Cruise Ports: Cadiz, Spain Part 2

Horses in Jerez de la Frontera

The cruise port for Seville is Cádiz. Most vacationers travel the 68 miles (a 90-minute drive) from the ship to Seville, Anadalucia’s capital city. But Cádiz, on the Costa de la Luz, and nearby Jerez de la Frontera offer places worth seeing. All it takes to capture the flavor of Cádiz is to walk.

Top 8 Cádiz Area Attractions

Experience a performance of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation (Fundación Real Esuela Andalaluza del Arte Ecuestre), Jerez de la Frontera.

These are the mounts you’ve heard about. The white and dappled horses prance and trot, turning quickly in impossibly narrow spaces. Moving like four-footed ballet dancers, the horses, controlled by gifted riders attired in 18^th century costumes, pace to flamenco and other rhythms. The steeds edge sideways on their rear legs and execute turns and bends with precision. Jerez de la Frontera is 21 miles from Cádiz. Check ahead for show times and reserve tickets.

In Cádiz

Stroll the seaside Promenade

To Cádiz, the sea is central. Situated on a peninsula, with the Atlantic on one side and the bay on the other, Cádiz grew from an old port town. Christopher Columbus started his journey to South America from Cádiz.

Admire the Plaza de España

The elaborate sculpture dominating the square commemorates the 100^th anniversary of the 1812 constitution.

A street cafe. Photo: Candyce H. Stapen

Walk the Old Town

Meander along the narrow streets of Old Town, breathing in the salty sea air, admiring the orange trees that line the squares. Shops and cafes line Columela, near the Flower Market, and Companía streets.

Visit the Cathedral (Catedral de Cádiz)

Begun in 1720 and completed in 1838, the baroque and neo-classical style cathedral features a dome of golden tiles and altars embellished with gold, silver and gems from the New World.

Cigalas (langoustines) at a market. Photo: Candyce H. Stapen

See the Central Market (Mercado Central)

Cádiz is known for its fresh seafood. In the market, built in 1838, vendors in stalls inside and along the outdoor arcade sell cigalas (langoustines), cuttlefish, eel, shark and tuna.

Museum of Cádiz (Musées de Cadiz)

Small, but interesting, this museum’s highlights are the Phoenician and Roman artifacts, including gold jewelry and two Phoenician sarcophagi carved with the likeness of a man and a woman. She holds a bottle of perfume and he has an apple.

Teatro Romano. Photo: Candyce H. Stapen

Look at the Roman Theater (Teatro Romano)

The Roman theater attests to Cádiz’s centuries-old history. Although the facility is still being renovated, catch a glimpse of it through the adjacent interpretive center (Centro de Interpretación).