şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř

Custom Walk in Cadiz, Spain by jennyking246_c4dc4 created on 2025-09-03

Guide Location: Spain » Cadiz
Guide Type: Custom Walk
# of Sights: 9
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Share Key: 4HZ8W

How It Works


Please retrieve this walk in the şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř app. Once done, the app will guide you from one tour stop to the next as if you had a personal tour guide. If you created the walk on this website or come to the page via a link, please follow the instructions below to retrieve the walk in the app.

Retrieve This Walk in App


Step 1. Download the app "şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Walks in 1K+ Cities" on Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Step 2. In the şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř app, download(or launch) the guide "Cadiz Map and Walking Tours".

Step 3. Tap the menu button located at upper right corner of the "Walks" screen and select "Retrieve custom walk". Enter the share key: 4HZ8W

1
Paseo de Canalejas (Canalejas Walk)

1) Paseo de Canalejas (Canalejas Walk)

The Canalejas Walk (Paseo de Canalejas), together with the Turtle Square (Plaza de las Tortugas), form a green area in Cadiz that has undergone various changes throughout its history. Originally, the area was occupied by the defensive Royal Wall and the parallel Isaac Peral Street, which were demolished in 1906 to provide better access to the port and promote economic expansion.

The Isaac Peral Walk (Paseo de Isaac Peral) was opened on the site of the demolished wall and street, and it featured open gardens along the dock where people could watch the port work and walk near the boats. The Walk has undergone several renovations over the years, including the controversial construction of an underground car park that temporarily displaced the gardens.

Today, the Canalejas Walk has an area of 8,510 m2 of green space and is covered by three pergolas with climbing plants, including bougainvillea, ivy, bignonia, and jasmine. It houses the Tourist Information Office of the city, which is shaped like a polyhedron with glass walls. The monument dedicated to Blas de Lezo, a famous Spanish Navy strategist, is also located here.

Adjacent to the Canalejas Walk is Turtle Square (Plaza de las Tortugas), a small garden with the Fountain of the Turtles and bitter orange trees around the outer edge. The garden also features a monument to the Virgin of the Rosary, erected in memory of the devastating tsunami of 1755.

Despite the changes the Canalejas Walk has undergone over the years, it remains a popular green space in Cadiz, providing a place for locals and tourists to enjoy the city's maritime history and natural beauty.
2
Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre)

2) Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre)

The Roman Theatre of Cádiz—also known as the Balbi Theatre—is proof that even in ancient times, Cádiz knew how to put on a show. Unearthed in 1980 after centuries of playing hide-and-seek beneath the medieval city, this 1st-century BC structure was built around 70 BC, back when the Roman Empire was still figuring out how to get the better of the Greeks.

The brains (and probably the ego) behind it? Lucius Cornelius Balbus the Elder, a Cádiz-born Roman politician, friend of Julius Caesar. Along with his nephew, Balbus the Younger, he had big dreams of expanding Gades—today’s Cádiz—into a gleaming Neapolis, or “New City.” So far, we’ve found their theatre and signs of an amphitheater, suggesting these guys were building more than just infrastructure—they were building a vibe.

By the end of the 3rd century AD, though, the curtain had dropped. The theatre was abandoned, and over time it was scavenged for stone, turned into a stable, a storehouse, and even a medieval apartment complex. Eventually, the ruins became the foundation for a Moorish fort aptly called the Castle of the Theatre—because sometimes history just layers itself like a lasagna.

Even partially excavated, this site is considered one of the oldest and possibly the largest Roman theatres in Spain. It features a classic horseshoe-shaped auditorium with parabolic tiered seating and a vaulted distribution gallery hidden beneath. The outer wall, made from finely cut ashlar stone, it's as imposing as ever.

The modern Theatre Visitors' Center is your backstage pass to the past. Inside, you’ll find detailed models and exhibits covering three acts: the Theatre of Neapolis, the Castle of the Theatre, and the original Theatre of Balbus. Spoiler: there’s no popcorn, but the ruins do all the storytelling you need.
3
Cadiz Cathedral and Square

3) Cadiz Cathedral and Square (must see)

The 18th century was Cádiz’s golden era—literally. Gold from the Americas was flowing in, wigs were high, and civic pride was even higher. So naturally, the city decided it needed a cathedral that didn’t just rival Seville’s—it had to outshine the Giralda, Seville's precious tower.

After the original architect stormed off in 1739, a tag-team of architects spanning nearly a century followed, each adding their own stylistic flair. The result was a cathedral that pirouettes from Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassical like it couldn’t make up its mind. Surprisingly or not, the cathedral ended up looking fabulous.

The layout follows the traditional cross shape, with three main aisles and a walkway that curves around the altar like a quiet loop. Rows of polished Corinthian columns hold up elegant vaulted ceilings, and there's a crypt downstairs big enough to make any vampire rethink retirement. The altar sits high and proud, commanding your gaze, while above it all, a dome crowns the space like a golden exclamation mark. And in the choir loft? Not one, but two powerful organs—more than enough to fill the church (and your spine) with musical thunder.

Nevertheless, the main showpiece is the Clock Tower, also known as the Levante Tower. Standing at 184 feet tall, it’s your best bet for sweeping views of the El Pópulo district, the Field of the South, and the harbor, with the Atlantic winking in the distance.

The Cathedral Square outside wasn’t always so open and grand—it was created during Cádiz’s 1721 urban makeover, which included demolishing a few modest houses to make room for this dramatic entrance. The square runs along the seafront and is paved in white marble, because if you're going to build a cathedral this extra, your plaza needs to match.

Don't miss the Rose Arch, which once led to the old Tablas Square and now serves as a charming pass-through to the Town Castle. Within the square itself, you’ll also find the Church of Santa Cruz (the old cathedral from 1669) and the Jesuit Church of Santiago, built in 1563 and still standing tall.
4
Mercado Central (Central Market)

4) Mercado Central (Central Market) (must see)

Once just a humble farmers' market, the Central Market of Cádiz decided to upgrade in the late 1890s. Enter Torcuato Benjumeda, the city’s go-to architect (he also did the Town Hall and the Church of Saint Joseph, no big deal), who designed the new market like a Roman forum with snacks: an open quadrangle lined with sturdy Doric columns, giving grocery shopping a touch of classical solemnity.

Part of the market was built right over the old Convent of the Shoeless—so while you're picking out seafood, you're also standing on a bit of sacred ground. That central space is now the main pavilion, flanked by two additional columned wings added to keep up with the city’s growing appetite for produce.

A major facelift in the early 2000s brought the market into the modern era without losing its historic charm. Today, there are over 170 stalls hawking everything from fresh seafood to baked goods, vegetables, meat, and just enough quirky side stands to keep you guessing—yes, you can pick up pickles, paper bags, and fishing gear, all in one go.

The central pavilion is a seafood lover’s dream, with counters piled high with octopus, tuna, shrimp, and whatever else the Atlantic decided to deliver that morning. Step into the left wing, and you’ll find the Gastronomic Corner, a foodie haven where locals and tourists alike graze on Cádiz’s greatest hits. The right wing leans carnivorous, featuring butchers and the occasional oddball veggie stand.

List of highlights from the tasting lineup that are worth trying out are: El Comado does wine and meats like it’s hosting your birthday party. La Tapería de Luna serves up soups and tapas that feel like home. Gadisushi delivers Japanese precision with Andalusian flair. Gadesbeer keeps things hoppy. La Sartén takes eggs and tortillas seriously. And Queso 360? Cheese from every corner of the planet.

The Central Market is a culinary microcosm of Cádiz, dressed in columns and ready to feed you.
5
Torre Tavira (Tavira Tower)

5) Torre Tavira (Tavira Tower) (must see)

The Tavira Tower isn’t just another old lookout—it’s Cádiz’s version of a rooftop with a 300-year-old guest list. At 149 feet above sea level, it holds the title of tallest spot in the Old City, giving anyone at the top a serious advantage in the 18th-century game of “What ship is that?”

Originally part of The Palace of the Marquises of Recaño , the tower came with all the aristocratic bells and whistles. Cádiz was booming from its trade with the Americas and needed more than your average harbor patrol. All of this resulted in a skyline punctuated by over 126 watchtowers, with Tavira Tower sitting at the very top.

Built in 1780, Tavira Tower was always meant to be the city’s official lookout. And who better to man the post than Don Antonio Tavira, the first watchman and the man who gave the tower its name? He didn’t just climb the stairs—he left a legacy.

Today, Tavira Tower still keeps an eye on things—with a twist. Step into the Camera Obscura, and a guide will darken the room and light up your curiosity. Thanks to an old-school optical system (think spy tech meets science fair), real-time images of the city and sea are projected onto a circular table. It’s like Google Earth, but powered by mirrors and 18th-century ingenuity. The show lasts about 20 minutes, long enough to be amazed but short enough to still grab a tapa afterward.

The other rooms of the tower house exhibitions on Cádiz’s golden age, the evolution of the camera obscura, and a star-studded chapter on Spain’s 1812 Constitution—yes, the country’s very first, penned right here in Cádiz.

So climb up, squint out, and time-travel a little. Tavira Tower offers the best views in town—and not just the physical kind.
6
Playa de La Caleta (La Caleta Beach)

6) Playa de La Caleta (La Caleta Beach) (must see)

There are over 66 beaches dotting the island, but let’s be honest—La Caleta steals the spotlight. Nestled between the Castle of Santa Catalina and the Castle of San Sebastian, this little slice of paradise doesn’t just rest on its laurels—it proudly waves its blue flag every year, flaunting sparkling clean waters and pristine facilities.

It’s popular, to say the least, so don’t expect a secluded getaway—but hey, when you’ve got sunsets that can stop traffic and views that practically scream “Instagram,” who’s complaining?

The two castles that flank the beach are certainly impressive—no surprise there. But if you’re after true eye candy, head to the Spa of Our Lady of La Palma and Real. Built in the early 20th century, it was once a neglected relic, but it’s been resurrected and is now home to the Subaquatic Archaeology Centre of the Andalusian Historical Institute. Because, apparently, even spas need a little depth.

Historically speaking, La Caleta was once the link between the two islands of ancient Cadiz. Phoenician boats landed here, and let’s just say they didn’t just drop off some fish—this beach is practically built on history. From ancient shipwrecks to buried treasures, this is the birthplace of Cádiz.

It’s not just history buffs who are drawn to La Caleta—the beach has also served as a movie star. You’ve seen it in 007’s James Bond: Die Another Day. The scene with Halle Berry in a bikini and Pierce Brosnan sipping a mojito at La Habana? Spoiler alert—it was shot right here in La Caleta, Cádiz. So if you’re looking for a place that’s part historical treasure and part silver-screen legend, grab your sunscreen and head to La Caleta—where the past, present, and movie magic collide.
7
Parque Genoves (Genoves Park)

7) Parque Genoves (Genoves Park) (must see)

Genovés Park is the Old City's answer to “How green can you get?”—a leafy, 30,000-square-meter escape hatch from Cádiz’s cobbled ocean. Born in 1892 and holding the title of “biggest urban oasis” until Celestino Mutis Park snatched the crown in 2012, it still reigns supreme in charm and botanical bragging rights.

Back in the day, this patch of land was charmingly known as the “Walk of Parsley”—a windswept military no-man’s-land wedged between the barracks of Composanto and La Bomba. Not exactly picnic material. That all changed when someone had the bright idea to swap soldiers for shrubbery. Today, visitors enter through Rocío Jurado Square and stroll down an avenue flanked by manicured flowerbeds.

And what flowerbeds! Nestled between date palms and cypress trees, oyster stone fountains gurgle away, surrounded by over 150 species of exotic flora. There’s a Canary Islands dragon tree looking mildly suspicious, a New Zealand Christmas tree flexing its floral muscles, and a Monkey Puzzle Tree that seems just as confused as everyone else.

Kids love the whimsical waterfall, grotto, and the delightfully odd “Children Under the Umbrella” sculpture. Bronze tributes also abound: from local legend Manuel de Falla to Trafalgar’s epic sea squabble, this park doesn’t skimp on cultural seasoning.

With wrought-iron gates, Victorian-style lampposts, and a kiosk straight out of a Dickens novel, Genovés Park is part garden, part time machine. Don’t miss the open-air José María Pemán Summer Theatre, where Cádiz’s drama queens (and kings) take to the stage under the stars.
8
Plaza de San Antonio (San Antonio Square)

8) Plaza de San Antonio (San Antonio Square)

San Antonio Square has long been one of Cádiz’s beating hearts. Back in the day it was called the Field of Rockrose, but its fortunes changed in the 1600s when a small hermitage to Saint Antonio popped up—and gave the square its current name. A nearby well kept Cádiz hydrated for years, making this more than just a meeting spot; it was survival central.

By the 18th century, the square had grown into a proper hub for trade, faith, and politics. It was here that Spain’s landmark Constitution of 1812 was proclaimed—and, not so long after, where the liberal movement of 1820 met its violent end. In short, if Cádiz had breaking news, chances are it was announced—or crushed—right here.

The architecture around the square keeps the drama going. The façades show a neat uniformity, except for the slimmer outline of the Church of Saint Antonio, which still draws the eye. The Gaditano Casino, an 18th-century Baroque beauty, was later remodeled during the reign of Queen Isabel II, giving it a 19th-century makeover that mixed Romantic and revival styles. Step inside and you’ll also find Moorish-inspired decorations added in 1890.

Then there’s the old Aramburu Bank, sporting a white marble front from the 1700s but modernized with a splash of early 20th-century style. Add to that the House Museum of writer José María Pemán, once the home of Cádiz’s celebrated literary figure, and the square becomes part open-air gallery, part history book.

Today, San Antonio Square is more than a patch of paving stones—it’s where Cádiz layers faith, politics, and artistry into one lively setting. Sit at a café, look up at the façades, and you’re not just in a square—you’re sitting in the middle of four centuries of stories.
9
Clara Campoamor Promenade

9) Clara Campoamor Promenade

Stretching along the seafront and city wall in the historic center, the Clara Campoamor Promenade, formerly known as Apodaca Promenade, forms one of the city’s most elegant walkways. This landscaped footpath, redesigned in the regionalist style by architect Juan Talavera y Heredia between 1926 and 1927, blends ornamental gardens, geometric cobblestone patterns, and historic architecture into a harmonious public space.

The promenade is flanked by significant landmarks such as the Baluarte de la Candelaria and the walls of San Carlos, both part of the city's 18th-century coastal defenses.

Marked by romantic landscaping and early 20th-century design elements, the promenade is adorned with Seville-style glazed ceramics, wrought iron benches, and intricately designed lampposts. Interspersed with stone columns, shady trees, and curated flowerbeds, the promenade offers a serene retreat, especially appealing during the heat of summer.

A particularly poignant section is the Glorieta Carlos Edmundo de Ory, which features a sculpture and dedication to the Cádiz-born poet. Throughout the walkway, visitors encounter busts commemorating major historical figures from Spain and across Latin America—such as José Martí, José Rizal and Juan Pablo Duarte.

Beyond its architectural charm, the Alameda functions as a cultural garden, recognized in 2004 as part of the Gardens of Cultural Interest in the General Catalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage.
Create Self-guided Walking Tour