A gold dome, a 45-metre tower and a theatre found in 1980
The lived-in part of Cádiz covers about 4.4 km², so every sight below is a walk from Canalejas. Leave the car there all day.
1. Climb Torre Tavira before noon
Torre Tavira stands 45 m above sea level and has run a camera obscura since 1994. Adults pay €7; from October to April it opens 10:00–18:00. I'd go on a clear morning, when the projection is sharpest.
2. Find Falla in the cathedral crypt
The Catedral de Cádiz was begun in 1722 and took 116 years, which is why it starts Baroque and ends Neoclassical. The composer Manuel de Falla is buried in the crypt.
3. Look into the Roman theatre
The Teatro Romano lay hidden under El Pópulo until a fire exposed it in 1980.
4. Swim at La Caleta at low tide
La Caleta is about 400 m long at low tide, between two castles. It was a filming location for Die Another Day. I'd come at sunset, not noon.
5. Walk Santa Catalina's walls
Castillo de Santa Catalina was begun in 1598, two years after an Anglo-Dutch fleet sacked the city. It's the city's oldest military building.
6. Enter through Puerta de Tierra
Puerta de Tierra goes back to the 16th century; its two arches side by side are still the main way into the old town.
Shrimp fritters, almadraba tuna and an 1830 market
1. Order tortillitas at El Faro
El Faro in La Viña is known for battered fish and seafood and its tortillitas de camarones, crisp shrimp fritters. Book ahead in Carnival season.
2. Eat almadraba tuna at La Marea
La Marea looks over Playa Victoria and serves red tuna from the almadraba catch in season, plus fried cod and paella.
3. Shop the Mercado de Abastos
The Mercado Central de Abastos dates from 1830. Go in the morning, when the fish counters are full.
4. Eat cheap around San Juan de Dios
The cheaper traditional places cluster around Plaza de San Juan de Dios, by the port. Order pescaíto frito, mixed fried fish, by the portion. That's where I'd eat twice.
Carnival without dates, Holy Week and the summer meter
1. Watch for the Carnival 2027 dates
Cádiz Carnival fills the city for about two weeks in February, with the competition at the Gran Teatro Falla. The 2027 dates weren't published when I checked. It's tied to Lent, and Ash Wednesday falls on 10 February 2027. I'd book a garage space ahead.
2. Plan around Holy Week, 21–28 March 2027
Palm Sunday is 21 March and Easter Sunday 28 March 2027. Procession routes aren't out yet; expect old-town streets to close.
3. Remember the summer kerb hours
From 1 June to 15 September, the blue zone charges 09:00–21:00 every day, Sundays included.
What's on
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Mid-November 2026 (one report says December) | ZBE fines begin in the old town: €200, €260 for a repeat |
| February 2027, dates not yet published | Cádiz Carnival and its competition at the Gran Teatro Falla; Ash Wednesday is 10 February 2027 |
| 21–28 March 2027 | Holy Week, Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday; procession routes not yet published |
| 1 June – 15 September 2027 | Summer kerb hours: blue zone paid 09:00–21:00 every day |