In this article we will take you out of our beautiful province of Malaga to the no less beautiful – and very different! – province of Cadiz. Enjoy a beautiful road trip with fantastic views and some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain.
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Table of Contents
Why Cadiz is worth discovering
If you are in Malaga and the Costa del Sol, you may find it tedious to take the car to discover another province. Or you can take advantage of your stay to discover the great and beautiful variety that Andalusia has to offer, just a few hours from Malaga, such as Cordoba, Granada or Cadiz.
We will take you along the coastal route to the so-called Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light). And you will soon find out for yourself why it is so called.
Those who already know the Costa del Sol, being a mature and very popular tourist destination, also suffers from the consequences of such popularity. Massive construction, crowded beaches and heavy traffic in the summer months, to name but a few examples.
As soon as you enter our neighbouring province, you begin to notice the visible change. The visual field opens up enormously, the buildings diminish and leave space for cork oak forests.
We leave behind the Mediterranean coast to enter the Atlantic coast. There is a very peculiar light on the coast and incredible contrasts between the blues of the sea and the sky in beautiful and intense shades, contrasting with endless virgin beaches of fine golden sand.
Sounds good? Then come and join us!
Coastal route Malaga / Marbella – Cadiz
Our recommendation, especially in high season: Take the toll Mediterranean motorway, the AP-7, directly. It saves you time and hassle.
You´ll circumnavigate the overcrowded national road N-340 which passes through all the coastal towns of the Costa del Sol (Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Marbella and Estepona).
The end of the AP-7 is at Torreguadiaro and the river Guadiaro which is the natural border between the two provinces.
As you can see in the Google Street view capture, it is one of the largest rivers in the south of Andalusia.
We continue along the A-7. One advantage of this route is that you stay on the same road the whole way, without having to be aware of directions or motorway exits.
The A-7 takes us to Algeciras where it changes back to its original name, the national road N-340, which we have preferably avoided in its route through the municipalities of the Costa del Sol.
Viewpoint of the Strait
About 15 km from Algeciras you will have your first obligatory stop: The Viewpoint of the Strait.
A magnificent viewpoint 300 metres above sea level, over the strait where the Mediterranean and the Atlantic meet, with the African coast so close that you can see its white villages just 15 km away.
Parking is available on site, as well as a cafeteria where you can have a drink while you enjoy this unique place.
Tarifa, the capital of the winds
From the viewpoint we follow our course along the N-340 and descend towards Tarifa 6 km away.
Situated at the southernmost point of Europe and closest to Africa in a spectacular geographical enclave, this small town exudes something very special and magical as you will discover if you stop here.
Take time to stroll around and discover its charming squares and streets. There are many bars, restaurants and shops with a distinctive Bohemian flair unique to the place that is a little reminiscent of Ibiza.
Tarifa is popularly known as the ‘wind capital of Europe’, and with good reason. When the wind blows, it really blows. It can be quite uncomfortable if you were planning to sunbathe on the beach.
And that is precisely why Tarifa’s beaches are so popular internationally with surfers.
- Here is the official website of Tarifa.
Our advice
Due to the proximity of Morocco, it may happen that the mobile phone automatically connects to roaming. You can manually connect your mobile data so that you don’t get a surprise on your bill.
Beach Valdevaqueros
Just a few metres from the N-340 road is located the Beach Valdevaqueros. This beach has been chosen as the best beach in Spain, 4 kilometres long and 120 metres wide.
It is one of the most popular beaches for kite-surfing and wind surfing.
But it is also a place to drop into one of the Beach Bars and soak up the atmosphere that is so different from the Costa del Sol.
An authentic and natural place, facing the infinite blue of the sea.
Interesting
There were serious attempts to build a 740,000 m2 macro-urbanisation next to the beach and its famous dune, with 350 houses and 1,400 hotel beds, which would have a brutal and irreversible impact on one of the most valuable coastlines in southern Europe.
This macro-urbanisation violated numerous laws and urban and environmental plans. In 2020, the Supreme Court definitively overturned the Valdevaqueros development project.
Bolonia beach and its cows
This beach is one of the most beautiful in Spain. It is about 4 kilometres long and 70 metres wide and has an extensive natural dune and is located on the edge of the Strait of Gibraltar Natural Park.
This ensures the preservation of the environment, and prevents the proliferation of urban developers.
A charming peculiarity of Bolonia is that it is very often shared between bathers, surfers – and cows!
These cows called Retintas are indigenous. In both winter and summer it is common to see them strolling along the seashore or resting on the sand.
In fact, there are quite a few amusing photos of Retina cows even resting under beach umbrellas, while their original user was away for a dip.
To get to Bolonia, we have to deviate slightly from our route, taking the CA-8202 road. The beach is 8 km away.
Vejer de la Frontera
On the next stretch of our route, the N-340 road heads inland away from the coast. The eye can rest and glide over vast undeveloped natural areas.
Our next stop is Vejer de la Frontera, situated at 200 metres above sea level on the banks of the Barbate river and 8 kilometres from the coast, where another of the most famous beaches of Cádiz is located: El Palmar.
Vejer, with its historic centre, its Moorish heritance and the Jewish quarter, is one of the most beautiful towns in Spain.
Whether you want to make a short stop for a coffee on a terrace in the old town and take a stroll, or you want to find out more about everything there is to do and see, here you have the
- official Website of Vejer de la Frontera
Conil de la Frontera
Our next stop, 16 km from Vejer, brings us back to the Costa de la Luz and one of its most popular tourist resorts: Conil, white village by the sea.
In the summer months it is a lively seaside town, with a great atmosphere at night, good tapas bars and an excellent nightlife. And at the same time it has managed to maintain this charm and essence of a white village.
- If you are planning to stop or even stay a few days in Conil, here you have its official website.
Cadiz
And the final point of our route, some 53 km from Conil, is Cadiz. With Phoenician origins, it is considered the oldest city in the West.
It also has a unique location on a small island connected to the land by a narrow sandy strip. For centuries, it was Spain’s main port, especially for the Atlantic crossings to America.
With a history and heritage spanning three millennia, there is much to discover.
Here are just a few of the must-see places.
- If you want to know more or stay a few days to savour the city in depth, here you have the official website.
Populo Quarter
The Populo quarter is considered the oldest in Europe with charming alleys, beautiful corners and squares. There is even a Roman theatre in this neighbourhood. It was discovered in 1980 and is the second largest and oldest theatre in Roman Hispania.
La Viña Quarter
The neighbourhood of La Viña, with its narrow streets and traditional Cadiz houses, is probably the most authentic neighbourhood in Cadiz. It has the best atmosphere, as well as an excellent gastronomic offer of fresh fish and seafood.
Plaza San Juan de Dios
This beautiful and wide square not only invites you to see some of its old buildings: the Town Hall, the church of San Juan de Dios and the Casa de los Pazos Miranda. It is also ideal for sitting on one of its terraces and watching life in the street go by.
Plaza Topete
Another place to enjoy the atmosphere in the streets of Cádiz is this square with a lot of atmosphere. For the locals, the square is known as Plaza de las Flores because of the numerous flower stalls.
Mercado Central
If you like street life and want to feel the pulse of Cádiz from up close, you can’t miss the central market located next to the Plaza de Topete.
It is a beautiful neoclassical-style market where the people of Cádiz stock up on fruit, vegetables, seafood, meat and fish on a daily basis. The best place to buy quality fresh produce, as well as having a beer and some tapas.
Tavira Tower
This 45-metre-high tower is located inside the palace of the Marquises of Recaño. It is the best viewpoint in the city. From here you can enjoy panoramic views.
Santa Catalina fortress
It is a 17th century fortification located by the sea, at the end of La Caleta beach. The castle is currently used as a cultural space for exhibitions, workshops and craft shops.
San Sebastian fortress
On the other side of the same beach of La Caleta is another 17th century fortification with fantastic views over Cádiz.
Genovas Park
Situated by the sea is this historic park with a small lake and a waterfall. It is the green lung of the city where you can enjoy a pleasant stroll.
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