Cádiz - Chiclana

Lavish Comforts At Our Riu Chiclana Hotel

Escape to our all-inclusive Chiclana hotel, where the plush amenities of a modern resort are perfectly blended with the dazzling natural beauty of the Spanish coast. The placid town of Chiclana de la Frontera has managed to achieve something very difficult: become Cadiz's main tourism centre whilst avoiding overcrowding and respecting its privileged surroundings.

The beach of Barrosa, one of the best in Spain and the most representative place in the area, is one of the many attractions of this region which has successfully combined tourism and environmental protection. Immerse yourself in the many wonders of our Chiclana Spain hotel while exploring the quaint seaside town of nearby Cadiz.

Lose Yourself In The Solitude Of This Chiclana Spain Hotel
Bask in majestic views at the ClubHotel Riu Chiclana. Climb the rolling dunes nearby and witness a brilliant symphony of colour as the sun sets into the Atlantic Ocean.

La Barrosa beach

This beach's 8km are pure pleasure. Its fine white sand and the wonderful waters of the Atlantic have a magnetism that is difficult to beat. La Barrosa beach is also ideal for practising many water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing or canoeing. Horse-riding tours are also very popular. The large and wide stretch of sand and the surrounding dunes are very easy to ride on, even for beginners. 
The ClubHotel Riu Chiclana is situated in front of the beach, overlooking the sea. The surroundings are very quiet, with a large stretch of unpoilt beach that starts immediately after the hotel. When the sun sets, not many things can beat sitting on one of the large dunes to witness the sunset under the Atlantic Ocean.

Watersports

Canoeing: The different itineraries through the marshes that surround Chiclana will enable you to discover the wealth of bird species that inhabit the area: grey herons, cormorants, storks and flamingos, among other species. 
These narrow and shallow natural labyrinths are best explored with a canoe. Any other vessel would find it hard to penetrate this intricate set of canals.
There are also routes to the island of Sancti Petri, where according to legend, a Phoenician temple dedicated to Hercules once stood.

Bodyboarding and surfing: The waves of La Barrosa are by no means huge but they are big enough to practise these sports. Both the experienced and beginners will enjoy this beach, where you can combine delightful bathing with sports activity.

Kitesurfing: If you want to take up this spectacular sport, this is the ideal place. Between Sancti Petri and its island, the constant but moderate winds are perfect for beginners. The waters in the area are shallow, which favours the creation of the small waves needed for this speciality.

Excursions: on foot, by bike or on horseback

Many easy routes leave from Chiclana and its surroundings, enabling you to discover the natural and scenic charms of the area:

Beach route: On horseback or on foot, you can spend hours amongst the dunes and the beach of La Barrosa, admiring the numerous birds and the vegetation that populate them. The sunsets from the nearby cliffs are spectacular.

Cordel de Fontanal: This path runs through beautiful vineyards. The route, which can be covered on foot, on horseback or by bicycle, also borders the lagoons of Geli and Montellano, of great ecological value and a refuge for storks and flamingos, amongst other species. On some stretches the views of the bay of Cadiz and the surrounding area are fantastic.

Callejón del molino: This magical excursion, which we recommend you cover on foot or by bicycle, enables you to enter part of the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park, amongst marshes and former salt works. Bird lovers will appreciate the abundance of biodiversity since a few metres away from the trails you can observe flamingos, spoonbills, cormorants, herons and many more species.

Pinar de los Franceses: This path runs between a pine grove and marshland and affords excellent views of the area. If you are lucky, you will catch sight of a chameleon, an endangered species, but nevertheless common here. At the end of the trail you pass through a reed bed characteristic of areas where marshlands and freshwater currents come into contact. This beautiful, simple excursion can be covered on foot or by bicycle.

Golf

Golf Novo Sancti Petri: It has 36-holes divided into two courses. The first one runs between pine trees and vegetation whilst the second one - possibly the more spectacular of the two - runs parallel to the sea with impressive views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Club Lomas de Sancti Petri: The exuberant vegetation that covers the whole course makes each hole a unique experience. Short and strategic, it's appropriate for all kinds of players.

Specialities

Fish and seafood: The traditional shellfish gathering and exploitation of the marshlands has fuelled local gastronomy with a wide variety of fish and seafood: marsh fish, clams, shrimps and an exquisite local variety of crayfish, amongst others.

Berza Chiclanera: This is the most representative dish of Chiclana, and where the region's agricultural legacy is clearly reflected. It is based on chick peas, haricot beans, pumpkin, sweet potato and green beans. Each different type of Berza can be complemented with the corresponding "pringá" - beef, bacon and chorizo.

Wine: The best way of enjoying the region's food delicacies is with one of the excellent local wines. There are oloroso, dry wines and muscatels, and all are made according to traditional methods.

Shopping

Chiclana is famous for the Marín dolls, made by hand in a factory in the town. Dressed in flamenco dresses and other Spanish folkloric attire, a great many are sold both in Spain and abroad, and they are a very popular souvenir.
The town also produces ceramics and forged metal, which is used to make beautiful creations.

Chiclana

The beauty of the beach of La Barrosa is by no means Chiclana's only attraction. From the hill of Santa Ana you will have a privileged view of the whole area, including the bay of Cadiz and the surrounding marshlands.
The path that borders the river Iro and divides the town is a good place for enjoying the tranquillity of a peaceful Andalusian town. The church and convent of Jesús Nazareno, with one of the most beautiful Baroque portals in the region, is famous for the delicious almond cakes made by the cloistered nuns. If you need to relax or alleviate a disorder, the sulphurous waters of the Fuente Amarga spa have been famous for their healing powers for centuries.

Cádiz

Any trip to Chiclana must include a visit to Cadiz. This wonderful city, located on a small peninsula and surrounded almost entirely by the sea, is a very special place indeed.

Old town: When you cross the imposing Puerta Tierra gateway that separates old Cadiz from the modern city, you will be entering one of the most genuine towns in existence. Here, each district maintains its essence and identity: El Pópulo is the former medieval town; La Viña, a lively fishermen's quarter; and Santa María, a living temple to flamenco.
On occasions, as you admire the beautiful buildings that line the streets, you will be surprised by one of the many squares flooded with bars and cafeterias. Some outstanding ones are the Plaza de España, the Plaza de las Flores or Tío de la Riza.

Cathedral: Its structure and design are incomparable. The façade combines a mixture of Baroque and Neoclassical influences which give rise to concave and convex surfaces from which two towers emerge, similar in appearance to two astronomy observatories. Presiding over the whole in a dominant role is the dome, which rises up with its yellow tiles giving the building a genuine touch.
In the cathedral crypt lie the remains of the famous composer Manuel de Falla. Nearby you will find the former Roman theatre and the old cathedral, also very interesting.

Atlantic façade: Walking along the seafront promenade you will pass by one of the most photogenic places in the city: the different-coloured buildings stand facing the ocean, with the unique cathedral as a backdrop. You will not tire of taking photos here.

Arcos de la Frontera

The picture postcard image of this white village constructed on the edge of a cliff is one of the most beautiful in Spain. Walking through the streets you can admire houses joined by Arab archways, beautiful churches and fantastic viewpoints of the river Guadalete and the fields of crops.
Arcos de la Frontera must have some special quality, as it's the birthplace or place of residence of writers, photographers and artists, something which has earned it the name of "town of the poets ". Its picturesque streets, of popular inspiration, contrast with the numerous monuments that adorn the town:

Basilica of Santa María: The basilica has a characteristic greyish-brown colour that contrasts with the white buildings that surround it. It stands out for its Gothic façade and Neoclassical tower and has been declared a Historical and Artistic Monument.

Castillo Ducal: This former Arab fortress rises up on the edge of the cliff and affords impressive views of the river Guadalete and the surrounding area. 

Palace of Conde del Águila: This 15th-century jewel is a mixture of late Gothic style and Mudejar tradition.

Church of San Juan de Dios: Built in the 16th century, the church has a patio with columns and a magnificent Baroque stairway.

Medina Sidonia

Travel in time around the narrow streets of this town, which was founded 3000 years ago and declared an Asset of Cultural Interest because of its rich historical and artistic legacy.
The town's main attraction is the Gothic church of Santa María Mayor La Coronada, which rises up above the intricate network of bright white houses and contains an important collection of Renaissance and Baroque works.
In the centre of the town lies the Roman archaeological complex (1st century AD), of great historical value and comprised mainly of hydraulic galleries measuring over 30 m. that were used as sewers.
On the outskirts of the town lies the Visigoth chapel of the Holy Martyrs, constructed in the year 630 and considered Andalusia's oldest church.