Cadiz cruise port guide: What to see, do & eat in Spanish city

Words by Nick Dalton

No matter which way you walk from Cadiz cruise port, you come to the sea. Cadiz is a charmingly compact city and one of the most walkable cruise ports in Spain. Plus, you can also travel from Cadiz cruise port to Seville in over an hour – a popular day trip for cruisers.

The Spanish city of Cadiz sits on a narrow peninsula; even if you walk away from the sea you find it as the city is connected to the mainland by a wonderful, dune-flecked 3km strand of beach and a road dotted with restaurants.

Europe’s old continuously inhabited city, it has 3,500 years of history, not least being the spot from which Columbus sailed for America. Cadiz has always been a strategic port and is now a regular call for Cadiz port cruise ships, which dock not only within sight of, but only a 10-minute walk from, the 8th-century baroque and neoclassical waterfront cathedral on the opposite coast.

The city centre has some grand buildings and thoroughfares, closely surrounded by a spider’s web of narrow, shop-filled streets and meandering alleys that drivers occasionally force themselves down.

How to get into town from Cadiz cruise port

Wondering, how far is Cadiz centre from cruise port​? Simply pop across the road – Cadiz port cruise ships dock just minutes from the Old Town. From the edge of a narrow seafront park the grand Place de San Juan de Dios heralds the way, a wide pedestrian thoroughfare with palm trees along the centre, fringed by entrancing buildings, many with al fresco cafes, leading to the extravagant city hall.

From there you can either stick to the stylish city centre shops or disappear down one of the many alleys that eventually pop out by the sea.

Spain’s Cadiz cruise terminal is novel in that, side by side with ocean giants you can find composite river/maritime vessel, MS La Belle de Cadix – the only ship to sail down the Guadalquivir River from Seville.

There are also ferries to Gran Canaria in the Canaries and – more realistic for Cadiz cruise visitors – the pretty cathedral-and-castle town of Puerto de Santa Maria, across the bay on the Guadalete River.

In short, the Cadiz cruise port to city centre walk is just a few minutes, making it ideal for exploring independently.

– READ MORE: 12 must-see sights in southern Spain –

Things to do in Cadiz cruise port

Take a walk

On a cruise to Cadiz, there’s nothing better than a stroll through the narrow, cool streets then along the coast, an adventure that neatly turns back on itself so you’re never far from the Cadiz port cruise ships.

As you head away from the Old Town there are big beaches and big sea views on one side, then harbours on the other – along with views of soaring, 5km Constitution of 1812 Bridge, one of Europe’s highest, connecting with the mainland.

Add the cathedral and a wealth of history, Roman, Moorish and more, and it’s a city experience with a sea breeze around every corner.

Hit the beach

Fancy a beach near Cadiz cruise port? Emerge from the narrow streets and you find yourself at La Caleta, a gentle horseshoe of sand, a twin-domed, 1920s bath house (now an archaeology office centre) at its centre and bookended by the castles of San Sebastián and Santa Catalina.

La Caleta beach [below, left] attracts a local crowd while the big, tourist beaches, backed by modern hotels and apartments, start a 10-minute walk south of the cathedral. Getting from Cadiz cruise port to La Caleta Beach​ is roughly a 24-minute, 1.7km walk – or a seven-minute taxi ride.

Playa de Santa Maria del Mar gives way to several others before the city runs out and the beach becomes a strip to the mainland – wild and special but a bit of a hike in the heat.

The cathedral

Officially Cathedral de Santa Cruz de Cadiz [below, right], a mix of magical styles accumulated over its 116-year construction, finally completed in the 1830s, with neoclassical styling outshining rococo and baroque elements.

Works of art from an earlier cathedral dot the grand interior while the gold-tiled dome of Cadiz Cathedral shines brightly and the Torre de Poniente bell tower gives fabulous views.

– READ MORE: 5 incredible ancient cities in the Mediterranean –

Castillo de la Santa Catalina

The castle on the right of La Caleta Beach. Castillo de la Santa Catalina is a star-shaped 17th-century fort with free entry, museum exhibits and views back across the beach and city. Neighbouring Castillo San Sebastián [below, right], on a tiny island, isn’t open to the public but the stone walkway out to it, lined with fishermen, is a pleasing stroll.

Central Market

On Plaza Libertad, Central Market, Cadiz is a 19th-century farmers’ market house filled with stalls mostly selling food with gastronomic flair. Aside from the fresh fish, there are good lunchtime nibbles and lots of take-home items such as olives and spices.

Teatro Romano

The breathtaking remains of Cadiz’s Teatro Romano – an arena that once held 20,000, partly excavated and with tunnels beneath the stone viewing area. Free entry.

Torre Tavira

An 18th-century watchtower, at 45m, Torre Tavira is Cadiz city’s highest point, with spectacular views from the terrace. Also features the Camara Obscura, a periscope-like optical instrument that gives 360-degree views from the room below, explained in short shows. Also, two floors of exhibitions.

Seville

The gorgeous, Moorish city is only an hour and a half drive away, so there’s almost always a Cadiz cruise excursion on offer to Seville when you dock here but as delightful as it is, stay and savour Cadiz.

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Hidden delights

The sea cats

Just west of the cathedral, peer over the sea wall and on the protective concrete blocks you’ll spot several colonies of cats [above, right] – mostly ginger or black – lounging and enjoying the sun, looked after by a local charity who even provide little shelters.

Parque Genovés

At the headland’s tip, five minutes’ walk from La Caleta beach is Parque Genovés, an elegant, free-entry botanical garden, like something from a French chateau… an avenue of towering topiary-styled cypress, lofty palms, two 50m monkey puzzle trees and much more as well as a lake with geese and waterfall and many monuments, not least to the Battle of Trafalgar, fought 40km to the south in 1805 [below, right].

If you’ve only got one or two hours in Cadiz, don’t miss…

The walk past the cathedral, along the sea wall, across La Caleta beach, dipping into Parque Genovés, then back to your ship through the Old Town.

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Where to eat and drink in Cadiz cruise port

Taberna Casa Manteca

A couple of streets back from La Caleta, Taberna Casa Manteca is great for a cheap lunch out of the noonday sun on your cruise to Cadiz, Spain. Buzzing and busy, walled packed with historic photos and newspaper cuttings, a little bar dating back to 1953 with tapas from €2 – try the tortillitas de camarones, crusty, fried fritters of tiny prawns in chick pea flour.

Ajola

Ajola is in a pretty, flower-fronted building with views across the sea and cathedral. The simple life… cold beer, white wine and unfussy cocktails.

La Marina

A bar and café in the Old Town, but Marina best known for its churros, the doughy, deep-fried, chocolaty snacks – perfect for a mid-morning break.

Bodeguita El Adobo

Should you be here in the evening, even if it’s a shame to miss the onboard food (CroisiEurope’s cruise docks overnight), this is a lovely, low-key Andalucian restaurant, a menu packed like sardines with local fish dishes, and tables in a picturesque alleyway.

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