1 Day Cadiz Itinerary
To visit Cadiz is to discover a very pleasant city to live in: the beach, the seaside, a beautiful old town with magnificent historical monuments.
Close to Seville (1h20 by car), it is the ideal stopover for a day trip during your tour of Andalucia! Once parked in one of the city’s underground car parks, you will take great pleasure in exploring the entire city on foot and visiting all the places of interest in Cadiz.
So what to do in Cadiz? Follow our guide to the 12 things you must see, and find out how to visit Cadiz in 1 day.
1. The Plaza de San Juan de Dios
Begin your discovery of Cádiz by the Plaza de San Juan de Dios. Existing since the 16th century, it was for a long time the heart of the city and the place of the public market, due to its proximity to the port. Many exotic products from India were traded there.
From this square, you can admire 2 beautiful buildings: the town hall and the church of San Juan De Dios. This square, embellished with water jets and fountains, surrounded by cafes and restaurants is very pleasant and more pedestrian.
Tips for your Cadiz itinerary:
- After crossing the bridge of the constitution, continuing straight on avenue las cortes de Cadiz and avenue Astilleros, you will reach the port and its underground car park. Park there you will be very close to the historic center which is the starting point for the day’s visits.
- It is at the entrance to the square, on Avenida Ramon de Carranza, that you will find the Cadiz tourist office to provide you with a map of the places to visit.
2. The Roman Theater
By taking calle San Juan de Dios, then go to the Roman theater of Cadiz. Dated from the end of the 1st century BC, it was only discovered in 1980 and completely by chance. It is the oldest of all those known in Spain and also one of the largest with a capacity of 20,000 people. Today, the proximity of the surrounding buildings prevents the continuation of the excavations.
Do not hesitate to enter, the visit of the museum and the theater is free. Personally, I really liked the way the visit is organized, you can walk in an underground corridor under the bleachers.
3. Cadiz Cathedral
With its golden dome, it is the most famous monument and can be seen from almost everywhere while walking through the city. Started in 1722, the construction of the Cathedral of Cadiz was not completed until a century later and therefore mixes several architectural styles such as Baroque and Neoclassical.
The Cathedral, located in the historic center, was nicknamed “Catedral Nueva” by the inhabitants of Cadiz, in opposition to the “Catedral Vieja” also known as the Church of Santa Maria and which served as a cathedral before the construction of the new.
Do not hesitate to also visit the Church of Santa Maria, it costs nothing to take a look in passing, the entrance is free.
During your visit to the “great” Cathedral, I recommend climbing the Poniente tower, one of the bell towers of the cathedral. Once at the top, you can enjoy a nice panorama of the whole city. The view is particularly impressive. An unmissable place of interest in Cadiz.
4. Cadiz Market
Then continue this circuit in the city with a short tour of the Cadiz market. For me it is a must when discovering a city or region to soak up the typical scents and colors. From the Cathedral, take Calle Compania to Plaza de las Flores (so called because you will find many flower stalls there).
Right next to it is the Plaza Libertad, and its central mercado. Unlike other markets, I did not find it so big, but enough to enjoy yourself with its fruit and vegetable sellers, its fresh fish and the possibility of concocting a good sandwich of charcuterie and cheese of your choice. .
5. Tavira Tower
Close to the market, passing through Alcala Galiano street and turning left on Sacramento street, you will come across the Tavira Tower, one of the 126 towers (just that) that Cadiz has and one of the most visited buildings after Cathedral.
These towers generally served as a watchtower for the port, but the Tavira tower, due to its culminating position, was the main watchtower. The whole attraction of visiting the tower lies in its dark room, equipped with optical lenses and mirrors that allow you to admire the whole bay of Cadiz in a magnificent panorama.
Also worth seeing are the exhibition halls and audiovisual projections.
All information on the official website of the Tavira Tower
Tips for your Cadiz itinerary:
To get to the next place to discover, the castle of San Sebastian, I recommend that you first join Avenue Campo del sur, to enjoy a unique view of the Cathedral and its dome. The opportunity also to start a short walk by the sea enjoying a welcome sea breeze!
6. San Sebastian Castle
Your walk along the campo del sur, will bring you directly to the entrance of the paseo fernando quinones, access road to the castle.
Connected to the city by this pier, the castle of San Sebastian is located on a small island whose legend says that it was here that the temple of Cronos stood in antiquity. It was the Venetians who baptized it “San Sebastian” to invoke its protection.
Indeed, in the 15th century, the sailors of a Venetian ship contaminated by the plague epidemic, were authorized to settle there and built a hermitage there.
A watchtower was then erected there to counter possible attacks. Then, in 1706, the castle itself was built to strengthen the defense of the city.
Today, San Sebastian Castle is above all an opportunity to take a nice stroll along the ocean and admire a lovely view of the seafront of Cadiz. Inside you will have access to free exhibitions. The exterior is used to host concerts and other events.
Anecdote : The castle is world famous for having served as a filming location for a James Bond film: “Die Another Day”.
7. La Caleta Beach
Wedged between the 2 castles of Cadiz is the beach of La Caleta. This pretty fine sandy beach is a perfect stop for swimming and cooling off. However it is relatively small and located in the historic center, so it may be that in the middle of summer you find yourself a little cramped.
You will find all the amenities there: restaurant, bar, toilets, showers. Note that it is a supervised beach for swimming in complete safety and that the projection of the 2 castles protects it from strong waves.
The small fishing boats moored right next to it give it an authentic charm.
8. Santa Catalina Castle
Located at the other end of the beach of La Caleta, this fortress which soars on the rocks served as protection for the city.
It was after the looting of Cadiz by Anglo-Dutch troops that the King of Spain decided to build the fortress to reinforce one of the most vulnerable points of the city.
The building is star-shaped with several defensive bastions and a parade ground surrounded by different pavilions and a chapel dedicated to Santa Catalina.
Santa Catalina Castle can be visited and hosts several art and painting exhibitions. You can also take a walk on the ramparts and observe the beach and the fort of San Sebastian.
9. Genoves Park
A hundred meters from Santa Catalina Castle is the entrance to Genoves Park, the largest public garden in the city.
This park which borders the ocean contains several botanical species from different countries and various small monuments including the very popular children’s fountain under an umbrella. It also has a cave and a lake, a waterfall and ducks.
It is the ideal place for a short break in the shade and on a bench.
10. Alameda Apodaca Park
To continue on your way and enjoy a little more greenery, I then advise you to continue the path to Alameda Apodaca Park. No difficulty in finding it, you just have to continue along the seaside.
With its many trees, its fountains, its wrought iron lampposts, its sculptures, its multi-coloured ceramic benches and its checkerboard flowerbeds, it is for me the most beautiful park in the city.
I didn’t have the opportunity to see it but it seems that the park is particularly beautiful at sunset.
11. Cadiz Museum
A little culture now! At the very end of the Alameda Apocada promenade, turn right on calle Zorrilla to reach plaza Mina.
If you have time to visit a museum, I recommend the Cadiz Museum which is located in this square. On the program 3 floors, 3 different eras:
- On the ground floor you will find the Phoenician and Roman archaeological remains
- On the first floor, Spanish painters from the 16th to the 20th century are honored
- On the second floor, rooms presenting the customs of Cadiz including the famous puppets of the Tia Norica and more contemporary works.
Tips for your Cadiz itinerary:
It would be a shame to deprive yourself of it, the museum is free for European citizens!
12. The Spanish Steps
We will end this day in Cadiz with a stop at the Spanish Square to admire the famous Monument to the Constitution of 1812 or “Monument a las Cortes”. On leaving the museum, take calle Antonio Lopez to get there.
The monument was built in 1912 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Constitution of Spain, which was signed in Cadiz in 1812.
This monument is very symbolic. The lowest part represents a hemicycle and an empty presidential chair. Several silhouettes hold texts of the constitution and on the sides of the figures of horses symbolize peace and war.
Several themes also evoke agriculture and citizenship.
Accommodation in Cadiz
Here are the best hotels and hostels to stay in Cádiz, depending on your budget:
- Cadiz Inn Backpackers : Youth hostel located 10 minutes walk from the Cathedral. Bed in dormitory from 14€ per night. The pluses: its furnished roof terrace and the hospitality of the staff.
- Hotel La Catedral : As its name suggests, it is located right next to the Cathedral. Modern and elegant room from €60 per night, breakfast included. The pluses: we really fell in love with the roof terrace with outdoor swimming pool and breathtaking view of the cathedral! It is our favorite for its price-performance ratio.
- Parador de Cadiz : Located in front of the ocean and 5 minutes walk from the beach of La Caleta. Very nice, modern and bright room from €138 per night, breakfast included. The pluses: outdoor swimming pool with a lovely view, quality of service, well-equipped rooms, original and modern architecture. To have a little fun or if you have a substantial travel budget.
My Impressions of Cadiz
And here I have presented you with the essentials of the city of Cadiz in an itinerary easily achievable in one day.
For my part, I found the visit to be very pleasant and the city of Cadiz a little less touristy than the other cities we visited in Andalusia. The presence of the ocean, gives even more the impression of being on vacation as well as the possibility of swimming and it is very pleasant after having visited more urban cities like Seville or Cordoba.
Arriving by car via the Constitution Bridge is also a good travel memory because it is particularly impressive to cross it. Its height of 185 meters makes it one of the highest maritime bridges in the world, ahead of the Golden Gate in San Francisco.
And you, what are you planning to do in Cadiz?
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