Cadiz is an amazing city with plenty of things to do for the whole family! If you're planning a visit to Spain and looking for a Cadiz itinerary for families that will appeal to all ages, look no further. This list of the best Cadiz things to do for kids and adults will help you plan your trip in no time!

We spent a long weekend in Cadiz Spain during our Andalucia road trip in 2021. But we wished that we could have spent more time. From ancient ruins to gorgeous beaches, there's something for everyone in Cadiz. It’s truly an underrated destination in Spain.

Whether you're looking for a fun day out or an interesting place to explore, Cadiz is a great city to visit. So don't miss out – read on for my top recommendations of Cádiz things for children and adults!

This article was originally published on January 29, 2022.

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Top 5 Cadiz things to do for families

Where to stay during your Cadiz itinerary

The best neighborhood in Cádiz to stay during your Cádiz itinerary is the Casco Antiguo, the old town of Cádiz. This neighborhood is located in the north central part of the city, and is where many of the Cádiz things to do are located.

Other good neighborhoods to look for hotels or Airbnbs are Centro, located just northwest of Casco Antiguo, and La Viña, located southwest of Casco Antiguo. El Pópulo is also a good neighborhood to look for hotels.

If you’re looking for suggestions, here are three hotels in or near Casco Antiguo to consider.

Get ready for Spain with our list of travel must haves.

Hotel Casa Palacio Cadiz

Located within a 3 minute walk to Torre Tavira, Hotel Casa Palacio Cadiz offers apartment style suites for families. Suites can accommodate 3-4 people, and come with a separate seating area and kitchenette. They also come with WiFi. The penthouse suite can accommodate a family of up to 6 people.

Hotel Casa Palacio Cadiz is located near the beach in Casco Antiguo and is close to many other Cadiz things to do. There are several restaurants within a 1-3 minute walk from the hotel. This hotel is a convenient Cadiz itinerary lodging option for families because it offers homey amenities while being close to the action.

Senator Cadiz

If you’re looking for more of a hotel experience during your Cadiz itinerary, then Senator Cadiz might be a better fit for you. This hotel offers rooms for families of up to 4 people. There are also connecting rooms available, which link to double rooms together. Rooms all come with heating/air conditioning and free WiFi.

Senator Cadiz is located within a 10 minute walk from several Cadiz things to do: Torre Tavira, Catedral de Cadiz, and Plaza San Juan de Dios. There are many restaurants within a 1-3 minute walk from the hotel. A daily breakfast is available for a fee, and there is also a spa, sauna, and seasonal outdoor pool.

Hotel Casa de las Cuatro Torres

If you want ocean views in a rustic, chic, and classic setting, then a stay at Hotel Casa de las Cuatro Torres during your Cadiz itinerary is your best option. This hotel offers rooms with heating/air conditioning, refrigerator, kitchenette, and free WiFi. Rooms can accommodate families of up to 4 people.

Hotel Casa de las Cuatro Torres is located in the northern part of Cadiz, a bit further from Casco Antiguo, but still within walking distance from many Cadiz things to do. Catedral de Cadiz is within a 10 minute walk, and there are several restaurants within 3-6 minutes walking distance. 

Ideas for Cadiz things to do during your Cadiz itinerary

We loved our time in Cádiz. It's such a beautiful city! If you're needing ideas for things to do during your time in Cadiz, here are my suggestions.

1. Kick off your Cadiz itinerary with a City Sightseeing bus tour

To get an introduction for what to do in Cádiz, you can do a hop on hop off city sightseeing bus tour of Cadiz. We've done a similar Rome bus tour and Paris bus tour, and we like them because it allows us to learn about the cities we visit.

The tour includes stops at Plaza de la Hispanidad, the Catedral de la Santa Cruz, Playa de la Caleta, and Playa Victoria, which is located outside the Casco Antiguo. At the various stops, you can hop off and explore a museum or two, and then go back to the stop to wait for the next bus.

During the route, you can listen to audio commentary explaining the things to see in Cadiz. This is a great way to help your kids learn about Cadiz during your trip! And it’s also an easy way to plan out all the places to visit in Cadiz for the rest of your vacation.

2. Take a walking tour showcasing Cadiz things to do

Another option for Cádiz things to do when you first get to the city is to take a walking tour. We love walking tours, and have done a kid-friendly Venice walking tour and a San Miguel de Allende food tour during our travels.

Walking tours help you get to know some of the highlights of Cádiz, as well as the hidden gems in the city. And depending on your guide, you'll get a chance to learn some interesting facts about Cádiz that you might not get from a guide book.

The 2 hour walking tour offered by Destino Cadiz Tours is a great tour to learn about Cadiz. It starts off at town hall, near Plaza San Juan de Dios, and takes you through many of the other plazas around the city. You’ll learn about the neighborhoods, historic moments in the city, and other facts about Cadiz. If you’re short on time, this is an excellent way to pack in some memorable experiences into a one day itinerary in Cadiz.

3. Add a bike tour to your Cadiz itinerary

If you’re interested in more physical activities in Cadiz, book a bicycle tour. Like a bus tour and a walking tour, a Cadiz what to see bike tour is a fantastic way to take in the sites of the city. And if your time in Cadiz is limited, taking a bike tour is a great option for what to do in Cadiz in one day.

Las Bicis Naranjas offers small group bike tours around the city of Cadiz. During the 3 hour tour, you’ll visit various sites around the city, including the Catedral de Cadiz (and its famous bell tower) and the Teatro Romano. We love doing bike tours when we travel because it gives us a chance to incorporate some travel fitness.  

If you want more biking after your bike tour, Las Bicis Naranjas also offers bike rentals at daily or hourly rates.

4. Learn about Roman history at the Teatro Romano

Spain was once a colony of Rome. Throughout many cities in Spain, you'll see remains of Roman buildings. The Teatro Romano, also known as the Cadiz Roman Theatre, is located in the El Pópulo neighborhood along Avenida Campo del Sur.

The Roman Theatre is an amphitheater style ruins from the Roman era. Built in the first century BCE, the Teatro Romano is one Cadiz attraction that should definitely be included in your Cadiz itinerary.

The Teatro Romano is free to enter. The hours of operation for the months of April through September are from 11am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 2pm on Sundays. During the months of October through March, the hours are 10am to 4:30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 2pm on Sundays. The theater is closed on some holidays as well, so you'll need to check the website ahead of time.

5. Relax during your Cadiz itinerary at Parque Genovés

For more free things to do in Cadiz, head to one of the city’s parks. We especially love visiting Parque Genoves.

Located in the northwestern part of the city, Parque Genovés is a great place to relax during your time in Cádiz. The area where the park currently exists was already in use in the 18th century as a recreation area, but was remodeled in the 1900s.

The garden's highlight is its collection of large trees. There are over 100 different types of plants that were brought from all over the world. That's why Parque Genovés has such a unique look! There's also a cute man made waterfall structure that you can walk under or climb on top of.

6. Incorporate unique Cadiz things to do at Torre Tavira

For Cadiz things to do with a focus on science, Cádiz has Torre Tavira! This tower is a fun and unique place for worldschooling families who want to incorporate learning into their Cádiz itinerary. It's certainly one of the more unusual things to do in Cadiz.

Within the Torre Tavira is a camera obscura. A camera obscura is a device that uses lenses and mirrors to project an image of the outside world onto a concave screen in the middle of a darkened room. It was like watching a movie of the city around us, in real time!

During the months of October through April, Torre Tavira is open daily from 10am to 6pm. The tower is open from 10am to 8pm during the months of May through September. 

Guided tours of the camera obscura at Torre Tavira are offered in several different languages. Tickets are 8 euros for adults, and 6 euros for kids. However, you will need to book in advance, as space is limited to visit the camera obscura.

7. Visit the Castillo de Santa Catalina

One of the Cadiz attractions to include in your Cádiz itinerary is the Castillo de Santa Catalina, also known as the Santa Catalina Castle. This castle was built at the end of the 16th century and is located along the western side of Cádiz, just north of Playa de la Caleta.

This castle is open to visitors Monday through Sunday, usually from 11am to 7:30pm. Admission to the castle is free, so it's a great option for free things to do in Cadiz for families. It's truly a Cadiz must see attraction.

8. Plan beach time during your Cadiz itinerary at La Caleta

La Caleta, also known as Caleta Beach, is one of Cádiz's popular beaches, and is located along the western side of Cádiz. It's a small beach, but it can get busy during the summer months. It's also a popular spot to watch the sunset.

You can grab snacks from vendors at the beach, or visit one of the restaurants nearby. We love the festive feel of La Caleta during this time of day, and it’s a great opportunity to experience the city like a local.

Beego Tours offers a Cadiz tour that includes a La Caleta sunset experience. You get the benefit of a knowledgeable guide, plus an opportunity to take part in a local activity!

9. Take a walk along the Mareografo

If you have some leisurely time to spend during your Cádiz itinerary, I suggest including a short walk along the Mareografo, also known as Paseo Fernando Quiñones. This is a stone walkway built on a levee that begins at Playa La Caleta and continues west into the water.

The levee connects the mainland of Cádiz to a small island where Castillo San Sebastian stands. The Castillo San Sebastián is also known as San Sebastian Castle, and is a fort built in the 1700s.

A walk along the Mareografo gives you a nice opportunity to take in views of Cadiz from the ocean. It is a popular spot among locals of Cadiz.

10. Experience Mercado Central Cadiz

From our travels, we've seen that the market is the life pulse of any city. We love visiting markets when we travel, whether it's a market in Puerto Vallarta or a Bali night market. In Cádiz, the main local market is called Mercado Central Cádiz and it's one of our favorite places to visit in Cadiz.

The Mercado Central Cádiz is located just south of Cádiz's cathedral. It's a large building with stalls of fish mongers, butchers, and produce sellers within a massive courtyard that's circumnavigated by stalls of butchers and food sellers. 

This market is a great option for Cádiz things to do if you enjoy seeing how locals live. The market is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 2pm.

If you want to take a tour of Mercado Central Cadiz, book this tapas and market tour. You’ll get to sample local cuisine and visit the market.

11. Enjoy a tapas meal during your Cadiz itinerary

No trip to Spain would be complete without experiencing tapas. Cádiz is no exception. The city has plenty of places where you can enjoy traditional Spanish tapas.

Tapas dishes usually consist of small plates of food that accompany your drink. Sometimes they can be olives, other times they can be fried calamari rings, fried fish, or ham croquettes. Typically, a small tapas plate comes out with every round of drinks that is ordered (note: sodas and sparkling water count as drinks that get tapas, non-carbonated water does not).

Since the tapas plates are small, you will often want to order another dish to eat. We like to order one or two dishes that we share at the table, so that we can have a full meal.

12. Walk along Muralla de San Carlos

Another place to spend down time during your Cádiz itinerary is the Muralla de San Carlos. Constructed in the late 18th century, the wall was built to defend the city.

Today, Muralla de San Carlos is a nice quiet walkway for enjoying the ocean views. Head here after you've crossed off all the other Cádiz things to do on your list to relax and unwind.

13. Watch the sunset along the Paseo del Vendaval

The best place to end your day of Cádiz things to do, however, is at Paseo del Vendaval. This is the main seaside promenade in Cádiz that stretches from Puerta de la Caleta east to the Puertas de Tierra. It's a nice place to enjoy Cádiz's sunsets.

If you're visiting Cádiz outside of the summer months, we recommend packing a hoodie and windbreaker since it can get windy and cold along this part of Cádiz.

There are several parking garages along Paseo del Vendaval, so if you're driving during your Cádiz itinerary, you'll be able to find places to park. The Catedral de Cádiz, also known as Cadiz Cathedral, is also along Paseo del Vendaval.

Bonus: more things to do during a Cadiz itinerary with kids

While we managed to pack in a lot of activities in our Cadiz itinerary, there were still a few things that we didn’t have time to do. 

If you have some extra days in the city and are looking for more Cadiz things to do, here are some additional suggestions:

• Pack in some beach play at Playa Santa María del Mar
• Visit Catedral de la Santa Cruz (Catedral de Cadiz)
• Visit Museo del Titere (the puppet museum)

For an outdoor excursion from Cadiz, rent a car and take a trip out to Doñana National Park, a natural reserve and wetland located north of Cadiz.

Get to know more destinations in Europe with my Europe posts.

Tips to prepare for your Cadiz itinerary

Before you go and experience all the Cádiz things to do with your kids, here are a few tips to help you prepare for your Cádiz itinerary.

Getting to Cadiz, and getting around during your Cadiz itinerary

Cádiz is located in the Andalucia region of Spain, located in the southern part of the country. Cádiz is a popular destination for those traveling from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. It's also an ideal starting point to explore other cities in Spain, such as Granada, Malaga, and Seville.

Cádiz has good highway access with major highways that head into Cádiz city. The city is just under 5 hours by car or bus from Madrid.

Within Cádiz, walking is the best way to get around the city, if you're exploring the Casco Antiguo. There's also bus service that goes around the city.

Recommended number of days for your Cadiz itinerary

I'm a huge proponent of slow travel. So I often will spend a month or more in a city. This time around, however, we only had a few days to explore during our Cádiz itinerary. Fortunately, we were still able to pack in as many Cádiz things to do as we could during that time.

If you want to fully experience a visit to Cádiz, you should plan to spend at least 5 days. This will give you enough time to do everything on your Cádiz itinerary without feeling rushed. For this particular Cádiz itinerary, you can complete it all in about 2 or 3 days.

Money matters for your Cadiz trip

Since Spain is part of the European Union, the currency of the country is the Euro. At the time of this writing, 1 euro is roughly $1.10 (USD).

Like much of Spain, Cádiz is relatively affordable to travel around. Hotel rooms can range between $80 to $200 (USD) per night, depending on the quality of the room and the location. Rates can also fluctuate depending on the season.

In terms of meals, we spent between $30 to $60 (USD) a meal for our family of four. As in the rest of Spain, tipping is not really common at restaurants. Usually a restaurant bill will already have a tip included. But if you want to leave some small change, that's acceptable (though again, it's not really common).

Language tips for Cadiz and Spain

If you're planning to travel to Spain, it's helpful to learn a few Spanish phrases ahead of time. I created a free Spanish phrasebook with 25 words and phrases that are useful for travel. This is a great starting point to help you be able to communicate with people in Spanish, especially if you’re an absolute newbie. 

However if you want to do more in-depth study, you can try learning Spanish using one of these apps:

• Lingopie: learn Spanish through movies and TV
• Babel: paid Spanish language learning app
• Duolingo: free and paid language learning app

Alternatively, you can purchase one of these Spanish language learning courses:

• Rosetta Stone Learn Spanish
• Living Language Spanish
• Pimsleur Language Course

Why you should include a Cádiz itinerary during your trip to Spain

If you’re wondering to yourself, “Is Cadiz a good holiday destination?”, the answer is an overwhelming, “Yes!” We loved our time exploring things to do in Cadiz Spain. Our Cádiz itinerary was packed with so much Cadiz sightseeing.

Cádiz is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Western Europe. Set on the Atlantic coast of southern Spain, Cádiz became a major port city when the Guadalquivir River became too difficult to navigate in Seville.

Our list of Cádiz things to do spans from Cadiz tourist attractions dating to the Roman era up until the present. You'll find so many activities to fit all sorts of interests. In addition to what I've listed here, there are also several museums that are worth visiting, such as the Cadiz Museum, home of the city's fine arts collection.

Besides the abundance of activities, Cádiz is itself a beautiful city. We loved watching the sunset on the ocean every day while in Cádiz.

The other thing we loved about Cádiz was the abundance of plazas to relax and hang out. Our time in Spain has shown us that the Spanish LOVE to hang out! Plazas like Plaza San Juan de Dios and Plaza de Mina are lined with restaurants and tapas bars, where you can pass hours enjoying food and talking with friends.

Making your Cadiz itinerary memorable

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Cádiz, making memories with our kids. It is a beautiful city, full of plenty of opportunities for learning and fun.

If you're planning to visit Cádiz with kids, be sure to try out these Cádiz things to do. And don't be afraid to incorporate your own things into your Cádiz itinerary, or venture out on some day trips to things to do near Cadiz. There is so much to explore in Cádiz!

Are you visiting Cadiz as part of a bigger family travel adventure? Use my ebook, Hey Kids, Let’s Go Travel! as a resource for tools, advice, and action steps for planning your trip.

Need help thinking through how to budget for a family trip? My Travel Budget Worksheet is just the tool you need! Click here to receive your free copy by signing up for my newsletter.

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