Thinking about exploring Cádiz with kids? If you’re worried your kids and the the oldest city in Spain won’t blend well, fear not, this is Andalucía – where kids are welcome, heard and seen at all hours of the day, in all corners of the cities!

We promise that visiting Cádiz with kids won’t disappoint, especially when the weather is on your side and you can take advantage of all the outdoor open spaces available. For a family vacation that feels like you’re breathing in history even when you’re letting the kids run wild, Cadiz will tick all the boxes for you. This is a great city, full of beautiful parks and squares, stunning architecture and historical landmarks around almost every corner. Enjoy!

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Why choose to visit Cádiz with kids

🏖 Cádiz is a coastal city with gorgeous beaches to enjoy

🔎 Cádiz is packed with great fun options for history enthusiasts, both young and old

🛝 The city is full of kid-friendly attractions and chill & reset zones too

🚗 There are some really fun, kid-friendly, day trip options that are easily visitable from Cádiz

🍽 The culinary scene is truly excellent and there’s always something to feed the kids

⭐️ All in all, Cádiz is a top-notch choice for a family vacation (or even day trip from Sevilla).

Notes on Cádiz timings & climate

🔆 Cádiz can be great to travel to at any time in the year, just keep in mind its Mediterranean climate. It has a fairly mild winter and a hot summer. While it’s cooler than the likes of Sevilla, it can still be very hot in July and August.

🎭 You’ll also want to keep an eye on Carnaval in February/March as it’s the busiest (and most expensive) week of the year in Cádiz so if you’re not specifically traveling to be a part of Carnaval, you should steer clear of those dates (they change every year. In 2025 it will be 27 Feb – 9th March). 

🕙 Sundays are still considered a day of rest in Spain so you’ll find many shops will be closed and some attractions will operate with reduced hours. Some smaller express supermarkets will remain open but the larger ones will likely be closed. Mondays can also prove to be tricky with some tourist attractions closing for the day so check websites before making your plans. 

Getting around Cádiz with kids

First of all, Cádiz is a very walkable city so once you’re there, if your plan is just to stay in the city, there’s no need to worry about transport. There’s plenty to do right where you are.

🚗 If you’re driving, the adventure begins as you cross the bridge into the city of Cádiz. El Puente de la Constitución de 1812, is the longest bridge in Spain with a length of five kilometres, including three kilometres over the sea. It’s a really fun drive – get the cameras ready.

Once you’re in Cádiz it’s pretty easy to explore the city on foot but what if you want to take a tour? Well, handily there are plenty of options that can work for all the family:

👣 Free walking tour with Guru Walks

🛞 Segway tour – fun with slightly bigger kids

🚌 Hop-on-hop-off bus – a great way to get to grips with the city without exhausting little legs

🔎 Explore Cádiz with a self-guided Sherlock Holmes mystery game!

Where to stay in Cádiz

Cádiz, as popular vacation spot, has no shortage of excellent hotel and apartment options. These are a few of our favourites:

🗺 or, if none of these appeal to you, use the MexicoCassie interactive accommodation finder map to find your perfect Cádiz option

Kid-friendly things to do in Cádiz

Once you’re settled in, a great way to tackle some of the more cultural and historical sites that perhaps the adults of the group are more keen on than the kids, is to incorporate these in and around areas where the kids can run and play. We’re not talking water parks and kids museums because there aren’t really any in Cádiz, instead, this article zeroes in on the wonderful parks and squares scattered around the city,  where kids can truly be kids. Truth be told, most of these places are areas you’ll want to see anyway.

Plazas, playgrounds & fun

Plaza de San Juan de Dios

⛲️ Jot down this square as a great spot to begin, end or take a break mid-way through your sightseeing. It’s conveniently located near the port and at the entrance to the old town and is a lovely big space for kids to run around.

If you’re there in the evening the kids will enjoy the coloured fountains but whatever time you stop by there will be bars, cafes and ice-cream aplenty!

While you’re taking a break here, stop and check out the impressive architecture all around you, including the Elizabethan style Town Hall and the Church of San Juan de Dios, with its Baroque façade. This square is a win for the whole family. 

Plaza de Los Flores 

🌹 This is a delightful square full of flower stalls to wander around in, as you literally take the time to smell the roses. Whether you’re just wandering through or using it as a pitstop, it’s a great place to include in your visit.

Plaza de Mina

If you’re visiting Cádiz with kids over a Friday or Saturday evening, Plaza de Mina is a great opportunity to do as the locals do. This square comes alive from around 8pm (depending on the season) and in the warmer months, you’ll find kids & toddlers running around long past midnight.

🍨 If you can force yourself onto the local schedule, have a dinner from 9pm onwards in one of the surrounding bars and then pick up an ice-cream at Heladería Pizza Mina and let the kids join in on the action, running around, playing hide and seek or whatever takes their fancy – they’ll probably remember it as one of the best things they did in Cádiz!

Of course, you can also enjoy Plaza de Mina during the day with its cafes, restaurants, open play spaces and shady spots to rest.  

Parque Genoves

Genoves park is the ultimate kid-friendly part of Cádiz complete with a kids playground with a small zip line, a kiosk where you can pick up a coffee or snack and a grotto. The grotto will delight all ages as you walk through the cave area and look out across the waterfalls into a duck pond which also has some fun dinosaur sculptures. Just behind the grotto you’ll also find a skate park: if it’s busy, it’s a great place to watch the action and if it’s empty, it becomes your own personal parkour zone – win! 

Alameda Apodaca

When in Cádiz , you’ve absolutely got to take a stroll along the Alameda de Apodaca – this is a win for the whole family. Here you’ll get the chance to see century old ficus trees as well as Andalucian tiles and fountains while you take in this romantic style landscape and enjoy the view over the extensive sea walls. This is one of the most charming spots in the city. 

Varela Norte y Sur

Here there are actually 3 separate parks all very close together. In Valera Norte you’ll find both a kids’ playground and the remains of a Roman villa (most of which is now in the museum but some columns and mosaics do remain). In Varela Sur you’ll find both Roman and Phoenician ruins. And just across the way is Plaza Asdrubal, where there there are the remains of a Roman aqueduct to examine. These 3 parks are right behind Playa Santa María del Mar (see below).

As you can see, you’re never far from a super kid-friendly spot and the above is just a starter list. It would be remiss to not also mention the impressive Plaza de España with its imposing Monumento de la  Constitución and the Plaza de la Cathedral which you’ll spend time in if you visit the Cathedral and is also a buzzing square filled with not only history but great options for a coffee or glass of something while the kids break free. 

Beaches in Cádiz

Playa de La Caleta

🏖 If you’re in search of a little beach time, La Caleta beach is both easy and a great option for anyone in Cádiz with kids. In the warmer months it’s great for sunbathing, playing in the sand and swimming. In the cooler months, it’s still fun because there are rocks to climb and there’s even a castle to walk out to (see below). There’s also a little playground here for the small ones.

🧺 If you’re interested in having a picnic on the beach, check out Marisquería La Viña Freiduría for fried fish and rolls, or the Cádiz mercado central, where you’ll find great fresh bread, cheeses and more for your picnic. And if you’re on a budget, look out for Lidl, as a great priced supermarket.

For a kid-friendly bar close to La Caleta beach, check out Casa Manteca. 

🐦 A little warning – the seagulls on this beach are massive and not afraid to swoop.

➕ If you’re wondering about the other beaches you can see on the map, they are Playa de la Victoria and Playa Santa María del Mar. Playa de la Victoria is considered by many to be one of the very best urban beaches in Europe so if you have the time and energy, definitely check it out.

City activities with kids

Cadiz Cathedral

🔔 Who doesn’t love a cathedral? Ok, ok, kids don’t generally love cathedrals, we know. However, this one has 2 things that *might* get your kids interested – free virtual Reality tours of the cathedral & a cool tower (Torre del Reloj / Clock Tower) that is ascended via ramps not stairs (except at the very top where there’s a small spiral staircase to climb)

⏰ The bells at the top of the clock tower ring every 15 minutes and you don’t want to be up there when they do as they are incredibly loud, especially for little ears. Keep an eye on the timings before stepping out to the viewing area. 

Teatro Romano 

🏛 In its heyday it’s estimated to have been able to house up to 10,000 spectators. You won’t see the full structure as it’s only part excavated but you’ll be able to view a model of what it would have looked like while you’re there.

It’s accessed via the Populo area which is the oldest neighbourhood of Cádiz. Entrance is free which is always nice and the kids will probably enjoy standing on the glass sections of the floor which give idea of the original depth of the theatre. 

Torre Tavira 

The Tavira tower is the highest point you’ll find in the old town and offers spectacular 360 degree views and the chance to experience the Camera Obscura. The Camera Obscura is an optical effect giving you a real time view of what’s happening outside the tower. This is an interactive experience which is always a boxed ticked when it comes to kids.

You don’t need much time here, probably 30 to 45 minutes. Note, this experience must be booked in advance. (We haven’t been up this torre. I think it’s a question of choosing between the cathedral tower and the Torre Tavira as the views won’t be dissimilar)

Yaciemento Arqueologico Gadír 

This is your chance to see what the city of Cadiz looked like some 3000 years ago. You’ll see remains from the Phoenicians and the Romans and it’s definitely worth a visit if you can. There’s a short video (in English and Spanish) and then you’re free to explore the ruins.

My kids particularly enjoyed this museum, especially the skeletons we saw here.

This is free to enter and lasts about 30 to 45 mins but it’s best to book in advance. 

Museo de Cadiz

Close by is the Museo de Cádiz, the Cadiz Museum, which despite being one museum, feels like three! It’s split between archeology, fine arts and ethnography so it has something for everyone. The museum offers a series of different itinerary options to help you navigate it based on what interests your family most.   

⭐️ Use the MexicoCassie tip for making museums fun for the kids by having them look out for certain things as they explore – and yes, often I tell my kids to look out for naked bottoms on statues and in paintings. It makes them giggle and then they don’t even notice they’re paying attention to art! I also throw in quizzes with small prizes (such as ice creams, park time or other things we’d probably do anyway) to help them stay interested.

Castillo de Santa Catalina 

🏰 Castillo de Santa Catalina is a military castle that has served a few purposes over the years. It was originally built as a strategic coastal defense and has even been used as a quarantine area during outbreaks of the bubonic plague in the 17^th century. It’s a great option to visit with kids because you can walk around freely and take breaks on the benches but also check out some of the temporary exhibitions as this space is now used as a cultural and leisure location. You’ll also get great views of the bay and the San Sebastian Castle from here (photo above). 

Castillo de San Sebastian

Castillo de San Sebastian is a fortress located at the end of La Caleta beach. You access it via a bridge which is also a nice walk and like many things in Cadiz, entrance is free. If you can time your visit for dusk, you’ll catch a beautiful sunset. 

Where and what to eat in Cadiz with kids

🕙 As you plan your time in Cádiz with kids, keep the local schedule in mind. While more touristy spots will cater to earlier meal times, you’ll find the city has a certain rhythm to it that can only be experienced on local hours. A good example of this is Plaza de Mina mentioned above – visiting this square at 5pm on a Friday won’t give you the experience that visiting it at 10pm would.

🕙 You’ll have a much larger selection of restaurants to enjoy if you make your lunch plans for 2pm – 4pm when the Spanish eat lunch. The evening meal is eaten much later, from 9pm. If your kids can’t manage this late evening meal, it’s a good idea to join the Spanish for lunch at 2 pm and then simply feed the kids in your apartment/hotel whenever they need to eat.

🍽 La Viña is the ideal place to eat in Cadiz if you want to kick back and soak in the city for all it has to offer. The neighbourhood of La Viña is based around La Palma Street and the Plaza del Tio de la Tiza and from here you can enjoy the local cuisine on one of the many restaurant terraces.  

⭐️ Use our super helpful guide to tapas for kids if you’ve got fussy eaters. It talks you through the most kid friendly options on a traditional tapas menu.

🦐 Give shrimp fritters a try! You’ll find them on the menu as Tortillitas de Camarones and they are moreish to say the least. They are a specialty from the Cádiz region so you won’t get better ones anywhere else and tend to go down a treat with everyone.

🛍 Head to the mercado central. Here you’ll find a large market with great fresh options. The kids can play freely here but it does tend to get quite crowded and you have to be aware of them getting in the way of shoppers. Personally I found it a bit too overwhelming to stop and eat but it is a great place to pick up some fruit to snack on as you head out to explore more of the city.

🍗 If you’re done with seafood, tapas, bars and restaurants or just want to pick up some food to go, there’s always roast chicken rolls that will melt in your mouth at El Corralon. Cheap and cheerful but mostly just yum. 

🛒 And, of course, you can always shop at the supermarket for easy foods you know the kids will eat. Día, Lidl, Aldi, Mercadona and Carrefour are good Spanish supermarkets.

Day trips to take with kids from Cádiz

🚗 While we don’t think you need a car to explore the city of Cádiz, if you plan on taking day trips then you might well want to consider renting a car. There are numerous excellent day trips to take from Cádiz, some possible really only with a car, while others work better with an organised tour.

Here are a few of the best day trips for families:

Aqualand

30 minutes from Cádiz City is Aqualand, an awesome water park. There are 10 waterslides here as well as a huge wave pool, a dedicated little kids area and a lazy river.

Note that water parks are only open in the summer months in Spain so confirm it’s open before promising the kids a day of water fun.

→ Buy your tickets now

Tarifa, Playa Bolonia & Baelo Claudia

This city, beach and ruins combo make it into my list of best day trips from Cádiz because the combination just can’t be beaten.

🧭 Tarifa is a gorgeous old city located where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic meet. Standing at the confluence looking over the sea to the coast of Africa is one of the coolest things your kids will do in Spain.

🏖 In my opinion, Bolonia is pretty much a perfect beach. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen because of its incredible, enormous dune at one end and incredible views over to the coast of Africa. The beach is 4km long and 700 m wide.

🏛 Baelo Claudia is a ruined Roman city which sits along side the beach and is free to enter via the visitor’s centre. There is a small but informative museum to check out before heading down to the ruins.

→ Book a day trip to the gorgeous city of Tarifa & Baelo Claudia ruins

⭐️ Read more about Tarifa and Baelo Claudia

Sevilla for the day

Sevilla is the capital city of Andalucía and it’s just over an hour away from Cádiz. It’s a great place to visit if you have a day free. Visit the gorgeous Alcázar, explore the old city, see the largest wooden structure in Europe, Las Setas, and more. A trip to Seville is easy to arrange by train as it’s only an hour away.

⭐️ What to do in Sevilla for one day

⭐️ What is Sevilla famous for?

⭐️ What to do in Sevilla with kids

Visit Barbate and see the dolphins

From the coastal village of Barbate it’s possible to take a boat ride to see both whales and dolphins (including killer whales). We took a similar tour from Tarifa and it was one of the best experiences we’ve had in Spain.

→ Book a 3 hour boat tour now

Pueblos Blancos

The province of Cádiz is famous for its white villages, so if you have the time while in Cádiz city, they’re interesting places to visit.

Zahara de la Sierra is a small mountain town ninety minutes to the south of Sevilla. Originally a Moorish outpost, today it is famous for being one of the most beautiful ‘white villages’ (pueblos blancos) in Spain. It sits atop a craggy outcrop, which adds to its splendour.

Arcos de la Frontera is another of Spain’s most beautiful towns and it’s just ninety minutes from Sevilla, making it a perfect day trip from Sevilla. Arcos de la Frontera sits atop a peña (monolith), which adds to its charm and is famous for its ten church bells. 

Vejer de la Frontera is a Spanish hilltop town. It was a Moorish town between 711 – 1248 when it was captured by the Catholic Monarchs.

Setenil de las Bodegas is famous for its whitewashed houses built into the cliffs, natural caves and overhangs along the Río Trejo. It is thought that the town’s name comes from the Latin phrase “septem nihil”, seven times nothing, which refers to the Moorish town’s resistance and the seven sieges apparently carried out by the Christians to get it back.

→ Book a full day tour of the pueblos blancos

⭐️ Read more about the pueblos blancos of Cádiz & how to visit under your own steam

 

Gibraltar

If you’re curious about the weird anomaly that is a tiny bit of the United Kingdom sitting off the coast of Spain then a trip to Gibraltar is a must. The kids will love taking the cable car up the Rock and watching how the apes stealing food from unsuspecting tourists (please don’t take food up, just watch as people who don’t follow the rules lose their food to naughty apes).

⭐️ Read more about exploring Gibraltar on a day trip

→ Book a day trip to Gibraltar

Tangier

Blow the kids’ minds and take them to Morocco, in northern Africa for the day! Yes, you really can do this. Whether you choose to organise it yourself (we did, see how to in my article below), or take a tour (also very possible, see below), this is a truly excellent adventure.

🐪 Have a camel ride in the desert, explore the city centre and the medina & the souks (market areas), visit museums, the Kasbah (fortress) and more.

⭐️ Read more about taking a day trip to Tangier under your own steam

→ Book a full day tour to Tangier

And what if the kids get sick while you’re in Spain?

🏥 In Spain, each pharmacy is linked to the public health system. There will always be at least one pharmacy open in any given area. This system is called farmacias de guardia. So, if you’re in need of sun-block, first-aid supplies or medicine outside of business hours, it’s a good idea to search Google Maps with an ‘Open Now’ filter to find the closest on-call pharmacist. 

What about the rest of Andalucía