With 3,000 years of history, a wonderfully preserved ancient center, golden beaches, and some of the best tapas in Andalucia, there’s no shortage of fun and fascinating things to do in Cadiz.
As you explore, you’ll find chunky forts, shaded plazas, ancient watchtowers, and Baroque palaces. The rhythms of flamenco drift on the breeze, and enticing aromas waft out of the cool shade of the many tapas bars.
You’ll also find friendly people with a liberal tolerance and a party spirit, fine urban beaches, and lush gardens as you wander around what the Spanish call la ciudad de mil culturas—the city of a thousand cultures.
Stroll Around El Pópulo
El Pópulo
Cadiz in Southern Spain is crammed onto a narrow spit of land with the Atlantic on one side and a vast, sheltered bay on the other. The formerly walled section is a jumble of narrow streets and sun-bleached, weather-beaten buildings at the tip of the spit. Here, there are more than 100 ancient watchtowers built by local merchants who wanted to keep an eye on approaching ships.
Part of this neighborhood, the medieval El Pópulo, is the oldest part of the city. This is where you’ll find the cathedral and the Roman theater, not to mention bustling squares and all manner of craft and souvenir shops.
This is a compact area, so it’s easily walkable. Check out Arcos de los Blancos, one of the three original entrances to the walled city, dating back to the 13th century. Admire the Casa Del Almirante, or the Admiral’s House, an elaborate Baroque palace. You can’t go inside as it’s a private residence, but the exterior is impressive.
Church of Santa Cruz
The Church of Santa Cruz was the original cathedral of the city and worth a visit. It was built in 1263 on the site of a mosque, and then rebuilt in the 18th century after sustaining irreparable damage in 1596 during the Anglo-Spanish War. Step inside to admire the gleaming, gold Baroque altar and the graceful vaulted ceilings.
Finally, stop for coffee or tapas in Plaza San Juan de Dios, which is lined with palm trees and faces the port.
Tour Cadiz Cathedral
Cadiz Cathedral
Cadiz’ cathedral, in the El Pópulo neighborhood, was commissioned in 1716 to reflect the city’s growing wealth from discoveries in the New World, but took until 1838 to complete. As such, it’s an impressive mishmash of architectural styles and towers over the clustered houses of the medieval city.
The elegant facade, the work of architect Vicente Acero, who also designed Granada’s cathedral, is Baroque, the friezes Rococo, and the domes and columns Neoclassical. In the late afternoon, the golden dome glows in the sunshine.
Inside this Spanish church, look for the elaborate, wood-carved choir stalls made from oak that depict angels, flowers, and saints. You can also see the tomb of local composer Manuel de Falla in the crypt. Climb the Torre Reloj—the clock tower—for sweeping views over the rooftops and the sea beyond.
Bask on Caleta Beach
Caleta Beach
Playa de la Caleta is a smallish curve of golden sand flanked by two forts, the star-shaped Castillo de Santa Catalina at one end and the Castillo de San Sebastian, on an islet accessed by a skinny stone walkway, at the other.
Fishing boats bob in the water and the whole scene is overlooked by the Moorish-style Balneario de La Palma, once an old-fashioned spa, or bathhouse, opened in 1926 and restored to its former glory in 2021. Today, it’s a government office with a view to die for.
Playa Victoria
On fine days, you’ll find this Spanish beach packed with locals, despite the fact that nearby Playa Victoria, a vast swathe of sand packed with facilities, is nearly six times longer. The calm water here is a plus, as well as the beach’s proximity to the old town.
Wander Around Castillo de Santa Catalina
Castillo de Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina, the northernmost of the two forts guarding Playa de la Caleta, is one of the most beautiful places in Spain. It was built in the 17th century in response to the city being sacked by the Dutch and the British in 1596. There’s a small chapel in the grounds, a parade ground where concerts are held in summer and, unsurprisingly, glorious sea views.
You’ll also see a display here about the Spanish Civil War, when the fort was used as a prison, and a model of the dockyard during the disaster of 1947, when the city was almost destroyed by a massive explosion of munitions.
Take in the Views From Castillo de San Sebastián
Castillo de San Sebastián
San Sebastian, on a tiny islet to the south of Playa de la Caleta, has a long history, starting as a Greek temple, then a Muslim watchtower, then a chapel. Now, it’s a fortified castle complete with a moat and drawbridge, serving as a lighthouse. The lighthouse you see today was installed in 1908.
You can reach the castle via the narrow, snaking Paseo Fernando Quinones, which connects the islet to the mainland. Quinones, whose statue adorns the start of the walkway, was a 20th century novelist and poet, born in nearby Chiclana de la Frontera.
Read: Best Places to Visit in Spain for First-Timers
Discover the Roman Theater
Teatro Romano de Cadiz
The Teatro Romano de Cadiz, the city’s Roman theater, located in the tangled El Pópulo neighborhood, was built in the first century BC and in its heyday, accommodated 10,000 spectators. It’s one of the oldest theaters of the former Roman Empire and one of the best things to see in Cadiz if you’re interested in Roman history.
As was typical of old European cities, other buildings were constructed on top of it as it fell into decay, including a Moorish castle. As such, the original theater was only discovered in 1980 when some decrepit buildings were being demolished. Work continues to excavate and conserve it, but you can still get a good idea of the impressive scale of the structure and learn more about its origins in the interpretation center.
Smell the Flowers on Alameda Apodaca
Alameda Apodaca
Breathe the sea air and inhale the scent of the flowers as you stroll along this gorgeous seafront garden on the north side of the old city. The street is laid out in a striking geometric design of black and white tiles, while deep pink bougainvillea froths over rows of stone columns, making this an exceptionally photogenic spot.
Wander between the slender palm trees, jacarandas resplendent with mauve blossoms in May and June, and giant ficus, taking in the views of the Atlantic. This is a wonderful place to feel the cooling sea breezes or just sit and relax after a busy morning of sightseeing.
Graze Your Way Around the Mercado Central de Abastos
Mercado Central de Abastos
One of the best ways to get a sense of a city is to visit its markets. You won’t be disappointed by Cadiz’ Mercado Central de Abastos on Plaza Libertad, a riot of color and aromas from more than 100 stalls selling fish, meat, fruit, and vegetables. As well as being a place to buy food, the market is one of the city’s busiest social hubs and at lunchtimes is absolutely buzzing. It’s in El Centro, the very heart of old Cadiz.
The market was built in 1838 on the site of a vegetable garden belonging to an old convent, its 2009 refurbishment retaining many of the original Neoclassical features of the hall.
Once you’ve browsed the various stalls, head for the Rincón Gastronómico, the “gourmet corner”, an outdoor food court with a mouthwatering array of goods: cheese, sushi, prawn fritters, cuttlefish stew, air-dried ham, croquettes, and churros. Wash down your lunch with chilled sherry; you’re in sherry country here, with Jerez de la Frontera, the epicenter of production, just half an hour’s drive away.
Stroll the Waterfront
Campo del Sur
Take a stroll along the Campo del Sur waterfront, around the corner from La Caleta beach on the south side of the old city, and you may feel a sense of being in the Caribbean. This colorful malecon is nicknamed “Little Havana” and resembles the much larger waterfront of the Cuban capital with its pastel-colored buildings on one side and pounding waves on the other.
This is a place where locals head for jogging, dog walking, and cycling, taking in the salty Atlantic sea air.
Read: Best Things to Do in Spain
Climb the Torre Tavira
Torre Tavira
Looking down on a city from above is always fascinating, and one of the best things to do in Cadiz for epic views is to scale the Torre Tavira in the historic Barrio de San Juan neighborhood.
This is one of the city’s many watchtowers, built in the 18th century by wealthy merchants who wanted to keep an eye on their ships arriving from the New World, laden with goods. The towers were also useful for spotting approaching pirate ships. Today, you’ll have views of the port, the jumbled rooftops of this Spanish city, the cathedral, and the sparkling Bay of Cadiz.
The tower is the highest point in the old town, at 150 feet, with 173 steps and no elevator. There’s an added surprise here; the tower has Spain’s first camera obscura, the predecessor of the modern camera, installed in 1994. During the 20-minute demonstration, you will see a live image of the city projected onto a circular screen by an ingenious arrangement of lenses and mirrors
Step Back in Time at the Cádiz Museum
Museum of Cádiz, Cádiz Photo by Emilio on Flickr, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
One of the best museums in Spain, the Museo de Cadiz, on Plaza de Mina, is a multi-layered glimpse into the city’s complex 3,000-year-old history, stuffed with artifacts, mosaics, and fine art.
Admire the two Phoenician sarcophagi, carved from marble and dating from the fifth century BC. You’ll see Roman statues, including an impressive Emperor Trajan, dating from the second century AD.
There’s golden jewelry, Moorish ceramics, and in the fine art collection, some impressive Spanish art. Check out the series of saints, monks, and angels painted by Francisco de Zurburán, as well as some wonderfully detailed historical paintings of Cadiz.
Plaza de Mina
After your visit, take time to explore leafy Plaza de Mina, lined with beautiful trees including a massive ficus with crenelated roots, 100-year-old Aleppo pines, date palms, and jacarandas, also more than a century old. The scent of jasmine hovers in the air all summer long.
There’s an interesting fountain, too, called the Fountain of the Four Seasons, with four statues, each one representing a season. Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, for example, depicts summer with her ears of grain, while winter is imagined as an old, hooded man with a beard.
Feast on Fish & Tapas
Fried fish
Cadiz is reputed to have some of the best tapas bars in Andalucia, many of them pleasingly authentic; the advantage of being in a somewhat overlooked Spanish city is that you’ll mingle with locals, rather than feeling as though you’re in a tourist trap.
First, though, make your way to a freiduría, Cadiz’ signature fried fish shops, serving sizzling hot seafood fried in a batter of wheat and garbanzo bean flour, which gives it a light, tempura-like crispness. You’ll find these all over the city.
Tortillitas de camaron
Local tapas to try include berza, a stew of garbanzo beans, smoky chorizo sausage, and green beans. You’ll find tortilla, Spanish omelet, filled with chunks of potato and onion, and the freshest tuna tartare. A local specialty is crispy shrimp pancakes, or tortillitas de camaron, or papas con chocho, a potato and cuttlefish stew.
While sherry may seem like a slightly dated drink, you’ll find it everywhere here. Pair your tapas, as the local do, with a light fino or manzanilla, served chilled and perfect with slightly salty food.
Caleta Beach
Are you tempted to discover the charms of Europe’s oldest port? Browse Celebrity’s cruises to Cadiz and plan your dream vacation.
