You may have heard about the beauty of the white villages of Cadiz, but the routes we recommend below will probably make you even more eager to get to know this region of southern Spain in depth. Cadiz is one of the destinations in Andalusia where, no matter if you choose the coast or inland, you can plan stunning itineraries that blend nature, culture and gastronomy.
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From the Guadalquivir to the Marco de Jerez
Our starting point will be the west of the province, where we recommend you start a journey to explore Cadiz in all four directions. There you can head for Sanlúcar de Barrameda and make a river visit to Doñana National Park aboard the ship Real Fernando, named in honour of the first steamship built in Spain. After marvelling at its incredible diversity of ecosystems, what could be better than visiting one of the more than 40 wineries that make up the Marco del Jerez (the Sherry Triangle), or other towns such as Chiclana de la Frontera, Rota, El Puerto de Santa María... You can taste some of the region's most emblematic wines such as Fino, Moscatel or Manzanilla and pair them with tapas featuring prawns, anchovies or mojama, or more hearty dishes such as salmorejo, rice with shellfish or the popular dish of fried fish.
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Sierra de Cadiz Vía Verde cycling route
The next route is located in the northeast. This old railway line stretching 36 kilometres between the villages of Puerto Serrano and Olvera is ideal for hiking, horse riding, cycling or even riding ATVs as a group. You will pass by spectacular places such as the Peñón de Zaframagón, one of the most populous vulture reserves in Europe, or you can discover one of the most iconic trees in Andalusia, the Chaparro de la Vega, a holm oak that is several hundred of years old, 13 metres high and 30 metres in diameter. Along this ecotourism route, you will also find a wide variety of restaurants and gastrobars to enjoy the local gastronomy, as well as unique accommodation such as flats that look like train carriages.
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Canyoning in the Garganta Verde
If you want to add a dose of adventure to your trip, all you have to do is head down to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. There, you have the opportunity to go canyoning in this spectacular rock canyon near the town of Zahara de la Sierra. You'll see vertical walls of lush vegetation up to 400 meters high, a product of the ancient erosion of the Bocaleones brook. A route just two and a half kilometres long, but very intense, with a gradient of seven to nine metres, running through a karstic grotto, the Cueva de la Ermita (Cave of the Hermitage). To visit the Garganta Verde trail you need to request authorisation at the El Bosque visitor center.
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Majaceite River trail, in El Bosque
Stretching from El Bosque to Benamahoma, you will find a pleasant path of about five kilometres along the Majaceite riverbed. In the Molino de Benamahoma Ecomuseum, you can learn about the history of the old textile industry in Grazalema, as well as the bakeries and other trades that once depended on the energy generated by the power of water.There are other highly recommended itineraries in this area, such as the Salto del Cabrero trail, moderately difficult, which starts in Benaocaz and ends at the Salto del Cabrero viewpoint, where you can admire an impressive gorge. Another option is the Llanos del Rabel trail, which is about six kilometres long and ideal for children, through a forest of Spanish firs and dense greenery.
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Algeciras and the flamenco guitar of Paco de Lucía
In the south of Cadiz, you can get to know the culture and art of flamenco through one of its great icons: Paco de Lucía (1947-2014), winner of the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts. The Paco de Lucía route covers 10 of the important places in the life of the guitarist and composer. This is how Algeciras, his hometown, pays tribute to an artist renowned for elevating flamenco to the international scene and fusing it with other styles such as jazz, bossa nova and classical music without losing sight of its essence.
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Whale watching in the Strait of Gibraltar
To conclude the trip, we suggest visiting the southernmost point of the province of Cadiz and of the Iberian Peninsula. If you want to learn about the marine species that inhabit the Costa de la Luz, your destination is the Cetacean Visitor Centre and Marine Classroom (CICAM), located in the old fish market of Tarifa. There, you can get all the information you need to embark on one of the year-round whale-watching excursions in the Strait of Gibraltar. A two-and-a-half hour cruise where you may be lucky enough to spot dolphins, sperm whales, Baleen whales and even killer whales. A true blue tourism experience to understand the importance of protecting the biodiversity of the oceans.
More information: https://www.cadizturismo.com/en/todas-las-rutas
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