Cadiz Questions

[ajtraveler66]

Seville (Cadiz) is on our NCL Star itinerary for April 2023.  

 

Are there things to do/see near the port?  (We don't mind venturing out a little bit if necessary).

 

Is there a decent beach nearby for just walking around?  (Again, we don't mind venturing out a little bit if necessary).

 

Any suggestions for a nice lunch?  (Preferably near the port on this one).

 

Look forward to hearing from you.

[John Bull]

The interesting mainly-pedestrianised old part of town is right by the port gate.

Lots of eateries there, I suggest you don't tie yourself down to one in particular.

Wander the streets for a lazy day.

 

Nearest beach is Playa de la Caleta, on the other side of old-town a minimum 20 minute walk from the port gate depending on your ship's berth. IMHO not up to much, but backed by old town.

 

For something a little more adventurous, a 45 minute train ride to Jerez de la Frontera, the home of sherry. Sherry is now made in modern factories on the outskirts, but many sherry-makers have converted their original town centre bodegas to museums & tours. Also in town, tho it need a bus or taxi ride from the station, the Royal School of Equestrian Arts gives dressage performances of their Andalusian horses

https://www.realescuela.org/en/main/

It'd be difficult to tie in a performance, but the place is well worth a visit, especially the carriage museum.

The Sandeman bodega is just a five minute walk from there.

 

Or rent a car (Cadiz rail station is the only convenient depot, the others are a he far end of Cadiz in the modern city centre) and explore the hill-top "white villages". laces like Vejer de la Frontera or Arcos de la Frontera

 

JB 🙂

 

[edinburgher]

I think we visited Cadiz either 5 or 6 times.

 

White villages touring is a lovely thing to do. 

 

Wealso visited Jerez  twice from Cadiz (the train station is very close to the dock)  in part to watch  the   horse show and tour the stables which were immaculate and 5 star accommodation for horses.  As it was a port day we could not see an evening performance, but had tickets for the(day time)  rehearsal performance and stables tour.  Explored Jerez too and visited a sherry bodega.  There are also buses to Jerez from Cadiz.

 

No need to go to Jerez for sherry tasting as there a small number of sherry (and sherry vinegar) bodegas in much closer El Puerto de Santa Maria. (Osborne is probably one of the best known)  Easy public buses, and trains between the two, but we used the little ferry which runs between Cadiz and El Puerto.  It leaves from and returns to almost right alongside the cruise ships and there is a regular service. There are a few other sights in El Puerto  (albeit fairly minor) so it could be somewhere different for those who have already  visited Cadiz a number of times.  Cadiz bus station is across from the port and slightly to the right in the biggish square.  The train station is more to the left side.

 

But to answer the OPs question.

 

From the dock in Cadiz, unless there have been recent changes, you only need to cross the road outside the dock and you are in the Old Town.  Many many restaurants there for you to choose from but you could check Tridavisor for recommendations if none of the replies to this thread are specific enough.

 

So much to see and do in Cadiz you are spoiled for choice, but in addition to exploring the museums, churches etc and wandering the little streets of the old town, if you instead turn right outside the port, you can walk aaround the outside of the old town alongside the sea and the walkway has several small parks and gardens along the way  to rest or take a coffee or ice cream and enjoy the plantings and sea views.

 

Walking the Old Town is easy.  Pick up a map  of city walks from the Tourist people, decide which walk interests you most, then follow that walk.  Each walk has a coloured painted line on the street which you follow around town.

 

Be aware that on all our visits, the HOHO buses only rran around the outside of the old town and some of the newer town as the streets of the old town  are too narrow for them.

Edited August 18, 2022 by edinburgher

[WESTEAST]

We took a shore excursion that included a walking tour of the Old Quarter and Market and then went to a local taverna (La Cava Flamenco Tavern) and enjoyed delicious tapas while watching a great flamenco dancing. All within easy walking distance from the port.

[the wandering two]

We normally walk around the old town perimeter, next to the sea, some nice linear parks & gardens, then head into the old town towards Central market, nice tapas style kiosks on the outside of the market.

For fresh sherry tasting straight from the barrel Taberna La Manzanilla is nearby.

 

[ajtraveler66]

I've gathered some new info on possibilities for tours while we are in Cadiz(Seville), Spain.  

 

It has been suggested to me that we should go to the actual city of Seville instead of 'hanging around the port' in Cadiz.  I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.  I see that NCL offers about 3 different types of excursions that go to Seville.  One includes 'Seville On Your Own'.  That obviously was the cheapest of the offerings.

 

However, some of these cathedrals may require a ticket to get into them, and I'm wondering if we would be better off with a tour that has purchased the tickets in advance.

 

I'm also willing to consider using a reliable tour company (other than NCL) as long as we have assurance in feeling that we would get back to the ship in time.

 

Thanks for your input.

[carlmm]

Cadiz itself is worth to stay there, too. There is more than enough to see for one day in terms of churches, museums, fortifications and picturesque alleys.

Seville is much bigger and has many more sights, enough for a week or so. Yet, it also takes a long train or bis ride to get there.

Financial wise the on your own option is probably the cheaper one even if you figure in the entrance fee. If you go for this option, certainly more research is recommended to decide what you want to see as it has, as mentioned, so much to offer.

[marazul]

Seville is the first choice.  Stay in Cadiz after you have been to Seville at least 2 or 3 times.  If you do the "on your own", get tickets to the Alcazar (royal palace) and the cathedral ahead of time.  They are very near each other. 

https://www.alcazarsevilla.org/en/

https://www.catedraldesevilla.es/cultural-visit2/

The cathedral ticket includes the Giralda tower.  It actually has wide ramps inside instead of stairs, so it is not as hard a climb.  At least, go up part of the way.

 

After you have seen both, if you have time, take a horse coach tour of the city (1 hour).  You will see them all over in the area between the Alcazar and the Cathedral.   They will return you to the same spot where you hired them.  The city is gorgeous and this will be the best way to have an overall tour. Be on the lookout for the coaches after your bus drops you off, then at the end, hire a coach close to the bus stop.   In that way you will have a shorter walk back to the bus. 

 

If any of the ship tours include admission to both the Alcazar and the Cathedral you might want to consider them.  They are both "must sees."  

 

Just a thought.  You could do the "on your own" and hire a tour company for Seville.  They can meet you at the bus and get you back there.  Please, stop stressing about missing the boat. You are missing a lot by worrying about missing the boat. With a little planning you won't.

 

Edited August 24, 2022 by marazul

[edinburgher]

instead of 'hanging around the port' in Cadiz.

 

There is no need whatsoever to "hang around the port in Cadiz".  As #1 reply above said, there is more than enough to see and do in Cadiz for one day and  plenty of choice to suit all tastes, and as you have said in all your posts you are nervous about straying a little from the port area in case the ship should leave without you., it would probably suit you really well as most of Cadiz is within very easy reach of the port with the Old Town just across the street from the port and a pretty promenade/seafront walk also quite close. Much info about Cadiz both online and in previous threads, so very easy to read and decide how your day could be spent to suit your own interests should you decide to stay in town.

 

Seville is lovely but it is better to allow a few days to fully explore and it is a long drive each way.. As Marazul has advised, The Alcazar and the Cathedral are the top two sights and the minimum you should fit into an "on your own" shorex. and are conveniently located in very  close proximity to each other. Just be absolutely sure you know the location your coach will leave from, also the time it will leave.

 

Reports from other pax who did escorted shorex to Seville, were that actual sightseeing time was too short. By the time they drove around 2 hours each way (depending on traffic) and had a lunch stop of around an hour, there was minimal sighseeing time.

 

We never visited Seville frtom Cadiz, but did so twice on cruise ships which were smaller and could navigate the river to dock in the heart of the city.  We overnighted both times, and one of them we ended the trip there and flew home from Seville after staying an extra couple of nights in a hotel.

 

On our other several trips we were happy to remain in Cadiz and explore the city, but did also visit El Puerto de Santa Maria and Jerez (twice)

Edited August 25, 2022 by edinburgher

[ajtraveler66]

Thanks for the advice here.  Sounds like there is plenty to see in Cadiz.  I think we will take advantage of this fact and just stay put.

 

I checked out a few You-Tube videos, helping me to further concur.

 

 

[edinburgher]

If you have any interest in archaeology or art, can recommend the small but interesting Museum of Cadiz in the old town. they have artefacts dating back as far as the Phoenicians and the  two sarcophogi of a male and a female are really quite rare.  Archaelogy on the ground level, art above.

 

We also visited (and I had to look it up) the Oratorio de La Santa Cueva. Two tiny chapels, one of which is underground.  The ground floor one (upper chapel) is decorated with paintings by Goya.  Also in the old town,the street was found easily enough, but the entrance  was a little tricky to find as it looks more like a shop or a residential building, not in any way  resembling a church or chapel.

 

Lots of suggestions on Tripadvisor Cadiz, do browse to see what attracts you.

 

Edited August 25, 2022 by edinburgher

[mskaufman]

If you have never been to Seville, I would recommend that.  There is so much to see there, even without going into the Palace, that requires a ticket. The Plaza Espanol is phenomenal.

 

[edinburgher]

The Plaza Espanol is phenomenal.

 

 

It is indeed, but on a short sightseeing trip from Cadiz, unlikely to be on the agenda as it isn't as centrally located as the Cathedral and the Alcazar as it is in the park almost across from where smaller cruise ships which have navigated the river can dock.

 

Sometimes it is worth having a few days for a land trip  pre or post Med cruises before joining a ship elsewhere..

 

 

[marazul]

Plaza de España.

The carriage tours take you there. It saves a lot of walking. 

[mskaufman]

9 hours ago, marazul said:

Plaza de España.

The carriage tours take you there. It saves a lot of walking. 

Absolutely,  the carriage ride will help you see a lot in a short time.

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

I agree that Seville is worth making the effort to see, but that Cadiz is also nice if you prefer not having to travel so far for Seville. We walked from port of Cadiz to the train station and took a train to Cadiz.  I don't remember how long it took, but probably almost as long as a coach ride or tour bus would.  There's also bus service from Cadiz to Seville, which takes around the same time, I think.  And when I went, though it was probably almost 10 years ago, the bus station was located close to the train station, so you could mix and match, which is what we did.  We got an early start, walked about 10 minutes mostly just along the waterfront, bought tickets, and took either the bus or train, and then the other back to Cadiz.  So that's one option to consider IF you're somewhat independent and adventuresome. Cadiz was nice, especially since we were able to go back out after early dinner, with the ship not leaving until 10 or 11.  It was summer and I walked to the beach area, seeing holiday makers enjoying the last rays of a sunset.  It was memorable -- nothing totally unusual, but memorable.  We haven't been able to do things at night on most cruises, so I really enjoyed our late stay in Cadiz. 

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

I took a bus that more or less went around the old town perimeter, and went along the sea.  I don't remember the number or where I caught the bus, but if you like just kind of exploring and looking, you might like it.  It wasn't hard to research or find.

 

[ajtraveler66]

I guess the title says it all.

 

And while I've got you...on the day prior to our port day in Cadiz, we will be in Motril, Spain.  Any suggestions on how to best give justice to these two days would be welcome.  And I know there will be different opinions...and that is just fine.  

[carlmm]

Cadiz itself has more than enough sights for a day, it is changing, historic city; Seville deserves a week or more, it is bigger and grander, albeit along ride from the port. If you research this forum you find a number of recent discussions.

Motril itself has nothing to offer but beaches. If it is your only chance in your life you might like to take an excursion to Granada to see the Alhambra, but again it is a long ride. Alternatively you could visit some of the much more interesting villages close by.

[roger b]

11 hours ago, carlmm said:

Cadiz itself has more than enough sights for a day, it is changing, historic city; Seville deserves a week or more, it is bigger and grander, albeit along ride from the port. If you research this forum you find a number of recent discussions.

Motril itself has nothing to offer but beaches. If it is your only chance in your life you might like to take an excursion to Granada to see the Alhambra, but again it is a long ride. Alternatively you could visit some of the much more interesting villages close by.

 If you dock in Motril go to The Alhambra in Granada it is a 50 mins journey by coach use Spain day tours , we had a great day out with them .

Edited September 16, 2022 by roger b
Spelling

[edinburgher]

i think this is the second,  time you have asked about Motril within days and previous  replies have usually referred you to a shorex to the Alhambra in Granada, as there is little else of interest there. so nothing much to add to this thread.  Info and photos online, plus you coul;d always read previous threads containing the word Alhambra, or Granada or Motril by following the usual method of going to the Spain Ports forum,

 

inserting one of those words into the search box under your username, ticking the dropdown "on this forum" under the search box then clicking the little magnifying glass to produce all previous threads which you can then read.

 

And you are still debating the Cadiz/Seville option and what do do in Cadiz if you decide to stay there for the day.. II think this is the third, or perhaps even fourth? thread on all three options you have raised within the last month or so  Given the extensive recommendations you were given in your previous threads, can only once again suggest you follow the steps in the previous paragraph and read them again, in addition of course to the usual local Tourist Office websites and others such as tripadvisor.

 

The more you read the easier it will be to decide which options which most appeal to you.

Edited September 16, 2022 by edinburgher

[Hlitner]

We would agree that going to Granada (form Motril) is a good idea if you can get an excursion (or tour) that includes a visit to the Alhambra.    Cadiz does give you several decent options.  If you have a very long port day, a trip to Seville is fine.  Staying in Cadiz is also fine for a relaxing day where you can just walk around town and enjoy a nice lunch.  Another option is to go to Jerez where you can tour a sherry house or perhaps go to a horse show.  

 

I will add that some places like Seville and Granada are best visited on a land trip (we do it on driving vacations) when one has time to truly explore the towns, sample the cuisine, etc.  In fact, in Granada there is actually a wonderful Parador (hotel) located inside the Alhambra which is an amazing experience.

 

Hank

[ajtraveler66]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

We would agree that going to Granada (form Motril) is a good idea if you can get an excursion (or tour) that includes a visit to the Alhambra.    Cadiz does give you several decent options.  If you have a very long port day, a trip to Seville is fine.  Staying in Cadiz is also fine for a relaxing day where you can just walk around town and enjoy a nice lunch.  Another option is to go to Jerez where you can tour a sherry house or perhaps go to a horse show.  

 

I will add that some places like Seville and Granada are best visited on a land trip (we do it on driving vacations) when one has time to truly explore the towns, sample the cuisine, etc.  In fact, in Granada there is actually a wonderful Parador (hotel) located inside the Alhambra which is an amazing experience.

 

Hank

 

I'm almost certain that we will be staying in Cadiz from all of the things that I've been reading about it.  Also it is toward the end of our cruise, and I'm sure we'll be wearing down.  We have plenty of time to debate on whether or not to do Alhambra, but it does look interesting.  Thanks, everyone, for the valuable input.

[Guest]

On 8/24/2022 at 3:31 PM, marazul said:

Seville is the first choice.  Stay in Cadiz after you have been to Seville at least 2 or 3 times.  If you do the "on your own", get tickets to the Alcazar (royal palace) and the cathedral ahead of time.  They are very near each other. 

https://www.alcazarsevilla.org/en/

https://www.catedraldesevilla.es/cultural-visit2/

The cathedral ticket includes the Giralda tower.  It actually has wide ramps inside instead of stairs, so it is not as hard a climb.  At least, go up part of the way.

 

After you have seen both, if you have time, take a horse coach tour of the city (1 hour).  You will see them all over in the area between the Alcazar and the Cathedral.   They will return you to the same spot where you hired them.  The city is gorgeous and this will be the best way to have an overall tour. Be on the lookout for the coaches after your bus drops you off, then at the end, hire a coach close to the bus stop.   In that way you will have a shorter walk back to the bus. 

 

If any of the ship tours include admission to both the Alcazar and the Cathedral you might want to consider them.  They are both "must sees."  

 

Just a thought.  You could do the "on your own" and hire a tour company for Seville.  They can meet you at the bus and get you back there.  Please, stop stressing about missing the boat. You are missing a lot by worrying about missing the boat. With a little planning you won't.

 

I'm new to these excursions. Never cruised or been on one before. Does 'On Your Own' just mean they take you to Seville and back on a bus or train?

[marazul]

1 hour ago, Cajundragon said:

I'm new to these excursions. Never cruised or been on one before. Does 'On Your Own' just mean they take you to Seville and back on a bus or train?

Correct.