What to see in Cadiz city and surroundings on a long weekend

Are you looking for What to see in Cadiz and surrounding areas on a weekend getaway? My friends and I had several summers going to TarifaBut this time we decided to change and use Cádiz capital as a base camp to discover the city, its amazing cuisine, and the beaches and towns just a stone's throw away. And look, we got lucky! easterly wind all weekend (the one where they even blow your glasses off), so this guide is perfect if you're wondering What to do in Cadiz on a very windy weekendIn addition to more crowded beaches, we enjoyed a a gastronomic trip of 10Here's our route through Cadiz city and its surroundings For your next getaway. Let's go!

What to see in the city of Cádiz

Cadiz is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Western Europe And it shows in every corner: narrow streets, charming squares, the sea surrounding everything, and that cheerful, Cadiz atmosphere. The best part is that The historic center is small and can be explored on foot.So it's perfect for a weekend getaway. These are the must-see stops:

1) Take a walk through the historic center of Cádiz

The best way to get to know Cádiz is get lost in its centerTake a stroll through the El Pópulo neighborhood (the oldest), the Cathedral of Cadiz with its golden dome, the Tavira Tower (the tallest, with its camera obscura), the Plaza de las Flores and Saint John of God SquareEverything is close by, so you can explore at your own pace and enjoy the atmosphere. And if you love the sea, don't miss the walks along the city walls and the... Genovés Park.

2) Enjoy the beaches of the city of Cadiz: Santa María del Mar and La Caleta

The most famous beach in the city is La Caleta (the one from the postcards, between two castles). We went for a swim in the Santa Maria del Mar beachA lovely, less crowded urban cove with city views. Perfect for a quick dip between strolls through the city center. 💦

3) Central Food Market of Cádiz

El Central Market of Supplies is a A mandatory stop for lunch. It's a beautiful traditional market with an area of food stalls Where you can snack on everything: fried fish, seafood, tuna sushi, cheeses, preserves… You buy from different stalls and eat it right there. Ideal for trying a wide variety and soaking up the local atmosphere. We tried a fried food stall: cuttlefish, croquettes, dogfish, and shrimp fritters.

Where to eat in Cadiz city

Let's get to what really brought us to Cádiz: eating like a monsterThe cuisine of Cádiz is wonderful, with the red tuna from almadrabaFried fish and shrimp fritters were the stars of the show. These are the legendary restaurants where we ate and that we highly recommend:

El Faro de Cádiz, the best shrimp fritters

El Faro It's a legendary restaurant in the La Viña neighborhood, one of those that has been doing it justice for decades. Shrimp fritters They're among the most famous in Cádiz and you have to try them. We also ordered the dogfish (in marinade), scorpion fish pate, cheese and leek fritters spectacular and, for dessert, a Bacon from heaven To top it all off. A must-try of classic Cadiz cuisine.

Casa Manteca or Arte Puro, the shrimp fritter from Manteca

Pure Art It belongs to the same owners as the legendary Bar MantecaSo here you can try their famous Manteca shrimp fritterWe also asked for a salmorejo with a good olive oil above and some greaves The kind that takes your breath away. Authentic atmosphere and true Cadiz flavor.

Day trips from Cadiz: beaches and towns less than 1 hour away

One of the great advantages of having Cadiz as a base camp It's that in less than an hour by car you have Charming villages, miles of beaches and amazing beach barsThese were our day trips:

1) El Palmar: kilometer-long beach, beach bars and bluefin tuna

El Palmar is one of The most beautiful beaches on the Cadiz coastMiles of sandy beaches for strolling, a relaxed atmosphere, and a avenue full of beach bars and cool shops Where to get lost. It's a great plan for a full day of beach and good food.

For lunch we went to Towerwhere we really enjoyed ourselves with some butterfly anchovies incredible and we snacked a little more.

And for dinner, the highlight of the day: Juan House. And at sunset (The views are amazing) and let yourself be guided by the daily suggestions. We were blown away by the truffled tuna toast, seaweed croissant filled with spicy tuna and guacamole and the tarantello (One of the best parts of the tuna). A spectacle from beginning to end. 🌅

2) Chipiona: swimming, beach bar and sunset

Chipiona, the land of Dew SwornIt was one of our favorite stops, mainly because of the beach bar that a friend recommended: the Awa Beach Club beach bar.

they have rascals, bluefin tuna tartare from almadraba or with a Almadraba bluefin tuna carpaccio with truffle which was absolutely stunning. Quite a discovery (and on top of that we ran into Pepe Reinawho was having dinner there 😄). We stayed until the sunsetwhich in Chipiona is a true marvel. A perfect plan of beach, fresh fish and sunset.

3) Montijo Beach: the option for days with easterly winds

And here goes our trick for windy daysWhen the wind picks up so much that you can't be on any beach, the Montijo Beach (in Chiclana) is a good alternative because it's more sheltered. It's not the most spectacular beach in the area and can only be enjoyed in certain spots. at low tideBut it does its job when the east wind is relentless. It has a traditional fishing weir (a stone construction in the sea for fishing with the tide, just like the one in Chipiona), which is very interesting to see.

In the area there are several beach barsOne of them is right above the beach, quite authentic, and the food is pretty good. They are Specializing in fried eggs and French fries with different accompaniments, such as garlic prawns or cuttlefishTo be honest, it was okay but not the best part of the trip; even so, it was more than adequate for a windy day.

More places to see in Cadiz (if you don't mind driving)

La The province of Cádiz is immense And it offers so much more, whether you're looking for a beach in the summer or Charming villages for a winter getawayIf you have more days available and don't mind drive a little furtherFrom the city of Cádiz you can also visit these places:

Beaches and coastal towns

• Barbate (approx. 1 hour away): capital of bluefin tuna fishing, with great beaches and the Breña Natural Park.
• Zahara de los Atunes (approx. 1 hour 10 minutes away): a charming fishing village with some of the best beaches and beach bars on the coast.
• Bolonia Beach (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes away): a spectacular unspoiled beach with its famous dune and the Roman ruins of Claudia BaeloFor us, the best beach in Cadiz.
• Rate (at approximately 1 hour 30 minutes): A kitesurfing paradise and the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula, with views of Africa. We know it well from previous summers: it's possibly the town in Cádiz with better environmentBut if you get caught in a gust of wind, you're done for. 😅

Charming inland villages

• The Port of Santa María (approx. 30 min): On the other side of the bay, the cradle of wine and incredible cuisine. You can even get there by boat (the "vaporcito") from Cádiz.
• Jerez de la Frontera (approx. 40 min): The city of wine, flamenco, and horses. Perfect for a cultural getaway any time of year.
• Sanlúcar de Barrameda (approx. 50 min): Famous for its chamomile tea, its horse races on the beach, and its world-renowned Sanlúcar prawns.
• Medina Sidonia (approx. 50 min): White village with a rich history, beautiful old town and famous for its traditional pastries (Arab sweets).
• Vejer de la Frontera (approx. 50 min): one most beautiful villages in SpainA labyrinth of whitewashed streets on a hill. A must-see.
• Arcos de la Frontera (approx. 1 hour away): door of the Route of the White Villages, spectacularly perched over a cliff with incredible views.

🗺️ Map of places to see in Cadiz and surrounding areas

To help you get organized, we've included a Map with all the places in this Cadiz guideThe city, restaurants, and day trips to nearby beaches and towns. This way you can plan your route without missing a thing:

Video of the getaway: what to see in Cadiz

In the following video of our YouTube channel We'll show you our gastronomic getaway to CadizThe city, the beach bars, the bluefin tuna, the sunsets, and every corner of this guide. If you're planning your trip, it'll be a huge help. Subscribe so you don't miss a thing! 🎥

COMING SOON

Where to stay in Cadiz: our apartment

For a getaway to the capital, the best thing to do is stay in the center of Cadiz and get around on foot. We stayed in a tourist apartment and it was a A total success for going with friends: had 3 rooms (each slept in her own bed, with separate beds), 2 bathroomsair conditioning, very spacious and renovated, and in a central location Excellent, very close to the Cathedral. Furthermore pet friendlySomething very important to keep in mind because Cádiz is a super pet friendly provinceThere are even several pet-friendly beaches where you can go with your dog. We highly recommend it:

🛡️ Travel insurance for your getaway

Even if you're traveling within Spain, travel insurance is always a good idea for a getaway. We always travel with IATIAnd for domestic trips and short breaks, the policy IATI Getaways It's the most suitable: it covers medical assistance, lost luggage, cancellations, and much more, at a very good price. You have a 5% discount as a reader of Local Guide Gran Canaria:

And up to here our gastronomic getaway to Cadiz with friendsIt was one of those weekends you won't forget: great company, bluefin tuna everywhere you looked, stunning sunsets, and even the dreaded easterly wind gave us a bit of a story. We hope this Mini guide on what to see in Cadiz city and surrounding areas We hope this helps you with your own getaway. If you have any questions, leave us a comment. And if you'd like more travel inspiration for another top city in Andalusia, check out the guide to what to see in Malaga. 🌊