Last Updated on March 31, 2024
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Cadiz is a city in Southwestern Spain, that for years was one of the most important European ports. It’s also considered to be the oldest inhabited city in Western Europe. Being just under 2 hours train ride from Seville, it makes for a great day trip. Heading to Cadiz from Seville might be especially tempting during the hot Andalusian summers, when very often temperatures in the region reach 100 F or higher. It has plenty beaches to choose from and if more active day is what you are looking for, there are a few things to do in Cadiz to keep you busy for a day.
How to get from Seville to Cadiz
Seville to Cadiz by train
If you plan on taking a day trip to Cadiz from Seville, the best way to do it is by taking a train. Renfe trains run frequently from Seville’s Santa Justa station and reach Cadiz in just under 2 hours. You can check the schedule and purchase your tickets on the official Renfe website.
Once you arrive at the Cadiz Train Station, it’s about a 10 minute walk to the city center. Plaza San Juan de Dios is a square, that you will first run into, as its the closest to the train station. While there, you can go the booth and pick up a detailed map of the city, which highlights all the main attractions and best things to do in Cadiz. The city is very compact and everything is located within a walking distance.
Seville to Cadiz Organized Tour
If you’d rather not deal with the hassle of taking a day trip to Cadiz on your own and prefer the convenience of an organized tour, this Cadiz and Jerez de la Frontera Day Trip is a great option. It includes transportation from Seville, visiting all the main sites in Cadiz with an experienced guide, as well as a stop in Jerez de la Frontera. Jerez is a city in Spain known as the sherry wine region and makes for a quick, but fun stop on the way to Cadiz.
Things to do in Cadiz, Spain
Walk down Paseo Canalejas
Walking down Paseo Canalejas was one of my favorite things to do in Cadiz. The esplanade runs along the coast and takes you for a very relaxing and scenic walk. The views of the water and boats are beautiful and the breeze coming from the water is much welcomed on a scorching hot day, like the one I experienced in July.
Stroll through Genoves Park ( Parque Genoves )
As you walk down Paseo Canalejas, you will eventually pass Genoves Park on your left. Make sure to take a detour and stroll through this beautiful park full of perfectly manicured trees and interesting plants. It’s full of flowers, although they were slightly “fried” due to the extreme heat. It’s easy to imagine though, how amazing they look in the spring. There is a little cafe and plenty of benches to rest. There’s also a waterfall, which is very much enjoyed by the ducks!
Stop at the Castle of Santa Catalina ( La Castillo de Santa Catalina )
This 17th century, star shaped fortress is located right by La Caleta Beach. There’s really not much to see, but since it’s reaching out to the sea, it offers nice views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city. For that reason it’s worth a visit, especially that it’s one of the free things to do in Cadiz. Occasionally the castle is used for exhibitions and cultural events.
Santa Catalina Castle is open from Monday to Friday 11 am – 8 pm and it’s free to visit.
La Caleta beach
If you’re looking for a beach right in town, La Caleta is the most convenient choice. Located a short walk from the center, right by the castle. The downside is, that it gets pretty crowded, especially since the beach is rather small.
Fun fact: La Caleta beach was featured in James Bond movie from 2002 “Die Another Day”. The famous scene of Halle Berry emerging from the water was shot right on that beach. If you pay attention you can see the Santa Catalina Castle in background during the bar scene. In fact, all the scenes in the movie that took place in Cuba, were shot in Cadiz.
Enjoy Victoria beach ( Playa de la Victoria)
Much bigger than La Caleta is Playa de la Victoria. This beach is very wide, with soft sand and calm waters perfect for swimming. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars around, as well as facilities ( public showers/ changing rooms). The beach seems to be very popular with the locals, especially on a hot day during the weekend. I was there on a Sunday and although the beach is quite big, it was packed. I imagine it’s less crowded on a weekday.
You can easily reach Victoria beach it just by continuing down the promenade, past the Cathedral. If you’d rather get a ride, the local 7 bus has one of the stops by the beach as well.
Climb Tavira Tower ( Torre Tavira)
For amazing views of Cadiz, climb to the top of Torre Tavira. This 18th century tower, located right in the center, is the highest point in Cadiz and for just €8, you can enjoy amazing, 360 views of the city.
Included in the price is also Camera Obscura, which needs to be reserved online at a specific time. There is a limited number of people allowed for each time slot, so I suggest reserving it, as soon as you have your Seville to Cadiz day trip planned.
Open: October – April: 10 am- 6 pm / May – September: 10 am – 8 pm
Visit Cadiz Cathedral ( Cathedral de Cadiz )
This Cathedral built in the 18th century is often referred Cathedral Nueva ( New Cathedral ). The reason being, it was build next door to the original one, which got destroyed by the British. It took over a 100 years to finish, therefore the building is a mix of two styles: Baroque and Neoclassical.
You can visit the Cathedral for a small fee of €7. This also grants access to the Clock Tower, the highest point of the church, from which you can admire panoramic views of the city.
Open: July and August: 10 am – 9 pm/ November – March 10 am – 7 pm/ April, May, June, September and October 10 am – 8 pm
Get lost in the alleys
Just like with any other new destination, best way to explore it is just by walking around and Cadiz couldn’t be more perfect for it. It’s small, very compact and everything is within a few minute walk. Walking aimlessly was honestly one of my favorite things to do in Cadiz. Strolling through random streets, alleys, squares is also a great way to discover spots you might have missed otherwise. Whether is those charming places or less than perfect spots, which Cadiz has also plenty of.
Take a guided tour of Cadiz
If you’d like to learn more about the history of the city, you might enjoy taking one of the guided tours of Cadiz. There are several highly rated and recommended ones to choose from.
This 2 hour tour is a great way to get to know Cadiz, whether it’s your first time visiting or you’ve been before, but never had much information about it. The tour starts in the main square and takes you to all the biggest monuments in Cadiz. You’ll learn the stories behind the historic buildings and get an insight into what led into the development of today’s Cadiz. One of the stops is Tavira Tower and the tour includes the entrance ticket.
If you’d like to get some exercise and visit all the main Cadiz attractions at the same time, this 3 hour bike tour is a fun way to explore.
If you enjoyed this article, you can download it via the GPSmyCity app – it will give you access to the guide, you will be able to use, even if you’re offline. Download it here.
READ MORE:
- 3 days in Seville – the most beautiful city in Spain
- The Perfect 2 days in Granada itinerary
- Visiting the Alhambra in Granada, Spain
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