Holidays in Cádiz - Chiclana

Located in a privileged setting, the town of Chiclana has become a hub of tourism in Cádiz by avoiding massive development and respecting the natural beauty of its surroundings. In this town on the Costa de la Luz you'll find Playa Barrosa, one of the most popular beaches in the area for its beauty and wide variety of leisure activities.

The Hotel Riu Chiclana was specially designed to give you an all-inclusive holiday in Chiclana. In this hotel you'll find spacious facilities, the best entertainment programmes, a varied gastromic offer and the most exclusive RIU Hotels & Resorts amenities.

The Seven Magical Places of Chiclana

Chiclana's old town is clearly divided by the Iro River into two zones known as 'El Lugar', where you'll find stately old homes and religious buildings, and 'La Banda', with noted wineries and more modern buildings. If you explore its narrow streets, you're sure to find charming places and establishments where they serve berza chiclanera, a typical local stew. Amongst the must-see buildings are the San Juan Bautista church and San Telmo churches, the Clock Tower and the various residential palaces. But if you want to see the best part of Chiclana, we recommend the Seven Magical Places of Chiclana route, which shows you the heritage and scenic spots of this town in Cádiz. On this route, you'll see Santa Ana Hill, La Loma del Puerco, the Temple of Hercules, the Wetlands, Miralmar, El Carrascal and La Espartosa.

Nearby towns and cities

In the vicinity of Chiclana you'll also find charming mountain and coastal towns with incredible scenery, like Vejer de la Frontera, considered by many to be the loveliest of Andalusia's white villages; Medina Sidonia, founded 300 years ago and declared Heritage of Cultural Interest; El Palmar de Vejer, Zahara de los Atunes, and Tarifa, one of the coastal cities most popular with tourists. And, lastly, you can't forget to explore the city of Cádiz itself and see its old town, cathedral and seafront promenade.

Gastronomy of Cádiz

The local cuisine of Chiclana follows the Andalusian culinary tradition, with its fish and seafood, varied tapas and cheeses, and intensely-flavoured local wines. In its restaurants you'll get to experience the different flavours of the zone that differentiate its cuisine from that of the rest of the region, especially since it has local denominations for dishes and ingredients, like berzachiclanera, a rich stew made with meat and chick peas; Chiclana prawns; alcauciles con chicharos, artichokes with peas; tagarninas al ajopollo, thistles sautéed with garlic chicken; and bienmesabe, marinated dogfish; amongst many others. And don't forget to try the pescadito frito, Andalusian-style fried fish, which is served in many establishments and beach cafés, and the sweet home-style desserts made using the recipes of the nuns in the area's convents.

Playa de la Barrosa:

The eight kilometres of this beach in Chiclana are fully dedicated to enjoyment. Its fine white sand and the marvellous waters of the Atlantic exercise a magnetism that is difficult to match. This long stretch of sand is perfect for many aquatic sports.

Playa de la Torre del Puerco:

This is the most natural and tranquil stretch of sand in Chiclana, with a extensive green zone behind the beach. It is two kilometres long and has moderate waves that draw many surfers.

Arcos de la Frontera:

A white village built on the edge of a cliff, it represents one of the loveliest vistas of Andalusia. On its picturesque, traditional streets, you'll get to see the historic landmarks that grace the town.