Three days
- Day 1
- Cádiz city: cathedral, Torre Tavira, market and La Caleta.
- Day 2
- Jerez: bodega, Alcázar and Royal School; flamenco at night.
- Day 3
- Sanlúcar and El Puerto: manzanilla, prawns and seafood.
Plan your trip to Cádiz
When to go, how to get there, how to get around and how many days to spend: the practical side of a trip to the province of Cádiz.
Key points
- Cádiz has a mild climate all year: the capital’s average annual temperature is 18.6 °C and it hardly rains in summer.
- Airports: Jerez (the nearest), Seville, Málaga and Gibraltar.
- Trains reach Cádiz from Madrid and Seville; commuter trains link the Bay towns with Jerez.
- For the southern coast and the sierra a car is almost essential.
When to go
Cádiz weather month by month
- SpringHoly Week, fairs, flowers in the sierra and almadraba. Ideal temperatures.
- SummerBeach and fiestas. Moderate heat on the coast, hotter in Jerez and the sierra.
- AutumnWarm sea, grape harvest and fewer people: the best balance of weather and price.
- WinterCarnival in February, zambombas in December and sunny days between storms.
How to get there
| By | From | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Plane | Jerez Airport | About 45 min from Cádiz; commuter train station next to the terminal |
| Plane | Seville and Málaga | More flights; 1 h 30 min to 2 h 30 min by car |
| Train | Madrid, Seville | Long-distance and regional trains to Jerez, El Puerto, San Fernando and Cádiz |
| Car | Seville | AP-4 motorway / A-4, just over an hour to Jerez |
| Boat | Tangier, Ceuta | Ferries to Tarifa and Algeciras |
Getting around the province
- Commuter trainsCádiz, San Fernando, Puerto Real, El Puerto, Jerez and the airport.
- CatamaranCádiz to El Puerto de Santa María and Rota.
- BusBay Transport Consortium and routes to the coast and the sierra.
- CarEssential for Vejer, Bolonia, Tarifa and the white villages.
Itineraries
One week
- Days 1-3
- Cádiz, Jerez, Sanlúcar and El Puerto.
- Days 4-5
- Conil, Vejer, Los Caños de Meca and Zahara.
- Days 6-7
- Tarifa, Bolonia and Baelo Claudia, or Arcos and Grazalema.
The levante wind
The levante is a dry, sometimes very strong east wind that can blow for several days in a row, especially in summer. It speeds up through the Strait and makes sand fly on exposed beaches. Its opposite, the poniente, is humid and cool. Check the wind forecast as you would the weather, and keep an inland plan B (bodegas, white villages, museums) for strong levante days.
Book ahead
During Holy Week, the Horse Fair, August and Carnival, accommodation fills up and prices rise. Book months ahead if you travel on those dates.
What to see
Choose your route with our guide to things to do in the province of Cádiz and the best beaches.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest airport to Cádiz?
Jerez, about 45 minutes from the capital and with a commuter train station at the terminal. Seville and Málaga have more flights and are 1.5 to 2.5 hours by car; Gibraltar suits the Campo de Gibraltar.
Can you get to Cádiz by train?
Yes: long-distance trains from Madrid (via Seville and Jerez) and regional trains from Seville. Commuter trains link Jerez, El Puerto, Puerto Real, San Fernando and Cádiz.
How many days do I need?
Three days for the capital, the Bay and Jerez; a week to add the Costa de la Luz down to Tarifa and a couple of white villages; ten days for the whole province.