You’d be forgiven for thinking that the charming little city of Cádiz is on an island. In actual fact although it’s almost completely surrounded by water, Cádiz sits on a peninsula jutting out like an arm into the Atlantic Ocean. Characterised by narrow streets, leafy squares filled with locals, and a slightly slower pace of life than its Andalusian neighbours, the underrated Cádiz cruise port is a beautiful city to explore.
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Where is Cádiz cruise port?
Cádiz cruise port is located right in the centre of the city, and it’s very easy to leave the ship on foot and be in the heart of Cádiz’s old town within ten to fifteen minutes. There’s enough space in the port for several ships to dock at once, and all passengers will go through a small security building when coming back on board, which also has free wifi available and a duty free shop inside.
Is it easy to explore Cádiz on foot?
This is one of the best things about docking in Cádiz cruise port: the city is the perfect size to explore in a day, without relying on public transport or taxis. (So if a taxi driver offers you a ‘great deal’ as you disembark the ship, don’t listen. You do not need a taxi to explore or reach Cádiz from the cruise port.) In fact, like many a Mediterranean city, the best way to get around is on foot, with open eyes and ears. If you want to learn as much as you can about the city with a local guide, there are plenty of walking tours available. Better still, walking tours which also involve food and drink.
Is Cádiz cruise port worth visiting?
Absolutely, Cádiz is 100% worth visiting. Many visitors to Andalusia bypass this little city completely, but the old town in particular is a great place to soak up Spanish life with a more traditional atmosphere than other more cosmopolitan cities. And as western Europe’s oldest city, there’s tonnes of history in these streets, too.
A very brief introduction to Cádiz
This city is an old, old gal. In fact, Cádiz is officially one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in Western Europe, founded around 1100BC. Its location on the southwest coast of Spain- poking its way into the wide expanse of the Atlantic Ocean- meant it was perfectly placed as a trading post.
By the time the Age of Exploration came around, when European explorers were racing to discover the Americas and colonise the world, Cádiz was the launching point for two of Christopher Columbus’s expeditions to the ‘New World.’ The city became a target for Spain’s enemies (good thing there was a wall around it, really), but it continued to get richer and richer thanks to the trade between Spain and the Americas, which almost exclusively (on the Spanish side) went through the port of Cádiz.
Part of the Andalusian region of Spain, the city- especially its old town- has a very traditional vibe, which feels distinctly nautical compared to its Andalusian counterparts like Málaga and Sevilla.
What to do in Cádiz cruise port
Explore the barrios of the old town
The old town of Cádiz is made up of several ‘barrios,’ and the streets are so narrow here that even if you wanted to drive down them, it wouldn’t be possible. The lanes winding away from wide open plazas are lined with shops, bars and bakeries; follow your nose to one of the shops selling freshly-made caramelised nuts and grab a few cones of these, because they are a delight. Away from these busy streets (which, especially when there are cruise ships in town, can get jam-packed), all you need to do is take a little turn and you’ll quickly be out of the thick of it.
In the quieter lanes and plazas, local families sit and children play. Coming from the south of England, where that kind of community vibe just doesn’t seem to be a thing any more, this atmosphere is one of the aspects of life in Cádiz that I love witnessing.
Climb the tower of the cathedral
Cádiz Cathedral is an absolute beaut of a building, and perhaps the most stunning part of it is the Torre del Reloj, the tower which you can climb. There’s a small entrance fee, which in my opinion is very worth paying. From the top of the tower you have 360º views of the beautiful white rooftops of the city, the Atlantic waves crashing into the coastline, and you also might spot a few green parrots taking in the view up there at the same time as you.
Check out my photo diary of Cádiz Cathedral.
Eat some seafood delights at the Central Market
Of course, when in Spain you should eat tapas. It goes without saying. But Cádiz has a few popular dishes of its own to try.
Tortillitas de Camerones (basically, shrimp fritters), are one of this region’s favourite delicacies, and I’m a firm fan, too. Made of the entire teeny-tiny shrimp- that’s right, you eat the whole lot- these little fritters are absolutely delicious, and one of my favourite things to eat in the city. You’ll find these listed on tapas menus across the city, but you could also head to the Central Market to pick up a few freshly-made fritters to go.
And don’t miss out on a little cone of fried seafood either. These pescaíto frito cones can include a whole array of treasures fried in batter, from anchovies, squid and cuttlefish, to marinated dogfish and whiting.
Check out my favourite Cádiz cafe
I’ve tried a few of Cádiz’s coffee shops, but La Marquesa de las Huevas is the one that I keep returning to when we dock here. Firstly, because this little cafe does an absolutely delectable cheesecake (Basque cheesecake is the number one cheesecake in the world, and that is a hill I’m prepared to die on), secondly there are several outdoor tables on a pedestrianised street, and thirdly, the cafe is within very easy walking distance of Cádiz cruise port. Even when we’re short on time, a pit stop here is possible.
Admire the trees. Seriously.
There are some incredible tropical trees dotted around the city- from standard palm trees to gigantic Palo Borracho trees with spiky, swollen trunks, and the stunning dragon tree which looks to me a bit like an upside down broomstick with tightly-packed bristles. Many of these were brought here by travellers returning from far-off lands, like the two gargantuan fig trees which were brought to Cádiz in 1903 by two nuns returning to Northern Spain from the Americas. One of the nuns became very sick, and was hospitalised at the city’s Mora Hospital. She never recovered- or reached her intended destination, poor lass- so the tiny saplings were planted outside the hospital in tribute to her. The miniature saplings grew up to be super-sized trees, with twisted knots of woody branches and vines hanging low, and two other saplings were planted in one of Cadiz’s gardens.
Head to the park
The Parque Genovés is a beautiful botanic garden right next to the seafront which, you guessed it, is home to even more trees. The garden is free to visit, and is a great spot to chill out and get a spot of fresh air. In the heart of the park is a pretty pond fed by a series of waterfalls; and behind the waterfalls is a walkway through a grotto which you can explore. Alternatively, climb up the steps above the waterfalls and take in the view from there.
Playa la Caleta – the closest beach to Cádiz cruise port
Fun fact, pals: Cádiz was used as a filming location for James Bond movie Die Another Day, and Playa La Caleta featured heavily (as well as parts of the city itself.) Controversially though, Cádiz wasn’t playing Cádiz. In the movie, Halle Berry and Pierce Brosnan are actually in Havana, Cuba, and La Caleta is one of Cuba’s many beautiful beaches.
Whilst the weather in Cádiz isn’t always on a par with Cuba, during summer time La Caleta is a beautiful place to come and enjoy the sea and the wide open, sandy bay. There are a few restaurants nearby, and although the beach can get busy, it’s also pretty big, so you’re sure to find some space.
To reach Playa Caleta from Cádiz cruise port on foot will take you around 20 minutes. The walk through the old town is very pretty, although of course if you don’t fancy it it’s possible to get a taxi instead.
Visit the Roman Theatre
The Romans really got around back in the day, didn’t they? I’ve visited Roman ruins across the entirety of Europe, from whole ruined cities in Croatia, to villas in England, and many an amphitheatre in Spain (there’s one right in the centre of Málaga). And Cádiz is also a city that was touched by the Romans. In fact, they ruled the whole area once upon a time.
Cádiz’s Roman theatre was built in around 70BC, and it was big enough to hold roughly 10,000 people. Located right under the nose of Cádiz Cathedral, it was only excavated (by accident) in 1980, although parts of it are still buried.
I’ll be honest: I’ve attempted to visit the Roman theatre twice, and have failed both times, basically because of the days we’ve docked in Cádiz and the times I finish work conflicting with the opening times of the amphitheatre. It’s a real shame, but if you want to check the opening hours for yourself, head over here.
Curious about the above photos? Check out Semana Santa in Cádiz.
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