Free walking tours in Chiclana de la Frontera and what to see

Must-sees

Chiclana de la Frontera is best known for La Barrosa beach, a long stretch of golden sand and clean water. At its northern end is Sancti Petri, the old tuna-fishing village, with its marina and views of Sancti Petri castle, on an islet off the coast. At sunset it is one of the best places to watch the sun go down.

The town centre, a few kilometres from the sea, has a life of its own. Stroll through the centre by the river Iro and go into the church of San Juan Bautista and the Chiclana Museum. The town has a tradition of wineries and salt pans and is part of the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park, with marshes and channels you can explore on foot or by bike.

Free tours and guided visits

Chiclana has occasional free walking tours of the historic centre, covering the town’s history, its wineries and its relationship with Cádiz. More common are boat trips from Sancti Petri to the castle, kayak routes through the channels and visits to salt pans and wineries with tastings. From here it is easy to get to Cádiz, which has daily free walking tours of the old town. Vejer de la Frontera, Conil and Medina Sidonia are other highly recommended day trips.

How long to spend

If you are coming for the beach, a stay of four or five days leaves time to rest and take some trips. Spend half a day at Sancti Petri, another in central Chiclana and a winery, and set aside at least one day for Cádiz and another for Vejer. In summer, use the early hours for sightseeing and leave the afternoon for the sea.

Where to stay

La Barrosa and Novo Sancti Petri hold almost all the hotels and apartments, with the beach a few steps away and plenty going on in summer. It is the best option if you are after the coast. If you prefer lower prices and local life, central Chiclana has simple places to stay, shops and tapas bars, though you will need a car or bus to get to the beach.