Sorry if there is overlap here, but a poster had suggested that I look into the white hill towns of Andalucia instead of a planned day trip to Cadiz from Sevilla. I am thinking I'd need to probably get a rental car for the day, or a driver service, if we opt for the white hill towns day trip. I'm only briefly familiar with Ronda and Arcos de la Frontera, but both look appealing to my wife and I. I don't know what would be a reasonable day trip, to two of those cities? I'd have to see what's on route from Seville, where we're staying. This is also in mid-April, before the Feria starts. What would you vote for a day trip? White hill towns, or Cadiz?
Posted by
44 posts
Cádiz is super underrated IMO. Easy train ride, no need to deal with a car, and you get history + beaches + seafood in a walkable little peninsula. Feels more chill than Sevilla too. If you’re short on time and want something low-effort but still memorable, Cádiz is the move.
Posted by
OP
39 posts
Thanks, max. I'm thinking I agree with you. I don't want to run around and spend a very long day tour in a rental car. I'm hearing good things for both options, but out of sheer ease, we may head to Cadiz.
Posted by
Washington DC
29672 posts
Either would make for a memorable day, but train to Cadiz would be more relaxing. I think you might find a multi-destination bus tour to the white villages running from Seville. They existed in 2019. I decided not to take one because I wanted significant time in Ronda, and it was just one of several stops on what was clearly going to be whistle-stop tour. I don't remember what other towns/villages were included. If I had found a multi-stop bus tour that didn't try to squeeze in Ronda, I would have been tempted, but that didn't seem to exist.
You can make a day trip from Seattle to Arcos de la Frontera by public bus, but it's a lot of time on a bus--1:45 each way on buses operated by Damas. I think it's very unlikely a second white town/village could be added via public transit. Arcos is a much quicker bus trip from Jerez de la Frontera (on the way to Cadiz), but I don't think that really helps you.
Posted by
New Zealand
109 posts
Agree with madmax13, Cadiz is underrated. We originally drove to Cadiz for a day trip, fell in love with it and now stay up to two weeks yearly.
We take the Comes bus from Seville. The bus departs from Estacion de Autobus Prado de San Sebastian. The train times are not great for a return day trip. The bus is very cheap and can be booked approximately 14 days in advance.
As a thought the stunning white village of Vejer de la Frontera is an 1hr bus trip from Cadiz, though this would mean staying in Cadiz and may not fit your plans.
Posted by
OP
39 posts
Thanks for your input, and it does sound like Cadiz is underrated by a couple of posters here. I am going to figure in Cadiz, and will look into the bus option, as well. The trains seem spotty, but not sure for April, as they're not posted yet. I think the history and seafood would be enough of a draw for my wife and I, and we'll get a good guide to explain the vast history of Cadiz. Thanks again.
Posted by
Washington DC
29672 posts
I checked the Renfe schedule and found sixteen Madrid-Cadiz trains running on Tuesday, October 14, and thirteen trains running on both Saturday, October 18, and Sunday, October 19. All trips take less than two hours.
Posted by
new york
826 posts
If you want to hike, I second the inclusion of Vejer.....lots of walking paths around there, int he area called La Janda; you also have nice beaches just 15 minutes outside Vejer, for good walking. There's a hike where you will pass windmills.....on the hill outside Vejer town. I think Vejer is the most beautiful of all the "white towns." And not clogged with tourists like RS'-popular Ronda and Arcos.
Posted by
North Italy
592 posts
Cadiz is delightful for a day trip. You can't see everything in the time you have so I don't see the need to do a more complicated alternative...
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2018/10/day-21-cadiz.html?m=1