EXACTLY How To Get From Malaga to Cadiz
The ultimate transportation guide between Malaga and Cadiz Despite both being in the province of Andalucia, Malaga and Cadiz are two very different cities. While …
With the distinction of being the southernmost province in Spain, Cadiz is the home of Andalusian horse culture and everything that makes Andalucia such a vibrant place to visit.
The Costa de la Luz is not as developed as the Costa del Sol, but being on the Atlantic Ocean has its advantages over the Med with the town of Tarifa attracting surfers from around the world.
History abounds in Cadiz from the Phoenicians right through the Moors and into a period of great wealth brought back from the “New World.”
Littered with olive trees and electricity-generating windmills, the province of Cadiz is an exciting place to visit and explore.
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Save time and money, avoid tourist traps and see only the very best of Andalusia.
After calling Southern Spain my home for several years and organizing customized Andalusia trips, it was about time to put the best places in Andalusia into this handy travel itinerary.
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First settled by the Phoenicians in 1104 BC, Cadiz city is regarded as the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe.
Dominated by Mediterranean and Atlantic trade, Cadiz grew rich as the home port of the Spanish treasure fleet. Somewhat surprisingly, Cadiz province is home to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, the rainiest place in all of Spain.
When visiting Cadiz province, you have a wide selection of places to stay. Cadiz itself, Jerez de la Frontera, or accommodations along the Costa de la Luz.
For backpackers and single travelers, hostels in Cadiz are an excellent option, while families might prefer a beachside resort. Mid-range accommodation is widely available in Cadiz and Jerez, as is more upscale hotels and resort complexes along the coast.
The best thing about staying in a hostel in Cadiz is that you can choose one in the old town or close to the beach.
The best place to stay in Cadiz is Casa Caracol, just off the Plaza San Juan de Dios – one of the old town’s liveliest areas. Shared rooms start from 16€ with private rooms from 63€. – Check rates here
Whether you decide to stay in Cadiz, Jerez de la Frontera, or by the beach, you will find plenty of mid-range hotels.
Located opposite the Cadiz cathedral, the Hotel La Catedral boasts a local vibe thanks to its pavement cafe-bar-restaurant. Inside the hotel, it is bright and airy with a rooftop bar and a small infinity pool. The hotel does not have parking, but public parking is available close by. Prices at the Hotel La Catedral start from 60€. – Check rates here
Located in the seaside town of Rota, the Hotel Duque de Najera is situated on the beachfront in the historic center of the city next to a marina.
The hotel features large airy rooms, a swimming pool, and an award-winning restaurant. Prices start from 86€ per night. – Check rates here
Throw away any perceived notions about all Parador Hotels being housed in old castles or monasteries as the Parador de Cadiz is a modern, light-filled hotel perched on the Bay of Cadiz.
The sun terrace, swimming pool add spa add some glamour to the place as does the white linen tablecloths in the oceanfront La Tacita del Atlántico restaurant. – Check rates here
Because Cadiz is not that big with a population of less than 120,000, it does not have an airport.
There are, however, two both within an hour’s drive. Alternatively, you can get to Seville from most places in Spain by bus or train.
Cadiz has two airports that are within an hour’s drive. Jerez Airport (XRY) and Seville Airport (SVQ) and there are no direct flights from North America there are flights from U.K. budget airlines and domestic flights from other cities in Spain. – Check flights here
Cadiz is easily reached from Seville by train, with several regularly scheduled services making the 90-minute journey each day. Madrid is six hours away, with Cordoba, Granada, and Malaga, about a three-hour trip. – Check schedules here
There is a regular bus service between Seville, Jerez de la Frontera, and Cadiz. Buses may be slow compared to trains but serve smaller communities in Andalucia that do not have a train service. – Check schedules here
To drive to Cadiz from Seville, take the AP-4 motorway into Puerto Real and then the N-443. You can also reach Cadiz from the south by driving along the A-48 and CA-33 coastal roads. – Check car rentals here
In order to make travel planning as easy as possible, we gathered below a selection of our favorite companies. We love them for being reliable and offering the best deals in Southern Spain. All of the recommended companies have top-notch customer service and have been tested by us first-hand.
There is never a wrong time to visit the province of Cadiz, but if you are an outdoors type, try and avoid September and October when it rains the most.
Summers in Cadiz can be sweltering with July and August the two hottest months. May and June are ideal as Spaniards are still working, and the beaches are empty.
Located on Spain’s Atlantic coast, seafood plays a significant role in Cadiz’s diet and especially so during May when Bluefin tuna migrate through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Meats too are widely available, and like all of Spain, the vegetables are always fresh and tasty. A special mention also needs to go out for the region’s sherry, which is regarded as the best in the world.
With Cadiz being on the ocean, all forms of watersports are available from surfing to sailing.
Cadiz is also home to one of the most important wetlands in Europe and is a haven for birds migrating between northern Europe and Africa.
Famous for its caves, cliffs, and gorges, the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park is an excellent place for hiking, biking and rock climbing.
If you have your transportation, there are many things to see and do in Cadiz, but if not, don’t worry as many of the best day trips can be done by bus and train.
Home to the world’s best sherry and the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Jerez de la Frontera has plenty of things to see and do. While there, be sure to visit the cellars of Tio Pepe or Gonzalez Byass and take in an equestrian ballet. Jerez is less than an hour from Cadiz by train, leaving you plenty of time to explore this vibrant and rewarding city. – Check tours to Jerez
Visit the continent of Africa by ferry from Tarifa. The journey across the strait of Gibraltar takes around 50 minutes, and there are plenty of sailings each day. Tangiers offers you the chance to do some fantastic shopping while at the same time taking in the historic souk. – Check Morocco tours here
Looking like something out of the Arabian Nights, the white village of Arcos de la Frontera is often referred to as Spain’s prettiest village.
With a history dating back to several civilizations, Arcos de la Frontera was declared a national historic-artistic monument in 1962. The towns impressive architecture, winding cobbled streets, and imposing castle make it well worth checking out. – Check white village tours here
With its massive Gothic cathedral, Moorish palaces, baroque churches, and winding medieval lanes, Seville is a city that will amaze you and is only 1hr and 40min by train from Cadiz. If you can try and visit during the Feria, which is held every year two weeks after Easter. – Check tours in Seville here
To visit Gibraltar from Cadiz, you need to have a car as the bus journey involves a change in Algeciras and takes over 2hrs 30mins. If you have a car, you can drive there in 1hr 18 mins. While in Gibraltar, be sure to take the cable car to the top of the rock and visit the military fortifications. – Check things to do in Gibraltar
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