Our cruise stops at Portimao and Cadiz Spain the end of March. Should we stay in these towns and explore them or take tours to nearby attractions from the port? Thanks for your help!
Posted by
5250 posts
Read up on Cadiz and see if it interests you. Jerez is not far on the train, if that is more appealing to you.
I have not been on a cruise, but I understand you have tight time constraints, and I would feel more comfortable paying for a cruise excursion so I am not left in port if I am late.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
Thank you. I was thinking the same thing. I do not want the travel time to Sevilla. The cruise has a Flamenco show with tapas at La Cava. We are thinking about doing that and exploring Cadiz.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8188 posts
We really enjoyed Cadiz (we stayed several night on a trip, not a cruise). The old town is nice to wander, a nice beach right there, miles of beach outside of town, lots of history.
What we enjoyed the most though was the food, lots of regional specialties you will find really only in Cadiz, most of them served as tapas. I could easily spend the afternoon and evening just wandering tapas bars.
Seville is certainly an option, makes a long day, about 2 hours each way to get near the cathedral or the town center, and if you do it yourself, the concern of a problem getting back to the ship on time.
Jerez de la Frontera not that far, could be done on your own, though I would be inclined to look for a local tour that would take you there, tour the sherry houses, and the other sights, getting you back to town at a predictable time.
Posted by
OP
19 posts
Thank you! I think we will stay in Cadiz.
Posted by
10 posts
I lived in Spain for three years and Cadiz is my favorite city for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. It's less refined than the more obvious Andalusian cities, grittier, unpretentious and more working class. It just has soul, plus serious flamenco pedigree. That said, I've taken many people there and some feel the same magic I do while others don't. The old city also doesn't have a great hotel selection. A few must-dos:
- A flamenco show at Peña Flamenca la Perla de Cádiz if you can make it work
- Tapas at the bar at El Faro (there's a restaurant too but the bar is easier and a better value)
- Taberna Casa Manteca, across the street from El Faro, good for a quick drink before or after El Faro just to see the interior which has been essentially unchanged in the last 100 years
- A meal at the Mercado Central food stall area
- Staying out late at night on a weekend, very likely to see spontaneous local flamenco performances
Posted by
Massachusetts
22 posts
Thank you Kelsey! We are currently trying to nail down where to go, apart from Seville, Granada and Cordoba. Your response really helps.
Nick, lol…I’m curious, which do you think are the top 2 cities in Europe (for my future travels)
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8188 posts
Cadiz is my favorite city for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. It's less refined than the more obvious Andalusian cities, grittier, unpretentious and more working class.
That really is my sentiments exactly. We have been to Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, and a couple other towns; and Cadiz just felt like being in a real working city, nothing pretentious, not catering to tourists. We just relaxed, ate, saw the sights, but never felt we were in the tourist throng.
Yes, there were plenty of tourists, we were tourists, but it seemed like life was just moving along like you weren't there.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7952 posts
”Cadiz is my favorite city for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. It's less refined than the more obvious Andalusian cities, grittier, unpretentious and more working class.”
I agree! I enjoyed Cadiz so much while my husband felt like it was a very nice 1-time stop (we stayed there for a week in February.). Adding to the food recommendations already given, I am a gelato connoisseur. I highly recommend Verde Pistacchio. It was created by an Italian-Spanish couple. Their shop has a light green VW bus, so it is easy to spot.
Posted by
6 posts
Hi, I also suggest a stay and exploration of Cádiz! It a great little city to discover with lots to see and do. There is a great audio guided tour here: https://visitingcadiz.com/immerse-yourself-in-cadizs-rich-history-a-guided-audio-tour/
For the Torre Tavira, try to book online in advance on their official website. The museum is fantastic and the food in Plaza de las Flores and the Mercado Central pretty amazing :)
Have a great trip!
Posted by
2 posts
You mentioned stopping in Portimao, PT… we spent 4 nights there last March…we had a car, so I can’t say how you will get there- but the Bengali Cave area near there is so beautiful if you enjoy hiking!