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The port also features a ferry terminal that offers a ferry service operated by the Spanish company Trasmediterranea. The company serves routes to the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma) and the trips can take up to 2 days one way. The walk along the causeway to the Castle of San Sebastian provides wonderful coastal views back to the city. A Spanish cultural heritage site, the island had various uses long before the present defensive fortress was built in the 18th-century. Visitors can explore the tiered seating of the historic Roman Theater from wooden walkways. You can generally enjoy the city’s attractions and outdoor activities throughout different seasons, with the summer months being particularly popular for beachgoers.
The Ultimate Guide To Exploring Cádiz Cruise Port
Upgrades and expansions over the years have equipped it to welcome the largest cruise ships, offering state-of-the-art facilities while maintaining its historic charm. Alameda Apodaca Park and gardens are situated 600 m (a 7-minute walk) away from the port, only a few blocks away from Cadiz Museum. This colorful, well-maintained park is a great place to unwind, a perfect oasis in the bustling city center.
Plaza de Espana
Although Torre Tavira is the tallest of them, reaching 45 meters into the Spanish sky, it was built by Don Antonio Tavira to keep watch over his valuable fleet in 1778. There is a spectacular view of Cadiz from the rooftop terrace if you're up for climbing ten flights of stairs. If you're there, explore the fascinating Camera Obscura, which provides a panoramic view of the bay using optical equipment, lenses, and mirrors. You can spend your days drinking wine, sipping sherry, and riding horses in this rustic Andalusian town. If you are interested in those things, then Jerez is a must-see. However, even if it's not to your taste, it's a beautiful place (and much more significant than many of the towns near Cadiz).
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Cádiz Cathedral
This square is the first big square you’ll come across if you exit the port. It is dominated by the Monument to the Cadiz Parliament and Constitution in 1812. In 1812 Cadiz was the capital of Spain as the rest was taken by the Napoleonic army.
A stone's throw away from the cathedral lies the Roman Theater, a remarkable relic of Cadiz's ancient past. Discovered in the 1980s after being hidden for centuries, this theater is one of the oldest and largest found in Spain, dating back to the 1st century BC. I wouldn’t bother as you can walk to most things unless you plan to visit Jerez or Sevilla, in which case the best option is to book through your cruise line. If you love shopping and buying souvenirs in each port, there are some interesting and unique souvenirs and Local products you can buy in Cadiz. If you are planning a day trip such as a Jerez wine tour (as detailed below) then your best option IS to do so with your cruise line.
Right across Avenida del Puerto (port avenue) is Plaza de San Juan de Dios (city's main square) where passengers can find many dining and shopping options. If you pass in front of the cathedral and leave the square on Calle Compagnia you will be heading for the Tavira Tower, the highest and grandest of the merchant towers. Named after its original owner this watchtower also has a camera obscura, a room that uses the principal of the pinhole camera to project panoramic views of the Old City onto its interior walls.
Bars
The euro is the official currency in all of Spain, including Cadiz. For up-to-date currency exchange rates, visit ATMs are present in shopping areas and credit cards are widely accepted in restaurants and shops, though you'll need cash for street merchants. During the 18th century, Cadiz was a vital trading port, resulting in many ancient towers - used for the defense at the time, now for photo opportunities.
There is no escaping the vastness of the main cathedral of Cadiz. Still, the American funding ran out way back in 1792, so it was never fully completed. Two gargantuan 40-meter-high bell towers can be seen best from the malecón. The golden dome and the Atlantic Ocean in the background are visible from the opposite side. You can visit the tombs of composer Manuel de Falla and writer José Mara Pemán by entering via the ramp-up to Torre de Poniente (West Tower).
Shopping in Cadiz
It is in the neighborhood of the working class and it doesn’t get more typical than this. It is a typically Andalusian village with a strong Arab influence in architecture and during the visit you can admire its fortified walls, squares, fountains, mystical corners, and stunning views of the Andalusian countryside. The entrance is free of charge and the visit takes around minutes. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 AM to 9 PM and from 9 AM to 3 PM on Sundays and holidays. It is situated in La Cortadura residential district, next to Playa de la Victoria, 6 km/3.7 miles (a 15-minute drive) south of Cadiz port and the city.
One of the main attractions of the tower is the Camera Obscura, a room equipped with a set of optical lenses and mirrors that reflect everything that happens at this very moment outside the tower (moving images in real-time). The Tavira Tower also has two exhibition halls and various audiovisual projections. During your visit, you can also visit the adjacent Santa Iglesia Catedral (free entrance) or enjoy magnificent views of the city from the Tower of Poniente (Torre de Poniente).
It is a bustling place packed with cafes, restaurants, shops, and pastry shops where they serve delicious ice cream (kids would be delighted!). Ferries and cruise ships in Cadiz dock almost in the middle of the city, which is just a short walk from the passenger terminal. The cruise ship terminal in Cadiz is located alongside pier Alfonso XIII.
Here’s how to optimize your visit, from selecting the right cruise to making the most of your time onshore. With a little planning, travelers can transition smoothly from sea to shore, making the most of their time in this historic and vibrant city. Visitors stepping off their ships are greeted not just by modern amenities but by centuries-old streets that whisper tales of bygone eras. Learn about the area’s history on a guided tour to highlights like St. Michael’s Cave and the Apes Den where monkeys roam free. It is also close to Casablanca, Agadir, Tangiers and other areas of North Africa. Cadiz is a consolidated and excellent sailing point for the Caribbean, as well as for the United States and South America.
Cadiz is the seaport (principal ferry and cruise port) to Seville/Sevilla - the capital and biggest city of Andalusia (Spanish autonomous territory). Seville City is on River Guadalquivir and has population around 700,000 (metro around 1,5 million), ranking it Spain's 4th-largest. Port Cadiz cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Cadiz, Spain, Sevilla. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. Don’t miss the Cádiz Cathedral, Torre Tavira with its camera obscura, the ancient Roman Theatre, and the beautiful beaches like Playa de la Caleta.
To be honest, though, you can easily save money and just walk everywhere you need to as Valeria and I do, every time we visit Cadiz on a cruise ship. The hop-on-hop-off bus takes you alongside the beachfront and past all of the main points of interest, so it’s a great option for visiting Cadiz. Cadiz is comfortably walkable and offers up lots of pretty squares, shopping and live music played alfresco during the warmer months. And don't forget Cadiz is part of the province of Andalusia, the birthplace of flamenco.
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