9 Best Things To Do In El Puerto De Santa Maria, Spain

1. Aqualand Bahía de Cádiz

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Aqualand Bahía de Cádiz is a water park located in El Puerto de Santa Maria, offering fun for the whole family. With a variety of still water pools, rapids and whirlpools, there is adventure for everyone. There are nine different rides on offer, including the Cola del Diablo (black hole) and the Banzai. For the smaller children, a water play area and mini-park are loads of fun. On site there is a variety of restaurants offering burgers, sandwiches, pizza and pasta.

Aqualand Bahía de Cádiz

Address: N-IV, Km 6.46, 11500 El Puerto de Sta María, Cádiz

Website: Aqualand Bahía de Cádiz

2. Castle of San Marcos

The Castle of San Marcos dates back to the 12th-century and was built on the remains of a Moorish mosque, right on the banks of the Guadalete River. Still in an excellent condition, the building is used for cultural events and conferences and open-air events are often held during the summer months in the gardens surrounding the building.

Castle of San Marcos

Address: Plaza Alfonso X el Sabio, 3, 11500 El Puerto de Sta Maria, Cádiz

Website: Castle of San Marcos

3. Museo Fundación Rafael Alberti

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Museo Fundación Rafael Alberti hosts a virtual library featuring the work of the renowned Spanish artist, poet and literary figure Rafael Alberti. Alberti is considered to be one of the greatest literary figures in what is dubbed the “Silver Age” of Spanish literature and he went on to win several awards.

Museo Fundación Rafael Alberti

Address: Calle Santo Domingo, 25, 11500 El Puerto de Sta María, Cádiz

Website: Museo Fundación Rafael Alberti

4. Priory Church, El Puerto de Santa Maria

The Priory Church (Iglesia Mayor Prioral) is a Gothic church and was constructed around 1486 but was damaged in an earthquake back in the 17th-century. The church was rebuilt partly in the Baroque style and contains elements of both the Gothic and Baroque style of architecture. The church can be found in Plaza España, directly across from the Municipal Museum.

Priory Church

Address: Plaza España, s/n, 11500 El Puerto de Sta María, Cádiz

Website: Priory Church, El Puerto de Santa Maria (in Spanish)

5. Museo Arqueológico Municipal

The municipal and archaeological museum offers exhibits of both Phoenician and Roman artifacts including a Phoenician anthropoid sarcophagus and various Roman remains and statues found in Baelo Claudia, a Roman city located further down the Cádiz coast, Sancti Petri and Medina Sidonia. There is also an exhibition of fine paintings by Zurbarán, as well as a painting by the Spanish artist Joan Miró.

Museo Arqueológico Municipal

Address: Calle Pagador, 1, 11500 El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cádiz

Website: Museo Arqueológico Municipal (in Spanish)

6. Playa de Valdelagrana

Valdelagrana Beach is nestled between the mouth of the Guadalete River and the Levante Beach in El Puerto de Santa Maria, next to the urbanization of Valdelagrana, with views across to the city of Cádiz. Most popular with visitors to the city, this stretch of beach joins up to the Los Toruños Natural Park. The beach offers a promenade with restaurants and bars and all necessary amenities for a day out in the sun. Windsurfing and kitesurfing are popular water sports here.

Playa de Valdelagrana

Address: El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cádiz

Website: Playa de Valdelagrana (in Spanish)

7. Los Toruños Natural Park

The Parque Metropolitano Marisma de los Toruños, to give its full name, is a natural area set aside on the Bay of Cádiz. It was set up to protect the cultural and ecological heritage of the area. Perfect for walking and hiking, there is a series of wooden walkways, lookout spots and observation towers within the park.

Los Toruños Natural Park

Address: 11500 El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cádiz

Website: Los Toruños Natural Park (in Spanish)

8. Sala Museo Hospitalito

The Hospital of the Divine Providence was originally a women’s hospital and charity for orphans and poor people in the city. Built in a neoclassic style with a touch of French Baroque, the building was constructed around 1753. On exhibit is an interesting collection of dishes dating back to the 16th and 17th-century, taken from the Monastery of La Victoria.

Sala Museo Hospitalito

Address: Calle Ganado, 58, 11500 El Puerto de Sta María, Cádiz

Website: Sala Museo Hospitalito (in Spanish)

9. Ruta del Vino (wine route) and the Route of the Senses

As part of the Ruta de los Sentidos (Route of the Senses) the wine route is an excellent choice. Due to the climatic conditions in the area, El Puerto de Santa Maria is an excellent wine area, protected under the Denomination of Origin Jerez-Xérès Sherry. Archaeology in the area shows a relationship between the original city and the city of Porto in Portugal, dating back to the Phoenician epoch of the 8th-century BC. There are several wineries to visit along the route, offering the opportunity to taste the products and learn more about sherry production. Flamenco music and dancing displays are also available.

Ruta del Vino

Address: El Puerto de Sta María, Cádiz

Website: Ruta del Vino

Enjoy your visit to El Puerto de Santa Maria and the Costa de la Luz

With so much history, fun and adventure on offer, El Puerto de Santa Maria is a recommended stop on your Costa de la Luz tour.