it’s set on an islet. If you take a stroll along the path that leads up to it you’ll end up in the middle of the sea with some great views of Cadiz. According to tradition, the islet was home to the Temple of Kronos and it’s also been the setting of numerous films such as James Bond Die Another Day.
6. Castillo de Santa Catalina
Castillo de Santa Catalina sits directly opposite Castillo de San Sebastian. It was built in the 17th century and served as a military prison. If the tide is out you can sit in one of the boats stuck in the sand and take in your surroundings or relax on the beach. The beaches in the province of Cadiz are some of the best in Spain so I’d recommend doing a road trip along the coast and visiting a few if you have time.
7. Alameda Apodaca
You’ll also find a lot of parks in the city which are good places to stop if you need to get out of the sun for a bit. Alameda Apodaca in particular is a popular option as it’s right next to the sea making it great for photos too. Visiting parks like this is one of the best free things to do in Cadiz.
8. Roman Theatre
This partially excavated Roman Theatre dates back to 70BC and visiting it is one of the best unique things to do in Cadiz. It’s only open for a few hours of the day so I would recommend checking the opening times online beforehand. If the site happens to be closed when you visit Cadiz you’ll still be able to walk up to the railings and take a photo.
9. Plaza de España
Most cities in Spain will have a Plaza de España and Cadiz is no exception. This one sits at the onset of the old town of Cadiz and has a very picturesque monument standing in the centre of it. Visiting this plaza is one of the best things to do in Cadiz on a budget and if you plan on taking a walking tour in Cadiz this spot will no doubt be included in it.
10. Puerta de Tierra
Puerta de Tierra is a monument built around the remains of the city’s defensive walls that once marked the entrance to the city. It now sits in the middle of the road so it’s a bit tricky to get a photo of but it’s still nice to look at from a distance.
Spending one day in Cadiz is a good amount of time to see the city’s main attractions and eat some of the best food in southern Spain. These are just some of the many things to do in Cadiz and if you have time during your trip you may also want to consider a day trip to nearby Seville or Jerez de la Frontera too. Feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions about Cadiz, and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram!
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