Cadiz by Cruise Ship

Cadiz is frequently-visited by cruise ships, and I recently had a chance to visit the port, as I was staying for a week in the city of Jerez, just 45 mins train ride away.   Whilst Cadiz is a pretty place, with an imposing cathedral, and many quaint, pedestrianised streets to explore, I would suggest you take a look at the port schedule prior to your visit, as the ‘old town’ is very conveniently located close (a short walk) from the cruise terminal, and if there is more than 1 ship in on that day, you can expect the streets to be very busy with passengers who have opted to do their’ own thing and explore by foot.  The day I visited, there were FOUR ships in (Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, P+O and Aida), and the place was heaving!  I must admit I made a point of visiting on that particular day, so I could see exactly how well, or badly, Cadiz could cope with the crowds.

If your visit to Cadiz coincides with other ship visits, I would recommend escaping the crowds by taking a tour, or the train (approx 8 euros return), to Jerez, which gives you a much more serene experience, along with similarly beautiful architecture, plus the sherry bodegas, of course!  If you take the tour option, you may even be able to combine Jerez with Seville too, and double your immersion into Andalusian life!

If you want to have a relaxing time in Cadiz, there are a couple of nice beaches within walking distance, so if your cruise is in the hot summer months, you can take advantage of a convenient beach day, and even enjoy a swim in the fresh Atlantic ocean (remember, you’re not in the Mediterranean until you’ve passed Gibraltar!)

Lastly, there are some great little market stalls, close to the cruise terminal in Cadiz, so don’t forget to buy some souvenirs before you return to the ship……