Car Rental - Cadiz

Guarded by the city gates – Las Puertas de Tierra - Cadiz boasts a number of historic districts, known as ‘barrios’. These include La Viña, which was a traditional favorite of local fishermen, as well as Santa María, which gave birth to the flamenco. Renting a car makes it easier to get around Cadiz.

Start your visit by getting your bearings. Head for the 18^th century Torre Tavira – as the tallest point anywhere in the city, it’s not hard to spot. Once the city’s principal watchtower, climb to the top for spectacular 360-degree views out across Cadiz and the sparkling waters of the Atlantic.

You’ll find a pair of exhibition halls and a camera obscura which cleverly uses mirrors to provide a deeply immersive, real-time view of the city – you’ll just need to book a guided tour to experience it.

Founded by the Phoenicians some 3,000 years ago, Cadiz offers historic gems by the bucketload. Park your car rental and wander the streets and marvel at the mix of architecture, pausing to take in the view from the Roman Theater. Built in the first century AD, this ancient structure is set against the backdrop of Cadiz Cathedral, which dates back to the 1700s.

It’s estimated that there are 30 miles of underground caves, passageways and burial sites beneath the city – check out one of the organized tours that will take you underground to explore the two key caves of La Casa Del Pirata and the Catacumbas Del Beaterio.

Get a feel for the city’s fortified past with visits to the two castles that flank the beach of La Caleta in the heart of the city. Built in the 17th and 18th centuries respectively, the Castle of San Sebastián – a former fortress sited on a small island – and the Castle of Santa Catalina both provide magnificent views and a fascinating glimpse into history.

A holiday car rental makes it easier to travel in Cadiz as a group. An array of white sandy beaches and the balmy climate make Cadiz a popular seaside destination among Spaniards and visitors alike. Within the historic center, the most celebrated beach is the Playa de la Caleta. Located in the Bay of La Caleta it’s great for swimming and has all the amenities you need.

The Playa de la Victoria is also hugely popular and boasts a promenade along with a wide range of hotels, restaurants and bars that make it a popular spot after dark.

Santa Maria Del Mar is another family favorite that’s also known as Playa Los Corrales and La Playita de las Mujeres. A fine, golden sand beach that’s small and sheltered, it’s a perfect place to spend a few hours or the whole day, grabbing lunch or dinner at one of the nearby tapas restaurants.

One of the easiest day trips from Cadiz is the short hop in your rental car to its neighboring town of Tarifa, which has an old fishing town charm. It’s great for water sports fans, especially those who love kitesurfing.

As in Cadiz, you may spot whales in the glistening Atlantic, while it’s a great opportunity to take a ride on a famed Anadalusian horse along the beach. Tarifa is just over an hour with a rental car from Cadiz via the A48 and N340.

There are many beach resorts in and near Cadiz, but a local favorite is El Puerto de Santa Maria, known locally as El Puerto. Close to the Bahia de Cadiz Natural Park, this resort is home to a medieval castle and the magnificent Valdelagrana Beach.

Combine your trip with a visit to one of the local restaurants serving up delicious seafood and traditional Spanish dishes. El Puerto is just a 25-minute drive north of Cadiz on the CA35 with your rental car.