Cádiz Gay Travel
Cádiz gay travel guide to hotels, where to stay, beaches, gay bars, & local experiences.
The Gay Travel Experience: Cádiz, Spain
A laid-back vacation destination, Cádiz welcomes travelers of all shapes and sizes. The people of Cádiz are warm, enthusiastic about life, and most of all, friendly. I felt right at home my entire visit. My ancestors actually lived in this very city several generations ago!
In the very south of Spain, Cadiz is a wonderful place to visit through the summer into September or early October.
I specifically loved the city for its openness toward LGBT travelers. Cádiz gay travel is definitely more off-the-beaten-path in comparison to other Andalusian cities.
I’ve met many gay Spaniards while traveling around Spain who grew up in Cádiz. This historic port city is held dear in the hearts of many, and while it’s not the most well-known of Spain’s gay destinations, I still recommend a trip here!
Cádiz is great for solo gay travelers, couples, or even a small group getaway. Colorful celebrations like Carnival and gay pride in Cádiz attract many gay travelers from across Europe.
Gay Cádiz: Hotels & Where to Stay
Cádiz hotels and apartment rentals are relatively cheap. On the low-end, you can get a shared Airbnb rental for less than $30 USD per night!
Cádiz Old City Hotels, Hostels & Apartments
You’ll find some of the best Cádiz vacation rentals in the Old City. This is the main part of town that bustles with restaurants and contains historic sites. It’s beautiful.
Casa Nautilus and Spanish Galleon Lodge are two incredible LGBT-friendly hostels in Cádiz.
Each offers rooms with double beds or twin beds that include a private bathroom, television, and air conditioning. They also offer studios for up to 4 people equipped with a kitchen, perfect for groups.
These hostels truly embody the spirit of traveling and freedom. All of their staff, including their owner Daniel (who is originally from the United States), help to provide a unique atmosphere throughout guests’ stay.
Casa Nautilus Hostel and Spanish Galleon Lodge are both located in the heart of the city, only 5 minutes from the beach and 2 min from the Cádiz Central Market.
South Cádiz Hotels
South of the old city, buildings become a bit more modern, as the city expanded southward over time. If you decide to stay in one of the many hotels south of the Old City, stellar public transport will still be available to get you everywhere.
Hotels near Play de La Victoria are the best if you choose not to stay in the Cádiz Old City/want to stay farther south along the coast. Many travelers that prefer standard hotel accommodations as opposed to vacation villas often stay in this area.
Many travelers visiting Cádiz will rent a car upon arrival, or even rent a car to make the trip from a neighboring city. You can rent a car at the Cádiz Airport or even pick one up once you’re in town, as they’re also available near La Plaza De Seville.
More Cádiz Hotels I Recommend
Here are a few other fantastic hotels for gay travelers in Cádiz that are highly rated and located in the heart of the Old Town.
Cádiz Gay Travel Experiences
My favorite thing about Cádiz is the massive promenade around the Old City. Perfect for jogging, you can travel along the historic wall that once protected Cádiz from enemies.
The promenade is the perfect place to get a killer workout in, a great opportunity to stay fit while traveling.
Dedicated bike lanes follow footpaths all around the Old City promenade. If you’re not into running, biking is the perfect way to take in the sights. Whichever you choose, bring your best look with some sexy workout clothes.
Stellar parks with beautiful tile work and gardens are another beautiful part of the Old City’s promenade. You can see some old cannons and lookout points.
Make sure to go to Parque Genovés. It’s one of the most special parks in Cádiz!
Stroll through Plaza España, a cute part of town in the center of the old city with a historic monument of Cádiz’s establishment.
It’s quite pretty and great for a photo to show all your friends that you’ve made it to Cádiz. The number 1 bus line starts/terminates here at the nearby bus stop.
Plaza de San Juan de Dios is a wonderful square in the middle of the Old City with some great restaurants. It’s a relaxing area to spend an entire afternoon having seafood and beer. Take a stroll through this part of town even if you don’t eat in the plaza.
For some ancient history, check out the museum containing the remains of the Cádiz Roman Theatre. Before the Spanish empire reigned, the Roman Empire controlled the region. An old theatre from that age was discovered in 1980, and what was left of it has been preserved. Entry is free!
Especially for solo travelers who want to meet locals, booking a private Cádiz walking tour is a fantastic way to explore some special areas of the city. Many of the tours include a glass of local wine!
The Cádiz Old City
Castillo de San Sebastian is at the western tip of the Old City. This area is wonderful at all times of day, especially during sunset.
Leading from the city to the castle is the Paseo Fernando Quiñones, an elevated pathway, perfect to walk along as the sun sets over the Atlantic.
Between Castillo de San Sebastian and neighboring Castillo de San Catalina, the beachfront is primarily a port. This area is better for walking along the shore rather than swimming as it’s a bit muddy. People hang out along the promenade late into the night.
Beaches in Cádiz
Playa de La Victoria is the best beach for swimming in Cádiz. It’s a bit south of the Old City. The water is clear and the shoreline is free of seaweed. There is a restaurant down on the shore and wash-off facilities near the entrance.
Playa de La Caleta is one of the most popular beaches in Cádiz for its location at the tip of the old city. It has a fun, urban feel with soft golden sand. There are plenty of shaded areas here too. I love how people claim spots under the walkways of the adjacent building.
Cádiz Pride
The city of Cádiz hosts a fantastic gay pride according to the Spaniards. It’s called Cádiz con Orgullo, or Cádiz with pride!
Although the city’s young population is not the largest, people of all ages flock to this beautiful place to show LGBT pride.
Cádiz Gay Bars
While I didn’t get to visit any Cádiz gay bars during my stay, various locals mentioned that Kings & Queens is the top gay bar for drinks and meeting new people. The drag shows are entertaining as well. Check them out in the video below.
There are a couple of other Cádiz gay bar options, however, none of the gay locals recommended that I go to them. If you do try them out, let me know what you think.
El Teniente Seblon is another gay bar option, but since I did not get to visit, I can’t tell you for sure what it’s like. Their Facebook Page also does not seem to have many photos of a typical night.
El Poniente was a classic gay bar that had been open for over 30 years, but sadly closed down amid the pandemic and due to issues with the local authorities. It’s sad to have seen them go.
If the gay bars in Cádiz aren’t your vibe, then you can always wander into the city center late in the evening. You will surely find bars and restaurants buzzing!
Cádiz Gay Travel Tips
Cádiz holds a special place in my heart for its charm, serenity, and wonderful pace of life. There’s nothing too tricky about Cádiz gay travel, but here are a few travel tips for your journey.
Tourist Trap Restaurants in Cádiz
Be careful of restaurants in Cádiz that are big tourist traps. The city is a popular summer vacation destination and many restaurants will charge higher than reasonable prices for usually poor quality food.
Distinguishing an overpriced restaurant here is pretty simple. If a plate of food costs 15 Euros at a sidewalk restaurant, you’re definitely paying too much.
In this part of Spain especially, things should be much cheaper. If you seek out local places and check inside, you‘ll see prices for about half that amount!
One more note on food. You may find restaurants/bars to be open throughout the day, but most places do not serve hot food in the middle of the day.
After lunchtime, many places only serve cold tapas until dinnertime begins. This cold stuff is still good, though. Just note that the Spanish eat much later and restaurants will fire up again around 8 PM.
A Little Cádiz History
Cádiz was once a rich city from trade with the Americas, which can be observed in the beautiful tile work, but today the economy in Cádiz is not the strongest. The region thrives on tourism during the summer months, but there is not much other industry in the city.
Interestingly noted by Bloomberg, many past jobs in Cádiz production of Sherry wine were mechanized, further increasing local unemployment. The article also notes, however, that Cádiz unemployment isn’t as bad as reports indicate since many people work for cash on the side.
One other thing I noticed while visiting Cádiz was that the population (at least during the fall months), was a bit on the older side. I’m not complaining here-in fact it was charming!
Many of my Spanish friends have mentioned that many younger people leave the city for work opportunities in larger European Cities. Perhaps in the peak of summer, the age distribution is a little more even, but I thought I’d share this interesting fact.
Carnival in Cádiz
Cádiz has its very own Carnival festival if you’re interested in attending. I wasn’t visiting for the event, but at the end of every February, Cádiz becomes wild, with people flooding the streets in costume. Locals and other Spaniards say it’s fantastic!
Cádiz Trip Planning Links
Sightseeing: Viator and GetYourGuide are two of the most trusted and reliable platforms for tours and activities.
Flights: Skyscanner has the most advanced interface for finding the lowest-cost flights and comparing options.
Hostels & Apartments: I’ve used Hostelworld dozens of times while backpacking. For vacation apartments, I often find deals on VRBO.
Buses, Trains & Rides: Omio is awesome because it compares literally all modes of transport, including BlaBlaCar rideshares. FlixBus is my go-to for bus travel between cities. Their buses are always clean and have Wi-Fi.
Car Rentals: I have always had good experiences with Europcar. If you’re not sure which rental company you prefer, compare them with Discover Cars.
Swimwear: Look your best at the beach or hotel pool with wolfyy’s suggestions from top gay swimwear brands.
Luggage: Check out my favorite suitcases, bags & backpacks for stylish inspiration.
Travel Insurance: Insure your trip against delays, luggage mishaps, and medical issues with Travelex.
If you’re in the south of Spain, don’t miss Granada, Seville, and the fabulous gay resort town of Torremolinos.
Or, hop over to Maspalomas, a huge gay party destination on the Canary Islands.
See wolfyy’s complete collection of gay travel guides for more gay destination ideas around the world.
