Making the most of Cadiz
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cádiz emerges almost unexpectedly, with sea and empty coast on either side. Ships berth in the town centre, which is easy to cover on foot.
Beside Alfonso XIII pier, the cruise terminal provides a safe, comfortable welcome. Following expansion, its 1300 m2 includes an open-plan hall, check-in desks, disembarkation and luggage-storage areas, tourist-information desks with city maps, free Wi-Fi, delicatessen and souvenir stores, plus other services.
Plaza de San Juan de Dios, the main square, lies almost immediately across busy Avenida del Puerto, with the tourist office and shopping nearby.
A printable map is available to take with you.
Cadiz occupies a peninsula surrounded by water for approximately 300 degrees and forming part of Cadiz Bay. This medieval city dates back more than 1,000 BC; as one of Europe's oldest cities, it is a maze of pedestrian lanes, squares and Moorish architecture.
With only one day, staying in Cadiz itself may be best. A seafront walk can bring sightings of dolphins and, occasionally, whales.
El Puerto de Santa Maria is a close side trip, reached by a short ferry crossing—the fastest option if its timetable suits—bus or train. It is a pretty, small seaside town.
Getting around
Cadiz City Hop-on Hop-off Tour stops directly outside the cruise terminal.
Taxi rates are around 45 euro an hour, depending on distance.
Walk through central Cadiz towards the clearly visible main Cathedral, then turn right and follow the ocean road back to the ship. The route passes robust fortress walls and striking botanical gardens alongside the entire route. Cathedral and clock-tower admission costs 7 Euros.
Cadiz beaches are uncrowded, with cool, blue water and few resort or hotel developments. As a developing destination, they avoid the rush and crowds of hundreds of other visiting tourists.
Just off Plaza de Sevilla, the train station has up to 20 daily trains to and from El Puerto de Santa Maria and Jerez de la Frontera, plus up to 12 regional services to and from Seville. Train schedules are available.
Nearby places
Victoria Beach is a short ride from the old town on number 7 or number 2 buses. It has clean water and activities including beach football, volleyball, surfing and kite flying.
Jerez de la Frontera is 30 km from Cadiz. Its local wine, "Jerez," was pronounced "sherry" by British troops occupying the town centuries ago; "de la Frontera" was added later because it stood where Moorish and Christian forces once faced each other. Jerez is considered among the world's best wines, and wine-industry figures including Domecq, John Harvey and Gonzalez Byass visited. The town is also known for flamenco dances, horses and brilliant…
Jerez is reachable by bus or train, with almost identical journey times because the train takes a large loop. See the horses and taste the sherry.
Seville is 120 km from Cadiz, 1.50 hrs by train. Its long, rich history has created important artistic and monumental heritage, including civilian buildings such as palaces, government buildings, private palaces, hospitals and universities, alongside religious architecture; it is one of the cities with the greatest number of churches and convents.
Food and shopping
Plaza del San Juan Dios is an unmissable large square. Streets leading into it provide excellent shopping; use those on the right for Cadiz's main shopping district, or collect Cadiz walking and shopping maps from the square's visitor center.
Do not miss the large central morning market.
Money
The local currency is the euro.
Staying connected
Spanish is official throughout Spain, though some regions also use Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Euskera/Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian in the Valencia Region, and a particular Catalan variety on the Balearic Islands.
Cadiz Cathedral has free WiFi, with very good reception at all cafes on the square in front. Other town spots are clearly marked, and the cruise terminal also provides free WiFi.
Dial 112 free of charge for emergencies anywhere in Spain. Service is in Spanish and, in some tourist areas, English, French and German.
Opening Hours and
Across Cádiz, shops and businesses generally trade Monday through Saturday, 9.30 h–13.30 h and 16.30–20.00 h.
Large shopping centres and department stores trade continuously from 10.00 h to 21.00 or 22.00 h, and sometimes open on Sunday.
During high season in coastal cities, shops usually remain open past 22.00 h.
Pharmacies generally open 9.30 to 13.30 h and 16.30 to 20.00 h. Major cities have 24 hours pharmacies; a rotating late-hour list is published in newspapers and displayed at every pharmacy.
Museums are generally shut on Mondays.
National information