Best Things To Do In Cádiz: Two Day Itinerary

The perfect budget trip for your beach day in Cádiz, a beautiful city in the south of Spain! Here is your list of best things to do in Cádiz, Spain! This city is definitely worth stopping to see; it’s easily one of my favorite places in Spain. The culture is so pleasant, and every person you speak to is so kind and welcoming. In my experience, you could easily stay here for a week, laying on the beach, eating at La Granja (my favorite restaurant ever!) every day! However, if you’re crunched for time, you can easily get a good grasp on Cádiz in a day or two.

Get ready for 1. cool sights 2. some nice tanning and relaxation 3. LOTS of food!!!! (obviously the best part of any vacation!)

HOW TO GET THERE

If you want to fly to Cádiz, using KAYAK, which is a website to help find cheap flights, is the way to go. I book nearly all my flights there! Check out KAYAK for more!

As well as flying, you can also take a train right to the Cádiz station, which is a close walk (around 20 minutes) to the beach!

WHERE TO STAY

Apartments Plaza de la Luz is the way to go if you’re trying to find a place to stay for a good price, air conditioning (which you won’t find everywhere!), and a great location!

DAY 1: Beach Day

BREAKFAST

LA GRANJA LA GRANJA LA GRANJA! This is officially my favorite restaurant of all time. I spent 2 days in Cádiz and went 6 times (no exaggeration here!). If you’re feeling like a sugar rush, they’ve got waffles with chocolate. Wanting something more on the healthy side? They’ve got fresh squeezed juice, avocado toast, and fresh fruit. Do you just want everything (which was me), you can down a waffle, chocolate croissant, bottle of juice, coffee, AND ice cream. It’s right by your hotel and simply on the most beautiful street.

BEACH

After breakfast, head over to Playa de la Caleta, which is a five minute walk from la Granja (conveniently) and your hotel! It is a gorgeous beach! As well as sand and water, you can walk over to a big rocky section and explore the rock structures and tiny caves full of crabs, shrimp, and other strange creatures. Spend the first half of your day playing around, taking a swim, and playing on the rocks!

CASTLE!

Who would want to miss a castle on the beach? Right next to the beach, there’s a long stone bridge. At the end of the bridge is el Castillo de San Sebastián. You can wander around inside (for free, might I add!). Check to see if it’s open before you head over, however. It’s only open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Be sure to check it out!

MERCADO CENTRAL

Wash off all the sand with the on-beach showers and head over to el Mercado Central. This is a random little spot right by your hotel where there are a ton of vendors selling all sorts of crazy things. And guess what! More food! Vendors selling fresh tapas! Woohoo!

DINNER

Nothing makes my hungrier than a day at the beach. Something about the sun beating down on me and laying in the sand and doing simply nothing really gets my appetite going! So for dinner, head over to La Gaditana. One of my favorite things to do is to ask locals their favorite restaurant; so this isn’t even my recommendation… it’s my new friend Francisco’s recommendation! If the restaurant is bad, don’t blame me… talk to Francisco! Anyways, it’s his favorite restaurant and (added bonus) it’s cheap!

DAY 2: Sightseeing Day

BREAKFAST

Back to La Granja you go. It simply can’t be beat.

PARQUE GENOVES

Parque Genoves! There are several little stands where you can grab a bite to eat (more food! what a surprise). Explore the incredible gardens (which are right next to the beach!). It’s full of incredible and exotic plants, as well as fountains, statues, and lots of interesting birds.

CATHEDRAL

One of the best things about Spain is the amount of incredible cathedrals that are in nearly every city (if not on every street!!!). While in Cádiz, you’ve got to check out the cathedral. It’s only 7 euros to enter and will be the highlight of your trip.

DINNER

La Mafia is your dinner spot tonight. It has great service (and also gave our table free shots!). I ate an entire pizza and have never been happier in my whole life.

If you’re looking for a bit of a cheaper option, you can hit up Mama Pronto Pizza as well!

DESSERT

There’s a really cute ice cream store called Verde Pistacchio. It’s a store with an old van inside with ice cream! Ok, that sounds a little suspicious, but I promise it’s worth checking out!

GENERAL TIPS

Be sure to have a beach towel for the beach!

Carry a bit of cash with you. Most places on the beach or in the garden or really any stands don’t take card, so it’s really helpful to have twenty or thirty euros on hand.

SUNSCREEN! I have never been so scorched in my entire life after a day on the beach. LOAD UP on sunscreen before you walk outside!

Bring comfortable walking shoes. Cádiz isn’t huge, but there isn’t much public transportation, Ubers, or scooters! Get ready to get your steps in!