Whether you’re coming for Cadiz’s beaches, seafood or amazing monuments, it’s hard not to fall in love with this city. Its charms are easy to discover and return visitors rave about its historic city center, delicious Cadiz seafood and exciting museums.
To help you plan your trip, we’ve put together a list of the best places to visit in Cadiz. These include must-see landmarks and top free activities that will make your holiday to Spain even more enjoyable.
1. Puerta de Tierra
The Puerta de Tierra, a historical entry gate/wall to Cadiz, is one of the city’s most iconic features. Crossing this gateway is a great way to get your bearings and see what awaits you in this historic city.
The street is lined with restaurants and bars offering a variety of cuisines. It is also a great place to find street performers and live music.
In the past, PDT has been a centre for trade and commerce. But it is now home to a disenfranchised young working class, and the neighbourhood is undergoing a significant decline in quality of life.
2. Torre Tavira
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Torre Tavira is Cadiz’s most emblematic watchtower. Located in the center of the town at 45 meters above sea level, it was designated the official watchtower of the port of Cadiz in 1778.
From its terrace you can enjoy the most panoramic views of Cadiz, from Castillo de San Sebastian in the west to Cadiz Cathedral in the south. You can also climb ten flights of stairs and 170 steps to the tower’s rooftop terrace, where you can admire the city from an aerial view.
On the top floor of the tower you can find a spectacular optical device: the first Camera Obscura in Spain. This marvellous equipment projects the images of the outside panorama on to a concave horizontal screen, in a completely darkened room.
3. La Caleta Fortress
If you’re looking for a place to relax and take in the seaside Spanish ambiance, then La Caleta beach, Cadiz, is the ideal spot. In summer it’s packed with local youth hanging out, families taking their children for a day at the beach and elderly tourists strolling along the shore at sunset.
In ancient times this gulf-side bay was the port of choice for Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans. Fossil-filled reefs on each side of the 360-meter long beach act like straight jetties, calming the waters of the natural bay.
A small island connected to the mainland by a causeway is the site of San Sebastian Castle. While the castle itself has not been open to visitors for a while, you can still walk around it. From here, you’ll have amazing views of La Caleta beach, the coastline and the star-shaped Santa Catalina castle.
4. La Caleta Beach
A short walk from Cadiz old town, this 450-metre stretch of soft golden sand is the ideal spot to watch one of Andalucia’s best sunsets. The waters are dotted with traditional fishing boats, and you’ll find yourself staring into the horizon as the sun slips behind the mountains.
The beach is framed to the north and south by two old castles, San Sebastian and Santa Catalina. It is also home to the impossible-to-miss crescent-shaped Balneario de Nuestra Senora de la Palma y el Real, an opulent 1920s spa.
In addition to being a beach, the area is also known for its rich archaeological remains, as this is where ships anchored during the Phoenician and Carthaginian periods. This makes it a great place to visit and soak up some history during your trip to Cadiz!
5. San Sebastian Castle
A small island connected to the mainland by a causeway, San Sebastian Castle is an imposing fortress. Its small chapel and central patio are planted with palms giving it a sun-baked look.
- The castle is also home to the second electric powered lighthouse in Spain, which was designed by Rafael de la Cerda in 1908. It is a metallic structure that rises up to 41 meters above the sea and it is possible to see it illuminated today.
- It is one of the most important fortresses in Cadiz and it serves as a cultural landmark. It is a great place to spend an afternoon or evening, particularly in summer when it hosts open-air concerts.
