The Best of Cádiz in 4 Days

Arrival

Arriving in Cadiz at noon, you will have the whole day to explore. The train station is situated conveniently at the gates of the city center, and right outside, you’ll catch a taxi to your hotel to drop your luggage.

Lunch & afternoon

My recommendation for lunch is the Mercado Central de Abastos, an indoor-outdoor market where locals purchase their fresh fish, fruits, and vegetables and enjoy tapas with their friends.

Choose from fresh fried fish, mollusks, and all types of seafood, as well as international foods like sushi, tacos, or empanadas. A very popular spot among locals, the weekends will always be bustling with life.

You might have a hard time finding a seat, but don’t be afraid to ask to share a table when you see open space (you’ll find that close quarters don’t bother Spaniards one bit!). You can buy your food at any bar, but please, buy your drinks at the bar where your table is located.

After eating, step right out of the market to explore the city center and digest your lunch. The old part of town is like a maze, and I love getting lost in the streets, discovering new shops and restaurants every time.

Next, we’ll visit Cadiz’s famous 18th-century Cathedral. You can buy the ticket on the spot with cash or a credit card. Inside, you’ll find impressively detailed sculptures, wooden choir stalls, and beautiful and colorful glass windows. You can even visit the catacombs, where the famous Gaditano composer Manuel de Falla is buried.

After visiting the interior, head up to the bell tower, where you’ll get the most amazing views of the town and the Atlantic Ocean. Please note that there is no elevator available. You’ll need to walk approximately 5 minutes up the tower ramp; however, the views are definitely worth it.

Evening & dinner

The evening is a perfect time to visit the beach. Just 15 minutes away on foot from the Cathedral, you will find the most iconic beach of Cadiz, Playa de La Caleta. On one side of La Caleta, a long walkway into the ocean leads to Castillo de San Sebastian, a Phoenician military fort turned prison, turned lighthouse. On the other side, you will find Castillo de Santa Catalina, a XVI century military fort now host to many art events. Both are free to visit and will transport you to another era of Cadiz.

For dinner, go to El Manteca, the most famous bar in all of Cadiz. Treat yourself to the best Cadiz delicacies: tortillitas de camarones, various types of fried fish, Iberian ham, Salmorejo, or papas aliñas.

Morning

For days two and three, you will need to pick up your rental car at the train station.

Head southeast for about an hour and 20 minutes toward the town of Tarifa and spend the morning in this beautiful kite-surfing town. Early in the morning, it will be cooler, so you can walk around the historic part of town before it gets too hot. If you haven’t eaten breakfast already, there are several good places! I recommend Cafe 10 Tarifa.

Stepping through Puerta de Jerez, you’re immediately transported back to Medieval Spain. Plaza de Santa María is a highlight. Here you will find the historic archives, the library, and the town hall, among other cultural buildings.

You’ll definitely want to visit Guzmán El Bueno Castle. This castle was built in 930 AD and was used to defend the town against attacks and to control passing ships.

• Did you know that in Tarifa, you can stand at the southernmost point in continental Europe?

Isla de las Palomas is an island connected to Tarifa by a man-made road, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. You will also have a prime view of Morocco, located just 14 km away from Tarifa. Just don't get blown away by the wind!

On the Atlantic side of Tarifa, you will see the endless Playa de Los Lances, where many people will be kite surfing. This is quite impressive. You can chill on this beach for a while and go in the water to refresh yourself. And if you are feeling adventurous, join a trial lesson at one of the many local kite surfing schools.

Lunch & afternoon

Although there are many great restaurants in Tarfia, I recommend El Ancla for the freshest seafood in town. You will want to try the cuttlefish croquettes. For authentic Moroccan food, I recommend Bar Marrakech—make sure to bring cash, as they don’t accept card payments.

After lunch, it’s time to bid farewell to Tarifa and head up to Vejer de la Frontera, one of the most beautiful villages in the world.

This “pueblo blanco” (white village), called such because all of the homes are painted white to deflect the heat, will make you fall in love with southern Spain (if you weren’t already). I also recommend ditching your phone to wander around without a map and discover the village, with its small streets and local shops.

At the heart of Vejer is Plaza de España. This beautiful little square is where all the main celebrations are held. Enjoy a glass of wine while you relax, looking at the fountain adorned with Sevillian tiles.

A wonderful spot to enjoy the sunset is Calle de la Corredera. This is also a great place to eat dinner. I’ll be sure to book you a reservation at one of the many incredible restaurants on this street!

With a full belly, you’ll be ready to get back to Cádiz for a well-deserved rest.

Morning

Today, it’s time to head northwest to the town of Sanlucar de Barrameda.

This village is located just at the border with Huelva province. One of Spain's main rivers, the Guadalquivir, flows into the ocean here. Across the river, there is Parque de Doñana, one of the National Parks of Spain. You can participate in various types of excursions, such as kayaking or guided tours with a park ranger.

Lunch & afternoon

For lunch, you have to go to Casa Balbino, my favorite place to eat in Sanlucar de Barrameda, because of the variety of dishes and tapas. This is the best place in the region to eat a type of clam called coquinas. The line can get quite long, but it moves very quickly.

After lunch, grab an ice cream in the same square and explore the village.

I recommend heading to Chipiona, just 15 minutes away by car, for a beautiful sunset over the beach before returning to Cadiz for dinner.

Dinner & evening

You can’t visit southern Spain without attending a flamenco show, and I know the perfect place to book you in for a fantastic night.

Cueva del Pajaro Azul, also known as the “oldest Phoenician port in the west,” is one of, if not the best “tablao” in Cadiz. This intimate show will give you a taste of Andalusian culture and soul, as will the complimentary cheeses, jamón serrano (Spanish cured ham), and wine.

For dinner, I invite you to try something different. El Faro is the most liked restaurant in town. Try their sea urchin and oysters.

Depending on your departure time, you may need to leave your luggage at the hotel after check-out. Don’t worry, people do this all the time, and it is totally safe!

For another spectacular view of the city before you leave, head to Torre Tavira, the tallest building in town. Inside, in a pitch-black room, the “Camera Obscura” will project real-time images of the city onto a white, concave, horizontal screen using a periscope that works with mirrors and lenses.

Afterwards, you can visit the Roman Theater of Cadiz and the Gadir Archeological Site. These places are not very big, so you can see them in a short period of time.

Head to the Mercado Central de Abastos one last time for lunch.