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The Most Beautiful Towns In Cádiz, Spain

CY3996 Spain, Andalucia Region, Cadiz Province, Sherry Triangle Area, Sanlucar de Barrameda, seaside restaurants on Bajo de Guia
CY3996 Spain, Andalucia Region, Cadiz Province, Sherry Triangle Area, Sanlucar de Barrameda, seaside restaurants on Bajo de Guia | © Danita Delimont / Alamy

Cádiz is known for both its wonderful beaches and gorgeous architecture. Its coastline is part of Costa de la Luz, which features sandy beaches. Visitors look forward to its famous Carnival of Cádiz, the amazing horse racing events, or the elegant Horse Fair. Additionally, the province of Cádiz offers various spectacular towns to wander around. Here are the top 10 most beautiful towns in Cádiz worth visiting.

Vejer de la Frontera

Located 190 meters above sea level, Vejer de la Frontera is known for its whitewashed houses, great wine and food, and the narrow winding streets. It sits on top of a magnificent hill with a spectacular view of the Barbate River. It takes only 10 – 15 minutes to the El Palmar Beach. Its Moorish heritage can be found in the many architecture styles and design of the town. Vejer’s main destination is the Plaza de España, where visitors can enjoy its tasty wine in local bars and restaurants.

El Puerto de Santa María

El Puerto de Santa María is probably one of the towns that best represents the Costa de la Luz. Its whitewashed walls lie among the marshes, beaches and pines on the Bay of Cádiz. This town is ideal for visitors who look for the sun and the sea. Visitors are also encouraged to visit The Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park where they can enjoy the highly distinct environmental features. This park also includes the Sancti Petri Marshes and the Nature Spots of the Island of Trocadero.

Los Caños de Meca

Natural Feature
Los Caños de Meca is a small yet stunning community in Costa de la Luz. Blessed with beautiful beaches, this town has a good reputation for beatnik travelers and wave jumpers during the summer. One of the most favorite attractions in the town is La Breña y las Marismas de Barbate Natural Park, which features many different species of animals.

Tarifa

Architectural Landmark

© Jerónimo Alba / Alamy Stock Photo

There are more than just beautiful beaches and fantastic weather in Tarifa. Located where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean meet, Tarifa offers a completely different climate and character to other Andalucian towns. This town is a huge attraction for windsurfers, surfers and kite surfers around the world. Tarifa is greatly influenced by the Arabic architecture. Most of its heritage can be seen in the town’s narrow and winding streets, as well as the Gothic-Mudejar chapel of Santiago and the Santa María Church. Some of the most famous beaches in Tarifa include Playa Chica, Valdavaqueros and Los Lances.

Zahara de los Atunes

Zahara de los Atunes lies between Tarifa and Cape Trafalgar, at about 40 minutes to the south. Visitors go to this beach town for its fish restaurants and deserted beaches. Zahara is well known for its Atlantic bluefin tuna and the red-skinned Retinto cow. Beach lovers can opt for the Playa del Retin, which offers the luxury of space. Also, Playa de Carmen, in the town center, is a family favorite where kids can swim safely, and parents can enjoy the meal in local chiringuitos.

Grazalema

Grazalema is the most mountainous town in the province of Cádiz, which is surrounded by the magnificent rocky outcrop known as Peñon Grande. This beautiful town is filled with steep and cobbled streets as well as the whitewashed houses. The heart of the town is located in the Plaza de España. This square is lined with various restaurants and bars, as well as the town Hall and the church. Close to the church is a viewpoint that looks out over the village, offering a breathtaking view of the mountains.

Castellar de la Frontera

The essential visit to Castellar de la Frontera must be its castle, which is located in the rural area known as Castellar Viejo, or the Old Castellar. Standing on top of the hill, this old town is surrounded by the walls of its Moorish castle. Despite being ancient, the fortress manages to be in good condition. The castle itself is currently set out as a hotel/inn and restaurant, which offers its visitors a spectacular view of the surrounding area, including the Rock of Gibraltar, Algeciras Bay and the African coast.

Arcos de la Frontera

Arcos de la Frontera is a spectacular town sitting on a sheer cliff in the province of Cádiz. Churches, towers and some viewpoints with the view of Guadelete River are merely some of the numerous attractions offered by this town. Several notable buildings are located in Plaza del Cabildo, such as the Ducal Castle and the town Hall. Grilles, whitewashed walls and tiles are the main characteristics of the buildings in Arcos. Visitors must also go to one of the many viewpoints in Arcos de la Frontera, which offer breathtaking panoramas of the area.

Setenil de las Bodegas

Despite being a small town, Setenil de las Bodegas has a unique beauty that makes it worth visiting. Located 157 kilometers northeast of Cádiz, this town extends along the Rio Trejo. Some of the houses were built below huge rocks, while others can be found either on top or inside the rocks. These structures create different street levels, which form charming corners and nooks. Setenil has a good reputation for its meat products, especially pork and chorizo sausage. Walk down Calle Cuevas de la Sombra, Calle Cuevas de Sol, and Plaza de Analucía to find local Setenil’s enchanting bars and restaurants.

Villaluenga del Rosario

Located at the foot of a huge, massive rock between El Castillo and Libras, Villaluenga del Rosario is a charming, small town known as el pueblo blanco, or the white town. Its streets are narrow and steep, yet they blend well with the natural space where the town is located. Villaluenga’s monuments such as Salvador and San Miguel Church or the Plaza de Toros are made of stones and are among the oldest monuments in Spain. Visitors can also opt to visit some of the town’s 80 caves and try its internationally recognized cheese, the Payoyo.
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