The Walkway on the Breakwall that Surrounds Cadiz

Cadiz, Spain Port Information
Tom Ogg

Entry Requirements
Language and Currency
What is Cadiz Like?
What is the Weather Like?
Where Does the Ship Dock?
Where is the Shopping?
What is There to Buy?
What is There To Do?
Is There Anything of a “Don’t Miss Quality?
Are There Any Great Restaurants or Bars?

Cadiz, Spain Port Reviews

Entry Requirements

A valid passport is needed by all visitors but no visa is required for stays of less than 90 days.

Language and Currency

The official language of Cadiz is Spanish, however some English is spoken in the major tourist areas and stores. The Official currency is the euro.

What is Cadiz like?

Typical Cadiz Street

Used as the gateway to Seville, which resides some 50 to 60 miles inland, Cadiz is often overlooked by visitors in favor of traveling to Seville. For this reason I have treated Cadiz as a separate port from Seville as it is well worth exploring. Cadiz is located on a peninsula that is surrounded approximately 300 degrees by water and also creates part of the Cadiz Bay. It is a medieval city dating back to over 1,000 BC. As one of Europe’s oldest cities, Cadiz is a maze of pedestrian streets, squares and Moorish architecture that is often overlooked by visitors who are anxious to climb on board motor coaches to make their way to Seville, Cadiz’s nemesis (see the Seville Port Review for details on Seville). Cadiz is a world-class destination in itself and well worth the investment of time to get to know it. It offers superb shopping, wonderful beaches and beauty everywhere

What is the weather like?

The best time to visit Cadiz is from May until October when CAdiz is blessed with mild days and evenings. Temperatures range from the mid 70s to the mid 80s during this sime and the driest months are July and August.

Where does the ship dock?

Ships dock at Puerto Commercial and the downtown shopping area is only a ten-minute walk from the port’s entrance.

Where is the shopping?

Typical Cadiz Shopping Street

Cadiz offers excellent shopping. To find the beginning of it, simply leave the port, cross the busy street of Avenida del Puerto and head straight up to Plaza del San Juan Dias, a huge square that you cannot miss. All of the streets that empty out into the square offer excellent shopping. Head down the streets to the right to penetrate Cadiz’s main shopping areas or visit the visitor center located in the square for walking and shopping maps of Cadiz.

What is there to buy?

Shopping in Cadiz is world class for high fashions, men’s and women’s clothing, accessories, china, glassware, local crafts, wine and sherries. There are also many shops selling antiques and other collectible items.

What is there to do?

Typical Cadiz Square and Architecture

While most people think of Cadiz as the gateway to Seville, you can easily spend a day exploring Cadiz’s nooks and crannies, and wonderful Andalusian architecture. There are quality restaurants and sidewalk cafes and great beaches to enjoy if you want to get some sun.  Be sure to take the walking tour that is offered on a free map distributed by the visitor’s center in the Plaza del San Juan Dias as it will show you the best of Cadiz in a short walk and also orient you for further exploration.

The train station for Cadiz lies right outside the port entrance behind the car rental buildings. It is a short 5-minute walk from the entrance and offers service to many villages and cities that are close by. The train fare to Seville is currently (September, 2003) 8 euros and 30 cents and takes roughly one hour and forty-five minutes. If your cruise in in Cadiz for two days, you could easily enjoy Cadiz the first day and then catch a train to Seville to spend the evening in a hotel. This would dramatically increase your time for enjoying the two cities.

Is there anything of “Don’t Miss” quality?

Yes, don't miss taking a walk along Cadiz's stunning breakwater wall that surrounds much of the city. Also, don't miss the walking tour throughout the city of Cadiz.

Are there any great restaurants or bars?

There are several, but none that stands out as outstanding. Perhaps you know of one?

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