10 Things to Do in Cádiz in August

Summer is the ideal time to discover Cadiz and its paradisiacal beaches, and August is the hottest month of the year in the city, but it is also the time of festivals, patron saint festivals and other events that set the pace for visitors.

Among the best things to see and do in Cádiz in August are the Horse Races on the beaches of Sanlúcar, the football matches of the Ramón de Carranza Trophy, the Fiesta de los Cañonazos and the magical sunsets in the clear summer skies.

The beaches of Sanlúcar de Barrameda are also known as the Hippodrome of Sanlúcar, because in addition to the crystal-clear waters and golden sands that line the coastline, they are used as a track for the Sanlúcar Horse Races, a local tradition that takes place every year during the month of August.

This centenary event brings together the best Andalusian horses, who compete between the beaches of Bajo de Guía and Las Piletas, when the sun begins to set and on dates determined by the tide calendar each year. If you want to attend the races you can buy a box or visit the beach, where the show is free.

At the end of the races, prizes are awarded to the winners and the winning horse is immortalised in a photograph which is placed in the Town Hall. The Sanlúcar Horse Races are very important because they mark the formal start of summer on the coast of Jerez and an unmissable summer tradition for all the people of Cádiz.

Details of interest

• Price... The show is free from the beach or you can buy boxes which have an initial cost of approximately 120 euros per person.
• When... In August each year according to the tide calendar.
• Where... On the beaches of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

The Tío Pepe Festival is one of the best wine tourism experiences in Cádiz and is held every year in August to combine music and gastronomy in an open space and in a party organised by the González Byass Winery, which is one of the most traditional wineries in Jerez de la Frontera.

This event offers an exclusive sensory experience that combines wine, culture, art, gastronomy and leisure to appeal to all audiences, in a party that has become an emblem of the Cadiz summer. You can buy tickets that include access to the shows every night and wine tasting in one of the best wineries in Cádiz.

If you are planning to visit Cádiz in August this could be an interesting option and to make the most of your visit to Jerez you can also visit the coast, Puerto de Santa María and visit and taste at local family-run bodegas.

Interesting details

• Price... Tickets for the shows with wine tasting have an initial cost of approximately 38 euros.
• When... In August each year.
• Where... Bodegas González Byass, Calle Manuel María González 12, Jerez de la Frontera.

Cadiz CF is one of the most traditional teams in the Spanish La Liga and every year it organises in its stadium the Ramón de Carranza Trophy, a friendly competition in which invited clubs take part. This summer competition has been held since 1955 at the end of August and is a festival for the city, attracting thousands of visitors to the coastal area.

Attending one of the matches of the Ramón de Carranza Trophy is one of the ideal things to do in Cádiz in August if you are a football fan, especially as each edition usually features some of Europe's top clubs, giving you the chance to watch some of the game's biggest stars up close.

The Ramón de Carranza Trophy is also an activity for the whole family, so it's ideal if you're planning to visit Cádiz with children. You will also be able to take part in a historic event that has been held continuously for more than 60 years.

Interesting details

• Price... Tickets for the matches have an initial cost of approximately 50 euros for adults and 19 euros for children up to 12 years old.
• When... Late August each year.
• Where... Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla, Plaza de Madrid s/n, Cádiz.

The Bay of Cádiz offers some of the best sunsets in the world and during the summer watching the sunset is one of the best things to do in the city, although the best month to see this spectacle is August, when the skies are completely clear, the days are longer and the weather stays sunny until late in the day.

You can experience the Cadiz sunset from the terraces of the beach bars on the coast of Cadiz on the Caleta Beach or from the tall buildings such as the Clock Tower of the Cathedral of Cadiz or the Tavira Tower.

In August you can also witness a very unusual phenomenon in which during sunset a green flash produced by the bright objects on the horizon appears over the west, although this does not happen every year. Other places from which you can watch the sunset are the beaches of Tarifa and Puerto de Santa María.

The Fiesta de los Cañonazos is a summer celebration held every year in the Puntales neighbourhood to commemorate the resistance of the volunteers who defended the Castle of San Lorenzo del Puntal outside the walls from the Anglo-Dutch invasion of 1596. During the week of the celebration, activities are organised by a Neighbourhood Association.

If you plan to visit Cádiz in August you can attend the Fiesta de los Cañonazos, where you can tour the castle and take part in sports tournaments, theatrical performances, musical shows and cultural activities in a full programme that is free for all attendees.

An amusement park with roller coasters, bumper cars and food stalls is also often set up in the neighbourhood and there are also tours with local guides who tell the history of the battle of the neighbourhood. Puntales is located above La Cortadura and can be reached by public transport or on Cadiz's hop-on-hop-off tourist buses.

Interesting details

• Price... Participation in the activities is free of charge.
• When... Every August.
• Where... Puntales neighbourhood, Cádiz.

There is no summer in Cadiz if you don't visit the city's beaches, which boast some of the most beautiful in Spain, and thanks to Cadiz's mild climate you can swim several months of the year, but August is when Playa de la Caleta, in the area adjacent to the historic quarter, reaches its splendour with its warm water and gastronomic services.

You can also visit the beaches of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, where in August you can also attend the Sanlúcar Horse Races. On the Playa de la Calzada beach on the coast of Jerez you will find golden sand and crystal clear waters and nearby you can also visit the Playa de las Piletas beach, which is notable for its natural rocks.

In Cadiz you will also find summer resorts in August in Conil de la Frontera, Barbate, Zahara de los Atunes and Tarifa, where you can visit Bolonia Beach, chosen as one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain.

The Guadalquivir River Exaltation Festival is one of the most traditional in Andalusia and is held every year in Sanlúcar de Barrameda to pay homage to the river, coinciding with the Horse Races of Sanlúcar, with which it shares the status of being one of the typical festivities of Cádiz.

The festival began with floral offerings to the Guadalquivir River and soon began to add activities. Nowadays, the same celebration includes parades through Sanlúcar, the Fiesta del Mantón (shawl festival ) and the Fiesta Rociera. It also includes literary evenings, musical concerts, regattas on the river and competitions in the preparation of typical food. Taking part in the fiesta is one of the best things to do if you are planning to visit Cádiz in summer

The Fiesta de Exaltación del Río Guadalquivir closes with fireworks on the coast, in a unique spectacle that gets better every year and attracts the attention of all the people of Cádiz and also the visitors who flock to see the closing of the celebration.

Details of interest

• Price... Participation in the activities is free of charge.
• When... Every August.
• Where... Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Cádiz.

Nuestra Señora de La Palma is one of the most striking patron saint festivals in Spain due to its rich history. Legend has it that an Italian ship carrying the image of the Virgin of La Palma docked in the port of Algeciras during a storm and could not leave until they lowered the religious statue, which has been the patron saint of the city ever since.

Every 15th August the statue of the Virgen de la Palma is rescued from the depths of the Bay of Algeciras, where she wanted to stay, in a tradition that brings thousands of people to the Rinconcillo beach. During the patron saint's festivities, the statue makes a pilgrimage through the city's churches and once it is finished, it returns to the sea until the following year.

The Fiesta Patronal de Nuestra Señora de La Palma is the characteristic event of Algeciras and also one of the most famous celebrations in Andalusia. If you visit Cadiz in August you can take part in the religious festivities, which also include local food markets, craft stalls and a tide of people taking to the streets of the city to celebrate their patron saint.

One of the best excursions in Cádiz is to take a boat trip around the bay and if you plan to visit the city in August you'll do so in the ideal month for sea tours, because it's when the waves are calmest, when there's less wind and when the weather is warm.

On a boat trip around the Bay of Cádiz you can discover the city's skyline from the sea and during the summer tours you will have free time to take a swim at the stops and to practice some water sports such as paddle surfing. In August, with a clear tide, the waters of the bay are crystal clear, so you can also enjoy a snorkelling experience.

During the tour you will see the Constitution and Carranza bridges and you can take some of the best photographs of the city's architecture from the sea, so you can discover the beauty of Cádiz from the water. If you opt for the afternoon excursion you will also be able to witness the sunset, which in August is clear and cloudless.

Interesting details

• Price... Approximately 40 euros per person.
• Duration... Approximately 3 to 4 hours.

If you are a bullfighting enthusiast in Cádiz you will discover one of the most traditional bullfighting fairs in August. In the Real Plaza de El Puerto de Santa María bullfights, bullfights with picadors and practical classes involving Spain's most famous bullfighters are held every year.

The celebration of the Bullfighting Fair also coincides with other events in the Sanlúcar de Barrameda area, so you can make the most of your visit by also attending the Sanlúcar Horse Races and the Guadalquivir River Exaltation Festival. This is ideal if you are planning a short stay in the city because you will be able to save time. If this is your case, here is a list of activities so that you can discover Cádiz in 3 days

The Bullfighting Fair takes place during the first week of August, so you can attend the whole event or buy a ticket for just one day.

Interesting details

• Price... A single day ticket costs approximately 28 euros.
• When... During the first week of August each year.
• Where... Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz.

Summer in Cadiz is hot but rarely sweltering, with average temperatures of 24°, highs of 30° and lows of 18°. August is the hottest month of the year and is generally a dry time, with virtually no rain and temperatures rarely drop below 20°.

The summer temperature in Cadiz, however, will allow you to carry out all walking activities without any inconvenience, although it is advisable to use sunscreen and sunglasses. The weather remains mild also during the following months, although if you visit Cádiz in December you will find that temperatures drop drastically.

Summer is the high season and August is the busiest month in Cadiz, so be aware that the beaches and summer excursions will have a large number of visitors.

If you want to secure your place on the excursions and avoid last-minute price increases or a sell-out, you can book in advance online.

August is the busiest month of the summer so prices, especially for accommodation, are the highest of the year. Bear in mind that there are excursions, such as bike tours, which are usually cheap all year round, but the high season in Cádiz is not an economical time for a holiday.

You can save some money by booking excursions in advance online to avoid last-minute price increases, although you will notice a substantial difference in costs, which will be higher than if you visit Cádiz during the winter.

August is one of the hottest months in Cádiz and most days are sunny, so I recommend that you include the following items in your suitcase:

• Swimming costume
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Beach shoes
• Light coat
• T-shirts
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Lightweight trousers